He calls acting “a bloody hard job,” but the fan-favourite actor is glad to be where he is.
Stephen Peacocke, an Australian celebrity, has led the charge in a new era of television glory. He has been quite busy, working on four shows.
In 2023, there will be new seasons of Five Bedrooms, The Newsreader, and RFDS. A brand-new criminal drama called Human Error is presently in production.
He laughs and asks TV WEEK, “It’s the dream for anyone, isn’t it, to be an actor who’s getting a bit of work.” It’s excellent. These are all enjoyable projects that you work on with top-notch personnel.”
The 41-year-old understands how difficult it can be to break into and stay in the profession, so he doesn’t take having multiple projects on the way for granted.
His words, “I’ve never taken any job for granted,” are telling. “There is no denying the difficulty in finding employment. I’ve never had a dull day; it never gets old.”
Thankful as he is, Stephen acknowledges that some days are easier than others.
He continues, “It’s always a bloody hard job.” “It’s enjoyable in many aspects since it’s what you love to do, but it’s difficult and you get anxious before doing anything.”
According to Stephen, the sector has changed significantly for the better since he first started. Moreover, streaming services have increased employment and visibility worldwide.
“With streaming services, you can sometimes produce a show that would have only been available in Australia in the past, but now it can be viewed globally,” he explains.
Stephen plays flight nurse Pete Emerson in the 2021 television series RFDS, which attracted a global viewership.
Growing up in rural NSW’s Dubbo, Stephen reports that the story’s setting, the desert town of Broken Hill, has profited from a rise in tourism as well as more money given to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
It’s such a cool place, so anything that draws visitors here is worth it, he says.
“When I was eighteen, just out of high school, I worked on a sheep station. It was a pretty remote location with vast, open spaces. I adore it. It’s wonderful to think that I might combine my love of acting with my love of being in the bush with a group of wonderful people doing amazing things.”
Even with his successful career, Stephen never loses sight of his beginnings, as he played River Boy Darryl “Brax” Braxton in Home and Away ten years ago.
When you get the opportunity to portray a role or work on a project that appeals to a large number of people, you should just feel appreciative. Regarding his time on the soap opera, he says, “It was such a good, fun job.”
“I consider myself fortunate that my audience has somewhat persisted with me and has grown as a result of my diversifying endeavours. Acting, in my opinion, is all about entertaining the crowd. Count your blessings if you can draw an audience and they enjoy what you’re doing.”
Stephen thinks his strong work ethic has contributed to his success.
“Hopefully, things will come from it if you turn up with the right attitude—which is easy to do because it’s a great job—and you put in the effort, which I always like to think I do.”
Stephen hints that he is working on some fascinating film and television projects.
The benefit of acting nowadays is that, in the past, doing television was a must for going into films. Cinema is fantastic—I want to have more opportunities to work in that medium in the future—but television right now is fantastic.”
“The content the majority of us watch on television these days is excellent, and it’s as good as it’s ever been, if not better.”
Tuesday at 9:15 p.m. on Channel Seven and 7 Plus, RFDS airs.
