Robbie Magasiva – Wentworth

By starrymag | May 9, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Recently, I’m home and I’m working on a show called “Dirty Laundry.” It’s about a money laundering family and I think we will look at airing around June/July. I’m doing that and it will take me up until May and then I’ll be doing something called “DNA Detective,” which is tracking your family DNA. We travel to the country where your DNA leads to and then July I’m back to Season 5 of “Wentworth.”

Q) How was Will Jackson originally descried to you?

A) The funny thing was I got sent through the audition when I was in New Zealand. What I heard through the grapevine was that the Executive Producer of Foxtel was a Kiwi and she had seen some of my work. She asked to audition me and a total of four of us auditioned for it. When the script was sent to me, I saw the character and I thought, “This guy is Australian. Why do they want me to audition for it?” So, I put something down with my New Zealand accent and without even thinking I would ever get it. I just decided to put something down and then a few weeks later they said I got a callback. It just kind of went from there and then there was a chemistry record. Initially, I thought the character was a true-blue Australian so there would be no way I would get it. And here I am!

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think what I got sent to me I really liked. That’s probably why there is such a strong relationship between Bea (Danielle Cormack) and Will. It’s because of that soft nature about her. He doesn’t see people as all criminals. They’ve just made some mistakes in their lives. So, they saw that soft side and the producers enjoyed the softness I brought to the character.

Q) What is it about him that continues to give him the strength to forgive over and over again?

A) I asked that question as well at one point. I think especially with the beginning with Bea he can totally understand where she came from and the restriction that was put upon her to do what she wants to do. In the beginning, from what I know, I think if Mr. Jackson found out that Franky killed his wife in Season One or Two then things would have totally changed. I think he would probably do something he would regret because of the nature of their relationship at that time. As seasons went on, he could see the changes in Franky (Nicole da Silva) and that she brought something to the girls. He could see the changes she was making. In a place like that, there are people who aren’t willing to make that change and some that are happy with that whole system. There is also his background as a social worker and trying to change peoples’ lives. Also, it was finding out what happened to Meg was an accident. There was no intention there. She freaked out and turned around and stabbed someone without knowing. So, I think it was a combination of her growing to be a better person and that what happened that day was an accident. What would happen if I had done something? That would have changed my whole storyline or my whole life. Then he’s no better off than what she used to be.

Q) What was your initial reaction when you read that Will would try to save Ferguson from the fire even after all she’d put him through?

A) I don’t know what it is with Will Jackson and forgiving all these people. I think this season he finally reaches a breaking point. It’s the same thing with Franky.

Q) You do play a prison guard and they are known to be tough. Do you see the irony in that Will is actually such a gentle man?

A) In shows like that, you’re always going to have that kind of character and that’s what Will is and Fletch was the opposite of that. Fletch was all about, “We are guards. They are prisoners. They are scum. My job is to look after them and that’s it. There is no interaction there.” With Will having that social worker background, he sees these women come from a bad childhood or made one mistake in their lifetime that made them end up where they are now. It’s him seeing that they can overcome where they are and have something better. I think also with him that he knows there are some prisoners willing to take that step and then there are prisoners that there is no way they will ever change because that’s their whole world. I think Will is more willing to forgive those prisoners that are willing to change, hence the Frankie thing and Bea. For Bea, it’s all about survival for her. She’s been put in this world that if she doesn’t react she’ll either die or people will constantly walk all over her. Imagine that as a prisoner! So, she has had to play the game to survive and he has empathy and respect for her. I think that’s why he has that forgiving nature, especially with Bea and Franky. I think for him to save the Governor it’s that whole thing where, “If you burn and die now, that’s the way you wanted. It’s the easy way out. I want you to face your charges.” He wanted the Governor (Pamela Rabe) to go through the process like every other prisoner. She knew that the only way for her to go was for her to die in that fire and Will won’t let her. He wanted her to face all the people she destroyed through her journey to get where she is now.

Q) The relationship Will has with Fletch is interesting. He was the one person that Will couldn’t forgive until he found out they were being manipulated. Was there instant chemistry when you and Aaron Jeffrey began working together?

A) I recall seeing Aaron at the reception. I was introduced to him, but then I left and flew back. They had me return for the chemistry read and that’s when I saw Aaron again. I didn’t know then that Aaron was a Kiwi. I thought he was Australian because I had seen so much of his work. So, I had this perception of him being an Aussie, but once he told me he was a Kiwi I liked him straight away. We did get on straight away. In many aspects, we’re similar and I love getting the chance to work with him. I had the best times ever with him and shooting.

