1 ) Congratulations on Series 5 being confirmed for 2011. Will we see a return to the mini series format? Can we look forward to another 16 episodes?

No, the Network wants us to stick to the separate stand-alone stories for each episode but the interpersonal storylines between the crew members will continue over 13 episodes this season.

2 ) Without giving everything away, can you confirm how many of the current cast are returning for Series 5? Or how many additions to the main cast there will be in Series 5?

Can’t say too much at this time, but there will be some movement and one crew member will leave. Stay tuned.

3 ) The Hammersley crew has been made up entirely of Caucasians, though from a variety of European backgrounds. Will we ever see an Asian or dark-skinned member of the Hammersley crew?

Good question. Interestingly there’s not an extremely high representation in Navy for non-Caucasians. So to avoid tokenism, we’ve stayed in the middle on that issue for our crew but of course we have a United Nations of guest actors.

4 ) The fan episode reviews have been of major interest to the fans on Sea-Patrol.com. What sold you on the idea?

It was Hawker’s idea and a good one. We love our loyal fans and thought fan reviews would be a way of rewarding them. Particularly as regular TV Reviewers don’t seem to pay much attention to a show like Sea Patrol in its fourth season. We guess they’re attitude is “been there, done that?”. Pity, because as the fans know, the show has changed so much and kinda grown up so beautifully the critics are missing out. So the fan review redresses the balance somewhat – but we never edit or change them. They’re all in a fan’s words.

5 ) Everything from the editing to the way humour is incorporated into the show seems to be much more fluid in Series 4. To what do you attribute this observation? Do you sense a similar improvement in the storytelling since Series 1?

One of the things we love about television is you can quickly learn from your mistakes and improve episode by episode. Every season we insist upon a goal of being better in everything we do, so the end result – the finished episode is a better, more satisfyingly entertaining hour of entertainment than the one before.

We have a near 90% retention rate of cast and crew, series to series – now for four series. We all love working together, we’re eager to ensure we lift the bar each season and we get a lot of pleasure and pride from doing so. Good television is about team work. With nearly 200 people learning to pull together, improvement is inevitable – and frankly, essential.

6 ) How did you feel about Sea Patrol 4 returning to a Thursday night timeslot after two years on a Monday night? What impact do you think timeslot changes have on a show?

Timeslot is a Network decision. We’re happy to be anywhere in primetime. From memory Water Rats used to be on a Thursday so there’s a tradition for Aussie drama there. Don’t forget timeslot selection is both an aggressive and defensive strategic decision for the programmer, having regard to the lead in (Getaway) and lead out (The Footy Show) as well as what the opposition is playing and trying to achieve. It’s a very complex game of chess that’s not in our skill set.

7 ) Series 4 is quite relationship orientated and some people feel the Hammersley has become the love boat. Can you comment on this?

With more screen time to air, we’ve been able to delve deeper into the relationships, particularly Mike and Kate, but also in the past with Nav and ET, and now Bomber, RO and 2 Dads too. Compared to any other show, as far as the ‘Love Boat’ moniker is concerned, we’re pretty low key. We think Navy’s real life example is terrific. Its admirable to see young men and women working well together without jumping into bed (or wherever). As to Mike and Kate’s explosive get together, they were no longer serving on the same boat and their long held feelings got the better of them. But they’re both professional sailors so have had to bury those feelings again. Self discipline is also good drama!

8 ) Some people feel that the new crew, together with Mike and Kate, are getting too much air time and that Swain and Bomber have faded into the background. What do you say about this?

Everyone has favourites and of course some jobs, i.e. CO/XO/Buffer are more important than others, so inevitably we see more of them. But just wait. We make sure that every one of our principal cast have their time in the spotlight, so stay tuned!

9 ) How has the production team’s relationship with both the Navy and the community of Mission Beach evolved over the past five years?

