Get to know: Henry Beasley
Henry Beasley joins Shortland Street as the new teen in town, Tom Stanton. He talks to us about being the new kid on the block.
How did you get your role on Shortland Street?
I got an audition in August through my acting agency.
(Auckland Actors)
How long have you been acting and how did you get your
first big break?
Shortland Street is my first big break into Television. Very
Exciting. I have had some experience in theatre but none in TV.
Name three similarities between you and your onscreen
character.
Both consider ourselves artistic
Both born and bred in New Zealand
Both laid back
What has been your best experience on the show to
date?
Got given a birthday cake when I was new to the show. No
one knew who I was. The experience was both mysterious and
chocolatey.
Which other character would you like to be and why?
Most likely Luke. He's a bit of a kook.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of Shortland
Street?
Aside from drama, my passion is music. I love everything
about it and have since I was in primary school. I love performing
music, writing music and just listening to music. I play the
electric/acoustic guitar, the bass, and the keyboard/piano. I've
involved myself in heaps of different styles of music performance
and composition from pop to heavy metal to rap and rock. I've been
involved in choirs, rock bands and acoustic groups just through
school and friendship circles.
I own a skateboard. And I skate...but not very well. Not
competitive or serious about it. Just a good thing to pass the
summer holidays!
What do you do in your down time during the day when
you're not shooting?
Doing exams at the moment so a lot of my downtown has been getting
some of that done. It's super hard though when you have so many
interesting people to talk to. Also, I do have a tendency to doze
off in my room when I get the chance to.
What is your favourite destination in NZ and
overseas?
Queenstown. Love Queenstown. It's beautiful and I love
the snow. I've been to Australia, Fiji and Vanuatu but I
really love the idea of going to the States. Out of the places I've
been though, I'd have to call Vanuatu my favourite.
How many brothers and sisters do you have, are they
older or younger?
Two brothers. One older (21) and one younger (13).
What is your date of birth and what star sign are
you?
2nd of September.
Do you have any pets?
I have a dog (a Welsh corgi, like the Queen) called Bodie
and a cat called T.K.
Who is the actor or actress that you look up to or admire
the most?
I love John Malkovich. I think he's fantastic for reasons
that I cannot describe or explain. I'm also a big Leonardo DiCaprio
fan. I'm always impressed by the way he can pull off the hardest
roles so convincingly.
What is the thing you enjoy most about going to work
everyday?
Seeing people who can work a job that they are so good at
in a way that keeps everyone smiling. It's a real privilege to be
in a workplace where everyone seems happy to be in the job that
they are in.
What has been your favorite scene to film in your time at
Shortland Street?
I fight scene I had with Ula today was pretty great. It's
nice to get to squeeze some emotion out of a teenage boy that's a
bit too cool to care.
Do you watch Shortland Street at home? If yes, is it
strange seeing yourself on television or are you used to it?
I don't. But still, it's strange seeing myself act.
What is your favourite food?
Gotta love Mexican food. Tacos, tortillas enchiladas,
nachos, the lot!
What is your favourite television programme and/or film of
all time?
It's hard to pick a favourite, but I love films like
Lords of Dogtown and Almost Famous. I love them for the characters
and lifestyles of the era and for the music.
Are you from Auckland or did you move her to film Shortland Street?
Where did you grow up?
Born in Auckland at North Shore hospital, lived in
Mt. Albert, then grew up on the North Shore. Been in Auckland all
my life.
Which other actors/actresses do you like working with the most and
why?
Frankie (Ula) and the teen cast are awesome to work with.
There's always a lot of banter and laughter. It very rare that it
feels like work.
Have you made any good friends amongst the cast and
crew?
Frankie and the teenage cast for the most part because
I've worked so much with them. But the rest of the cast and crew
are all so friendly they make it easy to get along with everyone,
even if your shy.
What's the best experience you've had with a
fan/fans?
No fans yet. Haha.
Tell us about your first day on Shortland Street - what was
it like?
It was daunting but ridiculously exciting. Couldn't really believe
I'd be doing it as a job. Everyone I encountered was helpful and
welcoming so it made it less intimidating but still really
intense.
