Deborah Mailman: ‘I felt more pressure than I’ve ever felt before’
Deborah Mailman feels the pressure as she takes on her first lead role in a career spanning more than two decades.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After more than two decades as one of our top actors, it is hard to believe Deborah Mailman is only now making her debut in a lead role.
And what a role it is with Mailman stepping up to play politician Alex in new TV drama, Total Control.
“In terms of being the lead character that drives the arc from beginning to end, yeah it is my first lead,” the 47-year-old told Confidential ahead of Sunday’s premiere episode at 8.30pm on the ABC.
“I guess I did feel a bit more pressure this time round as in if I didn’t get it right, then the whole show goes to s*** pretty much. I did feel more pressure than I’ve ever felt before but having said that I loved every second of being on set all day every day.”
Total Control is a political drama set between Canberra and Winton in rural Queensland.
It stars Rachel Griffiths as fictional Prime Minister Rachel Anderson while the cast also includes Rob Collins, Aaron Pedersen and William McInnes.
The series delves into an array of issues, particularly indigenous affairs and land rights.
“We want to say something about the world,” she said. “And we want to do it in a great way, in an interesting and entertaining way.”
While the show packs a political punch, Mailman said she has no intention of ever moving into politics in real life.
“I would never do it,” she said. “I take my hat off to politicians. I wouldn’t have the capacity to do it. Having filmed in Parliament House and watched politics over a number of years and getting more involved in it, it is a hard job.”
Mailman’s advice for our federal politicians on indigenous issues is clear.
“I don’t even think we’ve even begun to have any impact on what really needs to happen in these communities,” she said. “We need to get politicians on the ground that understand what it is like in some of these communities and not just for a token week.”
