Undercover story
Home And Away fan favourite George Mason talks to Kerry Harvey about his revealing new role.
George Mason fronts up for our interview in just his undies, so it is probably a good thing we’re chatting on the phone.
“It was something that initially was pretty daunting,” says the Kiwi Home And Away actor who was taking time out from his first big modelling job to talk to TV Guide.
“I don’t think of myself as a model by any means. In fact, it scares the **** out of me.”
The former Invercargill boy, who has played Summer Bay’s Martin ‘Ash’ Ashford for three years, is following in the footsteps of former co-stars such as Samara Weaving, Todd Lasance and Esther Anderson in modelling for Aussie underwear giant Bonds.
It is just one of the opportunities that has come his way since being cast in the long-running Australian soap.
Initially uncertain about the modelling gig, he consulted his fiancee, French model Manon Buchalet, about whether he should do it.
“She thinks I’ve got the best body in the world, and I don’t think that’s true by any means, but that’s love isn’t it? She makes me feel pretty confident about things,” he says.
“For the first two minutes we were shooting it was like, ‘I’m in my undies. What the heck’s going on here?’ but then you forget about it. It’s just another day in the office.
“I don’t mind being naked or in my jocks. All my mates have seen it all before and it’s nothing new. I think people should be proud of what they get given – good or bad.”
The fact he has been running round the beaches of Summer Bay topless for years probably also helps the confidence a little.
Mason makes no secret of how happy he is to be part of the long-running drama.
Before moving to Australia, he was an established actor in New Zealand, having played Shortland Street bad boy Regan Ames and Go
“I don’t mind being naked or in my jocks. I think people should be proud of what they get given – good or bad.”
– George Mason
Girls narrator Ted Keegan. There were also roles on Top Of The Lake and The Blue Rose.
Breaking into the Australian industry proved hard and he spent several months working at anything he could get, including as a nanny for Wentworth star and fellow Kiwi Danielle Cormack.
“She’s been an amazing mentor for me, getting me into the industry. She actually helped me find an agent,” Mason reveals.
Since joining Home And Away in June 2014, Mason has become a firm fan favourite, earning him a little more public recognition than he would sometimes like.
“Although the most bizarre thing was probably when I was still in New Zealand,” he says.
“I was walking down the street – and this is when I was on
Shortland Street – and someone was like, ‘Oi, robber’ and I was like, ‘What?’ And he goes, ‘You stole that $100K off Callum McKay (Peter Mochrie). What a legend’ and he drove off.”
More annoying is the constant attention from the tabloid media.
“I don’t think anyone’s really that interested in what me and my girlfriend are up to but, obviously, they can make some money getting a shot.
“It’s always the same boring stuff like ‘George Goes Shopping’ and we just have a laugh when we see them now,” Mason says.
“It used to stress me out but now I’m like ‘whatever’. It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t ruin our lives at this stage.”
With his initial three-year contract with the soap up in June and, despite remaining tight-lipped about whether it will be renewed, he has been giving some thought to the future. “I am pretty happy at Home And
Away at the moment. Australia has been so good to us. New Zealand was good to me but, for me, it’s about keeping it fresh,” Mason says.
“I’ll go wherever there’s work and I’ll keep the options open in the States and Australia and New Zealand and wherever. I am excited definitely for the next chapter.
“I’ve never been to Hollywood before so who knows? I’m going to give it a crack for sure and see what happens. Maybe I won’t even like it and I’ll end up in Invercargill selling surfboards.”