"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (2025)

Homegrown star Stephen Peacocke has been at the forefront of a new golden age of Aussie television. He’s been busy working on not one, but four shows.

Advertisement

Five Bedrooms, The Newsreader and RFDS all have new seasons in 2023, with new crime drama Human Error currently in production.

“It’s the dream for anyone, isn’t it – to be an actor who’s getting a bit of work?” he tells TV WEEK with a laugh. “It’s great. They’re all good, fun projects and you work with excellent people.”

"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (1)

The 41-year-old doesn’t take having several projects on the go as a given, knowing how tough the industry can be to not only break into, but remain in.

Advertisement

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Peacocke reveals just how far he’s come since his days as Brax on Home And Away

Thomas Weatherall never planned on becoming an actor – now he’s an international star

“I’ve never taken any job for granted,” he shares. “Everyone knows how hard it is to get work. It never gets old; I’ve never had a boring day.”

While grateful, Stephen admits some days are easier than others.

“It’s always a bloody hard job,” he adds. “In many ways it’s fun, because it’s what you love, but everything’s challenging and you’re very nervous before you do any of it.”

"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (8)

Stephen says since he started out, the industry has undergone a huge change – for the better. Streaming services have meant more work and greater global exposure too.

“Streaming services mean that sometimes you do a show where (previously) it would only have been seen in Australia, but now it can be seen around the world,” he says.

RFDS, in which Stephen plays flight nurse Pete Emerson, first aired in 2021 and has found an international audience.

"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (9)

Advertisement

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Peacocke reveals just how far he’s come since his days as Brax on Home And Away

Thomas Weatherall never planned on becoming an actor – now he’s an international star

Stephen, who grew up in Dubbo in country NSW, says that the outback town of Broken Hill, where the story is set, has benefited from an increase in tourism along with increased donations to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“Anything that brings people out here is worth it, because it’s such a cool town,” he says.

“I worked on a sheep station when I was an 18-year-old straight out of school, and it was very isolated, with huge, open country. I love that. So to think I could marry the two – acting with being in the bush with a bunch of good people doing really good stuff – is excellent.”

"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (16)

Advertisement

Despite his thriving career, Stephen never forgets his roots: playing River Boy Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton in Home and Away a decade ago.

“Anytime you can play a character or do a job that finds a big audience and resonates with people, you should just be grateful. It was such a good, fun job,” he shares of his time on the soap.

“I feel lucky that audiences sort of stuck with me, and (that audience) became broader because I’m doing different stuff. I think acting is all about pleasing an audience. If you can find an audience and they like what you’re a part of, you count your blessings.”

Stephen believes his success has stemmed from his work ethic.

Advertisement

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Peacocke reveals just how far he’s come since his days as Brax on Home And Away

Thomas Weatherall never planned on becoming an actor – now he’s an international star

“I figured if you turn up with the right attitude – and it’s easy to because it’s a great job – and you put in the effort (which I always like to think I do) then, hopefully, stuff will lead from it.”

"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (23)

Stephen teases that he has some exciting projects in both film and television in the works.

“The good thing about being an actor these days is that it used to be that you did television because you wanted to get into film. Film is great – and I’d love the opportunity to do more, and there’s a bit of that maybe on the horizon – but television now is awesome.”

Advertisement

“It’s as good as it’s ever been, if not better, and the stuff most of us watch at the moment is good telly.”

RFDS airs Tuesday, 9.15pm on Channel Seven and 7 Plus.

Now to Love

Related stories

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Peacocke reveals just how far he’s come since his days as Brax on Home And Away

Thomas Weatherall never planned on becoming an actor – now he’s an international star

Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up to receive the TV WEEK e-Newsletter and offers we choose to share with you straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Advertisement

"I don't take it for granted!" RFDS star Stephen Peacocke is grateful to be in demand (2025)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 5981

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.