[Water Lily]

Part 2

11 October 2000

What was your reaction when you were told you had the part of Merry?

"My initial reaction to being cast as Merry was one of silent wide smiling reflection for a couple of minutes, and then of a huge rush of adrenaline, and I have to confess a small amount of alcohol intake!!"

How did you initially feel about living and working in New Zealand for over 12 months - far from home, family and friends?

"I was working on Monsignor Renard in France so I had a week to come home, celebrate with my family and friends, move out of my house PACK for a year and a half. And it was hell.

I will say one of the hardest weeks of my life, probably the hardest, as I had to be everywhere and wanted to see everyone but COULDN'T. So actually getting on the plane was a huge release and I could just concentrate on the job in hand, getting to understand Merry on the flight."

What is your favourite place in New Zealand?

"Well because I have spent so much time in Wellington it would be easy to say here 'cos I feel so comfortable etc but I won't say that.

Some of the best time working I had was in Hamilton as we worked everyday in Hobbiton and stayed in a gorgeous hotel in the country and got to know Ian McKellen their etc so that was great.

For a good time I don't think Queenstown is too bad either, lots to do and the town is always busy."

What would you like to have accomplished in your life say in the next ten years?

"In the next ten years or hopefully in the next few decisions I make as an actor. I hope to prove to directors, casting directors, fellow actors and more importantly my peers, that I am an actor worth watching due to the choices I make both in the parts I play and in the way I play them.

I hope I can prove myself versatile enough to try my hand at a lot of differing roles."

Can you tell us about your character Jimmy Furey in the docodrama This is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper?

"I played a small part in 'This is Personal'. Jimmy Furey was a young boy whose girlfriend was attacked by the Ripper. Jimmy gave chase but because he was barefoot he did not catch him.

Jimmy was at first put under suspicion as the Ripper but was released. His relationship broke down with his girlfriend. Sad.

If you had visitors/friends arriving for dinner in 30 minutes, what would you cook?

"If I had only thirty minutes to cook. I would do roasted ratatouille with a chorizo tomato sauce, saffron rice, ciabatta bread cooked with garlic and olive oil and parsnips cooked in parmesan cheese. All done in maybe just over 30 minutes but hey we can wait for that."