BEHIND THE SCENES

DAMIAN WALSHE-HOWLING

The actor made famous in Underbelly is now playing drug dealer Joey Romano in crime drama Last King of the Cross

What three things would be at the top of your bucket list?

The three things on my bucket list are to visit Morocco and surf there. To spend a weekend in the Daintree rainforest with my extended family. And to play harmonica on stage with Ben Harper.

Have you had any operations or broken bones?

I have had three operations. My wisdom teeth out under general anaesthetic. My tonsils out under general anaesthetic and my nose reset after a break. I’ve also stepped on a stonefish and was in hospital for 24 hours.

They say what happens on the set stays on the set. Break that rule.

Something that happens once the cameras stop rolling many times is lots of boasting and laughter about personal life events.

What is your most memorable moment with a fan?

An older woman from Scotland started screaming at me in the street and I humorously screamed back at her as an impersonation in the same way. She fell down laughing and got up and gave me a big hug. It was very funny.

What was your first casual job?

A paper round. My memory is that on my first day I was riding down a dark creepy street in the dark with a little bit of rain falling, before the sun came up ... and I was s--tting myself so much that I quit the same morning.

What is your favourite karaoke song?

I don’t have a favourite karaoke song, because karaoke is my least favourite thing to do after breaking a bone — I actually get quite shy in that situation.

What is your guilty pleasure in life?

Enjoying myself with friends in any capacity anywhere under any circumstances.

What was the first place you visited overseas?

My first overseas trip was to Bali in 1990. My most overwhelming memory of Bali was the kindness and incredible generosity of the people. It’s an actual Paradise on Earth when you get off the beaten track.

What is a role in a movie or TV show that you would have loved to have landed?

I got down to the final two actors for The Walking Dead as the role of Shane in the original series. Jon Bernthal beat me to it.

What is your absolute blowout meal?

Anything cooked with passion and good company. I love food as much as life.

Last King of the Cross, premieres today on Paramount+