Q) There is quite chemistry as well between Bea and Will. Many people speculate it is romantic feelings and others just view it as mutual respect as friendship. What are your thoughts on their relationship?

A) It’s funny you mention all of those because the way I see it from the first scene in Season One where I come in and gave her food…Their interaction there was one of my audition scenes. The chemistry there wasn’t a sexual thing. It was, “I understand why you are here and the choices that you made to get here.” It’s unfortunate, but he also saw someone that was totally They were totally out of their environment and I guess the people he had seen come into prison were probably reoffenders or something like that. So, I think the relationship between the two is more of friendship than anything else than sexual chemistry. They understand each other because from Will’s point of view he’s just lost his wife and Bea is in this world where she shouldn’t exist in it. The answer is that it is more brother-sister relationship where it is, “I’ll watch your back and you watch mine.”

Q) What can you tease are some lingering effects that Season Three will have on Will within Season Four?

A) All I can say is that it is amazing. The Freak just carries on being more freakish. I can’t tell you any more than that, but it will blow your mind! It will totally blow your mind! You’ll get it once you see it.

Q) In Season Three we saw Will in a romantic relationship. Is he ready to try his hand at love again?

A) Will doesn’t find love in Season Four. It’s back to the grind for Will. There are some unexpected surprises, but that’s about it. In terms of love, nothing there for Will. He’s just there to do a job. He’s learned his lesson. He had a quick relationship with Rose (Maggie Naouri), the nurse, but there were things in there he couldn’t tell her and that’s why their relationship fell apart. His friendship with Bea was probably more important than his relationship with Rose. That’s where it is.

Q) Why do you think he put Bea before Rose?

A) There was stuff that both of them knew that he couldn’t tell Rose. It was a lot. All that stuff with The Freak…They had to be really careful because The Freak had ears everywhere and it would just blow their cover. And definitely, from Will’s point of view, that was more important.

Q) Who from the cast would you like to work with more or maybe haven’t worked with that you’d like to have scenes with?

A) I would really love to do more stuff with Celia Ireland, who is Liz. She’s fantastic! All those female actors, I’m in a perfect situation with working with one of the best – if not the best – casts I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. I would love to have more stuff with Pamela Rabe. She’s amazing! And Katrina [Milosevic] who plays Boomer! I would love if there was a friendship between Boomer and Will. I reckon they would come up with some great banter between those two. On the show, it’s not obvious that Will is a Kiwi. So, there could be some great banter between him being a Kiwi and her being an Aussie. It would awesome and funny!

Q) With the new cast members, how are dynamics shifting?

A) The new cast, they bring their own style and own dynamic. It’s what is needed for the show and it’s funny because some of the new cast has seen the show and love it. So, to be able to share the screen with some of the actors – they are more nervous than anything else. You’ve got an amazingly successful show and the cast and crew are doing an amazing job so they walk in thinking, “I’ve got to be up with them.” There is a level they know they have to be at in order to stay on par with the show and everyone that has come on as a guest has always delivered. And I love that about them and they bring a whole new dynamic. You just sit back and think, “Okay, I understand why you’re here.” Sometimes there seems like too many characters so you don’t actually see some of them. But everyone that comes on has a totally different dynamic. They bring their own freshness to the show.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive through it?

A) It took me ages to try Facebook and now I’m on there nearly every day. If I could have it my way, I wouldn’t’ be a part of social media, but it seems like the most important part now. I’m still trying to work it out. It’s not my thing, but I can see that it is important. It is a chance for fans to have almost a personal interaction with the stars of the shows, which in the past you never had. Back when I started acting, you only had cellphones that looked like the size of bricks. And you could never text someone. It’s an important part for that fanbase to get in touch with people on the show. I think there are people that I follow that I envy. I like seeing them doing everyday things. It makes you a little bit normal and you realize they are actually normal people with more money and better houses. [laughs]

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan of your work and the series?

A) Thank you! It’s overwhelming! I don’t get it as much as the girls. I’m not used to it, but it makes you feel good. It makes you feel good that you are doing a good job and that people outside of my community actually value and respect your work. It’s nice. I try to reply to everyone and for me, at the moment, I can do that because it is manageable. I say thank you. Thank you for the bottom of my heart. I will try to reply to everyone that sends me a compliment. And keep on watching!