Behind the Scenes with Ariane Bailey and Skye, Netflix’s Newest Canine Star
WCRL competitor plays Ava in "The Noel Diary."
Best-selling author Jake Turner (Justin Hartley) and his intriguing companion Rachel (Barrett Doss) are not the only stars of Netflix’s The Noel Diary, as Jake’s dog Ava joins them on their adventures across Connecticut throughout the film. The beautiful Aussie was played by Ariane Bailey’s Skye, who has been a dog actor/model and competitor in several sports for years.
“Several years ago, Tony Award winner Bill Berloni was seeking amateur dog performance teams for The Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s concert ‘Playing with Dogs,’” Ariane said. “We successfully performed at The Bushnell in 2018. Then in March 2020, director Charles Shyer was seeking an Aussie for the role of Ava in The Noel Diary. Bill said he only knew one trainer with Aussies capable of training the necessary skills, and when Bill submitted Skye’s profile, Charles fell in love.”
Ariane started an intensive training program that included an in-depth reading of the script to determine what behaviors Skye needed to ensure Ava looked natural in each scene. Although they worked on certain things while preparing for the role, including having Skye respond to the name Ava, their relationship as a team made her really come to life on screen.
“Charles, the director, was amazed at our very close relationship and how quietly we interacted,” Ariane said. “My cues were subtle, and Skye was eager to work for me, Bill, Justin and Barrett. He was impressed that I didn’t demand things from her and that it was more like we were having a conversation between teammates. Ultimately, I’m not sure there’s a better compliment! And it’s certainly the same relationship we have in the WCRL ring together.”
From WCRL Rally to the Screen
Ariane started rally in 2011 to keep her young Aussie, Jacob, busy, but it wasn’t until 2015 that she discovered WCRL. Skye joined the family in spring 2012 from breeders Jessica Davis (Outrun Farm, N.H.) and Kate Viles (Sunny Acres Farm, Vt.) and quickly joined their competitive team. Jacob, now 12 years old, and Skye, now 11, just earned their ARCHMX5 titles this year; Ariane’s youngest Aussie, 2-year-old Finn, competes in Level 1 and is preparing for Level 2.
“All three of them love WCRL,” Ariane said. “We love the courses with long heeling patterns, the variety of exercises and their complexity, and of course the people who are always so amazing!”
Ariane and her dogs also compete in agility, disc, dock diving and scent work and used to compete in Barn Hunt. Skye’s natural enthusiasm to try new things was apparent on The Noel Diary set; she willingly repeated behaviors for as many takes as the crew needed, surrounded by lots of equipment and people doing several different things.
“I’m so proud of what we accomplished and to have shown people what relationship-based training can do,” Ariane said. “Skye was just so solid on set, and the cast and crew really adored her. After it was delayed in 2021, it was amazing to finally see it edited and have a final product this year!”
The Noel Diary released on November 24 and immediately jumped to the #1 spot on Netflix’s “Top 10 English Films” for the week of November 28, having been viewed for 27.63 million hours at the time the list was created.