Luke Ledger, a cousin of Oscar-winner Heath Ledger, is one of the stars of Mal.com, a 13-part children's sitcom that starts a three-week shoot at the ABC studios in East Perth today.

Ledger plays Jake, one of the street kids who uncover television's biggest secret - that popular host Malcom Mann, played by former Neighbours actor Geoff Paine, is a robot.

The other major children's roles have been filled by locals Ruby Hall, 17, (Sleepover Club 2) of Joondanna, Gwy McKenna, 11, of Willetton, and George Ashford, 17, of West Leederville.

Ledger, 19, of Bassendean, said he feels no pressure sharing the famous surname. "People sooner or later realise I am not the tall, handsome kid with blond hair as he was," he said.

The State Government through ScreenWest provided $600,000 to support Mal.com, which is being produced through West Coast Kids, a special initiative of ScreenWest, ABC TV and the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF).

Producer Susie Campbell of Animazing Productions, said Mal.com had a 100 per cent WA crew. A third of the show's writers are also from WA, including Dan Osborn and Vincenzo.