She mastered Australia’s most famous lisp and now Asher Keddie’s lead role as Ita Buttrose has made her a household name. Asher has the knack of picking a great role — her portrayal of Ita in ABC TV’s hit Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo pulled in more than 1.3 million viewers.
Now working on the second season of Network Ten’s Offspring, the Gold Logie-nominated actress speaks about her choice of roles, love of horses and the question of children.
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You are being lauded for your role as Ita in Paper Giants. What was it like first meeting the legendary publishing dynamo?
I think it was a little uncomfortable for both of us at first. Ita is a very private person and I respect that about her because I am very similar myself. It is hard when you meet someone you are going to play, as you want to be authentic and true, and respectful to who they are.
I had to ask her what she was going through emotionally at the time she was starting Cleo. I mean, she was pregnant, her husband had left her and she had a toddler. It couldn’t have been easy. But on our first meeting, after half an hour or so I cracked a few jokes and from then on we got on well. She is very engaged, very in control and has so much energy.
Were you aware when you met her of claims she’d had an affair with her boss, Kerry Packer?
It was left up to me as to whether or not I would ask her about that and I decided I didn’t think it was relevant. She hasn’t spoken about it before and I didn’t think it was my place to ask her now, especially as it wasn’t relevant to the period of time we were covering.
Could you have coped with being yelled at by Kerry Packer the way Ita was?
I found that scene very difficult and I’m sure Ita did, too, as she actually lived it. But I think she understood what was going on and put it into perspective. She is incredibly professional and powerful in her own right.
Did you read Cleo as a girl and open up those controversial sealed sections?
Oh yes, I was obsessed with Cleo. We all were. I have great memories of lying on the beach with my girlfriends and poring through the magazine.
Do you feel the pressure to be red-carpet skinny and perfect?
You know, the fact is that I really just don’t care. I don’t care about what I’m wearing or the pressure to be thin and everything else. Don’t get me wrong, I like to look good, but I think I went through all that insecurity and self-questioning when I was younger. These days, I just don’t give it any time or energy. Life is too short and I have so much else to think about and do.
In acting terms, 37 is considered old. Do you feel pressure to look younger than you are?
I don’t give it any thought. I mean, I like all of this [creasing her frown lines]. This is all of who I am, what I have achieved and how I’ve lived. Again, I think it’s part of getting older and embracing it.
I’m so lucky to have come from a family where I was told from birth that I am beautiful and talented, and can achieve anything I want. I think it really helped because I just don’t waste time anymore on what I’m not and try to be the best at what I am.
Related: Karl Stefanovic wins the Gold Logie
Read more of this story in the May issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
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Video: Paper Giants trailer
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