People still approach Zoe Ventoura in the street to share their grief over the death of Melissa Bannon (Rafter), the beloved character she played on Packed to the Rafters. Well over two million people tuned in to Ventoura’s final Rafters episode. Evidently, many of them still remember it clearly.

Ventoura doesn’t mind at all. “I’m incredibly grateful because it means people are watching and enjoying your work,” she says. “When I was working on Rafters we were aware of that and we felt honoured that so many people watched.”

Ventoura’s Wild Boys character, Mary Barrett may well provide the closure her fans seek. Ventoura looks strikingly different as Mary, but the actress brings the same warmth, strength and effortless likeability to Hopetoun’s publican and Jack Keenan’s love interest.

“This is such a great role, in such a fantastic show,” she says. “I honestly have to pinch myself every day.”

It was also completely surprising to her: Ventoura left Rafters specifically to spend a bit of time in LA, to see if it was something she wanted to pursue. She’d only been there a month auditioning when she was offered the role of Mary back home in Australia.

“I didn’t really consider the role at first because the whole reason I left Rafters was to go to LA and I really wanted to give that a good crack. But then they sent through some scripts and it was just so great. Gradually it became evident that it was just too good to refuse and I was just so excited about it.

“I think everything happens for a reason. I was like, ‘No this is my plan. This is my very carefully laid out plan’. But the Universe kept saying: ‘Have a look at this’. I’m so glad I listened.”

One of the reasons she’s glad is the writing of the show. “It’s called Wild Boys and it really is based around the boys. So often in film and television if it’s based around the male characters the female roles can just fall by the wayside. They’re not really fleshed out and written two-dimensionally. But in this case, Mary and Emelia are both strong female characters.”

Another reason is the camaraderie. “Everyone is having such a good time,” We’re all very aware of how special it is so we’re all trying to lift the bar, to step it up to the next level. But we’re also quite relaxed. I’m finding the other actors really inspiring.”

About her leading man Daniel MacPherson, Ventoura is complimentary. “He’s so much fun to work with. He’s awesome.”

Wild Boys is another exciting twist of fate for an artist who originally wanted to be a dancer. “My mum was a dancer and choreographer and my dad was a musician. I went to VCA and did a bachelor of dance for three years. I wanted to tour the world with contemporary companies,” says Ventoura.

“After college I accidentally fell into a musical and then I toured with a few musicals, got little roles, then got bigger roles, then understudied...”

And suddenly she was an actor. Regrets? “God, no. I feel like everything happens for a reason. It’s the universe. It’s just the way.”

Now she’s doing things she’s never done before, like riding horses and shooting guns.

“I have had to shoot a rifle. That was awesome. So cool,” she says. “It’s just the reality of the period. And if we have to go there, we’ll go there.”

And then she’s breaking the two cardinal rules: never work with animals and kids.

“In a middle of a scene, Jack’s saying “Mary, what are you …” and then suddenly its BAAAAAAAH! Sheep are getting loud and horses are riding up and going in the opposite direction to which they should. Cut. There will be some good outtakes,” she chuckles. “Especially in dramatic moments, when chickens cluck or a horse doesn’t stop. It’s fun, trying to hold your stuff together, be in the moment and deal with this stuff.”

As for kids, things are far easier. Kai Lewins, who plays Mary’s son, Tommy, is proving to be a delight, not just for Ventoura, but for the whole cast.

“He works hard, he listens to direction, says Ventoura. “And he’s heaps of fun.”

Who’s your horse?

“My horse’s name is Haley and she’s really sweet. She’s very obedient. She just does what she’s told. The horse experience has been amazing. Obviously I don’t ride as much as the boys, but I had a couple of lessons leading up to and a couple the day before. It’s so much fun to have to do it for work. Oh damn, I have to go to my riding lesson. The horse has a better resume than I do.”

Who’s your favourite Wild Boy?
“Johnny Depp. Why? Why not? What kind of question is that? Have you seen him?”