Martin Henderson stars as Dr. Ben Keeton in ABC's new medical drama 'Off the Map,' and though he's only now getting the attention in America that he deserves, he's been a star in his native New Zealand since the mid-1990s, when he starred on the TV series 'Shortland Street.'
The amiable Kiwi talked to PopEater about doffing his shirt on camera, learning to surf while filming in Hawaii and what he misses about New Zealand.
You play the hunky doctor.
I don't know. I can't be objective about those things.
From the promo, you seem to take your shirt off a lot.
Well, to be really honest, I've only taken it off once. There have been other times when they've suggested the scene needed it, but I called it off. If the scene requires it then that's a whole other thing. I try not to take it off too much because then I've got to work out all the time. Then I can't have my beer, can't have my flan. A man needs his flan and his panna cotta every now and again.
Do you think actors from Australia and New Zealand are popular in the U.S. because they've got a certain naturalness to them?
I think you're right, and there are certain roles that require that. This role definitely needed something a little rough around the edges. Someone described him as a cowboy doctor, which is kind of embedded in our male psyche.
You film in Oahu.
Yeah, it's nice. I hadn't surfed before going there but, you know, when in Rome ... Alex O'Loughlin from 'Hawaii Five-O' is an old mate of mine, so I actually went on my first surf with him. It was absolutely spectacular. I got completely addicted from that one time.
Your family must be very proud of you.
Yeah. I think they think it's cool. To be honest, I think mum would prefer me to be in a primetime show in New Zealand.
What's so wonderful about New Zealand?
It is absolutely stunning. The food is fantastic, the wine is world class. The people are generous and down to earth. It's just a very lovely spot in the world. It's almost timeless. It's almost like going back to the '50s and '60s when the world was a little simpler and easier. It's a very magical, special part of the world.
Sounds very 'Lords of the Rings'-ish.
It is! It's 'Lord of the Rings' without the hobbits.
Is Peter Jackson the most famous Kiwi in the world?
Russell Crowe is probably more famous.
That's right, he's from New Zealand. Does it bug you when the press always says he's from Australia?
We're used to it. You [Australia] stole Crowded House, you even claim me and I'm so adamant about being a Kiwi. I laugh when I see Australian magazines write, "Our Martin Henderson."
Are you becoming good with medical lingo?
I'm getting the hang of it, but to be honest it's a bit of a challenge. I'm very grateful for our medical advisers. We get a breakdown in our script, if there's a procedure or illness, that has a pronunciation guide and a link where we can read up about it.
Any procedures you could handle on your own now?
Suturing. I could give that a try.
How about open heart surgery?
Yeah, I could replace a valve here or there.
Are you looking for a Kiwi girl?
Hell, I'll take anything. I'm not fussy. Oh well, I am fussy, that might be the problem. No, I wouldn't care where the woman was from, as long as we could communicate.
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