How much harder is it trying to portray a person who is still very much alive, as opposed to a lot of the characters in the first two seasons of Underbelly?
It was actually better, I think, because I could talk to his family, friends and associates and get a better feel for him.
How much did you know about the darker side of the Cross before you started researching your role?
Well, I wouldn’t call me stumbling out of a club at 5am every Saturday night “research”, but I did it anyway! I know the clubs like the back of my hand now, so it’s helped knowing the Cross. Plus, it’s a place that is so iconic. It’s gritty and grimy, but it’s cool, man.
So to prepare for your role were you just able to go out heaps and claim it as research?
I didn’t go off a lot of the media reports — I’ve tried to paint my own picture of who John was at 17. All the mountain of info the producers gave me at the start of the project helped immensely, but I got to meet John to ascertain his energy. He’s older now so it didn’t really affect my perception of him as a teenager, but it was still good to meet him.
What was your worst run-in with the law growing up?
Not much, no drink driving or anything serious. Maybe a fine or a slap on the wrist for being cheeky with the police, but nothing that any bloke growing up doesn’t get into on occasion.
Roy Billing, who played Bob Trimbole in Underbelly 2, has become the face of Randwick racing due in part to his portrayal of a racing identity. Any chance you’re going to be given the keys to the Cross, Firass?
Mate, I’d probably stay away from the Cross, if anything. I just want to keep on working.
Still, “Teflon John” is a pretty wicked nickname.
You know where that came from?
New York mob boss John Gotti?
Yeah, exactly. It’s not an original nickname but you’re right; it’s a good one to have. He also had “King of the Cross”, “Fresh Prince of the Cross...”
What? Surely not, that just sounds like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
I loved that show!
Er, right. Moving on... if you were the owner of a nightclub, what kind of music would you play there?
Electro pop, break beats and some old school hip hop would fill up the place pretty quick, I think.
So, er, we see from your Wikipedia page that you were also the Red Power Ranger. Did you channel much of that role into playing John Ibrahim?
Ha ha! Yeah, that was me. I love how those pages can be edited by anyone. I think I should add a few lines about me and Angelina Jolie getting it on…
Have you ever met her?
No… but it’s Wikipedia — it doesn’t have to be true to be on my page.
Good point. John Ibrahim’s had a million and one reports written about him, but hasn’t done any time for the allegations. What’s the worst rumour someone has ever spread about you?
Umm... that I was dating Angelina Jolie?
So what do you think of the new Underbelly? How does it stack up against the last two?
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