Whakatane actress lands her dream role

Whakatane's Courtney Abbot is about to appear on our television screens in Emmy Award winning directing duo David Stubbs and Thomas Robins' new show Girl vs Boy.

Described as a newcomer and class act by the industry, the gorgeous former Trident High School student said she was simply an Eastern Bay girl still trying to work out how she slipped into a world she had always dreamed of.

Girl vs Boy is a love puzzle wrapped in a cheeky mystery, and centres on 18-year-old Maxine's efforts to get to the bottom of the dramatic breakup of her two best friends.

Courtney plays the lead role of Maxine, the "love detective".

"Maxine is an endearing weirdo with the dubious ability to make everyday situations completely and excruciatingly awkward," said Mr Stubbs.

"It's Courtney's first big television gig but you'd never know it. She's a class act and we know audiences will love her and the ensemble cast."

Courtney said she was amazed when hearing praise regarding her acting ability.

"I mean I never expected to land a television role, let alone a lead, so soon after my graduation," she said.

After leaving Trident in 2007, Courtney auditioned for a place at Unitec Performing and Screen Arts.

"I graduated this year and was fortunate enough to catch the eye of Kathryn Rawlings, from Kathryn Rawlings and Associates, who agreed to represent me."

After learning she had won the role of Maxine, Courtney headed to Wellington for filming.

"I absolutely love Wellington so it was no great hardship to be there. But I remember being so nervous the first day of filming.

"I walked into the studio where all these professionals were gathered and recall wondering what on earth I was doing there. I was this doe-eyed, naive girl from Whakatane."

Girl vs Boy also stars AFTA award winner Josh MacKenzie (The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell), Carolyn Dando (The Lovely Bones, Shortland Street) with Will Robertson, Emma Draper and Nathan Brabender (actor and ex-New Zealand crumping champion).

Courtney said the lovely cast and crew of Girl vs Boy made everything seem easy.

She hopes to get back to Whakatane to watch the show with her very proud family.