Veteran Australian actress Anna Samson, best known to audiences as Mia Anderson on Home and Away, is turning heads once again—this time on the stage. In a bold,

provocative new production of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Dial M for Murder, Samson takes on the lead role of Margot, and insiders say her performance is nothing short of electric.

At 35, Samson has carved a reputation as a versatile performer, seamlessly transitioning between screen and stage. Her return to live theatre at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre has been eagerly anticipated,

and early buzz suggests she has exceeded expectations. The production itself is a daring 2025 update of Hitchcock’s original 1952 thriller, infusing the classic narrative with swapped characters, sharper sexual politics, and a modern edge, all while keeping the story’s signature tension intact.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, co-star Garth Holcombe, who plays the villainous Tony—Margot’s calculating husband plotting her murder for financial gain—described working alongside Samson as “electric.” “Anna has done so much screen work and has also just come off other stage productions here in Sydney,” he said. “She’s very adept, very confident, and she knows exactly what she’s doing. It’s a real thrill to share the stage with her.”

Holcombe revealed that even before rehearsals began, he and Samson bonded over a playful pre-rehearsal dinner, a small gesture he believes was crucial in building their on-stage chemistry. “It’s really important to build trust and rapport with another actor,” he said. “It makes all the difference when you’re about to dive into something intense like this.”

And intense it is. The story of Dial M for Murder revolves around a meticulously plotted crime, and this modern adaptation amps up both the suspense and the sensuality. “You’re going to be plunged into a rollicking ride of the 1950s, with extraordinary sets and costumes,” Holcombe explained. “It’s sexy, dangerous, and fun. We’re not trying to replicate the film; we’re creating our own world. The characters have been rearranged slightly, the sexual politics sharpened, and it’s a fresh, provocative take for 2025 audiences.”

For Samson, bringing Margot to life in this updated production is a thrilling challenge. “Audiences can expect the nostalgia you come to the theatre for,” she said in a statement, “but there’s an edge of darkness to it, alongside rompy, thrilling entertainment. It’s a spine-tingling experience.” She added that the production’s modern sensibilities allow the story to resonate in today’s cultural context, even though the play remains set in 1952.

The cast is rounded out by veteran Australian actors David Soncin, Madeleine Jones, and Kenneth Moraleda, ensuring a strong ensemble presence alongside Samson and Holcombe. Holcombe himself brings decades of experience in both stage and screen, having appeared on Home and Away, Head Start, In Our Blood, and the Sydney-filmed Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie Our Lips Are Sealed.

Meanwhile, Samson’s career has continued to flourish since her stint on Home and Away from 2021 to 2022. She currently stars as Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke in the ABC drama Return to Paradise, where she shares the screen with Damian Walshe-Howling. Her ability to shift seamlessly between gritty police drama and suspenseful theatre demonstrates her range and commitment to her craft.

The Ensemble Theatre production of Dial M for Murder is based on the 2022 modern update by US playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, which has revitalized the play for contemporary audiences while respecting Hitchcock’s original tension-filled narrative. The new staging sharpens the stakes of betrayal, greed, and lust, with Samson’s Margot at the emotional and dramatic center.

Holcombe emphasized that the chemistry between him and Samson is palpable on stage, adding a layer of intensity that amplifies the production’s thriller aspects. “It’s not just about the story—it’s about the interplay, the energy,” he said. “Working with Anna, you feel that tension and electricity. It makes the stakes feel real, and the audience can feel that too.”

Audiences can expect to be enthralled by the combination of suspenseful plotting, stylish period design, and the sizzling dynamic between Samson and Holcombe. From the opening scene, the production promises to grip viewers, with twists, revelations, and a modern sensibility that keeps the classic tale fresh and unpredictable.

Dial M for Murder runs at the Ensemble Theatre in Kirribilli from Friday, 28 November 2025 through Sunday, 11 January 2026. Theatre-goers can expect a production that is equal parts glamorous, dangerous, and emotionally charged—a perfect showcase for Anna Samson’s return to the live stage.

With this production, Samson proves that she is not just a Home and Away favourite but a formidable talent capable of commanding the stage with charisma, nuance, and an undeniable spark. Fans of both the actress and the classic Hitchcock thriller are in for a thrilling ride, as Summer Bay’s beloved star transforms into a modern Margot for the 21st century, bringing a sexed-up, suspenseful energy that promises to leave audiences buzzing long after the curtain falls.