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West Australian
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Peter O'Brien heading to His Majesty's Theatre in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None
The desire to live a nomadic existence has been the motivation behind a great many decisions Australian actor Peter O'Brien has made throughout his life, especially on his career path. Raised in outback South Australian, O'Brien was studying a Bachelor of Science and Teaching degree at Adelaide's Flinders University when he discovered great creative joy in the university revue scene. 'It wasn't like I showed some extraordinary aptitude or gift for it, but I found it a world that was really interesting; the collaborative process and the creativity,' 65-year-old O'Brien says. 'There's a similar thread that runs through it like preparing for a game of sport. It's that preparation, and then out you go. That's something that I understood quite well, and every few months there was a possibility of a new job, and travel with it. 'I certainly wasn't seeking to go and be famous or anything, but it was a great chance to find somewhere in that industry that I could fit in, whether it was in front or behind the camera, or on stage or off-stage. 'From my original desire to be creative and travel, it certainly has fulfilled that and scratched that itch.' Film and television roles — from Neighbours, as original cast member Shane Ramsay, and The Flying Doctors to Halifax f.p. and White Collar Blue — have seen O'Brien travel back and forth to Australia for work as he has spent the past 30 years living everywhere from the UK and US to stints in China, Canada, and South America. He and actor wife Miranda Otto have temporarily moved back to Australia while their daughter Darcey studies at university in Sydney. 'We put the pets on the plane and brought them back, but we didn't do a Johnny Depp, we brought them through the right way,' he chuckles. The move has seen O'Brien reunite with director Robyn Nevin for Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, having worked with her on Sydney Theatre Company's 2003 production of A Doll's House, and knowing Nevin's previous success directing Christie's The Mousetrap. Intrigued by the stage adaptation of Christie's bestselling crime novel, O'Brien signed on for the challenge of character William Blore, also eager for the chance to tour the Australian production to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. Considered one of the greatest edge-of-your-seat thrillers Christie ever wrote, And Then There Were None follows 10 strangers who are invited to a solitary mansion on an island off the English coast. After a storm isolates them from the mainland, the real reason behind their gathering starts to emerge, taking on a grim reality. 'Agatha Christie always puts these complicated and veiled characters into shows in a way that you are intrigued,' O'Brien says. 'There's a lot of intrigue about William and his involvement in the story. He's a lot of fun, sometimes to his and my detriment. 'Every time he walks into the room, he changes the course of the play where there is an energy or a situation that he either creates, or is involved in, that relaunches or pivots the play in a way. 'There's a tapestry to Agatha Christie's works as she weaves them. It's not that characters are deliberately being deceptive, trying to deceive people, but there's always an area of intrigue about them, of 'why are they doing that?'. It's in her writing of dialogue and situations.' The production premiered in Melbourne in February, where it has been captivating audiences night after night with all the elements of mystery, suspense and humour expected of a Christie narrative. Alongside O'Brien in the 11-strong cast are Nicholas Hammond, Jennifer Flowers, Grant Piro and Anthony Phelan, plus WA Academy of Performing Arts graduates Tom Stokes, Mia Morrissey and Eden Falk. 'The response has just been unanimous rapture,' he says. 'I guess you're only as good as your audience reaction, and that's been enormous. I've really enjoyed it. It takes you along with it from the moment the curtain goes up, and you've just got to keep up. Tell Perth audiences to put their running shoes on when they come.' And Then There Were None is at His Majesty's Theatre, June 8 to 29. Tickets at
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC One's Under the Vines start time, cast, episodes, plot and how to watch
BBC One's Under the Vines start time, cast, episodes, plot and how to watch The New Zealand comedy drama Under the Vines is coming to BBC One Under the Vines is coming to BBC One (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/© 2021 AcornTV & AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserve/Jae Frew ) A new daytime comedy-drama is landing on BBC One, bringing an international flair. Under the Vines is a New Zealand comedy-drama that is now airing on BBC One. It is a rom-com with an international flavour and an unusual set-up, first streamed on Acorn TV in 2022. Described by the Radio Times as "an Aussie version of Sex and the City" the drama stars Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards. The drama will air during the day on BBC One. Here is everything you need to know about Under the Vines. