The Australian actor’s outstanding versatility has earned her a variety of different roles in television, film, advertising, theatre, and more. Her extensive experience and natural affinity for acting has landed her dramatic roles in film shorts like Next of Kin, but also in comedic roles for television series like You’re Skitting Me. It was in this hit television series, in fact, where Richardson’s versatility helped her most. For the show’s second season alone, Richardson was tasked with playing 150+ characters. Her performances were so well received that she was asked to return for the show’s third season.
You’re Skitting Me is an Australian children’s television show that tackles a variety of subjects and themes within TV shows, movies, cultural stereotypes, social issues, and more, through a series of comedic skits. In 2013, it was nominated for Most Outstanding Children’s Program at the Logie Awards and again in 2014 for Best Children’s Television Series at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. Richardson was originally added as an additional cast member for the second season but quickly landed herself a position in the main cast. When the show’s producer, Toni Malone, approached her to return for a third season, she was thrilled. For Richardson, returning to the show was an easy decision, as she credits the filming of the second season as being one of the best experiences of her entire life.
For the third season, Richardson was the lead cast member and her contributions to the show were paramount to its tremendous success. The confidence she gained through her work on the second season allowed her to bring a stronger, better presence behind each new character that the third season presented.
“I loved all of the characters that were thrown my way and the freedom to interpret them and to continue to grow my love of comedy. I actually drew a lot of character’s emotions and mind sets from my own life. I find that drawing from every day experiences and the people you meet can help flavour your characters in a unique way and take them from ordinary to something very special in a short instance,” recalled Richardson.
Richardson knew that the roles she played in the third season were crucial to ensuring that it was as well received, if not more, than the show’s previous seasons. At this point, she was a fan favourite and she felt a certain duty to satisfy her viewers. This sort of commitment from Richardson is second nature. She isn’t concerned about awards or fancy titles, but rather about the experience she is generating for her audience and the emotions she wants them to feel through her characters. She is driven by the knowledge that her audience are young and easily influenced by the content they view in the media and for this reason, she is dedicated to being a positive role model for anyone who consumes her work.
When asked about the experience of becoming the lead cast member for the third season, Richardson humbly replied, “Being a lead cast member made everything come full circle. Only three years ago, I was doing my first audition and earned a supporting role in a fabulous television show. But to be asked back as a lead was absolutely exhilarating. I felt like I had a lot more responsibility but it was an exciting sense of responsibility, as opposed to being intimidating or scary. I knew that I was leading the show and I loved being able to create a few funnier faces for my fans.”
You’re Skitting Me’s director, David Swann, was thrilled to have acquired talent like Richardson’s to bring his new characters to life. He was taken aback during Richardson’s audition and knew that she was exactly what the show needed.
“Issy auditioned alongside countless other young women for You’re Skitting Me Season 2. Her audition immediately jumped out at us, as great auditions do. It was sharp, funny, and it nailed the tone. I was very excited and not the least bit surprised when she was asked to come back as the lead for Season 3. She is such a pleasure to work with because she is fast thinking and so quick at learning scripts. Multiple times for the third season, she was asked to memorize more than thirteen scripts the night before shooting thirteen different scenes. She has a great outlook on her work and I loved every minute working with her,” said Swann.
For a director like Swann, working with young actors and actresses can be challenging; however, when he comes across an actor with talent as unparalleled as Richardson’s, he knows that their future will be bright. She is a joy to work with and she develops characters that audiences absolutely love. Without Richardson, it is difficult to say whether or not the show would’ve received the praise that it has and she is instrumental to its acclaim.
Richardson, who considers You’re Skitting Me to have been the highlight of her career, may not know exactly what her future holds but she knows she will work tirelessly to ensure that it is nothing but the best that she can make it.