When Ben Turland walked onto the set of Neighbours, he literally took the plunge into his role - by jumping into a pool on a seven degree, Victorian day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is a fitting action for his character Hendrix Greyson - a troubled, rich, impulsive teenager who initially likes to live by his own rules.
He comes to Ramsay Street with a chip on his shoulder, and his father Pierce Grayson is determined to be more of a parental figure for him.
But as the series progressed, the teen evolved, and put his bad boy reputation behind him, before he passed from a failed lung transplant.
"I kind of tried to make him as much of an annoying little rich kid as possible, but also lovable and also likable," the 24-year-old said.
Ben came to the Aussie soap when he was 20 in 2019, having finished a theatre production of Saturday Night Fever.
"And going through that on a stage and then being in front of a camera...it's just so different," he said.
"So I just kind of had to jump in and then wing it."
The actor, who grew up in Mittagong in NSW's Southern Highlands, first trained as a dancer and won Young Talent Time (YTT) in 2012 with the Lil'Banditz Krew, and made it to the semi-final of Australia's Got Talent in 2014.
He has danced on the Australian versions of The Voice, and accompanied and choreographed a tour for a winner on X-Factor.
READ MORE:
His dancing resume also includes performing with Kelly Rowland, Samantha Jade and Rita Ora, working with Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, and touring across the country with YTT.
The rising star picked up his first acting gig at 14, and has featured in the Aussie dramas Love Child and Home and Away.
The passion for dance did not stay in the past though - Hendrix bought some moves to Ramsay Street.
Overall, he said the show was a "massive masterclass", and was sad that budding actors would not get the same stepping stone into the industry.
"...everyone was so supportive and welcoming when I even started, and then every day I would learn something more, and everyone would push me..." he said.
"It is literally like a family.
"I think I'll take away a lot of knowledge of what I love about the TV and film industry, but also friendships."
Although it has an emotional end to this formative chapter of his career, Ben is open to any opportunity that comes his way.
When he took the call for an interview with the Southern Highland News, he was on the set for the thriller Riptide, which is produced by Fremantle Australia.
The final episodes of Neighbours will air in 90 minute specials at 6.30pm on 10 Peach from July 25 to 27, with the finale also airing on July 28 at 7.30pm on Channel 10.
Familiar faces making a comeback for the 37-year-old soap include Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Delta Goodrem.
Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