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . When does Under the Vines begin? Under the Vines will begin on Friday, May 30 at 2pm on BBC One. The second episode will then air straight after at 2.45pm on Friday, May 30, on BBC One. How many episodes of Under the Vines are there and how to watch There are six episodes in total in the series, each 45 minutes long. All episodes are available on BBC iPlayer, so you can binge-watch the series. The third episode will air at 2.30pm on BBC One on Friday, June 6. Charles Edwards stars in the drama (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/© 2021 AcornTV & AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserve/Jae Frew ) If you love this show by the end of the six episodes, fear not, there have already been three series Down Under, so there should be more coming to our screens soon. What is the plot of Under the Vines? Two step-cousins, Australian socialite Daisy Munroe and UK lawyer Louis Oakley, inherit a declining New Zealand vineyard, Oakley Wines, in the fictional Peak View wine district located in the real wine district of Central Otago. The joint heirs have no experience with wine-making or New Zealand rural culture, and each is having financial, social, and existential crises. They become interested in the winery's future but frequently don't see eye-to-eye. Furthermore, a neighbouring vineyard wants to buy Oakley Wines and is unhappy that the inexperienced newcomers might stay. Who stars in Under the Vines? Rebecca Gibney, known for the Australian TV series The Flying Doctors and Winter, plays Daisy Monore. Daisy is a Sydney socialite and stepdaughter and financial dependent of recently deceased Stanley Oakley. Charles Edwards, known for Downton Abbey, The Crown, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, plays Louis Oakley. Louis is a British lawyer with a failing marriage and financial troubles and a nephew to Stanley. Sarah Peirse, known for Heavenly Creatures and Rain, is Marissa Silverton. Marissa is Peakview's local socialite, president of the wine federation board, and co-owner of neighbouring Shimmering Lake vineyard, who is keen on buying Oakley Wines at a low price. John Bach, known for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, is Don Silverton. Don is Marissa's husband and co-owner of Shimmering Lake. Trae Te Wiki, known for Killer Sofa and Because I Hate Korea, is Tippy (Isabella) Bidois. Tippy is Oakley's young, adventurous, and newly successful winemaker. Simon Mead, known for Nothing Trivial and The Cul De Sac, as Gus. Gus is the manager of the vines and the physical 'grunt' of the Oakley vineyard. Cohen Holloway, known for Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Boy, is Vic Grimes. Vic is a local lawyer managing the sale of Oakley Vineyard and also a small-time winemaker and husband of Nic Grimes. Carrie Green is Nic Grimes who is a clay sculptor with a quest to improve her fertility and have a child. Cathrine Wilkin, known for Stateless and Shortland Street, is the owner of nearby vegan, biodynamic and lesbian winery Coven Wines. Dean O'Gorman, known for The Hobbit and Golden Boy, is Griffin 'Griff' Galway. He is Daisy's gay best friend, an Australian famous international actor. Lotima Pome'e, known for The Legend of Baron To'a and Savage, is Rowan, a young local worker and entrepreneur. Sara Wiseman, known for A Place to Call Home and The Cult, is Simone Oakley, Louis's ex-wife. Sam Gardener as Julian 'Jay' Oakley, who is Louis's son. Article continues below
ABC News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Gold Logie winner Gerard Kennedy dies aged 93
Australian television star and two-time Gold Logie award winner Gerard Kennedy has died at the age of 93. Starring in more than 80 shows and movies over a five-decade career, Kennedy was famed for his rugged Hollywood looks and intense performances. Entertainment reporter Craig Bennett said Kennedy died on Monday in a care home in Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast. "It was an enormous career, it was a stellar career," Bennett said. " He was one of those people that was revered almost from the moment he burst onto the scene. " Gerard Kennedy recently celebrated his 93rd birthday. ( Facebook ) Born in Perth, Kennedy launched his career in theatre before switching to television, playing memorable villains in the crime show Homicide. This led to his big break as enemy espionage agent Kragg in 1960s TV series Hunter, the arch-nemesis of the title character played by Tony Ward. Kennedy proved so popular with audiences that the show's writers altered his character to become Hunter's ally. His portrayal of the role earned him a Logie for best new talent. Gerard Kennedy starred as Detective Frank Banner in Division 4. ( IMDB ) 'No stopping him' Kennedy went on to become one of the most recognisable faces on Australian TV in the police drama Division 4, in which he played Detective Frank Banner. The role would earn him icon status, spanning six years and earning him two Gold Logies as the most popular personality on Australian television. "That is where all of a sudden people thought, 'Who is this amazing actor'," Bennett said. " From there, there was no stopping him as a television actor. " Gerard Kennedy in the miniseries 1915. ( ABC Archive ) After Division 4, Kennedy went on to score lead roles in numerous successful series and miniseries, including Tandarra, Against the Wind, and The Last Outlaw. Preferring to be a part of ensemble casts, he then took roles in established series such as Skyways and The Flying Doctors. Kennedy's more recent roles included a memorable portrayal of gangland patriarch Graham "the Munster" Kinniburgh in controversial miniseries Underbelly in 2008 and a role in horror film Wolf Creek 2 in 2013. Kennedy is famous for playing the lead role of Detective Frank Banner in police drama Division 4. ( IMDB ) His last acting credit came in 2015 for the TV series Glitch for the ABC. Throughout his career Kennedy also won two Silver Logies and three Penguin Awards. 'Beautiful person' The Flying Doctors co-star Liz Burch led tributes for Kennedy, praising him on social media as "a lovely man". Bennett, who interviewed Kennedy about his television career, said he was an "incredibly humble" person who kept his awards tucked away. "Some people use their Logies as a doorstop or pop them on the loo so that everybody gets to see them," he said. "He was just the most self-effacing, softly spoken, absolutely beautiful person." Gerard Kennedy at the 57th Logie awards in 2015. ( AAP Image: Tracey Nearmy ) Bennett recalled sharing a table with Kennedy at the Logies one year and watching as a "conga line" of people came up to greet him. "One by one his peers came up to say, 'My God, how fabulous to see you, I loved you in this, and I remember as a kid watching you in that,'" he said. "People who had the joy of knowing him realise what an absolutely beautiful, elegant, classy man he was. " He leaves behind a massive legacy. " Kennedy is survived by his daughter Chrisanya.
