SHE’S been on SBS Television taking viewers through the facinating forensic analysis of archaeological remains and now Dr Xanthe Mallett is packing her bags for a whole new television challenge.
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When The Leader caught up with the University of New England forensic anthropologist yesterday she was in Coffs Harbour getting in some scuba diving practice for her new role on the Foxtel series Coast Australia, which she’ll begin shooting next month.
Dr Mallett will join an expert group of co-presenters for the eight-episode series that will focus on Australia’s coastline, its history, the people, the archaeology, the geography and marine life.
She will be joined by British host Neil Oliver, journalist and Australian arts and culture specialist Miriam Corowa, environmentalist Professor Tim Flannery, marine scientist Dr Emma Johnston and TV presenter and Australian landscape enthusiast Brendan Moar, who grew up in Armidale.
They all met in Sydney last week to discuss the makeup of the series that each week will focus on a different strip of Australian coastline.
Dr Mallett, who made her small screen debut presenting History Cold Case on SBS, will start her journey on the Great Ocean Road next month.
The often treacherous nature of Australia’s coastline will be in her sights, considering some of the darker moments in our history such as the shipwrecks that have claimed so many lives.
She admits she’s got some homework to do in the next few months but is excited to be embarking on a new television role.
“I really do enjoy communicating with people,” Dr Mallet said.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to present a story to people in a very accessible way.
“Television is wonderful because it gives you access to such a wide audience.”
Coast Australia is based on the hugely successful BAFTA award-winning series Coast, which has been broadcast in the UK and internationally for the past nine years.
It will screen on The History Channel in the second half of 2013 and Dr Mallett is preparing for a busy year as she combines filming with her academic career.
“Life is never boring,” she laughed.
