As Kyle Canning on Neighbours, Chris Milligan plays the quintessential suburban Aussie lad. Funnily enough, I discovered that the actor is not unlike his namesake!
How does it feel being on such an iconic Aussie show?
Chris Milligan: An honour! We’ve all watched Neighbours at some point in our lives. I know I have. When I first heard the news that I would be on the show, I was in a service station spending my last twenty dollars on a drink, so when I got that phone call, I was excited to bits and couldn’t be happier.
Your character Kyle Canning has certainly had his moments, especially when his dad Gary (Damien Richardson) was shot dead with an arrow by evil Finn (Rob Mills). There was plenty of emotion!
Yes, it was pretty heavy stuff. It was actually fun to play, but also draining and all during the first week back from holidays. I was crying everyday for eight hours! I cried when I first read the scripts, then again on holiday and again re-reading them. Then it all happened again on set and afterwards when I’d think about it! Then, of course, I saw it on screen and was a mess again! It took a lot out of me, especially as it was one heavy scene after another, and you have to stay within that all day.
So where is Kyle heading?
Having gone through the massive loss, he now wants to have some fun with life. He didn’t have his dad growing up and now he won’t have him into the future, so I think Kyle’s just looking for someone he can have fun with. He’s always been about family, so the overall goal is the white picket fence with tire swinging out the front. But right now that’s on the backburner and he’s looking for a certain little blonde woman to have fun with!
Chris Milligan and fellow Neighbours cast mates in an island scene from Neighbours: End Game
How different has filming become in the Covid-19 era?
It’s difficult, but only because we can’t touch or kiss. In fact it’s surprising to realise just how much we actually touch or hug one another on the show. It’s those little things that become quite difficult. Halfway through a scene, you’ll catch yourself walking towards someone with your arms out, then think Oh, I can’t do that! Even a reassuring hand on someone’s back is now out of the question. So it’s difficult as an actor, but as a human I know it’s necessary. We’re all still working and can pay our bills, so that’s pretty good.
One of you past guest roles was on the US drama Arrow. What was that experience like?
Amazing! I got the role while living in Vancouver, Canada where a lot of productions are now being filmed. Arrow is one of those shows with lots of stunts and my character, who was an arms dealer, got shot with an arrow in the hand, the back…you name it!
Hmm, like your screen dad on Neighbours!
Yes, I did think of that!
Have you ever been to the Sydney Mardi Gras?
Would you believe I came back to the show last year when they did the Mardi Gras storyline, but I couldn’t go along with the cast, because my return hadn’t been announced. I was so disappointed because everyone else got to go to Sydney for a party! But previously my mates and I have been to The Beat nightclub in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. I actually went there with Jordan Smith, who was my Neighbours cast mate back in the day. I had different mates who would go there because the guys would buy them drinks! It’s a bit of a flip around from the usual!
Chris Milligan plays Kyle Canning on Neighbours
And naturally you were hit on?
I was! (Laughing) Nothing came of it, but it certainly is a compliment!
If you were gay, who would be your man crush?
Oh, the big question! It’d have to be someone like Ryan Reynolds. He’d be good for a laugh and he’s obviously good looking. We all know that comes with it! (Laughing).
“An American marine gave me the nickname Bitch Eyes!”
What’s your burn the floor song?
Me, my girlfriend Jenna and two of my best mates recently did a road trip in the US from Atlanta to New Orleans, and up to Nashville. Most of the trip we played Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved. We really belted that one out and it’s become our current jam!
Who’s your music diva?
Pink! I love her attitude. She’s just herself and a bit crazy too. I reckon she’d be a lot of fun. My favourite of hers would be Dear Mr President.
“I had to wear a ‘cock sock’ and as we ran into the water it came flying off!”
Who has been your biggest influence in the acting profession?
Colette Mann. I first met her in the audition for Kyle’s grandmother. Two women came in before her and I thought the first was a bit timid and the second a bit nervous. They just didn’t seem like Kyle’s grandmother. Then Collette walked through the door and said, “Can we hurry up with this? I’ve got a class to teach!” That was definitely Kyle’s grandmother! Ever since that day, Collette and I have been the best of friends, even outside of work. She’s done a lot for me onscreen and off. She’s an absolute icon and I love her to bits.
What’s your advice to people wanting to break into acting?
Do some acting classes, but search for the best ones. You’ve got to do your research and find out who went to what schools, and who ended up with jobs. Once you get into those classes, really go for it! Don’t be afraid to fail, because that’s what actors do. We get up, we fail and we try again. Also be sure it’s what you really want to do.
Chris Milligan (Kyle Canning) in a scene with Colette Mann (Sheila Canning) and Geoff Paine (Clive Gibbons)
Do you have a grooming tip?
Always pluck the hairs between your eyebrows! Funny story. When I was in Year 12 a mate shaved my eyebrows off and as you can see, I have quite big black eyebrows! They truly came back with a vengeance, even in the middle.
You do have great eyebrows, but also really beautiful eyelashes!
I have been told this. In fact one of my mates that I met while working on The Pacific, who was an American marine, gave me the nickname Bitch Eyes! That stuck around, and a few people still call me that. When I worked with Margot Robbie, she used to call me Pretty Eyes, but I don’t know which name is worse.
Have you ever had an onset wardrobe malfunction?
Yes, it happened recently when we filmed the Neighbours island scenes where Kyle and Roxy (Zima Anderson) go skinny-dipping in the lake. It was first thing in the morning, freezing cold and we were both naked. I had to wear a ‘cock sock’ and as we ran into the water it came flying off! I don’t know if you can see it all, but you can certainly see me searching for the sock!
During summer are you boardies or Speedos?
Boardies. I’ve got a few mates that where Speedos, but I think it’s purely for the fun of it! I used to play water polo and did a lot of swimming in high school, so I wore Speedos nearly everyday. But I was over them by the end.
Briefs, fitted boxers or freeballs?
Briefs, but I like a bit of room to move. I’m half Scottish, so I don’t mind the old ‘no underwear under the kilt’, if you know what I mean!
Neighbours screens 6.30pm weeknights on 10 Peach and on 10play.com.au
Neighbours cast members from left, Tim Robards (Pierce Greyson), Zima Anderson (Roxy Willis), Chris Milligan (Kyle Canning), April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan), Jodi Anasta (Elly Conway) and Rob Mills (Finn Kelly)
