AUSTIN’S KIWI COMEBACK
The star reveals how he found solace in an NZ fantasy land
When talking to Austin Butler, it’s hard not to be distracted by his ears. His elf ears, that is. The US star, who made his name as teen heartthrob Sebastian in The Carrie Diaries, is back in Aotearoa for season two of The Shannara Chronicles.
“New Zealand is incredible!” exclaims the 26-year-old, who wears pointy ears for his role as half-human, half-elf Wil on the fantasy show. “The crew is like family to me now.”
Although his busy work schedule hasn’t left him much time to explore the country, he knew from the moment he picked up the script that he wanted to be part of the project.
“I thought, ‘Wow, this would be a really fun show to do because I get to ride horses, fight with swords, do magic and go to New Zealand,’” says Austin. “But there were certain things in the story that were very close to home, so I had certain trepidation about taking on the role.”
In 2014, when he was just 23, Austin’s mother
Lori Butler passed away. Similarly, his character Wil spends the first season coping with the loss of his mum.
While Austin has not publicly discussed the circumstances of Lori’s death, he says working on The Shannara Chronicles
has been “something cathartic like therapy”.
His girlfriend of five years Vanessa Hudgens has shown her support with several trips Down Under to visit Austin, but he says his grandparents are his biggest fans.
“They bought a new TV when the season came out last year so they could watch it on the big screen. My grandpa was very proud of that TV!”