Maldon’s very own Stephen Howard was one of 72 local extras who worked on new comedy series Gold Diggers, which was filmed at Porcupine Village in his hometown and will premiere on ABC TV and ABC iView tomorrow night.
Stephen told the Express locals would be able to spot him dressed as a bank manager who periodically appeared in the background of the new eight part series.
Having previously worked as an extra on more than 30 TV shows including Love Child and A Country Practice, he had a sense of what to expect… a lot of eating and waiting around!
Starting most days at 7.30am for hair and makeup, before having a big spread for breakfast, sitting around some more until lunch and finally appearing on set for an hour in the afternoon, followed by some more sitting around and leaving anywhere between 5pm and 10.30pm.
“One scene with a horse had everyone laughing when right in the middle of a pivotal scene the horse farted for a good two minutes,” Stephen laughed.
The local actor played the role of bank manager on the historic set in Maldon for four weeks.
“I like working as background fodder. It’s better than lugging timber around a yard,” Stephen said.
“The thing I love most about the arts is there is no discrimination. This show was made up of people from many different backgrounds working hard to make the show and we’re all in the same melting pot.”
The first episode of Gold Diggers, which follows sisters Gert and Marigold Brewer who are on a mission to land themselves newly-rich husbands, airs tomorrow evening July 5 at 9.10pm.
