Roles - Prey - Articles - First for Nat, Jennifer

First for Nat, Jennifer
Herald Sun, 29th June 2007

THE Melbourne set of indie horror flick Prey is abuzz with firsts.

Rogue Traders rock-chick Natalie Bassingthwaighte has begun work on her very first feature-length film alongside visiting US actor Jesse Johnson, son of Miami Vice's Don Johnson.

Former newsreader Jennifer Hansen is also dipping her toe into the acting world with a cameo role as a roadhouse waitress and "smashing the newsreader stereotype" in the process.

Bassingthwaighte told Confidential during a break from filming that she was loving acting again after concentrating on the chart-topping Traders in recent months.

"It feels like it's been a long time (since departing Neighbours ) . . . but this was a good choice for me to start out," she said.

"It's a brilliant script, it's so much fun.

"Who doesn't want to be in a horror film that is directed by George Miller (The Man from Snowy River) and, of course, we get spunky Jesse, which is kind of fun."

Bassingthwaighte said she intended to continue juggling her many performance-based roles, which included releasing a Traders album in September and finding time for boyfriend and bandmate Cameron McGlinchey.

"I want to be constantly challenged and be excited and have fun," she said.

"If I could pick a few things I'd like to do, I'd say play a superhero in a movie, maybe a cartoon character's voice (and) tour the world with the band."

The single Johnson was remaining coy on whether he'd found any nice ladies during his tour of Melbourne's nightspots.

"I've been working a lot," he said. "It's kind of what I'm here to do, but everyone has been really nice."

Hmm . . .