Before joining Neighbours, what sort of acting work had you done?
My first big break was in a television series called 'Skirts'. It was a police drama inspired by The Bill and I played the only young male lead, Constable Bevan Quinn. I'd also done one musical (Wizard of Oz, playing General Winkie and understudying Scarecrow) before Neighbours and a few small speaking parts in a couple of TV shows.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
Getting the lead in the school musicals started me on the acting path. I have always loved movies though, and ever since I was a little kid going off to watch Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro and Steve Martin (amongst many others) on the big screen I dreamed of being a film actor. Recently I played a small part in an amazing independent Australian film called 'Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla', so maybe my dream is still alive!
You first appeared on the show for two episodes in 1989 as the original Brad Willis. What was it like being a small part of the show at this time?
Awesome. Like millions of other people I was well aware of what a phenomenon 'Neighbours' had already become and to be working alongside so many household names was pretty cool, especially for an aspiring young actor, barely out of school.
My first big break was in a television series called 'Skirts'. It was a police drama inspired by The Bill and I played the only young male lead, Constable Bevan Quinn. I'd also done one musical (Wizard of Oz, playing General Winkie and understudying Scarecrow) before Neighbours and a few small speaking parts in a couple of TV shows.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
Getting the lead in the school musicals started me on the acting path. I have always loved movies though, and ever since I was a little kid going off to watch Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro and Steve Martin (amongst many others) on the big screen I dreamed of being a film actor. Recently I played a small part in an amazing independent Australian film called 'Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla', so maybe my dream is still alive!
You first appeared on the show for two episodes in 1989 as the original Brad Willis. What was it like being a small part of the show at this time?
Awesome. Like millions of other people I was well aware of what a phenomenon 'Neighbours' had already become and to be working alongside so many household names was pretty cool, especially for an aspiring young actor, barely out of school.
During your short time as
Brad, you worked with Jessica Muschamp (Sharon Davies), what was she like to
work with?
She was lovely. I remember she had been on the show for a while when I came on for my first time and she was very kind. Funnily enough, a few of the scenes we shot then were also with Lucille Cowden (Melanie Pearson), and I am still friends with her. Lucille is also in 'Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla'.
You returned as your more iconic role in 1992 as, funnily enough, Brad’s cousin Cameron Hudson, what was it like to be back on the show?
When they offered me the part I was working on a musical in Adelaide. The whole cast of Wizard of Oz congratulated me by singing the 'Neighbours' theme song during our vocal warm-up. Then after the show I had to get a helicopter to the airport where I then boarded a private jet to get back to Melbourne in time for filming. I was pretty naive at the time and probably expected that's how the rest of my acting career would be!
Are there any similarities between you and Cameron?
Sure. We both like riding motorbikes (Harley Davidson's especially), we both like writing (Cameron was a journalist after leaving law) and we both like travelling around the world.
What was it like working alongside Scott Michaelson who now played Brad?
Scott was a great bloke. I remember he was one of the first people I knew to get a mobile phone and, to this day, I still smile thinking about the time we were driving back to set (from the gym!) in his car and his agent called him. He picked up a handset from this esky-sized box between us and proceeded to have a yelling-conversation about some nightclub appearance. Hilarious.
Were you asked to return to the role as Brad when he reappeared in 1991?
I might have been but I think I was working on another television show at the time.
You also worked closely with Terence Donovan and Sue Jones, what was this like?
Both very different but both lots of fun. Terence used to infuriate Sue by always learning his lines at the last moment. In that way, I guess they were very much like a married couple—you know in as much as they loved driving each other crazy. But seriously, I have a lot of affection for both of them. I actually had worked with Sue before 'Neighours' on the pilot to 'Skirts'.
You were also lucky enough to work alongside Neighbours matriarch Anne Haddy, what was it like working with a Neighbours icon?
Actors like Anne had so much experience and set good examples for the younger cast. My mother on the show was played by Lorraine Bayly and I had grown up watching her on Playschool so it was a bit of a mind-trip to be working with her. I also remember one day, as I prepared to enter a scene with Anne Charleston on the other side of the door, having to pinch myself as I heard the gravelly voice of 'Madge Mitchell' giving me my cue. It was as though I'd just stepped into the television from my lounge-room.
She was lovely. I remember she had been on the show for a while when I came on for my first time and she was very kind. Funnily enough, a few of the scenes we shot then were also with Lucille Cowden (Melanie Pearson), and I am still friends with her. Lucille is also in 'Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla'.
You returned as your more iconic role in 1992 as, funnily enough, Brad’s cousin Cameron Hudson, what was it like to be back on the show?
When they offered me the part I was working on a musical in Adelaide. The whole cast of Wizard of Oz congratulated me by singing the 'Neighbours' theme song during our vocal warm-up. Then after the show I had to get a helicopter to the airport where I then boarded a private jet to get back to Melbourne in time for filming. I was pretty naive at the time and probably expected that's how the rest of my acting career would be!
Are there any similarities between you and Cameron?
Sure. We both like riding motorbikes (Harley Davidson's especially), we both like writing (Cameron was a journalist after leaving law) and we both like travelling around the world.
