When Rob Collins recently picked up the Logie Award for Best New Talent, many weren’t surprised. Currently starring in the ABC sci-fi drama Cleverman, the actor has been winning international praise. Matt Myers discovers the passion behind the talent.
Congratulations on the Best New Talent Logie win. You had good odds though being nominated for two awards!
Rob Collins: Yes that’s right, for the Graham Kennedy Award as well. My Cleverman costar Hunter Page-Lochard and I decided we’d be happy if at least one of us took away an award. So I’m pretty happy with that.
For those who don’t know, can you explain the concept of Cleverman?
In a nutshell it’s a futuristic look at a dystopian world with a group of people called the ‘hairies’, who are rounded up by a big brother government. But central to that is a sort of Cain and Abel story of two brothers, Waruu who I play, and Koen, played by Hunter Page-Lochard. Because he’s the oldest, Waruu believes that the mantle of the Cleverman, who is like a leader of men endowed with superpowers, belongs to him. But it goes to Koen, which causes rivalry throughout the series.
Can you tell us a bit about where your character Waruu is headed this season?
At the end of last season, Waruu had become completely isolated from any sort of community he was involved with, including his family and the people of the Zone. So when we meet him again he’s actively trying to rebuild, and if he can’t be the Cleverman then he’s going to do the next best thing, which is align himself with someone of power and resources.
Cleverman has an eighty percent indigenous cast, and has earned international praise. As an indigenous actor, what does this mean for you?
I’m incredibly proud to be attached to it. I’m proud of a lot of my work, but there’s something really special about telling a particular indigenous story in this new exciting way, and having indigenous people such as the creators, designers, set directors and such being involved. For me as an actor, it sort of elevates the project and it feels like one I want to get right. I have a responsibility to tell these stories in the best way I can.
Would you agree that acting roles for Indigenous Australians has improved considerably over the past couple of years?
I don’t know about that. It certainly feels like we’re headed in the right direction and it’s absolutely positive, but I think more needs to be done. I’m kind of an impatient character by nature anyway, but I’m hoping shows like Cleverman will help us get a real move on, in terms of working towards a really vibrant indigenous filmmaking community in Australia. And one that doesn’t neccessarily sit outside of the mainstream but becomes part and parcel of it, to the point where it’s not considered a cliché or a novelty.
In some ways, that statement also mirrors the gay community’s feelings.
Absolutely!
On that note, Cleverman has themes that parallel our current day, particularly surrounding outsiders facing adversity. Can you see how it would appeal to the LGBTI community?
Yes, as it’s essentially a story about being true to yourself, and being who you are. Waruu is a classic example of someone who is on that kind of journey. I think those parallels are also what made it an international success. It has a universal theme that a lot of people can relate to, particularly with marginalised groups. Aside from the social impact, it’s also a dramatic and compelling story.
You’ve also had some international actors on Cleverman, including Iain Glen from Game of Thrones, who plays Slade. Are you a fan of that show?
Oh yes, I recently brought myself up to date, because I had been behind. So I’m very familiar with Game of Thrones and Jorah’s greyscale disease, which I hope he overcomes!
I hope Waruu doesn’t contract it
(Laughing) I’ve joked about that myself on set with Iain and Hunter. Iain is such a great presence to have and he’s got a wealth of experience. Having someone of his calibre, along with Frances O’Connor who plays Charlotte, is fantastic for the production. Not only are they brilliant actors in their own right, but they’ve helped open it up to the international audience.
Iain is also very handsome
Oh Iain is very dapper! I’ve trawled the Internet for old photos of him, and wow, he’s a very good-looing older man, but he was a sensational looking younger man too.
So who would you turn gay for?
I would turn for my co-star Ian Meadows on The Wrong Girl. Having spent some time with him, I’ve discovered he’s funny, charming, sensitive and he’s not bad to look at either!
It’s a great role you have as Jack, the celebrity chef, on The Wrong Girl. What is that experience like?
It’s a fantastic program to be on and unlike anything I’ve done before. I had all these ideas of what a TV network gig might be like, but it was such an eye-opener. It’s full of wonderfully talented people including Jessica Marais who is just a constant beaming lady, and of course the lovely Ian Meadows. Even in-between takes it’s fun to be on set, including days where we delve into the more dramatic scenes. It was always light and enjoyable and I’ve made a number of really good friends.
How do you find going from a dark character in one series to the more lighthearted in the other?
It hasn’t been too much of a challenge in that I’ve kind of learnt to dial-down certain aspects of myself and turn others up. I think everyone, not just actors, has access to a range of emotions, where we can all be sad, happy, jealous, enraged, belittled or in love. So it’s a matter of focusing on certain aspects for one character and other aspects for another.
Have you ever played a gay role?
At NIDA I did a spectacular play called Colder by the wonderful playwright Lachlan Philpott. I played a character opposite Joel Jackson who was in Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door. We were in the same year at NIDA and it was such a wonderful piece. I’d love to do a gay role again because with such roles, you can take on different lives, pretending to be other people who come in all shapes of the rainbow.
Do you have gay family members?
I do, with the transgender Tiwi Sistergirls, who had their first Mardi Gras this year. They’re from the Tiwi Islands, and we are all related!
You’re very good looking. Do you ever get hit on by men?
I get hit on by men, more that I do by women! And I have to say, that it’s in those moments that I turn into a bit of a flirt. Any attention is good attention!
Having studied acting at NIDA, what advice would you give to anyone wanting to do the same?
To never lose sight of yourself. It’s an environment where you are forced to strip away old bad habits, and for a lot of people, myself included, a large part of your identity. That includes the way you see yourself and the things that you do, and how you move and sound, in a very methodical way. There’s this idea that you need to be someone else, when really ‘you’ are enough. We’re in the business of transformation, but in order to do that well, you first have to have a good idea of who you are and stay true to that.
Who has been the biggest inspiration on your career?
With out a doubt, my family. Not only do they shape who I am and what I believe in, but they’re always there backing me. Having that base has made me bolder in my choices as an artist, because no matter what the challenge, I know they’ll always be there.
This is our fashion issue. Do you have a favourite look?
I love cooler weather because I love wearing a nice coat. One of my most treasured possessions is a Zara Men’s charcoal coat that I picked up at Melbourne Salvos store. I think I paid twenty-five bucks for it!
What about underwear?
Boxers and never freeballs. Boxers have comfort and support, and you can wear them to bed and then walk around the lounge room feeling inoffensive – just in case the mother-in-law is there!
Cleverman returns Thursday June 29 on ABC 1
