July 2009

10 minutes with... Jolene Anderson

The second season of the police drama series Rush returns to the small screen in July and with it actress Jolene Anderson in a new role

10 minutes with... Jolene Anderson

WORDS KYLIE MILLER

You now play Shannon Henry on Rush. What’s she like and how does she compare with your previous character All Saints’ Erica Templeton?
Shannon has worked in police special operations and I think joining the police negotiation squad is another challenge for her. She pretty much hits the ground running. She gets in there and mixes it up with the boys. I think Erica broke the rules with nursing because she was such a compassionate person. Shannon is a little tougher, but she still has a big heart.

Did you have to learn new skills to play a police negotiator?
I did some fitness and stunt training, but I’m a bit fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants! The guys on the cast have helped me out along the way. I’d never fired a gun before this. I think I held a slug gun when I was 12…

Have you filmed any action sequences yet?
We filmed my first stunt-action scene with an amazing stunt coordinator who helped me to make it look authentic. It was basically a crash tackle on an offender — I think it came off looking pretty real.

What makes police dramas so hot in Australia?
What was great about watching series one of Rush was that the cast were so polished in their policing, from the way they held their guns to the way they entered a room. Compared with many American cop shows, it’s refreshing to see our portrayal of the way they operate in the field.

Do you notice that you attract any particular attention when you’re in uniform?
You definitely get right-of-way when you’re driving the tactical response car!

You won It Takes Two. Have you continued to sing?
In the car! That’s all I’ve had time for; life is busy being a cop! I do miss singing though. I enjoyed doing the musical Tell Me On A Sunday last year; I definitely would love to get back on stage to sing.

You recently moved to Melbourne to film Rush. What are your favourite spots?
So far I’ve been working most of the time but I have been out to Daylesford. I’m from the country and it’s pretty scenery out there. My next stop will be the Great Ocean Road.

Which is your favourite destination for a holiday?
Cairns; I love Cape Tribulation. And I’ll go to Sydney this year too for some semi sub-tropical weather!






Comments

There are no comments posted yet. Be the first one!

Post a new comment

Your name
Your comment