DOUBLE OH! IT’S TIM DRAXL AS BOND AND SEXY AS!
Playing Dr Henry Fox in TV’s beloved drama series, A Place To Call Home has been something of a cathartic experience for Tim Draxl, he says. So, too, for many gay fans around the world who see his character as a beacon of hope and possibility. This month,
The sexy Aussie actor slips into character as a super spy for this special DNA feature interview and photo shoot
DNA: A Place To Call Home has been very successful internationally. It’s taken you to a worldwide audience. That must be quite an experience.
Tim Draxl: Yes, it’s definitely up there as a highlight. Being part of such a successful TV show for four years of my life has been a tremendous honour, especially playing a gay role on mainstream television. We air in 120 different countries, so to be a part of something like that, which has such a passionate fan-base is quite extraordinary. The response and connection we get from the fans is incredibly rewarding. In theatre you get that instant gratification and applause, and with this TV show it’s not that much different because after it airs people are already commenting and interacting on the fan pages.
To that end, do people write to you regarding your character and his sexuality?
Absolutely. Playing Henry Fox and telling a gay love story on mainstream TV is incredibly important. I get letters from people all over the world. In fact, I just sent a letter back to someone in Slovenia. People tell me their stories about how difficult it is to come out or how they haven’t been able to but watching the show has helped them come to terms with their sexuality. They realise that it’s okay, and that they’re not alone. It’s incredibly touching and moves me to tears every time I read those letters.
It’s amazing how these characters can touch someone in another part of the world.
Yes. When the Australian gay marriage debate was happening I was very vocal about it on my social media and there were a lot of people who were against gay marriage commenting on the show’s fan page. They’d get into conversations with me about it, and I found it really odd how they were so anti-equality and yet were following a TV show that clearly promoted equality. But, through conversation and a voice, you can hopefully change people’s attitudes. I think that was Bevan Lee’s ultimate quest with creating this show; to open people’s eyes to the past, and the behaviour that we’ve tolerated. It’s highlighted how much we’ve changed but also how much further we have to go.
Your gay marriage support included DNA’s #Yes campaign. Thank you for that!
It was my pleasure! Through the Yes campaign, I became very passionate about telling my own story, as well as that of Henry Fox. It’s important to tell our stories, as gay men and all of the LGBTIQ community’s stories for future generations, to give them courage and hope. Things are changing and getting better but there’s always going to be a fight and we need to stand up and fight it. The equality debate, for all of us, was incredibly distressing and demeaning. There were wounds created that are still healing, and will take a long time to heal, especially for same-sex couples who have children and dealt with that onslaught of hate. It was absolutely horrendous and should never have happened. But there are places in the world that are a lot worse off than us and when I hear from people living in those places, I thank my lucky stars that I’m in Australia. It highlights how important it is to speak up and be seen. I watched the telemovie Riot, about the ’78ers, and that whole concept of being visible was really profound for me.
Why?
Because for so long I was told that being [openly] gay would have a negative effect on my career. There was >>
>> this sense of having to be invisible, whereas now it’s actually about being visible and having a voice. Thanks for being part of DNA’s fashion shoot this month. You look very debonair and sexy. Away from the cameras, do you have a signature look?
My personal style is eclectic and continually evolving. I’ve gone through the preppy look to the dishevelled street look with ripped jeans, but I guess it’s a lot more subdued now with understated, muted tones. The most important thing for me is feeling comfortable – fashion can have some uncomfortable trends! I’ve had the stovepipe pants and skinny jeans that feel more like leather than jeans. My favourite look is one that’s relaxed. In fact, I think there’s an ’80s look coming back, with the baggy, high-waisted pants and lower crotch.
Ah, the classic drop-crotch!
That’s one of my favourite looks and I have it in most kinds of styles including jeans, chinos, and suit/dress pants. They’re comfortable and loose. Dressing for body type is important and, because I have long legs, I try to make them look shorter by wearing drop-crotch pants. When I was in LA they came into fashion and there’s an Australian company called Jac And Jack that still make them.
What about on A Place To Call Home? Those 1950s braces, hats and suits have a certain charm, don’t they?
Oh, I’ve always loved the ’50s style, which was, in-turn, influenced by the ’40s and ’30s. Those highwaisted pants began in the ’20s. People affectionately call them Harry High Pants! The costume designer on A Place To Call Home is constantly pulling up our pants because we tend to wear them on our hips. But there’s certainly something elegant and classic about the high waist. A company in England is reproducing them, and I bought myself two pairs. They’re like what the navy would wear, pleated in the front and impeccably tailored with a cuff. Also, On A Place To Call Home, there’s a pair of pants in my character’s wardrobe that are my favourites to wear on set, so I had the costume department run me up a pair. What’s your preference for underwear?
Briefs. In my late teens I went through a phase of wearing loose boxers when the rage was to have your jeans hanging half way down your butt with the underwear showing. I then went on to fitted boxers, which I’ll still occasionally wear, but I still sleep in loose fitted boxers.
