GUIDING LIGHT's Aussie transplant Murray Bartlett (Cyrus) tells us why he loves New York.
Soap Opera Weekly: How are things at GUIDING LIGHT?
Murray Bartlett: I feel settled. Everyone's been welcoming and friendly. It feels a bit like a family.
Weekly: How did you end up there?
Bartlett: I was back in Australia getting a new working visa. I ended up staying there for about a year and a half, until October of last year. I got some work [in the Australian production of the musical The Boy From Oz], so I stayed on. I came back [to America] and the auditions for this role came up. I went in and that was it.
Weekly: How does an Aussie soap, like MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS, on which you played Simon, compare to American soaps?
Bartlett: On something like MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS, they take more time, so it's a more luxurious process. You get to rehearse more and shoot less episodes. [GL] is really fast. It's almost like improvisation. It's a different skill, and it's been a good challenge for me. You have to become less precious as an actor, roll with it and get it out there, which can be frustrating sometimes because it's great to be able to rehearse, but then at other times it's a real adrenaline rush and you get some great, spontaneous stuff.
Weekly: How did you end up in New York?
Bartlett: Originally, I was feeling restless in Australia, and I came here and did some acting classes, just to brush up and get reinspired. I was [supposed to be] here for a few months, but decided to stay for a bit longer and then randomly got cast in an episode of SEX AND THE CITY (as Oliver). I got a working visa out of that. I always wanted to live outside of Australia...because I think it's good to see the world and get out of where you've been living, particularly if you're from somewhere like Australia, which is so isolated from the rest of the world. I chose New York because there was such a great choice of acting classes and it's such an intense place. In a way it's the opposite to our lifestyle in Australia. It's so laid back there, and I wanted to be stimulated.
Weekly: Do you consider yourself a New Yorker now?
Bartlett: I love New York and I love being here, but I think I'll always be Australian at heart.
Weekly: What do you enjoy when you're not working?
Bartlett: Getting out of the city. I’m a real nature lover, so whenever possible I like to get to the beach or get to a forest or get somewhere there's fresh air. Apart from that, I'm a film addict and a DVD freak. I've never been a big nightlife person. I have a pretty low-key life. I just bought a bike, so I'm planning to ride around the city. Particularly in summer, I try to get out and be active.
Weekly: Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
Bartlett: I don't think so. A bit of mystery is good!