With Navy the trust has grown considerably and the little (and quite understandable) pockets of suspicion/concern/sensitivity have largely evaporated as serving or ex serving personnel realise our intentions are honourable and we’re showing Navy in the best light possible. We hope even the little mistakes we have made in procedures, uniforms, etc, are largely forgiven too.

As for Mission Beach, they welcomed us with open arms and over the years we’ve just got closer and closer. We all love our time up in FNQ in that idyllic community and the locals really make us feel at home.

10 ) What can we expect in the second half of Series 4?

There’s lots to look forward to – the crew of Hammersley meet violent prison escapees, sly grog runners, gold thieves, cattle rustlers, drug smugglers and stalkers. There’s betrayal, tribal warfare, rec diving gone wrong and even a poisoning. We hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

Now that shooting of Series 4 is near finished, what was it like?

Unless you’ve filmed extensively on water before, nothing prepares you for Sea Patrol. Shooting a season is the equivalent of making sixteen, one hour action films, all at the same time! It’s extremely challenging! A project like this requires a lot of dedication and effort and I am still amazed by how much we manage to achieve together as a team. The show would not get made without the strength and professionalism of everyone involved, behind and in front of the lens. Hal and Di McElroy have put together a very clever team and I’ll be surprised if we fail to deliver a season that isn’t beyond your expectations this year!

Personally Sea Patrol has been a thrilling, roller-coaster ride of emotions. It is easily one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had as a performer. I’ve definitely loved doing it, and I hope you love watching it!

What was the best bit?

Good times habitually occur on set. The simple joy of walking down the jetty in the morning at Mission beach and witnessing the sunrise over the ocean is enough! Everyday you pinch yourself and think “This is my office!!!” But the best particular moment in the shoot that stood out for me, was on location at the naval base in Cairns. That day we had a stunt sequence where Dutchy and 2Dads chase down an escaped prisoner from the Hammersley. Unfortunately the scripted ideas weren’t going to work in the environment we had without drastically simplifying the original plan. I was quite disappointed about this, since it was such a big sequence to lose, but instead of allowing it to be cut, I huddled together with the stunt coordinators, we got creative and managed to improvise a new sequence using what was there. Our ideas ended up working beautifully that day, the director loved the results and I felt very proud that it all worked so perfectly. We’d all contributed so personally and made it all up on the spot, so it was a pretty remarkable turn around. I get a massive high from this kind of spontaneity, especially under pressure when your only saving grace is your own ingenuity.

What was the worst bit?

Imagine a thick long sleeve uniform, plus a bullet proof vest made of nylon, plus an enormous life vest over the top of this, containing your gun, flashlight, notepad, radio, metal truncheon etc, etc…. all nicely topped off with an ungainly, black, plastic helmet which is a magnet for the sunlight. Picture wearing all that kit in a tropical, 35 degree plus heat, with no breeze, aboard a cramped smelly boat, sharing the space with 30 other people, while it’s rock-in ‘ n’ rollin around in a high sea for 8 hours straight. You definitely require a good sense of humor and a strong set of sea legs!

Were the other cast welcoming?

The cast were all extremely welcoming and I’m very appreciative of that. I felt right at home within the second day of rehearsal.

Did you make any friends?

I think we’re all fantastic friends. The show wouldn’t work without that kind of support in my opinion. We all try to take an active interest in each other personally, and I think this creates a homely work environment, for a hardworking group of people and it allows us to ultimately trust one another.

Any funny stories?

The laughter literally starts within the first five minutes of getting into the car and being driven to work and it doesn’t stop till we’re dropped home! Everyone in the show would probably agree, that we’re all just a little bit crazy in our own particular way, and when we’re all thrown together, the good times roll! It’s definitely the best abdominal workout I’ll ever get without setting foot in a gym!

This series, there are 16 episodes. Which one is your favourite story.

