Terror Haunts Prisoner Star
By Amanda Zachariah
SEPTEMBER 15, 1984
TV WEEK, Page 37
Police believe a viewers confusion over reality and make-believe could be behind ransacking of Louise's flat
PRISONER actress Louise Siversen wants everyone to know that she and her on-screen character, Lou Kelly, are very different people. It's not an unreasonable request given that Louise recently had her Melbourne flat ransacked and that police believe the culprit could have been someone mistaking the actress with her nasty screen character
Louise has been portraying Lou Kelly since May this year. Lou is a racist, violent inmate serving her time for armed robbery.
"I had been out to lunch and came home to find my flat in a complete mess," Louise recalled. "The thing that worried me most was that nothing was taken. There was money on my brother's dressing table, a television set and the like, but nothing was missing".
The Intruders had cut up Louise's clothing, smashed her jewellery box, put grease all over her sheets and ripped up photos.
"They had scaled the side of the building to get in so they obviously new whose flat they were in. The police said it could have a lot to do with my Prisoner character being such a nasty."
As well as the break-in, Louise has been receiving threatening phone calls in the middle of the night. "They always call me Lou and tell me to get back to Wentworth and other revolting things. Luckily I live with my brother and I get him to answer the phone, but it is very disturbing."
To try to counteract some of these problems Louise has had her number changed, but she is not going to move out of her flat. "It's a worry when you leave for the studio in the dark and return home in the dark, but I have just moved into this flat and I am determined not to be intimidated".
Apart from this unpleasant start to her TV career, ex-model Louise is loving every minute of her Prisoner work.
"I have always wanted to be an actress. I studied all the time I was at school and although I have done lots of bit parts in other series, this is my first big break."
While waiting for her break Louise worked as a model. "When I returned from overseas in 1981 I did modelling and promotional work to make some money, but I found it terribly boring and I hated the falseness of it all. Especially in Prisoner, when you work with no make up and drab clothes, you have to rely on your talent. In the past I have always played glamorous roles, so I'm enjoying the challenge."
Louise first joined Prisoner two and a half years ago as an extra. "I auditioned for the role last October and I have been on air since May. It's great to have an on going role and to be in the position to learn so much about television."