Aftertaste star Natalie Abbott reveals the hardest thing about transitioning from theatre to TV following her breakout success in Muriel’s Wedding
Natalie Abbott has revealed that on-screen intimacy has been the hardest thing about her transition from stage to screen.
The 25-year-old breakout star of new ABC series Aftertaste said romantic scenes on the drama felt ‘very real’ during filming.
‘I got nervous before those scenes because I thought there’s a roomful of people watching me,’ she told TV Tonight.
Transition: Natalie Abbott (left) has revealed that on-screen intimacy has been the hardest thing about her transition from stage to screen. Pictured with co-star Justin Amankwah
‘[In theatre] there’s always a feeling that you’re on stage,’ she continued. ‘But when you’re filming in a house, bedroom or a car, it feels very real.’
Abbott first gained notice for her star turn in the musical adaptation of Muriel’s Wedding in 2019.
She stars opposite TV veteran Erik Thomson in the ABC series about an internationally renowned yet volatile celebrity chef who has a spectacular fall from grace and returns to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills.
There he teams up with his pastry-chef niece Diana, played by Natalie.
Big role: Abbott stars opposite TV veteran Erik Thomson in the ABC series about an internationally renowned yet volatile celebrity chef who has a spectacular fall from grace and returns to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills. Seen here with co-star Kavitha Anandasivam
The Helpmann-nominated actress also admitted her desire for the role saw her attend screen-acting classes, despite her wealth of experience on stage.
And although she claims she was ‘really quite terrible’ during the audition process, Natalie ultimately landed the role.
Aftertaste has been a ratings hit for the ABC, with the premiere watched by 438,000 viewers, rising to 460,000 for the second episode.
Fine-tuning: The Helpmann-nominated actress also admitted her desire for the role saw her attend screen-acting classes, despite her wealth of experience on stage
Natalie began her foray into the arts when she attended high school at St John’s Evangelist Catholic.
She moved to Sydney in 2014 and enrolled at the Australian Institute of Music, where she graduated in 2016.
Natalie was working at Surf Dive ‘N Ski in Eastgardens when she was told she had landed the lead role in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical.
Breakout: Abbott first gained notice for her star turn in the musical adaptation of Muriel’s Wedding in 2019
Shell-shocked by the news, the fledgling actress had to ask the casting director numerous times whether they had the right number, she told News Corp in 2018.
‘I said: “Really? Are you sure?”‘ Natalie recalled.
After the casting director assured her they weren’t pulling her leg, Natalie joked: ‘My mind was just not on selling boardshorts that day’.
You’ve come a long way: Natalie was working at Surf Dive ‘N Ski in Eastgardens when she was told she had landed the lead role in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical. Pictured on Friday