As an actor with a varied career spanning decades, Erik has become an iconic figure in Australian TV and film, with roles like Packed to the Rafters making him a household name. Now, he’s embracing island life after having recently moved to Tasmania.

You star in Kangaroo Island, a new Australian film that hit cinemas last month. What attracted you to the role? I was sent the script and I really loved it. It’s dramatic, but with enough humour weaved through it that it keeps things light. I’m really, really proud of it and it’s getting a great opportunity to be seen. Also, I lived in South Australia for about 20 odd years. I spent a lot of time on Kangaroo Island, and I’d always thought it would be a really fantastic place to set a film. When this came along it was a perfect coincidence, and I had the best time. It’s one of those places you really need to go to. I described it once as being like somebody’s gone to the outback, carved a bit out of it, and dropped it in the Southern Ocean.

You act on both the stage and the screen. Do you have a preference? Both have their appeal. The stage is more of an actor’s medium because once the curtain comes up, no one can say cut, no one can tell you what to do. You’re very much in control of your performance in the hours you’re performing. You also have a long rehearsal period, so you get an opportunity to get under the skin of the character. The downside is traditionally the money isn’t good and the hours are difficult. Film is much more a producer’s, editor’s, and director’s medium. But what’s great about it is you go to some really amazing places to shoot, like Kangaroo Island. So both of them have their pros and cons. But honestly, I don’t care what I do as long as the work’s good and I’m working with good people.

What’s something you wish more people knew about being an actor? During COVID, everyone was so unsure about what was going to happen next. Welcome to the life of an actor! Currently I’m not working, but I’m not sitting around by the phone waiting for it to ring. I’m surfing on Tassie’s east coast, seeing friends, and meeting people. As actors, we reflect society and we reflect the world we live in. So living is research. A lot of people think acting is very insecure, and it is. But one thing everyone does is watch TV and go to the movies. It’s an incredibly popular pastime for many. We do have value.

Who has been your favourite character to play? I think they’ve all been good, but I really enjoyed being Dr. Mitch Stevens on All Saints. I did 175 episodes of that over four years. I got to spend a lot of time with him and I really loved his approach to medicine and life. He was a bit of a cowboy, but he had a solid gold heart.

What would you have done if you didn’t become an actor? I probably would’ve been a teacher. Part of me wishes that I’d done that and then become an actor, then I would’ve had a nice little cash cow doing relief teaching when the acting wasn’t happening.

Why Tasmania? Well, I had a marriage breakdown and I’d always loved Tassie. Then I met someone down here, and I came to see them and be with them. And I decided to stay. I was born in Scotland and raised in New Zealand, but lived in Australia. I think Tasmania has all three of those countries in one. It’s got the climate and feel of Scotland, the beautiful greenness of New Zealand, and yet it’s Australian and it’s got a very Australian history. I feel very comfortable here.

What do you like to get up to on a day off? As we speak I’m heading up the east coast to go surfing in Bicheno. I’ve got a boat, so I get out on the Derwent. My partner’s family has a place in Randalls Bay, so I spend a bit of time there, and I’ve got family up in the Midlands. So we get around quite a bit. We don’t sit in Hobart all the time — though I’m quite happy to sit in Hobart because I really enjoy it as a city. We tend to head away and enjoy the jewels that Tassie has.

What are your favourite local places to grab a bite? There’s a little place called Willing Wine Bar in North Hobart that’s a favourite. Beautiful meals, low key, a nice intimate space. Boodle Beasley, also in North Hobart, has a great beer garden that you can take your pets to. We go to the State Cinema quite a lot. It’s a great little cinema. That’s where we had the Q&A for Kangaroo Island, which was my suggestion to the producers.

Will we see you in a Tasmanian production sometime soon? Hopefully. There’s talk of a couple of plays that might happen next year or later. And hopefully there’ll be more film and television in Tassie that I can get involved in. I’d certainly love to work down here. It’s only a matter of time.

What’s next for you? There’s a few things circling around, but nothing solid. I’ve been busy recently though. I had a nice little cameo role in a Netflix series called My Brilliant Career and I was just on stage in Noosa in David Williamson’s newest play, Sleeping Dogs. I’ve had a busy couple of months. I’m back here now and very happily so.