I prefer episodes that are heavy on action, and luckily for me, season 4 doesn’t disappoint! They’re the most fun to shoot and the most exciting to watch! I’ve found every new episode manages to strike a good balance between character driven story and intense action. You’re definitely in for a treat this year, be ready, you wont want to miss it!

1. Why did you audition for the new series of Sea Patrol? When did you find out you’d got the job? What do you hope to gain from this opportunity?

Who wouldn’t want to audition for Sea Patrol!? It really is one of the best shows to be working on in Australia. We shoot in a paradise location with some of Australia’s finest actors and crew. Work never feels like work… we all have a ball. I was given the good news in July this year while I was working in a theatre production. I’m hoping to further my experience in the action/drama genre where I feel most at home on screen.

2. You’ll be replacing some much-loved characters. Are you worried about trying to live up to fans’ (or others’) expectations?

I’m confident fans of the show will grow to love Dutchy. He’s a well written character and a strong presence in the show.

3. How does Sea Patrol differ from previous acting jobs you’ve had?

Water makes a massive difference. Being confined to boats makes the logistical aspects of shooting difficult and the action sequences are much harder to orchestrate. It’s been a big challenge and a steep learning curve to tackle, but every second has been extremely enjoyable.

4. How are you settling in on set? What are the challenges of joining the cast of an established show?

There are always intense moments of apprehension for an actor when creating a new character and these are often magnified when joining an established group of cast and crew. Everybody else is already up to speed, comfortable working with each other and looking to you to come up with the goods. In essence, every show is a particular breed of animal with its own set of idiosyncrasies. There are lots of unfamiliar faces and its important to get to know everyone personally since you work so closely together. On top of this, getting your head around the character and successfully looking like you’ve been performing a particular job (in this case that of a navy buffer) most of your life, is definitely a massive test of your ability to learn quickly and cope under pressure!

These challenges become much easier to handle when you have a very supportive team behind you, a team that allows you to make some mistakes in the beginning and helps you to find your feet with understanding, forgiveness and an encouraging attitude.

5. Are you able to tell us a little bit about your character?

Dutchy’s a mysterious and complex character. At the core he is a lone wolf. He doesn’t seem to need any one else’s approval or friendships to survive and is seemingly confident and comfortable in his own skin. Interestingly, he also displays a great understanding of people’s behaviour and the forces that drive them as individuals. Which arms him with a good sense of humour, great social skills and the qualities of a leader. However there is definitely a vulnerable side to Dutchy that few people get to see. He is a perfectionist and sets the bar extremely high for himself and does not deal well with failure.

1. Out of all the storylines over the last three seasons, which has been your favourite?

As an actor, having to portray the feelings and emotions of the Captain of a ship, dealing with the loss of a crewmember – in this case ET – made for a very rewarding storyline. I’ve loved watching RO’s character get up to mischief also – particularly when he drove the golf buggy in the lake!

2. Do you ever get into your character so much that you find yourself acting like a Commanding Officer in your everyday life?

Some of the intrinsic qualities of a commanding officer are so handy for every day like that it’s been great to feel positive and assertive in certain situations. But nothing seems to work with my 2 1/2 year old daughter Tahlula.

3. Would you ever want to join the Australian Navy in reality?

Absolutely. My great grandfather was a sailor and my uncle also. It’s definitely in my blood.

4. We last saw you on TV as Oscar Stone in Stingers. How did you feel about returning to TV after a break? What part of you is like Lt Cmdr Mike Flynn and what part is like Constable Oscar Stone?

It’s difficult to put into words how exciting it is to hear the words ‘you’ve got the job’! But I was nervous too as it had been a few years. My cheeky side is a bit like Oscar Stone and the responsibility I have as a father resembles the sort of serious characteristics of Mike Flynn.

