Byron Baes participants are revealed to have ‘notable acting experience’

With filming underway on Byron Baes, the Netflix reality TV series has become mired in yet another controversy.

Several of the show’s cast members have had ‘notable acting experience’ according to the Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday.

According to the outlet’s sources, the show is ‘all contrived’ with other cast members also receiving acting lessons in the lead up to the ‘reality’ series.

Rumoured participants Elias Chigros and Hannah Brauer are both described as ‘actors’ in their Starnow profiles.

Brauer’s profile claims her acting experience began ‘at the age of 8’ and cites starring roles in plays, two short films and a web series titled Who Killed Jessica Lane?

Elias’ profile meanwhile claims he’s ‘done a number of commercials in Australia and some minor roles in TV and [wishes] to gain more involvement in acting in Australia and abroad’.

However, a production source has denied that the new Australian series is fake, saying ‘there is absolutely no truth to this claim’. 

This follows the reality TV series’ last controversy, for not consulting local Indigenous groups or the Byron Council before filming. 

According to independent newspaper Echo, the Byron Council ‘passed an urgency motion’ that would require producers to get permission before any further filming.

Speaking to the paper, independent Councillor Cate Coorey said: ‘We need to stand up for our community.’

‘They haven’t sought clearances, they haven’t considered the relevant stakeholders, and so far we’ve seen no consultation, and yet filming has gone ahead,’ she added.

Producers may now be forced to seek permission before any further filming can take place, which includes filming on both private property or public spaces.

Not mincing words, Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said: ‘This corporation, Netflix, has basically come in and s**t on us.’

While the Council have kicked up a fuss, the Byron Baes production could fall into the Ultra Low Impact category as outlined in the Local Government Filming Protocol.

Ultra Low Impact means there are ten or less people in the cast and crew. If Byron Baes meets this requirement, then they would not require filming permits from the Council.  

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Byron Baes’ production company Eureka Productions for comment. 

A potential Byron Baes cast member recently slammed the Netflix show just days after a rumoured cast list was leaked, saying he ‘felt embarrassed’ to be associated with the program.

Billy Otto confirmed on Instagram that he had nothing to do with the ‘docu-soap series’ which outraged locals before filming even began.

The musician shared a photo of himself at the beach holding an anti-Byron Baes poster, and explained in the caption why he’d decided to pull out.

Billy, whose name appeared in The Daily Telegraph‘s leaked cast list, said he did not believe the show would be a ‘true representation of the soul of Byron’.  

In addition to saying the Netflix production ‘doesn’t align’ with his personal values, he also claimed it did not receive blessing from the local Indigenous Elders.

‘Yep, I feel embarrassed to have been associated with this show,’ he said.

Billy explained he’d initially agreed to join the show after a casting producer had expressed an interest in his music and advocacy for men’s mental health.

Billy claims it wasn’t until later that he learned what the show was really about.

‘I began to understand later the true nature of the program, and it became clear to me that I didn’t align with the ethos of the show… I don’t believe that the world needs a show like this right now,’ he said.

He said he wanted to help preserve the ecology of the Bryon region and didn’t support the ‘hyper-gentrification’ of the area.

Billy suggested that Netflix ditch their show about ‘influencers’ and instead make a more thoughtful series ‘working alongside Bundjalung Elders and capturing the dreamers, creatives and custodians that help make this place special’.

Billy’s powerful message to Netflix comes after the Byron Baes cast members were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week.  

Joining the cast are former reality stars Nathan Favro, from The Bachelorette, and Elias Chigros, from Love Island Australia.

Co-creative director of local boutique BISQUE Hannah Brauer will also appear, alongside Byron Bay ‘It couple’ Dave Frim and Saskia Wotton. 

Others in the cast include investment company employee Elle Watson, influencer Jade Kevin Foster and spiritualistic therapist Simba Ali.

Rounding out the cast is Kyle Sandilands’ former assistant-turned-manager Alex Reid, fashion designer Jess Bell and her model sister Lauren.