WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.620 Welcome back to the Deep Dive, the show engineered 00:00:01.620 --> 00:00:03.439 to cut through the information overload and deliver 00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:05.639 the essential, surprising insights directly to 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:08.279 you. Today, we're embarking on a mission, really, 00:00:08.339 --> 00:00:10.140 to understand a career trajectory that's just 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:14.400 so eccentric, so specific, and yet so universally 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:16.519 beloved, it almost defies logic. We're talking 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:18.519 about the journey of New Zealand's finest comedic 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:21.149 guide, Rhys Darby. Yeah. And when you actually 00:00:21.149 --> 00:00:23.370 look at the comprehensive stack of material we've 00:00:23.370 --> 00:00:25.530 gathered, you know, biographies, deep cut interviews, 00:00:25.730 --> 00:00:28.489 film analyses, the path doesn't look linear at 00:00:28.489 --> 00:00:31.230 all. It looks much more like a series of really 00:00:31.230 --> 00:00:34.670 unexpected pivots, but executed with, well, almost 00:00:34.670 --> 00:00:37.109 military precision. Ironically enough, we're 00:00:37.109 --> 00:00:39.130 looking at someone who built this whole persona 00:00:39.130 --> 00:00:41.850 on incredibly energetic, almost manic charm, 00:00:41.990 --> 00:00:44.469 right? Moving from stand up that relies heavily 00:00:44.469 --> 00:00:47.090 on mime and these intricate sound effects all 00:00:47.090 --> 00:00:49.270 the way to becoming a critically acclaimed comp. 00:00:49.390 --> 00:00:51.789 romantic lead in a major streaming hit. It's 00:00:51.789 --> 00:00:54.829 quite the arc. It really is. So our goal for 00:00:54.829 --> 00:00:57.270 you, the curious learner listening in, is to 00:00:57.270 --> 00:01:00.170 quickly grasp the full anatomy of his success. 00:01:00.810 --> 00:01:03.049 We really want to identify those common threads, 00:01:03.329 --> 00:01:06.430 creativity, discipline, maybe that infectious 00:01:06.430 --> 00:01:09.150 enthusiasm that link, you know, a former soldier, 00:01:09.310 --> 00:01:12.090 a mime, a band manager named Murray, and eventually 00:01:12.090 --> 00:01:15.510 a gentleman pirate named Steed. We are exploring 00:01:15.510 --> 00:01:17.569 the definitive guide to the unexpected guide 00:01:17.569 --> 00:01:20.159 himself. And we absolutely have to kick things 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:22.099 off with that signature performance style, because 00:01:22.099 --> 00:01:24.319 honestly, it feels like the blueprint for almost 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:27.019 every character he's ever played. Dobby's stand 00:01:27.019 --> 00:01:29.500 -up is defined by these super energetic physical 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:32.420 comedy routines, but crucially, he incorporates 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:35.280 really detailed mime work, and he's distinctively 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:37.340 famous for his use of sound effects. We're talking 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:39.620 pitch -perfect renditions of everything from, 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:42.280 like, complex machinery to all sorts of animals. 00:01:42.299 --> 00:01:44.540 This specificity is just so key, isn't it? It's 00:01:44.540 --> 00:01:46.879 not just making noise, it's like technical mimicry. 00:01:47.230 --> 00:01:49.349 That detailed performance rooting these surreal 00:01:49.349 --> 00:01:51.409 situations in hyper -realistic sound effects, 00:01:51.609 --> 00:01:54.799 that seems to be his comedic currency. Exactly. 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:57.760 And what's truly fascinating here is that the 00:01:57.760 --> 00:02:00.239 foundation of that precise, almost technical 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:02.540 performance style, it comes from a place you 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:05.200 would absolutely least expect it. Military discipline. 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:07.379 Okay, right. Let's unpack that because it is 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:09.460 a highly unusual beginning. When you picture 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:12.400 Reese Darby's hyper -specific, maybe slightly 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:15.919 unhinged stage persona, you definitely don't 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:19.069 picture him in uniform first. Maybe the discipline 00:02:19.069 --> 00:02:22.330 required for his particular brand of comedy was 00:02:22.330 --> 00:02:24.770 perhaps first honed in the military. It feels 00:02:24.770 --> 00:02:27.069 like the ultimate paradox, doesn't it? Reese 00:02:27.069 --> 00:02:30.370 Montague Darby, born March 21st, 1974, in Auckland, 00:02:30.569 --> 00:02:33.250 raised over in Pakuranga, attended Edgewater 00:02:33.250 --> 00:02:36.020 College. standard enough. But the defining background 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:38.340 fact, the one that always surprises people, is 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:40.259 that he was a soldier. He actually served in 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:42.400 the New Zealand Army before leaving back in 1994. 