Rodger Corser wants us to know one thing: he’s no overnight success. This moment, he says, has taken decades to achieve. And he certainly doesn’t take credit for it.
Despite this being his third consecutive nomination for the TV WEEK Gold Logie Award, as well as Most Popular Actor, the Doctor Doctor star firmly believes the acknowledgement isn’t about him – it’s about the crew who leave their families behind to film in the NSW country town of Mudgee each season.
It’s about his wife Renae Berry, who stays at home looking after their children – Budd, eight, Cilla, six, Dustin, three, and Zipporah, 16 (whom Rodger shares with his ex Christine Anu) – so he can go follow his passion.
It’s about the fans who continue to make a groove in their couch one night a week, year after year, allowing him to bring Dr Hugh Knight to life.
“I can, sort of, be shoved out the front of the show,” he says of the Nine Network drama, which is up for both Most Outstanding Series and Most Popular Drama Series. “It takes a lot of people to make our show. I sort of represent them, and collectively everyone’s really stoked.”
Rodger and Renae at the 2018 TV WEEK Logie Awards.
Rodger, 46, is humbled to be acknowledged by both his fans and peers, but says it’s still a “nice surprise” each time he’s nominated.
“You don’t expect it,” he says. “When you’re on a show, you worry after the first season if people will embrace it and watch it. So to be here shooting a fourth season and be nominated indicates how well the show is going. It’s great.”
Rodger knows all too well what it’s like to work on series that don’t quite resonate with audiences.
“I’ve been on one-season shows that can be really disappointing,” he explains. “I’ve been around for a while now on TV – almost 20 years. You’re on shows that work and you really believe in, and some that don’t work as well.
“After that many years on TV, you really appreciate the ones that do work. Doctor Doctor has captured the hearts of people.”
“After that many years on TV, you really appreciate the [shows] that do work.”
Doctor Doctor, which certainly has captured hearts around the world, returns to our screens later in the year.
“There are still plenty of storylines there,” Rodger says, adding that there are definitely ideas for a fifth season.
“It would be great to do six or seven [seasons], but who knows?”
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While his children are excited at the prospect of their dad winning a “trophy”, Rodger says he doesn’t believe third time’s a charm.
“I really don’t think I’m in the running,” he declares. “We have a really loyal fan base, but I’m on TV 10 weeks of the year, when other people are on for 40. I would be more shocked than anyone to win, but it would be extremely humbling.
“I wouldn’t have a very well-prepared speech. It’s probably best not to give me the award!”
Rodger with his fellow Gold Logie nominees.