Do is your classic men’s fashion style icon?
I love Steve McQueen’s bad-boy look with the motorbike and leather jacket. That’s quintessential style. I’m a motorbike rider and I love it. But McQueen could also pull off a smart and sleek suit look very well. As did Cary Grant. He’s from the A Place To Call Home era, very dapper with the tailored suit and cravat. Cary was the epitome of Hollywood elegance. McQueen had an effortless style, grounded with no bullshit, and Cary was the more put-together sleek look, and I love them both. I guess I have a split personality.
The theme for this shoot is “on set with 007”. Who is the quintessential James Bond?
No Bond surpasses Sean Connery. He’s the ultimate 007 – suave, sophisticated, always stylish, and he’s the master of the James Bond smirk. I grew up watching Bond movies with one of my brothers, and it’s still one of our favourite things to do when we catch up. The first Bond I ever saw was Live And Let Die, which has >>
>> verything – gadgets, voodoo magic, New Orleans jazz, secret hatches releasing snakes into hotel rooms and sharks in a swimming pool!
Would you rather play 007 or the villain?
I’d definitely play Bond rather than the villain. Bond has all the best gadgets, the Aston Martins, the impeccably tailored suits, the finest watches and all the accessories. Plus, by the end of the film I’d end up with Pussy Galore or, in this case, Dick Ryder. [Laughs.]
Who do you think delivered the best Bond theme song?
Being a classic Bond fan, I’d have to say Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Forever. But for the modern era, Adele singing Skyfall is simply amazing.
Your first interview with DNA was way back in DNA #2 when you were just 19! You’ve come a long way. Looking back can you nominate some career highlights?
Definitely making my second album, Insongniac at Capital Records in LA with Peter Matz, the Broadway legend who did the original scoring for Funny Girl with Barbra Streisand. He produced the album, and working with him was one of the greatest times of my life. Also, working with Martin Landau on the film Ivory, where I played an aspiring concert pianist. I’m a massive Hitchcock fan and I got to ask him about working with Hitch. He told me how Hitchcock had seen him on Broadway and cast him in North By Northwest. Hitchcock told Martin to play his role as the gay-on-the-side lover to James Mason’s character, which apparently infuriated James Mason!
What about highlights in Australia?
I’d have to say last year’s production of Only Heaven Knows at the Hayes Theatre in Kings Cross. Whether it’s a multi-million-dollar production or a small independent one, it’s all about the people you work with, and creative satisfaction it brings. That’s more important than anything. While working on Only Heaven Knows I was also filming A Place To Call Home during the day, and racing to the theatre at night. It was actually the happiest I’ve ever been in my career because I had the best of both worlds and they’re two disciplines I love.
Television and film or theatre? Do you have a preference?
I couldn’t choose one over the other. They’re both so different. But Only Heaven Knows, as a creative process, was one of those magical times where everything just came together. Every person on the production became part of a little family and we still keep in touch. It was a special experience and an important story. >>
There’s an importance of telling our stories as gay men for future generations, to give them courage and hope.
>> Your certainly look after your body. What do you do in terms of diet?
I don’t think my diet is one that I’d recommend to most people! I try to eat healthy and stay fit but, because I have a creative mind, I get obsessive over things when I’m working and I’ll sometimes forget to eat. I’ve become conscious about remembering to eat. I eat vegetables and protein with every meal, and I eat cake twice a day.
Sorry… you eat cake twice a day?
Yes, for morning and afternoon tea. I love baking and I love pastries and cake. It’s just the way it is. I grew up in a family of four boys and my mum was always baking. When we lived in Austria we’d always have guests around for coffee and cake. It became a habit that’s ingrained in me.
Was growing up in Austria like being in The Sound Of Music?
Yes, absolutely! It’s scenically one of the most beautiful countries you’ll ever visit. It’s stunning with the rolling hills, beautiful lakes and Alps.
And singing nuns?
[Laughing.] Not so much with singing nuns. I don’t remember those!
Are you currently dating anyone?
Yes, Adi. We met at the gym over the calf raise machine! We’ve been together now for around 11 months and just moved in together. Adrian’s a Travel Demand Management Specialist and works with public transport. He’s from North London and here to try and sort out our public transport mess.
What’s next for you, career-wise?
I’m currently in Torch Song Trilogy with the Darlinghurst Theatre Company and I’m also doing a one-night concert this month at the Eternity Playhouse, which is the Love Is Love show I did at the Gallery Of NSW. It’s a reflection on love songs and tells how I found love in my own life. Then I’m off to London to meet the in-laws, a wedding in Venice and then… I’m a free agent!
Things are changing and getting better but there’s always going to be a fight and we need to stand up and fight it.
MORE: A Place To Call Home screens on Foxtel’s Showcase and streams on Foxtel Now. For more on Torch Song Trilogy and Love Is Love visit: http://www.darlinghursttheatre.com