Top Hat was hands-down an incredible (and very scary) villain who was downright borderline psychopathic! Every fan can remember the frightening scene with Top Hat playing with a match as he explains to KC just how far he would go to watch that ‘glow’. Just how much of this was scripted versus your own interpretation of the character? Was there any inspiration drawn from Alex from A Clockwork Orange? And was there something that you personally brought to the role?

Being a young up-coming actor I wasn’t prepared to adlib as much as I would like. This scene was scripted. I had watched a lot of Kubrick’s films at this point and Clockwork Orange was one of my research pieces.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed a ‘Geoff Husson’ in the opening credits, who we believe is your father. We know that you were familiar with production due to your previous appearances in A Twist In The Tale and The Legend Of William Tell, but how exactly did the role of Top Hat come about? And did your father suggest to you that you audition for the role?

Yes, Geoff is my awesome Dad. Being the director of production helped get me in the audition room. But had no effect on the casting. I was picked as I had the right look and nailed the audition. The part was very suited to my acting style at the time.

It was rather a surprise that Top Hat had such a small, yet highly memorable, role on the show. With the Demon Dogs faded to obscurity, it felt like we were finally going to have another rival tribe to go toe-to-toe with the Locos and the Mall Rats … and yet, this didn’t occur. Were you aware that the character was only ever going to feature very briefly? And if not, why do you think this was the case, especially when every other bad guy had such a large and developed role?

Only after the show went to air did they realise what an impact the villain Top Hat had on the fans. Sadly, I was never invited back despite the popularity of the character. I would have loved to come later in the show.

Sadly it never occurred.

Were there ever any talk of character development that we simply did not get to witness on screen? And just as importantly, would you have returned to the show if offered?

Birth of the Mall Rats, a novelisation of series 1 by Harry Duffin, provided us with another perspective on the character and the reveal that he was bi-sexual. Are you aware of this? Did the writers ever tell you anything more about the character, or have you ever thought about what happened to Top Hat?

Top Hat was bisexual. Totally!

I figured as Top Hat was already getting on a bit. Its likely he may have been claimed by the virus. Who knows. I like to think that he survived.

A lot of the cast have shared some great memories and behind the scenes shenanigans from their time on the show. Do you have a fond memory from set? Speaking of which, what were the easiest, and hardest, scenes to film?

How has The Tribe impacted your life? Did it change your perspective on things in any way?

It took 2 weeks to film all the scenes I was involved in and it was an amazing experience and such a great production.

It didn’t change my life, it was a job and I worked hard to do the best I could.

It is always interesting to discover whether the cast have actually watched any of the show. I know that some actors do not like to watch themselves back, whereas others like to use it as a benchmark to grow and improve. Have you ever done so? What did you think then, compared to now, of your performance as Top Hat?

Being a perfectionist, I always like to review the content of shows I’ve worked on. I like to adapt and learn from each experience.

What have you been up to since your time on the show? Are there any upcoming projects that you are currently working on? And, something that I only recently discovered, how exactly did you get into the world of bodybuilding?!

I’m still an actor at heart but now I’m a Service Delivery Manager working for a University in New Zealand. I used a bodybuilding competition as a long-term goal to keep myself in shape. No way am I a pro. Just someone who cares about eating well and exercising regularly.

You seem like a man of many talents! What other hobbies and pastimes are you involved in? What are you most passionate about? And how do you like to relax in the evenings?

I love motorcycles and spend a lot of time at the track. I’ve recently entered a racing season here in NZ on 250cc production class bikes. I enjoy Airsoft and looking after my dog Moby on the weekends. To relax I spend time with my beautiful partner Andrea, we’re a bit adventurous. We travel, race, hike and kite surf to keep ourselves outdoors!

Raymond Thompson has been attempting to reboot The Tribe into a movie or new series for a while now. However, if you personally could chose, what modern actor would you absolutely love to play the character of Top Hat?

There are so many amazing talented actors out there. So, if I had to choose one to play Top Hat, I’d pick that amazing talented Sam Husson guy! Ahah.

Lastly, is there anything special that you would like to say to your fans?

Thank you to all my fans for supporting me and my character Top Hat.

You are all awesome!