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Neighbours and The Flying Doctors star Gerard Kennedy dies after glittering career
Neighbours and The Flying Doctors star Gerard Kennedy has died after a decade spanning career. The iconic Australian actor passed away aged 93, which a family friend confirmed in an emotional social media post, reports the Mirror . They said in the statement : "Vale Gerard Kennedy. 1932 - 2025. An iconic Australian actor of many decades. Well-remembered by Prisoner fans for his portrayal as terrorist Al in The Wentworth Siege episodes." Gerard's career spanned five decades . was best known for his roles on Underbelly and Division 4. He also featured on shows such as Country Practice, Blue Heelers and Neighbours. He was also a two-time Gold Logie winner. He won the award for Most Popular Personality on Australian TV in successive years in 1971 and 1972. Other awards the trailblazer of Australia TV acquired included three Penguin Awards. On the big screen, Gerard played roles in the likes of 2013 horror movie Wolf Creek 2 , while also taking on the part of Vince Colosimo in Fat Tony and Co. His first role came playing the antagonist Kragg in 1967's Hunter. Such was his popularity , writers converted his character into the good guy following the departure of main character Tony Ward. His portrayal in Division 4 as Detective Frank Banner saw him before one of the most recognisable faces on TV at the time. His final acting appearance came 10 years ago in 2015. At the time, he featured in two episodes of Glitch on Australian TV channel ABC. His the Flying Doctors co-star Liz Burch shared a sad message following the news of his death, simply writing: "Vale Gerard." Former 2DayFM newsreader Geoff Field also shared a tribute to the actor. Taking to Facebook, he wrote: "RIP Gerard Kennedy who's died aged 93. 'He had many roles but I will always remember him as Detective Frank Banner in Division 4." Fans also took to social media to share messages of condolence. On Twitter/X, one user wrote: "R.I.P. Gerard Kennedy (1932-2025). Thanks for the memories. My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to his family and friends." Another added: "Sorry to hear of the passing of Gerard Kennedy, can still hear that dramatic theme of Division 4 and picture Frank Banner looking at his watch. Gee they were great shows back then. #valegerardkennedy" A third said: "Incredible innings at 93, incredible actor. Thanks for the memories Gerard Kennedy. RIP," with a fourth adding: "Loved watching Gerard Kennedy, may he Rest In Peace." Gerard is survived by his daughter Chrisanya .
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gerard Kennedy dead: Neighbours and The Flying Doctors star dies aged 93 after stellar career spanning five decades
STAR GONE Gerard Kennedy dead: Neighbours and The Flying Doctors star dies aged 93 after stellar career spanning five decades AUSTRALIAN actor Gerard Kennedy has died aged 93. The Neighbours and The Flying Doctors star's tragic death was confirmed by a family friend in a heartfelt social media post. Advertisement 1 They said: "Vale Gerard Kennedy. 1932 - 2025. "An iconic Australian actor of many decades. "Well-remembered by Prisoner fans for his portrayal as terrorist Al in The Wentworth Siege episodes." Kennedy's career spanned five decades, and he was best known for his roles on Underbelly and the Channel Nine police drama Division 4. Advertisement The star also featured on shows such as Country Practice, Blue Heelers and Neighbours. He was born in Perth 1932 before starting his dazzling career, in which he received the Gold Logie award in 1971 and 1972. Kennedy also won two Best Actor Logies in 1972 and 1973 for his performance on Division 4. He shot to fame in the late 1960s after the Channel Nine series and spy drama Hunter - where he played a leading role. Advertisement The tragic star also appeared on the big screen in the 2013 horror movie Wolf Creek 2. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
