australian television information archive

Welcome to world of stars

GUY Edmonds has always had stars in his eyes.

The 22-year-old Queensland actor, who makes his television debut next week as paramedic Stuart Mapleton on Seven’s All Saints, grew up dreaming of a stellar career—but not on the screen.

“I wanted to be an astronaut,” he says. “I’m really into space and astronomy. I’m a bit of a closet nerd in that way and up until about Year 8 or 9, that was what I wanted to do. But then I found out you had to be a genius.”

It has come as some consolation that Edmonds instead has boldly stridden where few young actors have gone before—straight on to the set of one of Australia’s highest profile TV shows.

“I auditioned while I was still in drama school,” he says.

“I came back and forgot about it and then the week after (graduating from the Queensland University of Technology), I was offered the role. I moved down to Sydney and that was it. “

With little more than a bit part in an American movie and no television experience, Edmonds was thrown head-first into some major storylines, including a romance with one of the show’s leading ladies.

“The first week was tough,” he said. “I equate it to starting Year 7 or 8 halfway through the year when all the other kids already know each other,” he laughs.

“Especially coming out of QUT only a week before. I’d always heard people in the industry going ‘Ooooh TV is so fast. No time for anything. You’d better be ready to go.’ I was preparing myself for the worst.”

Fortunately, Edmonds had no trouble finding his way around the All Saints emergency room.

“My mum’s a midwife and it’s been really good being able to ask a lot of nursey questions,” he says.

“Before I went on the show I also did a little ride along with some ambos up in Queensland. I did a whole shift with them.”

Edmonds’ arrival—only a month before golden girl Georgie Parker leaves the series for good—is the beginning of a new era for the seven-year-old medical drama.

Actor Nicole Da Silva, who plays ambulance officer Sasha, also recently joined the cast, while the role of Jessica Singleton (Natalie Saleeba) will be expanded.

WHO IS STUART MAPLETON?

Born on the Gold Coast, Edmonds “moved around a fair bit as a kid”, living in Melbourne, Townsville, Sydney and even Alice Springs.

“My parents were kind of like gypsies,” he says of his family, who now are based in Dubai.

His teenage years were spent at Brisbane’s St Peters Lutheran College, where he played drums and dreamt of exploring the universe. That was until he discovered drama class.

“As a kid I found I could make people laugh by doing voices or being silly or doing characters, but it wasn’t a conscious thing.

“ It was just something I did,” he says.

“My drama teacher, Stephen Matthias, is solely responsible for sparking my passion for acting.

“ He encouraged me and gave me the opportunity to have a go and I found this whole other side of myself I’d never really explored.”

While he still loves his music (his band, York Street, recently signed to an independent label), Edmonds has decided to concentrate on acting.

Although his transition from drama student to TV star looks effortless, the laid-back actor insists his story is one of persistence.

“I auditioned for QUT straight out of high school and got down to the shortlist, but didn’t make it, which was really good for me because I went and studied film and television at the Queensland College of Art for a year,” he says.

“I did a lot of plays and amateur theatre productions, which taught me a lot about my craft and made me want it even more.

“Then I re-auditioned and got in.”

Edmonds is under no illusions about his good fortune.

“It’s one of those events you always hope for when you go to drama school, but you never really expect it.”

By Erica Thompson
April 14, 2005
The Courier Mail