Soap Opera Digest: How did you get the job?
Kane Manera: I had a meeting with [Casting Director] Rob Decina and shortly afterward, there was a part that came up for a hit man. I had a hairy face at the time and I guess he liked me, so I got the job and it was very exciting. Digest: Do you often audition for hit man roles?
Manera [laughing]: It’s the first hit man job. I don’t know whether people think I’m a dark or evil person or what, but I must have convinced him in this case.
Digest: Had you auditioned for other soap casting directors?
Manera: Rob Decina was the first one I’ve met.
Digest: Did you create any of your own backstory for Gillespie, like what he’s doing in Springfield in the first place?
Manera: Well, usually when you go for an audition in the United States, you have to convince people that you’re American. Rob said, “I know you’re Australian; why don’t you read it with an Australian accent?” So it gives the character a completely different dimension. Not only is he a foreigner to the town, but to the country. I feel privileged that I get to do my own accent. Digest: Where in Australia are you from?
Manera: I’m from Perth, in western Australia. It’s the farthest point away from New York. I just talked to my parents [this morning], and it’s a 12-hour time difference. They were laying in bed, watching TV [at night]. They don’t actually get GUIDING LIGHT in Australia, which is a shame. I’m really disappointed about that. Digest: How long have you been in New York?
Manera: Five years. I went to acting school here and I’ve been here ever since. It’s kind of a funny lifestyle to have. My father is an antique dealer, so he’s always in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal…. So I would always travel around there a lot to help him and then I’d be in New York, as well. This is my favorite place. I love being here. That’s one of the exciting things about being on GUIDING LIGHT. It’s a reason to stay. 
Digest: Had you watched any soaps before?
Manera: My mum would occasionally watch soaps, so I would sneak and watch them behind her. Since I’ve been on GUIDING LIGHT, I’ve been watching that, too. I’ve been kind of interested in what’s been going on with Jonathan and Lizzie [laughs]. I can’t wait to get back. I’m so antsy. I’m here at home, and I thought, “I wish I had the GUIDING LIGHT script already.” I like hanging on the set watching everyone do their thing. I like watching Justin [Deas, Buzz] work. To get to be on a set and see how they operate, it’s brilliant. Digest: Did anyone show you the ropes when you first started?
Manera: It’s funny because I didn’t know what to expect and I got those nervous pangs, but when I first got there, the security guard was really nice. And then Caitlin Van Zandt [Ashlee] was really sweet. She said, “Follow me and if you need to know anything, just ask.” CBS is quite a big building, so I was getting lost and she would always walk me down, which is really nice of her. My first couple of scenes on set were just by myself, with phone conversations. Once I settled into it, I got to work with Crystal [Chappell, Olivia]. She’s really, really, really lovely. I was a little bit nervous at first, and she said, “Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine.” Everyone has been really cool.
