Melissa McCarthy has remained in Australia with her family since filming Nicole Kidman’s Hulu mini-series Nine Perfect Strangers in New South Wales in 2020.
She and husband Ben Falcone revealed in February that had chosen to extend their stay Down Under to shoot Netflix series ‘God’s Favorite Idiot’ in the country.
On Wednesday, the Hollywood couple were see filming scenes for the upcoming comedy in Lismore, 45km west of Byron Bay.
Lights, camera, action! A blonde Melissa McCarthy (right) and husband Ben Falcone (left) were spotted filming their new Netflix comedy series ‘God’s Favorite Idiot’ in Lismore, 45km west of Byron Bay, on Wednesday
God’s Favorite Idiot is a workplace comedy about a mid-level Tech support employee Clark Thompson (Falcone) who finds love with co-worker Amily Luck (McCarthy) at exactly the same time he becomes the unwitting messenger of God.
The Bridesmaids star, 50, looked almost unrecognisable in a blonde wig while preparing for scenes in a luscious garden.
Despite the warmer summer temperatures in Australia, Melissa covered up in a burgundy trench coat.
For the scene, she also wore black trousers with a pattern-clashing pussybow blouse tucked in.
Melissa’s character appears to wear spectacles, with the actress sporting stylish square-lens frames when ‘action’ was called.
New role, new look: The Bridesmaids star, 50, was spotted wearing a blonde wig while preparing to film scenes for the comedy series in a luscious garden
Star treatment: The comedienne, who was sporting a full face of make-up, was protected by the harsh rays by production crew holding umbrella over her between takes
The comedienne, who was sporting a full face of make-up, was protected by the harsh rays by production crew members holding umbrellas over her between takes.
Her husband Ben Falcone, 47, was seen beside her for the scene, dressed in beige chinos and a checkered button-up.
All the crew were practicing covid-19 safe practices by wearing face coverings around the set to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Storyline: God’s Favorite Idiot is a workplace comedy about a mid-level Tech support employee Clark Thompson (Falcone) who finds love with co-worker Amily Luck (McCarthy) at exactly the same time he becomes the unwitting messenger of God
Casual: Melissa’s husband Ben Falcone, 47, was dressed in beige chinos and a checkered button-up
‘To have the opportunity to safely film our show in a beautiful country like Australia is a dream come true’: Melissa and Ben were recently granted $10 million from the federal government’s Local Incentive program to film God’s Favorite Idiot in Australia
It all worked out: Back in December, it was reported that Melissa enjoyed working in Byron so much that she was doing anything she could to shoot her next project in Australia
Melissa and Ben were recently granted $10 million from the federal government’s Local Incentive program to film God’s Favorite Idiot in Australia.
‘To have the opportunity to safely film our show in a beautiful country like Australia is a dream come true,’ the couple said in a statement in February.
‘We love this country and the talented people who live and work here.’
Back in December, it was reported that Melissa enjoyed working in Byron so much that she was doing anything she could to shoot her next project in Australia.
‘They [Melissa and other Hollywood stars] just love it in Australia and absolutely want to make the series here,’ a source told The Daily Telegraph at the time.
‘With everything going on in the U.S. right now, the pandemic is out of control, they want to stay here.’
Melissa and Ben married in 2005 and have worked together several times since, including on the 2014 movie Tammy and 2016 film The Boss.
Safety first: All the crew were practicing covid-19 safe practices by wearing face coverings around the set to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus
Partners: Melissa and Ben married in 2005 and have worked together several times since, including on the 2014 movie Tammy and 2016 film The Boss
Family: Melissa, husband Ben and children – daughters Vivian, 13, and Georgette, 10 – have been living in Australia since July
Earlier this month, Melissa filmed scenes for the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney’s Little Bay.
Melissa, 50, was seen cackling as she sported a huge green headpiece to transform into Hela, who was originally played by Cate Blanchett in Thor: Ragnarok, however, she has not replaced Cate but is instead playing Fake Hela.
She is believed to have secured the role after making a hilarious Instagram audition tape with her husband Ben Falcone on Christmas Day.
‘Melissa and I are desperate to be in the film Thor: Love and Thunder,’ Ben began, as the pair insisted they’d be great ‘local hires’ as they were based in Byron Bay – Thor lead Chris Hemsworth’s hometown.
Melissa, husband Ben and children – daughters Vivian, 13, and Georgette, 10 – have been living in Australia since July.
Third role: Her Netflix show come after filming Nicole Kidman’s Hulu series in Byron Bay last year, and having a cameo scene shot for Thor: Love and Thunder in Sydney this month