Michala Banas, known for her role in “McLeod’s Daughters,” recently took to social media to share the heartbreaking news of her father, John Banas, passing away. John Banas was an esteemed writer from the UK.
In a heartfelt message, the 46-year-old actress posted several photos of her father, revealing that he passed away “suddenly” on Monday. She chose to keep the cause of death private.
John Banas embarked on a prolific 40-year career as a writer, director, and actor in New Zealand before moving to Australia. He was the creative force behind the long-running crime drama series, “City Homicide,” on the Seven Network.
Michala shared her family’s loss on Instagram this Tuesday, alongside a touching tribute to honor her father’s memory.
“Yesterday, my Dad John died suddenly,” she wrote, expressing her deep sorrow.
“I am utterly heartbroken and in complete shock. Even as an adult, the child in me wishes the world would pause to recognize how incredible he was,” she continued.
McLeod’s Daughters star Michala Banas (pictured) has taken to social media to announce the death of her father, UK-born writer John Banas
Pictured: Michala included this throwback image of her dad in her touching Instagram tribute
‘F***ing amazing. And so I post these few pics of a beautiful man with his adoring (and often silly) daughter.
‘Did I say he was amazing? You need to know that. All of you. Love you beyond words Dad.’
Michala included several black-and-white throwback photos of John from his days as a stage actor in Wellington four decades ago.
Another image shows a very young Michala embracing her dad.
The NZ On Screen website shared an obituary of John, whose writing credits include the Australian TV series Blue Heelers, Water Rats, All Saints and Stingers.
Born in Nottingham in the UK, John was raised in NZ.
Beginning his career on stage in Wellington in the 1960s, John began performing in theatre reviews with famed Kiwi comedy superstar John Clarke. He also wrote drama for radio.
The pair later starred in New Zealand’s first-ever sitcom, Buck House, which ran for two seasons between 1974 and 1975.
Beginning his 40-year career as a writer, director, and actor in NZ, John relocated to Australia and went on to create Seven’s long-running crime series City Homicide. Pictured: A throwback image of Banas from his days as an actor. He went on to write 200 hours of TV
Michala is pictured with the cast of McLeod’s Daughters
In the 1980s, he turned to writing and worked on NZ dramas like The Immigrants, Mortimer’s Pitch and In Their Hands and went on to pen more than 200 hours of TV.
Late in the decade, John was one of the creative forces behind Network Ten’s long-running soap E Street (1989-1993).
He also worked as a director, including the children’s series Mirror, Mirror, which starred his daughter Michala.
John returned to working on New Zealand projects 15 years ago with the telemovie Siege in 2012.
Based on a real-life incident which occurred in Napier, NZ, the hard-hitting thriller won several awards, including best screenplay for John, as well as an NZTV award for best telemovie.
John also won acclaim for another telemovie from the same year, Safe House.
He also worked on the NZ iteration of Australia’s Underbelly series, Underbelly New Zealand: Land of the Long Green Cloud (2011).
His other recent NZ TV credits include the series Dear Murderer (2017) and A Remarkable Place To Die (2024).
Michala Banas, who was born in Wellington, is best known to Aussie audiences for playing the lead role in Seven’s Always Greener (2001-2003). In 2004, she joined the cast of Nine’s soap McLeod’s Daughters (2001-2009).
