For Madden, a self-proclaimed “lover of fantasy,” Egwene is a dream character in many ways. Growing up in a politically-minded family with generations of strong activists — including her great-grandmother Hetty Perkins, an elder of the Arrernte tribe in Australia, and her grandfather Charles Perkins, a freedom fighter who sought to end discrimination against Aboriginal people—the actress was drawn to multifaceted and amorous female protagonists. “One of the things that stood out most about Egwene when I auditioned for the role was the three scenes I received. They’re all so different and show real versatility to this character, and I just thought, ‘Wow, whoever plays her is going to have an incredible journey through these emotions with her. ‘, she speaks. So far, that journey has included a lot of personal growth and learning for Madden, who has applied Egwene’s on-screen experiences to various situations in his own life. “It’s another great thing about what we do. We’re contributing to this story and helping bring this character to life, but it’s also the characters that help you,” she added.
Egwene is considered one of the most powerful female TV channels in the series, but it is her determination and curiosity that attracts Madden. She said: “She is very independent and strong, inquisitive and has an amazing sense of responsibility and is constantly breaking social norms. “I think that’s something that resonates with a lot of people, especially now.” Madden himself was used to that kind of liberation. Growing up, the dinner table didn’t have any overly taboo or off-limits topics, which allowed her to form strong opinions on important issues from an early age. Especially important is creating more visibility for her Indigenous heritage. At the age of 13, she gave a national speech on the future of Indigenous Australians, and one of her early acting projects was Australia’s first Indigenous youth film, Ready for this. Because she was raised in a proud black family, the actress did not lose sight of the family’s hard work and sacrifice that helped her get to where she is today.
