MX
ON THE BOX
By VANESSA SANTER
Aussie heart-throb DAVID WENHAM returns to the small screen as a cop
fighting for peace in
Q.What made you return to television after a string
of movies?
A.Basically, the opportunity to be involved in
telling an amazing story,
which affects and moves people. Ultimately it's a triumphant story and I'm
proud to be a part of it.
Q.Has
there been a point in your career when you've thought `I've made it'?
A.I was never really that ambitious. I always wanted to perform on one
stage at Belvoir St Theatre in
of the Rings when I was on a horse in New Zealand surrounded by 200 other
horsemen and this amazing scenery and I thought ``this is pretty
special''. Rings was one of the highlights, but not
the highlight. Others
were
SeaChange.
Q.Is there a character you're dying to play?
A.I've got to say I don't
have a wish list. I wish I did. I could ring my
agent and say `Here's a list and see what you can do for me'. I like to be
surprised when I'm reading material. The leading man and straighter
characters are harder, because they're closer to myself.
It's a strange
thing considering I'm an actor, but I'm an introverted extrovert.
Q.You've played equal parts
comedy and drama. What's your favourite?
A.I don't have a favourite,
but I do love comedy and I'd love the
opportunity to do more. I'd like to do some relatively soon. To make
people laugh is a wonderful thing and it's not an easy thing.
Q.Would you ever do a more mainstream blockbuster?
A.The closest thing I've done is a monk in Van Helsing. It was a
popcorn-type movie. I had refused films like that up until that point and
then I thought `Why not be a part of it?' The sets are
bigger and there's
more bang for your buck. Sometimes that's fun.
Q.Your ABC-TV telemovie
Answered by Fire seems to be centred around
courage and determination. Where do you find those traits in yourself?
A.God only knows. I was lucky enough to meet guys not
dissimilar to the
character. On first appearance they are average, ordinary Australian
blokes, but after conversations with them you realise
they have had the
most amazing experiences and can deal with people in very trying
situations in a very delicate manner.
Q.In
another life could you see yourself as a freedom fighter?
A.I'd hope so. It's an extraordinary thing to do and
I can understand it
100 per cent. Here we take for granted that we are not occupied by a
foreign nation.