If you want a woman who can play a 40-ish Australian who's been living in LA for years, knows showbiz and is funny, then Portia de Rossi, one of the stars of cult television series Arrested Development, would have to be top of a shortlist of one.
''But because Portia had been out of the country for 20 years she wasn't quite in my head as an option,'' admits Wayne Hope, who is directing de Rossi in Now Add Honey, a film written by, and co-starring, his wife (and collaborator on ABC-TV's The Librarians and Upper Middle Bogan) Robyn Butler.
As soon as her name came up they were sold; the trick was selling de Rossi on the idea. They sent her a script, then flew to LA to woo her.
''We wouldn't take 'no' for an answer,'' says Butler. ''Some people would call that stalking.''
They needn't have been so worried, though. ''I love the idea of coming back to do something,'' says the woman born Amanda Lee Rogers in Horsham, but much better known these days as Mrs Ellen DeGeneres.
The problem was no one bothered to ask. ''I've been approached twice and I've said 'yes' twice. Literally.''
The last time was 10 years ago, when she had a small role in the film The Night We Called It A Day, about Frank Sinatra's 1974 visit to Australia.
This time she has a bigger role, as Beth, stage mum to a teen star (Lucy Fry) whose return to her hometown sparks chaos.
Butler describes it as a ''poignant comedy'' that touches on family and fame, Facebook and facelifts.
''I could really relate to the character,'' says de Rossi.
''I related to the whole idea of being born and raised in Australia, going overseas and then coming home and feeling that it's your true home but there's so many differences between your two worlds it makes for some interesting comedy - in my life personally and also in the script. And I also loved the concept that fame and fortune is great but it doesn't hold a candle to your family and feeling that you're part of something more important.''
Acting has been an extended adventure, she says, albeit one with some painful diversions, including a much-publicised eating disorder and a belated coming out. Now, though, she's happy.
''I've found a great partner, somebody who makes me laugh and somebody that I adore. I mean, who could want more than that?''
