‘‘S

agent Monty.

But actor Jonny Brugh, who plays him on the New Zealand and Australian co-production, thinks that is just plain wrong.

‘‘I don’t see him like that at all,’’ he says. ‘‘I would describe him as having a big heart.’’

800 Words is set in the picturesque fictional Kiwi town of Weld where everyone seems to know each other.

While George (Erik Thomson) and his children are relative newcomers to the area, others such as Monty grew up there. Monty is the son of Big Mac, the district’s financial king-pin, played by Peter Elliott. Both George and Monty have a bit in common and are single fathers.

George’s wife was killed in a road accident and he is now raising their two teenage children alone, while the mother of Monty’s daughter Siouxsie (Olivia Tennet) dumped him for a woman.

‘‘He’s definitely one of the good guys,’’ Jonny says of his character. ‘‘He’s always supportive of George’s endeavours and was very supportive of him and his family when they arrived.

‘‘He’s always trying to do the right thing, even if it doesn’t always work out. But he’s on the back foot, from the first episode in season one, having sold George the wrong house ... He means well.’’

Jonny, who in 1998 won The Billy T Award (which recognises up-and-coming comedy talent in New Zealand), tries to play Monty in an upbeat fashion.

‘‘He’s definitely got a bit of a philosophy about life,’’ says Jonny. ‘‘He definitely likes to be happy.’’

And it seems Monty likes to be popular too.

‘‘He finds a kindred spirit in George, but whether George agrees or not is a different story.

‘‘Certainly Monty thinks that, as a solo dad, they’ve got a lot in common.’’

Last season Monty, was not only flogging houses but he was also editing the town’s newspaper, News Of The Weld. He has since lost the latter job to Gloria, a new character played by Funny Girls‘ Jackie van Beek.

Jackie is married to her 800 Words castmate Jesse Griffin, who plays council office worker Sean. The pair have three children and are good friends with Jonny, who has a long work history with Jackie.

Jackie and Jonny have appeared in a range of comedic stage shows in New Zealand and overseas. They also appeared in the Taika Waititi film What We Do In The Shadows.

‘‘I get my performance, playful side from my two sisters because I was always doing little shows for them,’’ says Jonny.

‘‘I think my mother enjoys me acting the goat, but I don’t think my dad saw it as a relevant option.

‘‘I did a comedy show during a festival back in the early 90s, and I had a sold-out crowd, and my mum and dad turned up.

‘‘I watched Dad sitting in the middle and looking at the crowd thinking, ‘All these people have paid money to come and see this comedy show. There must be something in it’.’’

Jonny has acted in a wide range of TV shows including The Jaquie Brown Diaries, Short Poppies and Terry Teo.

‘‘I’m always developing new comedy vehicles,’’ says Jonny. ‘‘My part in 800 Words is somewhat part time. I spend plenty of time refining ideas for things, applying for funding to get ideas made.’’

During lean periods, the Auckland-based Jonny literally gets his hands dirty for money.

‘‘In New Zealand there is never enough work (in acting) so I do landscape gardening,’’ he says. ‘‘I pretty much just advertise on Facebook saying, ‘Anyone need an out-of-work actor to weed their garden?’

‘‘I’m surprised at how much work I get in spring and summer. It’s great because you’re outdoors, you wear a hat, and I tend to get fit and strong which is great.’’

800 Words, TVNZ 1, Wednesday

TV Guide