In Conversation with Thomas Weatherall

Thomas Weatherall is quickly becoming one of Australia’s brightest young stars. Currently starring as Malakai Mitchell – the teen heartthrob and love interest in Netflix’s smash hit Heartbreak High – Weatherall catapulted to national fame, earning both an AACTA and a Logie award along the way.

His journey in the arts began in the world of dance, with Weatherall initially setting his sights on a professional career in the industry. However, everything took a turn when he landed a role in the ABC series Deadlock during his first year out of high school. Reflecting on the unexpected shift, Weatherall says, “It was all entirely unplanned. I was never the most technical dancer, and looking back, I think what I enjoyed the most was the way in which you could communicate or express something through movement – the same way you can through writing and acting.”

Following his role in Deadlock, Weatherall went on to appear in television shows such as All My Friends Are Racist, RFDS, and Troppo, before Netflix came knocking with a role in the reboot of the 1994 series Heartbreak High.

“I owe everything to that show really,” says Weatherall.

“It’s changed my life in both a professional and personal context in such an extreme way.”

The show has been praised for its racial, gender, and neurodivergent representation, tackling important cultural and social issues, and has garnered extensive critical acclaim – including an International Emmy Award.

“Only when I’m away from the project do I really see just how profound that show has been – and I say that as only a very small part of it. We have a really wonderful, invested and vocal viewership, so getting to hear just how impactful that show has been continues to shock me.”

Following the first season, Weatherall was gearing up for another milestone project in his career: the debut of his one-man play Blue, which he wrote and starred in. Blue premiered at Belvoir St. Theatre in 2023. It follows the story of Mark, a young man in his early 20s, and is told in a way that Weatherall describes as an almost “stream-of-consciousness confession" between Mark and the audience.

The audience meets Mark at a time in his life when he is navigating the challenges of growing up, grappling with grief, love, and his own mental well-being.

“I’ve always felt fairly ill-equipped to discuss such things in my own life, whereas in a script, or in character, it feels easier and more liberating. It was really a way to therapise myself. I think a lot of people can relate to that sensation. What is hard to discuss or handle in ‘real life’ they often explore through music, art, film, etc.”

What began in 2019 as an exercise in self-expression through writing was never intended to be shared publicly. As time went on, Blue started to take form. “I was out of home, studying at drama school and feeling a bit aimless. The four years of writing that followed was the first time I really in earnest tried to confront my mental health, my identity and some of the bigger questions/fears I was quite happy to ignore.”

He continues, “There wasn’t any pressure, I could simply write this as an exercise, and if I didn’t want to share it, I wouldn’t.”

Now, Blue is heading to Perth in Black Swan’s brand-new production, with Owen Hasluck cast in the role of Mark, under the direction of Ian Wilkes. Hasluck will be only the third person to perform the role, following Callan Purcell at Adelaide Festival last year and Weatherall in all other iterations of the production.

It’s a moving and highly relatable piece of theatre – with audiences finding connection with Mark and his story, regardless of their age, gender, or background. Of the protagonist, Weatherall explains that he’s not a worldly, all-knowing entity, but rather a representation of one individual, handling some big issues in their life. It’s his hope that Perth audiences are able to connect with that, or see a bit of themselves in Mark, in the same way that previous audiences have.

“It’s been truly the highlight of my career, getting to talk to people after these shows, and hearing how the work connected to them.”

“I still have emails saved from people who felt the show highlighted their experiences or spoke to them. It’s deeply personal work, and while not autobiographical, a lot of the mental health stuff is rooted deep within me. Getting to talk to people about that, young men, their parents, people who have experienced loss because of such issues, has really changed my life.”

He continues, “Similarly, I’ve loved talking to audiences post-show who disagree with Mark, or wish he had done something different, and almost asking why he didn’t. Those sorts of discourses are the ultimate compliment, because it means the work made the audience think, and open themselves up to a conversation that can be continued into their own personal circles.”

Reflecting on his time performing the role, Weatherall says the balancing act of being both the writer and the sole cast member was difficult.

“I wish it wasn’t, but it was. I think I’ve gotten better at the juggling act, but at 22, with such a personal story, it’s hard to separate yourself. But once you’re in the thick of tech and the season itself, Writer-Tom just disappears. Some of the team used to joke that Writer-Tom and Actor-Tom weren’t talking to each other - and that’s honestly how it felt.”

Now 24 years old, Actor-Tom has recently been filming the third and final season of Heartbreak High, while Writer- Tom says he’s looking forward to what’s next.

“Dom Mercer, who was instrumental in getting this work up at Belvoir, deduced my writing the best anyone ever has; I write what I’m terrified of. So, there are a few more grand, all-consuming fears and ideas that have been percolating ever since the first performance of Blue. I’ve got a bit of downtime, and a few exciting projects nearing release, so I’m keen to see where it all leads. Hopefully a lot more writing, and perhaps some directing one day.”

With such an impressive start in the industry from both the performance and creative perspectives, we asked Weatherall if he had any advice for others looking to make a start in the arts – whether they’re an actor, writer, or just trying to find their creative path.

“Watch everything, not just the things you like. Read! Get a library card so you can do it on the cheap. And go for walks. Walks always help!”

“There’s no right or wrong way to start in this career, the best thing to do is just start.”

“When I decided to write Blue, I was 19. I called my brilliant agent and asked her for advice. She told me to “just start writing”. And it really is that simple. I began writing Blue that day and didn’t look back. Start small.”

From something that started small, to a fully-fledged play performed to packed theatres across the country, soon to be in Perth. We’re so glad Thomas Weatherall decided to “just start writing”.

Our production of Blue, directed by Ian Wilkes and starring Owen Hasluck, is playing at Studio Underground from 23 May – 8 June.