“It’s a good thing to surprise people and for the audience to see you doing different things,” Pataky says of her role.
“She is a Tidelander who uses her sensuality as a strong weapon,” Pataky adds. “She knows what she has; she knows she has the power. I think it’s great to use it if you think you can use it to achieve what you want.”
What does Chris think of her bold role?
“He hasn’t seen so much,” Pataky laughs. “He was so excited for me to work and get passionate about acting again. I hope he likes it. You always want your partner to be proud of you.”
Much of the filming took place in Brisbane and around the Gold Coast, a short distance from Byron. This was not the reason she chose the role, but it was a nice bonus to be so close to home.
“My family is so important to me,” she says. “To know that Chris was at home with the kids while I was working made me so happy.”
Tidelands marks the actress’ first significant role after taking a break to have children. Pataky married Thor star Hemsworth in 2010 and they initially lived in Los Angeles, before shifting to Byron.
“I hadn’t worked like this for a long time, since I had my kids,” Pataky says. “And I think I did feel pressure, in a way. I wanted to feel more confident speaking in English and not Spanish or French, which is easier for me. That was a big challenge for me. But I always think this makes you work harder. You have to think, ‘I can do this.’
Ultimately, Pataky hopes both she and Hemsworth can inspire their daughter, India, to achieve whatever she wants. “I want for her to have no limits,” she says. “That she can feel she can do any profession a man can. I want her to know she can be as strong as any man.”
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