Before joining the show, what sort of acting work did you have?
I had just come off playing Ian Chappell in Howzat and working alongside Guy Pearce in 33 Postcards - I thought it was apt that Guy was an old cast member and when I was offered the role of Neighbours I thought it was a bit of fate.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I just love acting and the business - always have since I was 12. I've been very lucky to land the roles that I've played and every day in the business is a lucky one!
What did your audition process involve?
I didn't audition for the role it was written for me.
You joined Neighbours near the end of 2013 as Jacob Holmes, what was is like to join the show and work alongside Eve Morey and Ryan Moloney?
I love those guys! Very easy to work with and lovely people behind the scenes also.
I had just come off playing Ian Chappell in Howzat and working alongside Guy Pearce in 33 Postcards - I thought it was apt that Guy was an old cast member and when I was offered the role of Neighbours I thought it was a bit of fate.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I just love acting and the business - always have since I was 12. I've been very lucky to land the roles that I've played and every day in the business is a lucky one!
What did your audition process involve?
I didn't audition for the role it was written for me.
You joined Neighbours near the end of 2013 as Jacob Holmes, what was is like to join the show and work alongside Eve Morey and Ryan Moloney?
I love those guys! Very easy to work with and lovely people behind the scenes also.
Are there any similarities between you and Jacob?
We just had our own son so it was very befitting that little Ryder and I got to play before the real thing happened. Suffice to say, it did help me immensely when Dusty (our son) came along.
What was is like working with Ryder Smith who played your son Elliot? Was is difficult working with a baby?
We had a little chat before working together and agreed that if he up-chucked on me, I'd do the same back....From then on we worked brilliantly together!
How did it feel coming between Toadie and Sonya who are a popular couple on the show?
I loved it. It's always great played a character that the audience sympathises with and yet feel anger towards also.
We just had our own son so it was very befitting that little Ryder and I got to play before the real thing happened. Suffice to say, it did help me immensely when Dusty (our son) came along.
What was is like working with Ryder Smith who played your son Elliot? Was is difficult working with a baby?
We had a little chat before working together and agreed that if he up-chucked on me, I'd do the same back....From then on we worked brilliantly together!
How did it feel coming between Toadie and Sonya who are a popular couple on the show?
I loved it. It's always great played a character that the audience sympathises with and yet feel anger towards also.
What was it like playing a widowed single father? Was it easy to get into Jacob’s mindset?
It was a bit depressing actually. Having to jump into his shoes everyday with only tiny bits of sunlight (mostly offered from Eve's character) to lighten his mood - it's such a sad story-line and in reality would be so frightening to deal with.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
I've had a few of the cast and crew come up to Daylesford and visit - I run Daylesford Wine Tours and it just so happens most of the cast and crew love wine!
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
I would definitely consider it - I'd love Jacob to have found a new love in Adelaide and return to Erinsborough to start a new life there.
It was a bit depressing actually. Having to jump into his shoes everyday with only tiny bits of sunlight (mostly offered from Eve's character) to lighten his mood - it's such a sad story-line and in reality would be so frightening to deal with.
Are you still in touch with any of your former co-stars?
I've had a few of the cast and crew come up to Daylesford and visit - I run Daylesford Wine Tours and it just so happens most of the cast and crew love wine!
Would you ever consider returning to the show? If so, how would you like your character to return?
I would definitely consider it - I'd love Jacob to have found a new love in Adelaide and return to Erinsborough to start a new life there.
You appeared in Home & Away in 2009 as Grant Bledcoe. Do you prefer Erinsborough or Summer Bay? [Answer wisely haha :)]
I'm sorry to say it....Erinsborough! It's closer to my real home.
You appeared as Kid in the Matrix movies. How does movie life compare to soap life? Which do you prefer?
They are just so different in scale and I honestly prefer movie life primarily because you have so much more time to prepare and get it just right.
You left the show only a few months ago, what have you done since leaving Ramsay Street?
I have just finished a stint on House Husbands and am preparing for two film roles - one to be shot in Melbourne called My Brother's Rage which I'm very excited about.
Were you a fan before joining the show and do you still watch it these days?
Sorry to say it but I never joined the massive legion of Neighbours fans, but I worked in the studios back in the early days doing a kids show and got to know a lot of the cast then - I was actually there the first days that Ryan started.
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?
I think it's a very well-oiled machine - great producers, writers, actors, cast & of course a crew that is the main cogs. Sustaining the show over a period like this is not by chance!
I'm sorry to say it....Erinsborough! It's closer to my real home.
You appeared as Kid in the Matrix movies. How does movie life compare to soap life? Which do you prefer?
They are just so different in scale and I honestly prefer movie life primarily because you have so much more time to prepare and get it just right.
You left the show only a few months ago, what have you done since leaving Ramsay Street?
I have just finished a stint on House Husbands and am preparing for two film roles - one to be shot in Melbourne called My Brother's Rage which I'm very excited about.
Were you a fan before joining the show and do you still watch it these days?
Sorry to say it but I never joined the massive legion of Neighbours fans, but I worked in the studios back in the early days doing a kids show and got to know a lot of the cast then - I was actually there the first days that Ryan started.
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?
I think it's a very well-oiled machine - great producers, writers, actors, cast & of course a crew that is the main cogs. Sustaining the show over a period like this is not by chance!
Interviewed April 2014