Australian actor and NIDA alum David Berry (Acting, 2010) has captivated audiences worldwide as Lord John Grey in the popular series Outlander. Praised for his nuanced performance, David has brought a unique charm and resilience to the role, making him a fan favourite for long time viewers. With Outlander now in its seventh season, David reflects on his journey with the character, the rewards and challenges of portraying Lord John Grey and offers insights into his evolving craft.
What do you find most rewarding about playing Lord John Grey, and has that changed over the course of the series?
It’s a rare privilege to play a character over an extended period of time – especially one of great complexity. Playing Lord John has given me the opportunity to thoroughly mine the depths of the character and refine my craft as an actor. Each new season has presented itself with new and exciting challenges that have deepened my understanding of the character and taught me new skills as an actor.
How do you stay connected to your Australian roots while working on international projects like Outlander?
I think Australian actors bring a unique perspective and work ethic to set. I’m always drawing from the lessons I learnt while working in the Australian TV industry. I think connecting to those experiences ground me. I also bring in a jar of Vegemite with me every time I travel. Starting the day with toast and Vegemite is great preparation for a day on set!
What aspects of John Grey’s character resonate with you personally, and how do you bring those qualities to life on screen?
I resonate with Lord John’s sense of duty, his humour, and his deep yearning for love in his life. I think universally, we all as humans want to be deeply cared for and loved, and I think this is something very relatable in Lord John’s character. Connecting to that desire for love and also to give love, helps me bring the character of Lord John to life on screen.
Outlander is now in its seventh season. How has your understanding of the character evolved since you first took on the role?
I think I’ve grown in tandem with the character. Like Lord John’s introduction on the show as a young and inexperienced man, I came to Outlander very green. I now leave the show older, wiser and much more skilled in my craft.
Are there any particular NIDA techniques or lessons you draw on regularly while working on set?
I still rely on the fundamentals of script analysis drilled into me at NIDA whenever I prepare for a scene — breaking things down into beats, identifying scene objectives, actions etc. While screen acting was still fairly new during my time there, the principles I learned about character creation, script analysis, and movement and voice techniques remain invaluable, and I draw on them every day.