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:45.080 A former soldier who then immediately pivots 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:48.120 to academia. That's quite the shift. So after 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:50.039 leaving the army, he starts studies at the University 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:52.280 of Canterbury down in Christchurch. That feels 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:55.080 like a massive left turn, trading that structure 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:58.169 and regimentation for academic study. Well, you 00:02:58.169 --> 00:03:00.909 could see it less as a massive left turn and 00:03:00.909 --> 00:03:03.310 maybe more of a repurposing of energy, perhaps. 00:03:03.430 --> 00:03:06.270 You could argue, I think quite strongly, that 00:03:06.270 --> 00:03:08.750 the discipline required to master those complex 00:03:08.750 --> 00:03:11.789 sound effects and that precise physical mime, 00:03:11.830 --> 00:03:14.909 it's a direct, albeit pretty ironic, application 00:03:14.909 --> 00:03:17.509 of military discipline. It's precision, but applying 00:03:17.509 --> 00:03:19.870 to chaos. Okay, that makes perfect sense when 00:03:19.870 --> 00:03:21.669 you put it like that. He's applying a kind of 00:03:21.669 --> 00:03:24.750 structural rigor to arguably the most anarchic 00:03:24.750 --> 00:03:27.340 art form, comedy. What's fascinating... is just 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:29.860 how quickly that creative side seemed to take 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:31.979 root once he got to Christchurch and actually 00:03:31.979 --> 00:03:34.199 started his studies. Oh, it's almost instantaneous. 00:03:34.319 --> 00:03:37.780 In 1996, so just two years after leaving the 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:40.460 structure of the Army, he forms this comedy duo, 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:43.620 Risently Granted, with Grant Lobin. And their 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:46.000 real genesis moment, the one that really set 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:48.479 their trajectory, was winning an open mic contest. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:50.400 It was at the Southern Blues Bar in Christchurch. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:52.680 Right, and winning that contest wasn't just like 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:55.039 a fun night out, was it? It actually launched 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:57.370 them. They started performing. regularly at local 00:03:57.370 --> 00:03:59.870 venues around the city. That's immediate validation 00:03:59.870 --> 00:04:03.490 for their presumably unique style. And they didn't 00:04:03.490 --> 00:04:05.629 hang about either. They didn't hesitate to step 00:04:05.629 --> 00:04:09.400 onto a Risently Granted performed at two international 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:12.479 comedy festivals pretty quickly. That really 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:14.500 established Darby's ambition, I think, to go 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:16.920 beyond just the local New Zealand venues. And 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:19.360 that experience seems to have cemented his decision 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:22.139 to push forward, but as a solo performer. So 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:24.480 he moved back to Auckland, specifically looking 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:27.420 for more solo stand -up experience. And that 00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:30.879 solo push feels like the critical, maybe even 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:33.860 painful, step towards eventual global recognition. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:37.939 He premiered his first solo show at that massive 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:40.680 platform, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in 2002. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:42.540 That must have been the moment he realized, OK, 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:44.680 I need a bigger sandbox to play in. Exactly. 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:46.939 Recognizing that need for proper international 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:49.560 exposure, he took the plunge and actually relocated 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:52.019 to the UK. But we can't just skip over the crucial 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:54.139 early recognition he got back home before that. 00:04:54.730 --> 00:04:56.850 He was nominated for the Billy T Award, which 00:04:56.850 --> 00:04:59.949 is the big award recognizing a key comedian with 00:04:59.949 --> 00:05:02.250 outstanding potential two years running, 2001 00:05:02.250 --> 00:05:06.389 and 2002. Wow. That dual nomination is a huge 00:05:06.389 --> 00:05:08.750 vote of confidence, isn't it? It really signals 00:05:08.750 --> 00:05:11.959 that the New Zealand comedy insiders. saw his 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:13.879 potential way before the rest of the world cut 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:15.660 up. Absolutely. And if you look even further 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:17.879 back, you can see him sort of experimenting with 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:21.339 these really high concept, almost strange art 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:24.339 forms that lean into the abstract. There's an 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:26.699 early appearance noted in Night Groovers, which 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:29.120 were described as radical art haiku films by 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:32.139 Yeti Productions way back in 2000. So he was 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:35.100 always drawn to the creatively weird, the high 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:37.819 concept, the detailed work even then. Okay, so 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:40.279 if Edinburgh Fringe was the launch pad, then 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:41.790 Flight of... The Conchords must have been the 00:05:41.790 --> 00:05:44.389 global explosion, right? This is the role that 00:05:44.389 --> 00:05:46.670 introduced him to millions, people who probably 00:05:46.670 --> 00:05:49.730 only knew him as the deputy cultural attache. 