Stranger Things’ Kiwi connection
I’m very grateful for that. And how did you channel your inner 80s bad boy?
I don’t know. I listened to a lot of 80s music growing up so that was kind of my real connection. Bad boy Jack Nicholson was also a reference. I was definitely channelling some of his qualities in The Shining – that unpredictable nature. So, when we first meet Billy in Season 2, he’s kind of perceived to be this bully kind of character and it develops into something far more sinister. What about that hair – is it the actor’s own?
The hair on top is mine, but the hair on the sides is a wig. The hair department did a fantastic job. Did you have many discussions with the showrunners The Duffer Brothers about the character?
Initially, it was the Jack Nicholson thing. I’m a big fan of like of bringing ideas on the day and not being shy to just tell the directors any ideas or thoughts. The great thing about the Duffers is they are really collaborative. Whatever crazy decision, whether it made the cut or not, they let me do it. And how far ahead did you get the scripts?
I’ll give you an example. We were shooting episode four, when five and six had been written and I said, ‘‘look boys, there is nothing right now for the audience to latch on to Billy – he’s just a dick. Even though this is sinister and it’s going somewhere, I need the audience to feel like they want to see him in another season. He’s the anti-hero like Kevin Spacey in House of Cards‘‘. And you know, they hadn’t written so far ahead that they couldn’t write it in.
There’s a phenomenal scene that subsequently was written in for episode eight – a scene with my father where you discover why Billy is the way he is. That that came through discussions with them. I think such openness is extremely smart and that’s why I consider them to be a couple of the best film-makers in the industry. Another of your projects, the Christmas-themed teen-horror Better Watch Out, is coming out here in December. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
They built one of the most incredible sets I’ve ever worked on at Fox Studios in Sydney – a house surrounded by snow. It was absolutely beautiful. I had two scenes and I play another sinister Billy-type character. We shot it in November of 2015 and I’m a little bit nervous about it because I haven’t seen my work yet. But it has got great actors like Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Patrick Warburton and Olivia DeJonge. Chris (Peckover) is a great director and I believe he’s about to do some amazing stuff. I’m excited, because I’ve had a few friends who’ve seen it somewhere or other and said they really enjoyed it. Getting back to Stranger Things – have you taken any mementoes from the amazing sets there?
I think may there may have been one or two things. I did the same thing on Power Rangers –a little harmless I’m-not-going-tojail-for-stealing-a-prop kind of thing, but there may be a few little things in my room. I think it’s important to keep a token, whatever it is. Finally an important Stranger Things- esque question – what is your favourite US candy bar?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – if they can be considered a bar. ● Season 2 of Stranger Things begins streaming on Netflix on October 27.