McLeod’s Daughters star Michala Banas suffers heartbreaking family tragedy: ‘Utterly heartbroken’

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I was so saddened to hear the news that Michala Banas, who I’ve always admired from McLeod’s Daughters, has lost her father, John Banas. He was a writer originally from the UK, and I’m sending all my condolences to Michala and her family during this difficult time.

I was so saddened to hear about the sudden passing of John, a 46-year-old actor. The news was shared in a heartfelt post, accompanied by photos, but the cause of death hasn’t been made public. It’s a really tough time, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.

John started his four-decade-long career in New Zealand as a writer, director, and actor. He then moved to Australia, where he created the popular and long-running crime series, City Homicide, for Channel Seven.

Michala shared heartbreaking family news on Instagram Tuesday, along with a heartfelt message honoring her father.

‘Yesterday, my Dad John died suddenly,’ she began.

I’m devastated and still reeling from the news. It feels silly to say, but a part of me wishes everything could just pause so everyone could recognize how wonderful he was.

Wow, this is incredible! I’m sharing a few pictures of a lovely man with his sweet and playful daughter.

‘Did I say he was amazing? You need to know that. All of you. Love you beyond words Dad.’

Michala shared some old black-and-white photos of John from when he performed on stage in Wellington forty years ago.

Another picture shows a very young Michala embracing her dad.

NZ On Screen recently announced the passing of John, a writer known for his work on popular Australian TV shows like Blue Heelers, Water Rats, All Saints, and Stingers.

Born in Nottingham in the UK, John was raised in NZ.

John started his career performing on stage in Wellington during the 1960s. He appeared in theatre reviews alongside the well-known New Zealand comedian John Clarke, and also wrote plays for the radio.

They went on to star in Buck House, New Zealand’s first sitcom, which aired for two seasons from 1974 to 1975.

Starting in the 1980s, he became a television writer, contributing to New Zealand dramas such as The Immigrants, Mortimer’s Pitch, and In Their Hands. Over his career, he wrote scripts for over 200 hours of television programming.

Towards the end of the 1980s, John played a key creative role in the popular television soap opera, E Street, which aired on Network Ten from 1989 to 1993.

He directed television episodes as well, including the children’s show Mirror, Mirror, which featured his daughter, Michala.

John returned to working on New Zealand projects 15 years ago with the telemovie Siege (2012).

Inspired by a true story from Napier, New Zealand, this gripping thriller received numerous accolades, including a Best Screenplay award for John and an NZTV award for Best Telemovie.

John also won acclaim for another telemovie from the same year, Safe House. 

He contributed to the New Zealand version of the Australian crime drama Underbelly, titled Underbelly New Zealand: Land of the Long Green Cloud (2011).

He’s also recently worked on New Zealand television shows like Dear Murderer (2017) and A Remarkable Place To Die (2024).

Michala Banas, originally from Wellington, is popular with Australian viewers for her starring role in the Seven series Always Greener (2001-2003). She later joined the cast of the Nine Network’s drama McLeod’s Daughters (2001-2009).

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2025-11-06 11:19