Justin Morgan of Summer Bay has been to hell and back, and actor James Stewart has savoured every bit of his character’s massive fall from grace.
The chance to portray an average man whose life is nearly wrecked when he becomes addicted to opioids following surgery is the sort of part that makes the former Packed To The Rafters star glad to be an actor, he says.
The fact that the narrative he considers to be a career highlight comes from Home And Away, a show beloved by millions across the world for its beach babes and surfer hunks, is ironic.
“I recall Alf telling a narrative about Vietnam troops on Anzac Day that was as moving as anything I’d seen in Australia, so I knew Home And Away produced tales like that,” Stewart, who has worked in theatre and prime-time television drama, adds.
“I love working out for ten weeks, gaining my six pack, stripping off my shirt, and running across the beach kissing my beloved while holding a surfboard under my arm. I don’t mind for a day job, but this was critical, and I’m grateful,” he says.
Stewart, who is married to his former Home And Away co-star Sarah Roberts, believes Justin’s tragedy has given him joy rather than bringing him down.
Stewart continues, “It’s been a couple of hard months and a lot of hours, but I just found it to be extremely, immensely gratifying and in a way that you find joy in doing it.”
“I bring my job home with me, but I’m not one of those people who has to live it.
“However, as soon as I wake up, I start thinking about Justin, his attitude, and some of the difficulties and tribulations he faces.”
Scout, his nine-year-old daughter with former Packed To The Rafters co-star Jessica Marais, has found it more difficult to see her father’s on-screen collapse.
“She’s seen a little bit of it and then she asks, ‘Can we turn it off?’” Stewart explains.
“However, I have friends with 13 and 15-year-old children who sit through it and then discuss how to deal about it with a loved one if it happens to them.
“I also feel that a sizable portion of the audience will be able to relate.”
Addiction to opioids (painkillers) has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and it is also widespread in Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s not like street drugs,” says the narrator. Stewart, who did a lot of study before the plot hit the screen, adds, “It’s a completely different sort of addiction.”
Justin’s downhill spiral began when he suffered from excruciating pain as a result of back surgery.
“He can’t work, and he can’t even walk.” It was difficult enough to make breakfast, but now that he’s on a painkiller, he’s able to accomplish a few things.
“He may go to work, then return home, cook dinner, and make love to his partner.
The actor explains, “Those are regular things that he grew to truly crave.”
“However, like with any drugs, the more you take, the more you get reliant on it, and when you run out of pills, the doctors refuse to give you any more, and that’s when the drama begins and his descent begins.”
Justin alienates his spouse, family, friends, and coworkers as he becomes increasingly desperate to obtain more pills.
“He simply begins lying,” Stewart says, adding that after meeting some real-life recovered opiate users, he realised Justin might have gone much farther.
“It becomes much worse than what you see Justin go through, and I think it’s astonishing when you consider the amount of people who have gone through it,” he adds.
Stewart is still enjoying being a part of one of Australia’s longest-running dramas five years after making his debut in Summer Bay, thanks to opportunities like this.
“I’m really fortunate. He comments, “I’m delighted to be a part of an Australian icon.”
“Did you know that we were just struck on a $1 Australian coin? Isn’t it incredible? In Australia, the individuals who manufacture coins opted to do the alphabet.
“An famous picture of Australia appears on the face of every dollar coin. So D stands for dingo, E for emu, and H stands for Home And Away. Isn’t it amazing?”
