THE HIT LIST
AUSSIE ACTOR STEPHEN PEACOCKE RETURNS TO SCREENS THIS WEEK WITH SOME EXCITING NEW PROJECTS
GET A ROOM! “My character Ben is in a really good place in Season 2,” Peacocke says of his Five Bedrooms character. “He’s got a wonderful woman in his life.”
Finally, the second season of Five Bedrooms will make it to air after the Melbourne-based series was delayed due to the pandemic. For one of the show’s stars, Stephen Peacocke, who plays larrikin Ben, it can’t come soon enough. “It seems like ages since we did this,” he tells WHO. “I think we started filming this season in February 2020, then we came back and finished it off around five months later but we finally got there and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
The comedy-drama, which also stars Kat Stewart (Liz), Doris Younane (Heather), Katie Robertson (Ainsley) and Roy Joseph (Harry), follows a group of very different people who meet on a singles table at a wedding and, after too many drinks, decide to solve their accommodation dramas by buying a home together. The initial eight-episode series won a legion of fans both in Australia and internationally. Season 2 picks up three months later. The five friends are looking to buy a new home after auctioning off their first property, but it needs to be one that can accommodate a baby …
What can you tell us about where your character Ben is at going into Season 2
(if you can remember)?
The guys have to find themselves a new place pronto, but, despite that stress, Ben finds himself in a better situation in his life, in general. Life is looking pretty good for him. He takes it upon himself to find the best house he can and he manages to talk them into buying a renovator’s dream. So then he’s under pressure to make it habitable.
Why is this show special to you?
The cast is incredible, they’re just a top bunch of people. I think we’ve got a really good chemistry between the five of us. I also think Michael Lucas and Christine Bartlett, who lead the writers, are just phenomenal. The scripts are clever, witty and natural and if you start with a good script, then you’re onto a winner.
How do you feel about the response to the show?
It’s awesome! I’m not on social media so I don’t see the comments about it, but they do get passed on to me. I know Five Bedrooms has been really well-received in the UK and America, too. That’s the cool thing about TV and streaming now. If you’ve got a really cool show in Australia, there’s every chance that the world will get to see it. You spent some time in the US. Are you based back in Australia now?
Yes, [actress wife] Bridgette [Sneddon] and I came back from LA at the end of 2019. Since then, I’ve been incredibly lucky to work more in the past two years, which I don’t take for granted at all.
You’ve already had some success in the US with roles in films like Me Before You (with Emilia Clarke) and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (with Tina Fey). Will you move back there at some point?
Maybe, you can never say never, but the industry is so strong here in Australia right now so it’s good to be here. I love working in our cities but after growing up in [NSW’s] Dubbo, I feel most at home in the country here, too.
What’s downtime like for you?
I’m fine if I can find a national park and go for a big walk for a day. Otherwise, I’m out in my garden. I’ve also been watching some incredible Australian TV. Mr Inbetween [on Foxtel], which I’ve watched twice recently, is one of the best things I’ve ever seen!
Actor celebrating month George – and his what Pullar 26th greater will birthday be gift this is there TV series than alongside a starring acclaimed role in a US Fantastic actor Michael Four)! Chiklis (The Shield,
Pullar plays an innocent, rookie border control agent in the sixepisode series Coyote. He becomes embroiled in criminal activities when his boss Ben (Chiklis) is blackmailed by a Mexican drug cartel. “It’s pretty fun and gritty, too,” Pullar says. “It was awesome to be able to move to America in 2019 with a job to go to as well.”
We hear there’s a funny story about your audition for this role? Yes! I was making an Australian lm called Moon Rock For Monday in Coober Pedy when I was asked to audition at 4.30am with Michael via Skype. He’s this incredible actor who’s won Emmys and Golden Globes, so I’m thinking I’ve got no chance. I’m also doing the audition in an underground hotel room in the early hours of the morning. Because I was in this crazy location, and landing – I though, think either thinking that that the because worked role, or I had I was I somehow was no in half my chance really asleep! favour I relaxed got of the What someone gig. was like it like Michael? working with I was really intimidated at rst. He’s got such a presence and his reputation is huge, but he’s actually a really nice, grounded dude and he made me feel so welcome. I became a part of his family in LA because he knew I was a long way from home. We first met you on Aussie drama Playing for Keeps. How was it working on that series? It was really fun. I’m a huge AFL fan, so I really loved playing Daniel Fletcher. That was a really fun, glossy drama, but I’m also keen on doing grittier work, too. I’m writing my own stu and have a little production company. I look up to someone like Joel Edgerton and his career. If I can be half as successful as he has been one day, I’ll be happy. (Coyote premieres Wed., Aug. 11 on Paramount Plus)