Entertainment

Heartbreak High’s Thomas Weatherall talks about his darkest role to date

Home for the heartache.
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In-demand actor Thomas Weatherall returns to our screens in Stan’s dark new thriller, Exposure, a six-part drama that follows photographer Jacs Gould, who returns to her home town of Port Kembla – the industrial port suburb south of Wollongong in NSW – seeking answers after the unexpected death of her best friend Kel.

The series also stars Essie Davis and Victoria Haralabidou, while it was written by Lucy Coleman, directed by Bonnie Moir and produced by Nicole O’Donohue. The production’s powerhouse female talent drew Thomas to the project.

Black and white photo of Thomas Weatherall in character.
Thomas won a Logie Award in 2023. (Credit: Stan)

“With the subject, I think it’s integral that it be led by women, and I truly believe they’re some of the best in this industry,” Thomas, 23, tells TV WEEK.

“I’ve been a massive fan of all of them for a long time. It sounds clichéd, but as soon as I started reading Lucy’s scripts, it was one of those moments where it felt like it was the perfect time in my life to explore this character and story.”

Thomas, who plays Angus, Jacs’ (Alice Englert) love interest in Exposure, thrived on the chemistry with Alice.

“I might get in trouble for saying this, but I think Alice is the best actor I’ve been able to work with,” he says. “She truly is a marvel of an artist and person.

Jacs, played by Alice Englert, is fully clothed in a body of water, cradling a camera.
Thomas stars alongside Alice Englert who portrays Jacs. (Credit: Stan)

“The chemistry felt immediate from our first Zoom test, which is credit to how vulnerable and open she is as an actor. I was so in awe of how fully she embodied this character, and it made my job very easy to just fall into this sort of relationship our characters shared.”

We’re about to see more of Thomas in the coming months, with the TV WEEK Logie Award winner set to star alongside Jacob Elordi and Simon Baker in drama series The Narrow Road To The Deep North, based on the bestselling 2013 novel by Australian author Richard Flanagan – and will reprise his role of Malakai in 2025 in Heartbreak High’s final season.

The actor says farewelling the show will be “bittersweet”.

Thomas will return to Heartbreak High for the final season. (Credit: Supplied)

“I owe a lot to that job, and have made so many wonderful friendships along the way,” Thomas says.

“It’ll be tough to say goodbye, however, I think it’s the right decision for the show and all involved. I’m excited to see what’s next for everyone after their time at Hartley. I also just don’t think I can keep looking 16!”

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