What was it like working alongside Scott Michaelson who now played Brad?
Scott was a great bloke. I remember he was one of the first people I knew to get a mobile phone and, to this day, I still smile thinking about the time we were driving back to set (from the gym!) in his car and his agent called him. He picked up a handset from this esky-sized box between us and proceeded to have a yelling-conversation about some nightclub appearance. Hilarious.
Were you asked to return to the role as Brad when he reappeared in 1991?
I might have been but I think I was working on another television show at the time.
You also worked closely with Terence Donovan and Sue Jones, what was this like?
Both very different but both lots of fun. Terence used to infuriate Sue by always learning his lines at the last moment. In that way, I guess they were very much like a married couple—you know in as much as they loved driving each other crazy. But seriously, I have a lot of affection for both of them. I actually had worked with Sue before 'Neighours' on the pilot to 'Skirts'.
You were also lucky enough to work alongside Neighbours matriarch Anne Haddy, what was it like working with a Neighbours icon?
Actors like Anne had so much experience and set good examples for the younger cast. My mother on the show was played by Lorraine Bayly and I had grown up watching her on Playschool so it was a bit of a mind-trip to be working with her. I also remember one day, as I prepared to enter a scene with Anne Charleston on the other side of the door, having to pinch myself as I heard the gravelly voice of 'Madge Mitchell' giving me my cue. It was as though I'd just stepped into the television from my lounge-room.
Cameron was lucky enough to get involved in the Lauren/Brad/Beth triangle, what was it like being on the edge of such an iconic story at the time?
Again, great fun. And even though we were aware of how popular the show was around the world, you kind of didn't know how many people were invested in this story, so you just did your best to make the characters true, likeable and engaging.
What led to your decision to leave the series? Were you happy with Cameron’s exit storyline?
As a young actor I wanted to experience other roles, and as a young man I wanted to experience the world. I'm not sure I have any feelings about Cameron's exit storyline other than it kind of mirrored what was going on in my personal life at the time; I was soon to find out a good mate and my girlfriend-at-the-time had a bit of a fling.
Brad and Cameron are not the only roles you’ve have on Neighbours. You returned to the soap in 2008 as Donna Freedman’s stepfather Matt. What was is like to be back on set after 15 years?
Strange. Strange and very cool. It proved to me once and for all you never know what's around the corner. There were some people still on the show from my first stint in the early 90s. And of course there was Margot Robbie. You could tell she was destined for big things as soon as you met her; gorgeous, funny and fun.
Are there any similarities between you and Matt?
I hope not. I am a father now and he was not an especially nice one. I think he had good intentions but carried them out in an unfortunate way.
Which character did you prefer – Cameron or Matt?
Not sure. I got to know Cameron better but Matt could have become more interesting too. Nothing like a bad guy turning good (other than a good guy turning bad, ala Breaking Bad!).
Had the show changed much in those 15 years?
Not really. Yes, they use better equipment and digital vision and sound makes things 'brighter' but otherwise things were pretty much the same. The green-room had hardly changed at all. Still inhabited by a mix of excited, nervous, energized and exhausted actors learning lines and checking schedules.
What had you done in the 15 years between Neighbours roles?
Music mostly. I left for London in 1998 and returned to Oz at the end of 2004. I was lucky to record in Sir George Martin's Air Studios and, in my role as music promoter, meet great muso's and producers from around the world. 'The Stars Can See', my first CD released in 2006 was a collection of recordings I'd made in London at various studios and my bedsit in Leytonstone. When I got back to Oz I promoted The Stars Can See for a couple of years then I decided to take a break and write a couple of books. It was around that time that I returned to acting too, and that's when I went back to Neighbours for a stint.
Again, great fun. And even though we were aware of how popular the show was around the world, you kind of didn't know how many people were invested in this story, so you just did your best to make the characters true, likeable and engaging.
What led to your decision to leave the series? Were you happy with Cameron’s exit storyline?
As a young actor I wanted to experience other roles, and as a young man I wanted to experience the world. I'm not sure I have any feelings about Cameron's exit storyline other than it kind of mirrored what was going on in my personal life at the time; I was soon to find out a good mate and my girlfriend-at-the-time had a bit of a fling.
Brad and Cameron are not the only roles you’ve have on Neighbours. You returned to the soap in 2008 as Donna Freedman’s stepfather Matt. What was is like to be back on set after 15 years?
Strange. Strange and very cool. It proved to me once and for all you never know what's around the corner. There were some people still on the show from my first stint in the early 90s. And of course there was Margot Robbie. You could tell she was destined for big things as soon as you met her; gorgeous, funny and fun.
Are there any similarities between you and Matt?
I hope not. I am a father now and he was not an especially nice one. I think he had good intentions but carried them out in an unfortunate way.
Which character did you prefer – Cameron or Matt?
Not sure. I got to know Cameron better but Matt could have become more interesting too. Nothing like a bad guy turning good (other than a good guy turning bad, ala Breaking Bad!).
Had the show changed much in those 15 years?
