As an actor, what kind of decisions did you make in your portrayal of Dean and were you comfortable in the role?
I played Dean as I naturally saw the character - from the moment he appears to audiences, Dean is confused and abandoned. Confused because he doesn’t understand why he should have the feelings of attraction and desire for another male, and abandoned because he cannot speak to anyone about this.
As their relationship progressed, I allowed him to fall very honestly in love with Matilda as she is a very beautiful and sweet character. However whenever this love turned physical, I had to find a deeper strength for Dean to allow him to overcome his internal conflict, for those desires weren’t genuine.
Dean is an ordinary guy. That was the most important part of my portrayal, the only difference is he’s harboring a secret, a very personal one at that.
I never wanted Dean to appear as any form of gay stereotype, what I did was allow Indiana’s performance to bring out a very understanding and sensitive side to his personality, it needed to be clear that they were best friends before anything else.
I never once felt uncomfortable playing the role as I saw it as a great challenge, and was eager to explore the conflicts within him. Finding a character as interesting as Dean who explores something relevant to many people was a very rewarding experience and I hope my performance did it justice.
Can you comment generally on gay representation on Aussie TV?
It seems to me Australia is behind foreign industries when it comes to gay representation in the arts, particularly when it comes to television.
I do recall Neighbours doing a lesbian storyline and Australia’s own attempt at Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, as well as a gay couple on The Block, however these all seem to have come and gone pretty quickly.
It will be interesting to see how this storyline is received being on Home and Away, but I feel all those involved should be commended for handling the issue which such sincerity.
Why does Dean force himself on his (girl)friend Matilda?
Prior to this scene, Dean is confronted by Matilda’s mother about being gay and Dean understands this as a real threat - for he knows if action isn’t taken it will only be a matter of time before he has to accept that this is his fate.
All Dean every wanted was acceptance from those he loved, and he believes his sexuality would never allow that. So in a moment of desperation, he forces himself onto Matilda. Dean makes the mistake of thinking that if he was with a girl, then he couldn’t possibly be gay, despite his feelings for Gareth.
Matilda is Dean’s best friend, and in a platonic way he is in love with her. Hurting her – especially in such a cowardly way – was never something he wanted. However it is this unfortunate event that forces the change in Dean so he can finally stop lying to Matilda and more importantly himself, allowing their true friendship to show.
Do you think there is more acceptance of gay and lesbian people than, say ten years ago (or when you were much younger)?
As an outsider looking in, this is a difficult question to answer, however I truly believe that much like race and religion, sexuality is something no one should be judged upon. I believe through education, arts and media we must teach that people can be different without needing to fear or discriminate them.
I have always admired people for who they are, and being gay, straight or bi has never factored into that and nor should it as it isn’t relevant to ones morals or goodwill. I have no doubt things have changed concerning the tolerance of gays and lesbians in the last ten years, however I dare say there’s still a good many years of education still necessary, as is the case when it comes to any form of discrimination.
For more on Dean, go to Dean's Secret
Did you like this storyline? Email us and let us know on homeandaway@seven.com.au