5. If you could choose between theatre/music theatre and TV which would you choose, if you could, and why?

I hate to ever have to choose between theatre and TV. Part of the reason I like my job so much is because of its diversity. I hope to continue doing all sorts of jobs for many years to come

6. Do you feel that having a theatre background gives you an added advantage in this competitive entertainment industry?

You just have to keep working hard to be competitive – the more skills you can acquire along the way makes you more employable so a theatre background certainly helps.

7. During promotion for series 1 you said that you hoped Sea Patrol would begin a renaissance of Australian drama. Do you think this has happened?

It’s so exciting to see drama pick up so many more timeslots on Australian TV. Audiences don’t like to be hoodwinked, so the quality has to be high – but there has definitely been a renaissance.

8. You had your first daughter while shooting series 1. How hard was it to return to filming and leave your wife and daughter behind?

Rachel (my wife) and I work hard at being prepared for these difficult situations. It doesn’t make it any easier, but we know it is part of the industry we have chosen to work in.

9. With the loss of three central characters after series 3, do you think series 4 will convince loyal fans that there is life after Buffer, Nikki and Spider?

Series 4 is awesome. We will definitely miss Buffer, Nikki and Spider but the new characters are so exciting and it makes way for some excellent storylines and relationships.

10. If you could change one thing about your character, what would it be?

Let’s face it. Mike Flynn should forget about Patrol Boats and concentrate on becoming Chief of Navy! But there’s plenty of time for that!

1. What part of yourself did you bring to the role of ’2Dads’?

I have a fair bit of energy and have been known to be a little bit cheeky so I think those two elements I bring to 2Dads.

2. Did you become attached to the monkey on set that was featured at the beginning of season 3? Did the monkey contribute to any amusing bloopers?

The monkey was 20 years old and its trainers let me know not to look directly at its face as it interprets that as a threatening gesture. Having it sit on my shoulder was nerve racking. We did one scene where the X tells 2Dads off and it kept grabbing my nose and chewing my hair. It took all of my concentration (and Lisa’s) to get through the scene without cracking up.

3. Do you think 2dads could ever fall for someone on board the Hammersley?

Well Bomber is pretty feisty, then again, so is the X…..

4. Is your character ever going to grow up and realise what being part of a team really means?

I think that at the end of the last series, 2Dads realised that the crew of the Hammersley is the family he’s always longed for. This year he has the opportunity to step up to the plate and assume responsibility for his actions and become the team player. Having said that, 2Dads does get a bit restless and amuses himself by playing pranks on his crew members – especially Bird.

5. What is it like moving from roles in kids’ shows like Power Rangers and The Saddle Club to doing a major ‘adult’ series like Sea Patrol?

The kids’ shows I had done in the past served as a great training ground for me. After 12 years though I felt ready to come and work on an ‘adult’ series and feel pretty lucky it happened to be Sea Patrol. I also get excited about thinking of future projects because I feel that as far as performance range and maturity, I’m only getting started.

6. As a new member to Sea Patrol, what is it like working with people who have been on set since the first series?

Inspiring. I love learning from these amazing people. Everyone from the cast and crew to the production office is so embracing that I felt like a long lost family member coming home.

7. How do you relieve tension on set?

What tension? I do love logic problems that I do to fill up some time in between scenes and some of the cast introduced me to cryptic crosswords recently. When I’m not doing that, I’m kicking Kristian and John’s ass in Backgammon (they have won once or twice!).

8. Your character is an Electronics Technician. Are you actually handy fixing electronics, or are you the last person one would actually want to call?

No. I can change a light bulb and turn on the TV. Anything more than that and I’m crap – call a sparky.

9. Being a relative newcomer to the series, do you think Sea Patrol can survive losing three big characters? Do you think the new characters will be intriguing enough to keep the audience watching?

I think the series has a very interesting dynamic at the moment with having the seasoned original cast that bring a kind of foundation to the show and a healthy amount of new blood that I believe the audience will embrace and enjoy for many more seasons.

10. How do you personally feel you’ve filled David Lyons’ shoes?

Not very well, my foot size is 11, his was a 10.