Not really. Yes, they use better equipment and digital vision and sound makes things 'brighter' but otherwise things were pretty much the same. The green-room had hardly changed at all. Still inhabited by a mix of excited, nervous, energized and exhausted actors learning lines and checking schedules.
What had you done in the 15 years between Neighbours roles?
Music mostly. I left for London in 1998 and returned to Oz at the end of 2004. I was lucky to record in Sir George Martin's Air Studios and, in my role as music promoter, meet great muso's and producers from around the world. 'The Stars Can See', my first CD released in 2006 was a collection of recordings I'd made in London at various studios and my bedsit in Leytonstone. When I got back to Oz I promoted The Stars Can See for a couple of years then I decided to take a break and write a couple of books. It was around that time that I returned to acting too, and that's when I went back to Neighbours for a stint.
What have you done since
leaving Erinsborough six years ago?
I have published two novels, began working in the wine industry as a Cellar Door Manager and most recently I've been recording a new album which I hope to have out before Christmas 2014. I have also had a couple of parts in independent films, 'M is for Mutant' and 'Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla'.
In 2011 you published your first novel ‘The Last Great Day,’ what inspired you to write a novel and can you give a quick rundown about what it’s about?
The Last Great Day is an autobiographical novel about my early life being born into a fundamental Christian cult. My father was a minister in The Worldwide Church of God and when I was born he and Mum were living in Manchester. We moved back to Australia when I was just one and moved around a lot as Dad was placed in congregations around the country. Eventually, after a series of dramatic events, and when my parents learned about the corruption at the very heart of the organisation, we left the church. I had my tenth birthday in Hawaii on the way back from Los Angeles where Dad had resigned from the ministry. My book tells this story, from my birth until I turned 13.
You are also a singer, what inspired you to pursue singing?
Mum played the piano and I used to sing old jazz and show-tunes with her when I was a kid. Then I got into the school musicals, started learning Trumpet and one thing led to the next. I am a huge fan of Elvis (and wrote my second novel, 'Zippin Pippin' about The King's long, lost Australian son!) and got into a band at school performing 50s, 60s and 70s classics. I took up the guitar at 16 and wrote my first song then too. I guess I owe my songwriting to my first girlfriend. If she hadn't dumped me and broke my heart I may never have become a songwriter!
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
Not really. Apart from Lucille Cowden, whom I still see socially, I don't see anyone else. I am friends with Natalie Imbruglia on Facebook but so are a million other people :)
Would you ever consider returning to the show?
Sure. Like I said before, you can never say never. In fact I think now, with my wealth of life experience, I might be perfectly placed to bring something very cool back to Erinsborough. And I don't mean just my guitar.
Were you a fan before joining the show? Do you still watch these days?
Yes, I was a fan before but no I haven't seen much lately. Any spare time I get I'm writing or recording. Or changing nappies.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
Everyone needs good neighbours! Seriously, it's important for people to feel connected, and Neighbours helps us laugh at ourselves and remember we're not as different as we think we might be sometimes. It's fun, innit!
I have published two novels, began working in the wine industry as a Cellar Door Manager and most recently I've been recording a new album which I hope to have out before Christmas 2014. I have also had a couple of parts in independent films, 'M is for Mutant' and 'Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla'.
In 2011 you published your first novel ‘The Last Great Day,’ what inspired you to write a novel and can you give a quick rundown about what it’s about?
The Last Great Day is an autobiographical novel about my early life being born into a fundamental Christian cult. My father was a minister in The Worldwide Church of God and when I was born he and Mum were living in Manchester. We moved back to Australia when I was just one and moved around a lot as Dad was placed in congregations around the country. Eventually, after a series of dramatic events, and when my parents learned about the corruption at the very heart of the organisation, we left the church. I had my tenth birthday in Hawaii on the way back from Los Angeles where Dad had resigned from the ministry. My book tells this story, from my birth until I turned 13.
You are also a singer, what inspired you to pursue singing?
Mum played the piano and I used to sing old jazz and show-tunes with her when I was a kid. Then I got into the school musicals, started learning Trumpet and one thing led to the next. I am a huge fan of Elvis (and wrote my second novel, 'Zippin Pippin' about The King's long, lost Australian son!) and got into a band at school performing 50s, 60s and 70s classics. I took up the guitar at 16 and wrote my first song then too. I guess I owe my songwriting to my first girlfriend. If she hadn't dumped me and broke my heart I may never have become a songwriter!
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
Not really. Apart from Lucille Cowden, whom I still see socially, I don't see anyone else. I am friends with Natalie Imbruglia on Facebook but so are a million other people :)
Would you ever consider returning to the show?
Sure. Like I said before, you can never say never. In fact I think now, with my wealth of life experience, I might be perfectly placed to bring something very cool back to Erinsborough. And I don't mean just my guitar.
Were you a fan before joining the show? Do you still watch these days?
Yes, I was a fan before but no I haven't seen much lately. Any spare time I get I'm writing or recording. Or changing nappies.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
Everyone needs good neighbours! Seriously, it's important for people to feel connected, and Neighbours helps us laugh at ourselves and remember we're not as different as we think we might be sometimes. It's fun, innit!
Interviewed June 2014