Michael Theo: Love on the Spectrum Star’s Acting Career Takes Off
Michael Theo, who got his start on reality TV in Love on the Spectrum, returns as Austin Hogan in season three of the ABC comedy-drama Austin on November 11. He has also filmed Rural Crime Unit in Adelaide and voiced a Shaun Tan adaptation.
Michael Theo, who got his start on reality TV as a breakout star of Love on the Spectrum, returns as Austin Hogan in season three of the ABC comedy-drama Austin at 9pm on Wednesday, November 11, on the ABC and ABC iview.
His acting career has moved fast since the dating show. Theo has wrapped the third season of the British-Australian series, appeared earlier this year in ABC Family's mystery series Caper Crew, and completed voice work on Tales from Outer Suburbia, an adaptation of Shaun Tan's work.
From dating show to lead role
Death in Paradise actor Ben Miller talent-scouted Theo. Miller co-created the lead role of Austin for him.
Austin is a railway-obsessed forklift driver who discovers the UK branch of his family when he meets his biological father, Julian Hartswood, played by Miller. The character is a fictionalised version of Theo, who had a consulting role in creating him.
Theo is now filming the forthcoming ABC series Rural Crime Unit in Adelaide. "It's a great experience. I'm loving it," he says.
His character there is a departure. "I don't think he is on the spectrum. I think he might be neurotypical," Theo says.
The screen family
The Austin cast includes Sally Phillips, Gia Carides, Roy Billing, Stephen Curry and new addition Justine Clarke. Theo says he is close to all of them. "I call them my screen family. I love them to the point that I'm actually terrified of losing them."
Season three brings "a lot of blessings", he says. There is a wedding, a funeral and a new chapter for Austin with his girlfriend Hayley, a fellow Whovian played by Natalie Abbott.
Theo says the bond between the two characters mirrors his friendship with Abbott. The production used an intimacy co-ordinator this season. "That suited me really well because if there were any kissing scenes, I wanted her to be absolutely comfortable," he says.
Where Theo and Austin differ
Theo says he and Austin share a formal way of speaking and "very big hearts". The differences are clear to him too.
"Austin takes a lot of things literally, more so than I do," he says. Austin is also uncomfortable with physical touch, while Theo gives hugs often. He puts that down to being raised in a Mediterranean household.
Unlike Austin, Theo is not a Doctor Who fan. He watches Thomas the Tank Engine on repeat. "I consider steam locomotives one of the most fascinating things ever created by mankind," he says.
He has a similar view of his voice work. "I consider animation a sacred art form," Theo says.
Love after reality TV
Theo is single after an 18-month relationship. He did not find love on reality TV and would not recommend the process to everyone. His advice is to "just give it a go", with a warning that romantic love is "a treasure".
He hopes Austin's emotional journey helps viewers understand more about people living with autism. "People who are neurodiverse don't want or need special treatment. We just want to be loved and accepted, like everybody else," he says.
