Actor Lukas Radovich’s agent once told him you are guaranteed to get a part if you feel like you’ve done the worst audition or are about to catch a plane somewhere.
It was prophetic advice.
The 22-year-old did both before he secured the key role of Alf Stewart’s grandson in Australian soap, Home and Away.
“I thought I did the most terrible audition, I felt like I completely bombed it… And after that I booked a flight to go to Perth to visit some friends,” he said. “But then I got the call to say I’d got the job.”
Radovich, who grew up in Faulconbridge, makes his onscreen debut in the Channel 7 show on Wednesday, October 25, although he has been filming the series since May.
“It’s super exciting that my friends and family will see what I’ve been up to for the last couple of months… It’s been interesting being in that limbo [period] but now it’s really exciting that people can see my work,” he said.
The former Blue Mountains Grammar School student graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAPA) last year, and has been relishing working with the Home and Away cast.
“Everyone knows who Alf Stewart is so it’s pretty crazy. I have to pinch myself knowing my character is related to Alf,” he said.
“It’s been awesome working with him [Ray Meagher] and Georgie Parker as well. They’ve both been super supportive in my transition into the industry. They have a wealth of wisdom and they can just drop little gold nuggets and tell you incredible things about their careers... I feel like every time I work with them I learn something new.”
Radovich describes his character, Ryder, as “a bit of a bad boy but he’s also got a heart of gold”. Having run away from boarding school, the audience first sees him when he is caught stealing money from VJ and Hunter.
“[But] he ends up finding his way once he settles down in the bay,” said Radovich.
It wasn’t that long ago the actor was treading the boards at the old Springwood Civic Centre in productions for Blue Mountains Musical Society. Starting in 2008, he had roles in shows including The Sound of Music, Bye Bye Birdie and Grease. He also studied at the Australian School of Vocal Performance at Winmalee.
Although he now lives in Sydney’s inner west, Radovich is still a regular visitor to the Mountains to see his parents – and the family dogs, Sunny and Jasper.
“I try to get up there as such as I can,” he said.
With a punishing schedule working on Home and Away, that might become more challenging but Radovich said he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s just a lot of fun because when you’re in an environment with people who love their job – and you love your job – it doesn’t really matter how difficult the hours are, because you’re having a great time and where else would you rather be?” he said.