Daniel MacPherson is relishing the role of Jack Keenan, particularly because he’s part of a gang of four.

The camaraderie between the actors playing the Wild Boys, he says, makes coming to work a joy. “There’s been a wonderful trust between the actors. It’s very collaborative. Very supportive. We’ve got this great chemistry. We find gags where there are not gags.”

Those moments tend to come between lines of dialogue, as do some of the more poignant moments. “Men of that era would have said less rather than more. They wouldn’t have sat around campfires talking about feelings,” he laughs. “So it’s about finding these moments and letting people into the lives of the characters – when they’re not being chased or beaten up, that is. The trick is not losing the interpersonal stuff amid the myriad of action.”

The action, however, appeals to MacPherson, who doesn’t like to turn everything over to the stunt guy. “I’m being thrown over tables and beaten up... I’m doing a bit of it, throwing myself into it. We’ve got a pretty incredible stunt and horse team, but just the kind of actor I am: I want to do as much as I can. On Fridays, Michael Dorman and I look at each other and we go: ‘How’s your back? Mine’s screwed. Yeah, mine’s screwed too.’” On Friday we’re wrecked, but come Monday we’re ready to go again.”

Even prior to shooting, MacPherson’s well-documented athleticism (he’s a passionate and accomplished triathlete) was already put to the test. “In the space of three months I learned to gallop a horse at a great rate, look comfortable in period costume, twirl, and load and shoot pistols. I’ve had an incredible time learning new skills for this show.”

It’s that work ethic that has seen MacPherson, 31, in acting jobs virtually non-stop since he was 17.

He was on his way to Los Angeles to have a crack at Hollywood when Wild Boys came up... Hollywood will have to wait. With credits such as City Homicide, The Bill, Neighbours and some West End theatre thrown in, landing the coveted role of Jack Keenan has established MacPherson as a bona fide superstar.

“When I first got a look at the script, it was just so much fun,” says MacPherson. “So I set about auditioning three times – I went and busted my backside, like pretty much every other actor in Australia, to get this role. There were a lot of great people auditioning , because it’s a really special show.”

“Steve McQueen. They nicknamed him ‘The King of Cool’. Say no more.”