Back in 2006, the mermaid magic of H2O: Just Add Water was brought to life through incredible hands-on craftsmanship. Crew members carefully wrapped plaster around the actresses’ legs to create custom molds, then painstakingly applied thousands of plastic scales to silicone tails. During filming in specially designed tanks on Australia’s Gold Coast, divers helped position the actresses while ensuring hidden zippers remained out of sight. The iconic mermaid tails were handcrafted by JMB FX, each weighing approximately 30 pounds and featuring a built-in foot pedal to help control the fluke. Stars Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin, and Cariba Heine performed much of their own underwater swimming, relying heavily on practical effects rather than CGI. The result was a magical underwater world created through remarkable dedication, creativity, and old-fashioned filmmaking techniques.