As a teenager in Perth, Lisa developed her love of acting by appearing in various repertory group plays and studying music and classical singing in high school before auditioning and being accepted into the acting course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). After graduating from WAAPA in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Lisa moved to Melbourne where she toured rural schools with the play Working Out, appeared in a few television pilots and then accepted the role of Maggie Doyle in a pilot for a new Police drama, Blue Heelers. Blue Heelers went on to become one of the most popular programs on Australian television and Lisa became a household name. This created a hectic schedule for Lisa, but during her years as Maggie Doyle she still managed to appear in several stage plays/musicals and she also played the lead role of Mary in the Seven Network mini-series, The Potato Factory, based on Bryce Courtenay’s novel. In 1999 Lisa made the difficult decision to leave Blue Heelers to star as Maria Rainer in the Gordon Frost production of Sound Of Music. Lisa returned to television in 2002 in the series Marshall Law. She has since appeared in MDA, Two Twisted and Tripping Over. Lisa’s theatre credits include starring roles in; A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Cabaret and Urinetown. Tell me in your own words about your character, Kate McGregor, in Sea Patrol? Kate McGregor is capable. She is determined to succeed in a male dominated career, not to prove a point, but because she wants to be a Warfare Officer of a major naval frigate. She doesn’t suffer fools and makes no apologies for her manner. Kate is at ease living on board a navy vessel for months on end, because it means she is always on call. Her time onboard the patrol boat however will set her on a new path professionally and personally. In an environment where everyone knows your business, her lack of anonymity is unsettling, as is the close proximity of her commanding officer, her ex-lover who sleeps in the cabin next door. How is your character similar or different to yourself? Playing Kate McGregor is exciting on so many levels. The action sequences have been particularly enjoyable. Lisa McCune doesn’t exactly get out on the ocean in a full naval rig boarding foreign fishing vessels every day. This is the type of material and character you can relax with as she almost drives her. A little like being absorbed so totally in a novel where you can’t put it down, for fear of losing the feel of the person you have discovered. We look similar, and no doubt after the show sets sail I will be called Kate when I go to the bank or supermarket …that’s when you know its working. What was the most memorable aspect of filming? The most memorable aspects of filming were most definitely our time spent out at sea in the elements. Our bond with the crew of HMAS Ipswich and the effort of each and every individual made it very special. We couldn't have achieved such a result without a team effort. That for me is the highlight, and that is what will make this a standout production. What was your view of the navy prior to the show compared to now? My father was in the Navy for some years. Not that I have any memory of that time as I was a newborn. However, his stories and experiences I now have some understanding of. My exposure to life in the navy over the four month period was fascinating. I came away with a healthier attitude about the armed forces and found a real respect for the discipline and history of the navy. I maintain my belief that men look incredible in uniform!!! Any anecdotes that make the show memorable or different from other shows you have worked on? The standout difference was the time spent out at sea. It’s made me hungry to get out there even more. So much of what we do as performers has to be in controlled environments…on this project the extremes have given it an edge. The storylines are for families, but the elements provide the danger. © McElroy All Media |
