The struggles young men have processing their emotions is something actor Ben Turland has seen first-hand with some of his friends, and noticed as a shared male experience. Presenting a complex experience and all its facets is something he wants to shine a spotlight on when his latest project Riptide, airs this week. His character Ethan appeared endearing at first in the murder mystery, he said, but a nastier side quickly manifests when he is against his father's marriage. The drama tells the story of single mum Alison (Jo Joyner), who marries Ethan's older and wealthier father Sean (Peter O'Brien), and their move near the ocean with the protagonist's daughter (Asher Yasbincek). One morning, Sean vanishes after a morning surf, where more questions come forward about his disappearance. The actor described Ethan as "troubled", who craved the validation and love of his biological parent, and the obstacles that hinder it. "I think it's a good way to tell stories, especially for young men who don't know how to process their emotions," he said. "I wanted to give him a big hug and tell him it's going to be alright." "To be able to tell that story and have a nice arc, [and] show all aspects the good, bad and ugly." Treating all of his characters as humans, he sees the importance of depicting Ethan's story, which has been "fun" to bring it to life. IN OTHER NEWS: Diving into a different type of drama has meant flexing current acting muscles, so being able to "go to the max" has been essential. "The drama is very heightened, you kind of have permission to do 100 per cent and because it's a murder mystery, the stakes are so high for my character," he said. "It's very surreal and confronting because you have to jump in and go in immediately." Describing the show as a "roller coaster ride", Mr Turland wanted viewers to "hold on and sit on the edge of their seats", embrace the bumps along the way and play whodunnit. It has been a unique one for the actor who has previously starred in Home and Away and Love Child, but there have been some similarities to his character Hendrix Greyson on Neighbours - a troubled teen with a chip on his shoulder and wanting his father's approval. The role has not been the only connection to the Australian soap opera he reconnected with. Although the murder drama was shot in Victoria's coastal district of Mount Eliza and the leafy Dandenong Ranges and mainly set on one specific property, Neighbours studios were also used. This "bit of home" was welcoming since Riptide was shot in a maximum of five weeks in the height of winter, with harsh winds and rains, and remnants of sun. The most "physically challenging" scene for Mr Turland was standing on the edge of a cliff in six degrees, but was made easier with members of the production team. "The crew were absolute superheroes," the actor said. Some of the crew members on set were also from the beloved Australian soap. The trip down memory lane has made him open to returning to Neighbours, which is due to air later this year, after it ended in 2022. Because Hendrix died in the series, a comeback would only be plausible if it complemented another character's storyline, and was not too far-fetched. Away from Ramsay Street, Mr Turland has finished filming the eight-part drama Paper Dolls, which follows the rise and fall of the fictional girl-group HARLOW. Projects around Australia are also on the horizon. Riptide is produced by Fremantle Australia and airs on June 28 Channel 10 and 10 Play.
