THERE were two conversations
which change the career of Above The Law  star Scott Burgess. The first occurred at
the wrap party of the 1999 season of Water Rats. After
four years of playing Sgt Dave McCall, Scott decided he'd
had enough of the underwater antics of his character and
quit the series. He was prepared for months of
unemployment, but at the party scriptwriter Tony Morphett
mentioned he was working on a new show which had a
character Scott would be perfect for.The very next day, Water Rats producer Hal McElroy phoned Scott to say he had a role for him in a new TV drama series he was working on. "My first reaction was, 'Great, two jobs coming up!'," Scott laughs, during a break in the filming of the Network Ten drama. "I had no idea they were both talking about the role of Bill Peterson in Above The Law." However, Scott's not too comfortable with his new leading man status. "In the end, it's all really about the work to me," he shrugs. "The mix of ingredients in this show is going to either taste good or taste like crap - and I think what we have here is working."  While Scott speaks happily of his new work environment, he does not add to the speculation that working on Water Rats was not as much fun, particularly since several major characters have left the show. "It was very sad to leave but, after four-and-a-half years, people move on," he says. "They want new things in their careers. I thought it was a good semi-regular role." Hanging up Dave McCall's uniform in favor of Bill Peterson's designer suits, Scott found himself playing on the other side of the law, with Bill's shady dealings and unerworld connections. And, as a youn man, Scott had his own close calls with the law - incidents which he can draw on for this role. "When you look back on your life, many people have had an influence on it," he says. "I didn't base Bill on anyone in particular, but I based him on many people." |