Stasey will play Ellie Linton, the heroine in author John Marsden’s series of books.

The 19-year-old actress, whose credits include the roles of Rachel Kinski on Neighbours and Frankie in The Sleepover Club, says she was thrilled to be chosen for the highly sought-after role.

“I was ecstatic! I have a lot of respect for Ellie’s character and feel privileged to be playing such an inspirational young female role,” she said.

Stasey is the first cast member to be confirmed for the film by first-time director Stuart Beattie.

“There was an exhaustive audition process and I have been privileged to see some very talented young actors,” Beattie said.

“Caitlin captured the perfect balance of intelligence, vulnerability and strength that is essential to this character.”

Deniz Akdeniz, 21, will play Ellie’s best “boyfriend” – the loud-mouthed, crazy but brave Homer Yannos. Deniz played Raff for two years in the television production of When the Bell Rings and has appeared in the theatre production of Angels with Dirty Minds at the Melbourne Arts Centre. Deniz further honed his performance skills with short courses at TAFTA, NIDA and St Martins Youth Theatre. He is a Victorian Jiujitsu Champion.

He said: “I read the book in grade 5 and 6 and when I heard about the audition I read the book again. It was brilliant to switch off the TV and again immerse myself into the world of TOMORROW.”

Pictured: Second from the left

Chris Pang studied at The Australian Film and Television Academy for two years. He has more than 12 years of traditional Chinese martial arts training and has appeared in the feature, Film Citizen Jia Li, as well as the 2006 feature, Home Song Stories, and the Channel 10 series Real Stories. He recently moved to Hong Kong looking for more interesting roles, but returned as soon as he heard TOMORROW was casting.

Twenty-year-old Pang, who is learning piano for the role of Lee, said: “I studied TOMORROW: WHEN THE WAR BEGAN at school and have always thought John Marsden was a brilliant writer. One of my favourite themes in the book is the idea of the characters having freedom from their parents, something most teenagers want, and how the characters then deal with that freedom.”

Pictured: First from the left

Phoebe Tonkin, who has been cast as Fiona Maxwell (Fi), is best known for her role as the beautiful, magical mermaid Cleo in the enormously successful tv series H2O – Just Add Water, which airs in over 120 territories. In 2008 Phoebe was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actress in a TV Drama for her work on H20 Series 2, a first for an actor in a teen-oriented series produced in Australia. Phoebe has also appeared in the Australian Theatre for Young People’s productions of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing.

“Phoebe is an extraordinarily talented young actress with an ethereal presence and effortless grace, much like her character, Fiona”, said Beattie.

Pictured: Right side

Lincoln Lewis – who played Geoff Campbell on the Channel 7 series, Home and Away – said this is his dream role.

“I’m an enormous fan of the books,” he said. “My brother and I would race each other to read all the books in the series. I have always dreamed of the books being made into a film.”

Pictured: Third from the left

This is not the first time Rachel has worked in Australia, having played Wendy in the 2002 big budget live action film version of Peter Pan, which was filmed in the Gold Coast. It was then that Rachel discovered the TOMORROW: WHEN THE WAR BEGAN book series.

“Being from the UK, I had heard of the book, but it wasn’t until I was last in Australia filming Peter Pan, that I read it and I fell in love with the story and the characters.”

Rachel’s most recent credits include the period features Dorian Gray, Solomon Kane and the 2006 thriller Perfume.

“I am thrilled to be filming a modern-day action film and to have the opportunity to work with Writer/Director Stuart Beattie and such an extraordinary Australian cast to bring one of my favourite characters from the book series to life” said Rachel.

Director Stuart Beatie says of Rachel Hurd-Wood’s casting: “We initially set up screen tests in Los Angeles and London because of all the Aussies over there. The excitement that generated lead us to seeing more great actors and the moment I saw Rachel’s screen test I knew our search for Corrie was over.

Relative newcomer, 16 year-old Ashleigh Cummings joins Caitlin and Phoebe and will play the role of Robyn Mathers, a deeply religious yet determined and tenacious girl. After roles in Home & Away and the feature film Razzle Dazzle in the past year, Ashleigh has honed her performance skills in Los Angeles and at the prestigious Brent Street Studios in Sydney.

“Ashleigh is a powerhouse of ideas and energy and captures the heart and inner strength of Robyn perfectly”, said Beattie.

Pictured: Left side

21 year-old Andy Ryan – who will bring the loner Chris to life in the film – was “over the moon” when he landed the role.

He said: “I am really enjoying preparing for the role as the introverted and obscure character, Chris. This is an amazing opportunity”.

Andy is currently appearing in the television series, The Jesters.

Pictured: Fourth from the left