There are certain people who are universally loved. On an Australian film or TV shoot few qualify more for those ranks than David Field.

With a list of impressive credits as long as your arm and a warm, inspiring charm that has cast and crew singing his praises, Field is nothing short of a talisman for his Wild Boys co-stars.

For example Alex England, the youngest and most inexperienced of the Wild Boys foursome says he finds inspiration and guidance simply through watching Field go about his business on set.

Says Field humbly about that, “It’s my natural energy. It is what it is. I love what I do. So I expect when you’re a young fella and you see someone twice your age and they still have zest for it – and I feel like every day I wake up it’s a privilege ¬–then that’s a good thing.”

“But he’s a great kid. I really like that kid. He’s a sweetheart. He’s just beautiful in the role. A really honest actor. He’s got a beautiful vulnerability and that works a treat.”

As if it isn’t obvious, Field’s also been an acting coach for a long time, and in 2009 turned that genuine love of mentoring to directing a group of young unknowns in the acclaimed movie The Combination, which tackled racism and love in Sydney’s west.

Though he’s well-known for playing urban characters with a touch of rascal about them, Wild Boys is not Field’s first foray into colonial Australia. He was part of the cast of the TV miniseries Mary Bryant. But Wild Boys made for a welcome change of pace.

“I read it and I thought this is a good character. It was so far away from what I’d just done on City Homicide, this kind of rough, heavily weighted character.”

The Sydney resident’s CV is peppered with variety, though. From cinematic comedies such as Getting’ Square, Two Hands and The Night We Called It A Day, (Critics Circle award) to the dramas, Chopper and Everynight . . .Everynight, Field moves deftly from dangerous, on-edge characters to sparkling humour. TV credits include Water Rats and My Husband My Killer (AFI award, Best supporting actor) as well as most recently, the aforementioned City Homicide.

For Field working on Wild Boys is pure enjoyment. “We’re always working on gags, we lift up and go in for comedy. It’s great once the four of us get on set it’s ‘Here we go. Let’s work it up’. The producers have been fantastic.

“And I really like the cast. Michael Dorman I have long thought is one of the country’s best young actors. And D-Mac (Daniel MacPherson) and I have always got on like a treat. As an actor I am watching him grow and grow. So there was going to be good chemistry there.”

In fact, they like each other so much, they’re often found in impromptu jam sessions on set.

“Michael Dorman and D-Mac play guitar and sing beautifully and I play mandolin. And we get along like a house on fire so that’s a great dynamic.”

Who’s your favourite wild boy?

“Bill Hunter. He was the wildest. And the wisest. A stunning human being. He had a ferocious zest for life and a real ability to impose upon you and your spirit and not let you get away with bullshit and uncourageous chit chat.”

Who’s your horse?
“Hank. Love Hank. He was about the sixth horse I had. Finally (horse wrangler) Graham said, “I’ve got this little beauty from Glen Innes. You’ll really like him.” And he was right. And he’s a beauty.”