The courtroom drama The Twelve is back for a second season and I chatted to Josh McKenzie who has checked in for jury duty.
You play Joey Kovac in the second season of The Twelve. Can you explain a bit about the character?
Joey’s one of the jurors and a former local footy star. He was the sporting hope of a small town and a bit of a legend, but a serious injury stopped his AFL chances. This all led to painkillers and self-mediating which turned into heroin addiction. In an abstract way, I liken him to a horse that’s broken its leg but hasn’t been shot.
How did you prepare for the role? Did you attend footy training?
I used to play footy in a small AFL community in New Zealand. My dad got me playing when I was fifteen and my older brother now works for the AFL in coach development. When I was young my local team was the Mount Roskill Saints and most of my family, including myself, all played for the New Zealand Falcons at one point. Compared to Australia it’s not a high accolade (laughing).
Josh McKenzie Photo: Nicholas Coghlan.
Isn’t playing AFL instead of rugby in New Zealand sacrilegious?
I did play rugby all through high school alongside AFL, but I preferred more obscure sports like mixed martial arts. My family was kind of divided between sports and arts. My dad was the sports, my mum was the arts, and I straddled the two worlds. There’s a lot of similarities between the two.
You’ve also done three seasons on La Brea. How do you find working in a sinkhole?
(Laughing) The sinkhole part was filmed for two seasons in Victoria and then we moved to Queensland for season three which was much nicer for weather. It was tough competing with the elements including long days and long drives. But what an incredible show with such a high production level. I was extremely grateful to be a part of it.
“The film revolves around my character’s relationship with an older Brazilian man.”
What’s been the biggest pinch-yourself career moment so far?
Turning up on my first day, and then every day on the La Brea set. It was built in a massive clearing at Mount Macedon Victoria, on a property with a little lake in the middle. They built in all the wreckage from the sinkhole that had fallen from the centre of Los Angeles. The debris in one area included about thirty scattered car wrecks with 250 crew members and extras. Then I came on to film my moments against this gigantic moving beast of a set. Being able to play in that every day was a pinch myself moment. Then on The Twelve, I sat down to lunch with Sam Neil and was complimented by him! I had to zone out a bit. I mean, this was fucking Sam Neil!
Do you ever feel ‘imposter syndrome’?
Yes, there’s plenty of that. When you zoom out you get overwhelmed by how lucky you are. But I never feel that when I’m working. I’m my happiest on set and feel like an artist in a room with a canvas. But it comes when you step away and realise the tightrope you’re walking between working and not working. That’s when the imposter syndrome creeps in.
Josh McKenzie Photo: Nicholas Coghlan
You also worked alongside Jon Seda (Chicago Fire/Chicago P.D.). How was that?
I worked with Jon quite a bit. He’s a legend, having played alongside Jennifer Lopez in Selena and he’s worked consistently since his late teens. He’s such a nice guy and we got on well, despite having a few scenes where our characters butted heads (laughs).
Have you ever played a gay role?
I’ve played quite a few! The first was a character called Sebastian in a student short film called Finish It. After drama school I played another gay role on a New Zealand show called Go Girls and then in Australia I played Xavier on Five Bedrooms, although he was more pansexual. One of my very good friends and collaborators is the writer/director Roberto Nascimento and we wrote the short film Boyfriend which we are adapting into a feature about a sexually fluid and ambiguous sex worker. It’s not strictly a gay story, but the film revolves around my character’s relationship with an older Brazilian man. It explores transactional human connection and sexual identity.
“Honestly, it wouldn’t even be considered turning. I love Justin Theroux!”
Do you have gay mates or family members you hang out with?
Yes, my little brother William is gay, as well as Roberto. I have plenty of gay friends around me and I feel lucky. When I was in LA, a few model mates from New York took me to a gay rave. I don’t remember a whole lot about the night, but I do remember it being a great time. Usually, I’m a bit of a nanna and prefer to be in bed before eleven.
What’s your irresistible burn-the-floor song?
I’m confident that Africa by Toto will get me up on the dancefloor!
Josh McKenzie as Joey Kovac in The Twelve Photo BINGE / Daniel Asher Smith
What about a favourite music diva?
As a kid, I had a massive crush on Shania Twain and my mum would give me so much shit for it. I was a huge fan, and I don’t even know why. In fact, I’m still in love with her. I had some interesting tastes when I was younger. I thought Shania to be a goddess. You’re Still
The One gets me in the feel as it’s quite an emotional song.
Gay for a day – who would be your celebrity bromance?
Honestly, it wouldn’t even be considered turning. I love Justin Theroux. He’s a gorgeous man with beautiful brown eyes. Way back in the day he was in Mulholland Drive, but I think the best thing he’s done as an actor, was the TV series The Leftovers. They shot that in Melbourne and he’s phenomenal.
Who has inspired you the most in this industry?
I draw inspiration from a lot of people. Nick Cave is an example of an artist never being boxed in by one thing or another. He’s written novels, commercial music, esoteric music, films, and film scores and can essentially, in my opinion, turn anything into art. As someone with an extreme curiosity and obsessive desire to express through all artistic mediums available to me, Nick’s the paragon of achieving this.
What about the acting world?
I remember watching A Streetcar Named Desire for the first time and thinking, “Fuck! To be able to do that”. Brando is the obvious one there, but the character performance alone just blew me away. Paul Newman has also been an inspiration with his attitude and relationship with Joanne Woodward. It was messy and complicated, but they made it work throughout a hectic industry. He made interesting choices. He wasn’t the best actor in the world, but he pulled out some incredible performances.
“I have plenty of gay friends around me and I feel lucky.”
And you’re a muso too?
Yes, I’ve got a couple of songs out on Spotify. My music is very personal. I’ve written songs for some films that I’ve been involved with such as The Boyfriend. I also wrote a song for Home Kills where I play Mark, a deeply troubled and physically disabled young man with impulse control issues and a chip on his shoulder.
Josh McKenzie Photo: Nicholas Coghlan
Do you have a favourite quote?
“Consistency is key”. I’m a big believer in consistency which I think is the secret ingredient to everything. It’s not sexy or some big secret revelation. It just works.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I’m shocking with my grooming and would rather take advice than give it. But I was always told if you’re going to do one thing, it’s to moisturise. A friend of mine started a skincare company and I started using his product and moisturise daily. That’s when I started taking it seriously, and I think it made a difference.
What’s been your most memorable on-set wardrobe malfunction?
I’ve done a lot of risqué stuff for some very interesting characters. I’m sure many have spoken about the cocksock. I can’t believe that with all the film technology these days, they still haven’t worked out how to properly conceal a willy. I had a small role when I was about twenty and had a shower scene. I figured they’d shoot from the waist up if I concealed my willy. But it was a low-budget film, and they didn’t have anything in the way of a modesty patch. The wardrobe lady finally gave me a woollen sock and a rubber band. I said, “What am I supposed to fucking do with that?” So, I tried it, and the sock was so heavy it slipped right off. I had to do a walk of shame and ask for a smaller sock! (Laughing).
Technically what she gave you was a cock ring.
Yeah, a woollen cock ring!
At the beach are you Boardies or Speedos?
I’m in between. I like the short boyleg speedos, but I might transition back to boardies as I think they’re making a comeback.
What about underwear? Briefs, fitted boxers or free balling?
Fitted boxers all day long. I like everything being contained and snug – and it’s a lot better than a cock sock!
Season Two of The Twelve is screening on Foxtel and Binge
Follow Josh on Instagram @yoshim1ssu
Josh McKenzie Photo: Nicholas Coghlan
