There is no denying Netflix’s Tidelands is one of the sexiest new television series out there. In one of the opening scenes of the Australian series, a very physical Elsa Pataky is involved in a steamy scene with co-star Aaron Jakubenko.
“It’s very tense,” Pataky, 42, tells WHO of the raunchy moment in the series. “But there is so much behind (the scene). I feel like it’s not just a sex scene. There are so many things you can tell. It’s really interesting.”
In the eight-part drama/fantasy series, Netflix’s first Australian original series, Pataky’s character, Adrielle Cuthbert is the leader of the Tidelanders, a mysterious community of half-siren/half-humans. Jakubenko’s Augie McTeer is a drug dealer seemingly mixing business with pleasure with Adrielle.
The two characters have a “complicated relationship”, Jakubenko says. The actor praised Pataky, who is married to Thor star, Chris Hemsworth.
“Elsa’s a rock star,” Jakubenko says. “She’s badass and super professional, talented and amazing and made the scene a really fun experience.”

And things really did get physical between the two on set. “I did get a few bruises,” Jakubenko concedes.
Rising actor, Mattias Inwood, who plays police officer Corey Welch in Tidelands, says sex scenes are made a little easier by trusting your acting partner. “Having trust is a massive element when you’re dealing with that content,” he says. “Trust is everything.”
Pataky says husband, Hemsworth has seen Pataky in the series. “He’s really proud,” the Spanish actress says.

Tidelands centres on the residents of the small fishing village of Orphelin Bay. After she’s released from prison, Cal McTeer (Charlotte Best) returns to her childhood home and struggles to fit in.
“She’s a bit of a cyclone,” Best says of her character. “She comes into town and kind of messes with everybody. I especially liked doing the fight scenes.”
Best, who started out in Home and Away and starred in Puberty Blues, likens Cal’s path of discovery to her own journey.
“I’m a 24-year-old woman who’s finding my place in the world,” she says. “I’ve been gypsy for the last couple of years. I’m an actress.”
Marco Pigossi, who plays Tidelander Dylan Seagar, had his own challenges filming Tidelands. It was the first time the Brazilian had filmed an English-speaking role and found tackling the Australian accent “super challenging”.
“It’s another place of your mouth,” he laughs.
Madeleine Madden, who has starred in Foxtel’s Picnic at Hanging Rock and the ABC’s Mystery Road, and plays the fierce Tidelander Violca, is proud to be part of “such a diverse cast”.
“We’re all bringing something different to our roles,” she says. “It’s wonderful to be in this really colourful ensemble of wonderful people.”
* Tidelands premieres on Netflix on Dec. 14