Self-confessed geek Antonia Prebble appears to be a total opposite to tough nut Loretta West.

Yet look closer, and you will see surprising similarities between the Outrageous Fortune character and the 26-year-old who plays her.

Both are strong, independent women with a rebellious streak. Surrounded by a family of lawyers and trainee legal eagles, Antonia opted out of law studies before taking the role in the TV3 show and took to English literature.

'It's never been a consideration to stop uni. I'm a geek, I like getting As. I'm not really the all-nighter, crammer person,' Antonia says with a giggle. 'I can fit study around acting, and you can do it for as long as you want – as I am proving now.'

Even co-star Robyn Malcolm, who plays Cheryl, agrees with Antonia's nerd status.

'Shes a very lovely, sexy, funny geek,' she says.

Studying for a Bachelor of Arts, Antonia maintains her first love is acting. But the actress, whose dad is a law professor,

says combining performing and schoolwork has always come easily.

'I had to take six months out of third and fourth form to film The Tribe, so I'm used to switching between creative and academic,' explains Antonia, who scored her first acting gig at the age of 12 in Mirror, Mirror II. 'I'm not studying so I can necessarily use my degree directly – I mean let's be honest, it's a BA in English – I am doing it for the value of what I'm learning. I'm determined to get the most out of it.'

After high school, Antonia headed to Victoria University in her native Wellington to study

law and arts. She also landed a presenting role on kids' programme WNTV at the same time – a job she did for one year.

Acting work dried up and I was able to go to uni for two years. Which was fine, but I must say, when Outrageous came along I was relieved that I wasn't just one of those child actresses who becomes withered up and everyone goes, "What happened to her?"' she says with a laugh.

Even though her older sister, Becky, and younger brother, Ben, both study law, Antonia decided the course wasn't her cup of tea.

By the time she won her role as one of the leather-loving West family in 2005, she had also toyed with psychology, but ultimately decided to focus simply on English – not surprising, since her mother teaches English as a second language.

And her academically-inclined family couldn't be happier with her career choices.

'My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my choice to be an actress, and they are pleased that I'm managing to fit in my education,' she says.

Since working on Outrageous Antonia has kept up study part-time, doing one paper a semester.

'Often I would come off set and my little couch would be calling my name for a snooze, but I was like, "No, I have to do my essay." That was hard.

I bought a computer, and if I had a few scenes off I would just study away. You have to be good with time management.'

But Antonia isn't all about English. She can speak French, and with eight papers to go until she completes her degree, studying the European language is top of her list for her next course of study.

'I lived in Paris for a couple of months a few years ago. I can speak it and love the language, but I'm probably not speaking very accurately,' she says. 'I'm just enjoying learning. It's one of the trickiest things as an actor, where you've got this bizarre structure to your life.'

But after five years of balancing learning lines with assignments, her secret to keeping those high marks is simple.

'It's hard to study at home. It's the cleaning, or making a cup of tea, or eating. So I jump on the bus and head to Auckland university library.'

Although her Outrageous Fortune co-stars tease her about her studious endeavours, she has paid her dues by missing out on many parties because of impending essays.

'I'm always like, "Can't come out guys, I have an essay to do." They say, "Oh, Prebble, gosh! Alright, off you go." Robyn and Frank Whitten [Grandpa] were always very encouraging. The others just tease me – good-naturedly, of course.'

And just like any good on-screen mother should, Robyn applauds Antonia's hard work

and immense effort.

'It's one of the most sensible and useful things any actor could do, to have another focus while shooting long-running television,' Robyn says. 'Doing something which engages the intellect while waiting to film is bloody smart. And Toni's bloody smart.'

And if you weren't impressed enough by Ms Prebble, for her next role she is getting out her dancing shoes to appear in the Christchurch production of Cabaret. Starring as singer Sally Bowles couldn't be further away from Loretta, but the actress is excited about the change.

'It's singing, dancing and all that, so a huge change. Outrageous has been awesome, but it's nice to do something a bit different.'

But the one thing that remains constant will be Antonia's study.

'I reckon I will do more study when I'm finished with this degree. We'll just have to see.'