00:05:49.750 --> 00:05:52.269 Murray Hewitt, yes. The quintessential awkward, 00:05:52.410 --> 00:05:55.949 bureaucratic, but also deeply sincere, long -suffering 00:05:55.949 --> 00:05:58.870 band manager. But what's often forgotten, I think, 00:05:58.889 --> 00:06:00.430 is that the character was actually developed 00:06:00.430 --> 00:06:03.050 first for radio. Oh, that's a crucial distinction. 00:06:03.310 --> 00:06:05.069 And it really speaks to his vocal adaptability, 00:06:05.209 --> 00:06:08.790 doesn't it? So in 2004, he appeared in the BBC 00:06:08.790 --> 00:06:11.149 radio series version of Flight of the Conchords. 00:06:11.529 --> 00:06:13.449 And a little fun fact for the fans listening. 00:06:14.189 --> 00:06:17.209 His character wasn't Murray yet. He was initially 00:06:17.209 --> 00:06:20.189 named Brian Nesbitt. It wasn't until the HBO 00:06:20.189 --> 00:06:24.970 TV show, which ran from 2007 to 2009, 22 episodes 00:06:24.970 --> 00:06:27.699 total, that the character got renamed... Murray 00:06:27.699 --> 00:06:29.860 Hewitt. And the character of Murray is just the 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:32.560 perfect comedic foil, isn't he? He provides that 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:35.420 administrative, almost painfully structured reality 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:38.000 that kind of grounds the musical duo's more whimsical, 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:40.699 slightly fantastical journey in New York. The 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:43.259 whole joke works because Murray genuinely believes 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:46.220 in the paperwork, the hierarchy, the band meetings. 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:49.720 His character's intense, specific focus is precisely 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:51.939 what makes him so funny. He was absolutely woven 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:53.839 into the fabric of that show, wasn't he? Not 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:55.699 just as a supporting actor, but even as a musical 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:57.990 contributor sometimes. For the real Beihardt 00:06:57.990 --> 00:07:00.490 fans, this is essential info. He provided vocals 00:07:00.490 --> 00:07:02.889 for the track Leggy Blonde on their self -titled 00:07:02.889 --> 00:07:05.810 first album. Yep, and later in the second series, 00:07:05.870 --> 00:07:08.029 in the episode A Good Opportunity, he provided 00:07:08.029 --> 00:07:10.649 vocals on the track Rejected. He was alongside 00:07:10.649 --> 00:07:12.970 the tenor Andrew Drost on that one. So yeah, 00:07:13.089 --> 00:07:15.149 he was an integral part of their sound in his 00:07:15.149 --> 00:07:17.910 own way, adding that signature, slightly strained 00:07:17.910 --> 00:07:20.610 but always enthusiastic tone. And we absolutely 00:07:20.610 --> 00:07:22.949 cannot talk about Murray without diving into 00:07:22.949 --> 00:07:26.610 that amazing bit of self -referential meta -comedy 00:07:26.610 --> 00:07:29.269 that link the character right back to Darby's 00:07:29.269 --> 00:07:31.709 stand -up roots. I'm talking about that famous 00:07:31.709 --> 00:07:34.750 self -described hair color. Ah, yes, the electric 00:07:34.750 --> 00:07:37.470 copper. That detail is just fantastic on its 00:07:37.470 --> 00:07:40.149 own, isn't it? A bureaucratic man obsessing over 00:07:40.149 --> 00:07:43.069 a precise, almost official color name for his 00:07:43.069 --> 00:07:45.889 own hair. In the episode, Murray takes it to 00:07:45.889 --> 00:07:48.649 the next level. He very specifically self -describes 00:07:48.649 --> 00:07:51.149 his hair color as electric copper. But here's 00:07:51.149 --> 00:07:52.949 where the analysis gets really interesting for 00:07:52.949 --> 00:07:56.139 me. He took that specific scripted detail and 00:07:56.139 --> 00:07:58.199 brought the joke full circle right back to his 00:07:58.199 --> 00:08:00.839 personal stage persona. He referenced it directly 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:03.199 in his subsequent stand -up show, It's Reese 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.560 Darby Night, which he toured in London and New 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:09.129 Zealand in 2009. That move taking a really deep 00:08:09.129 --> 00:08:11.990 cut character detail and deliberately integrating 00:08:11.990 --> 00:08:15.029 it into his personal comedy brand, it shows a 00:08:15.029 --> 00:08:17.269 pretty sophisticated understanding of how to 00:08:17.269 --> 00:08:20.089 connect with that growing dedicated fan base, 00:08:20.230 --> 00:08:22.750 doesn't it? It really proved that he saw his 00:08:22.750 --> 00:08:25.370 stage work and his scripted work as basically 00:08:25.370 --> 00:08:28.790 one continuous creative conversation. And the 00:08:28.790 --> 00:08:31.209 industry definitely recognized his mastery of 00:08:31.209 --> 00:08:34.090 that cohesive character. The accolades for playing 00:08:34.090 --> 00:08:36.250 Murray really confirmed his breakout status on 00:08:36.250 --> 00:08:38.529 a global platform. Oh, they absolutely did. He 00:08:38.529 --> 00:08:41.330 won an International Online Cinema Award, an 00:08:41.330 --> 00:08:44.090 IMOCA for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series 00:08:44.090 --> 00:08:46.889 in 2008 for Flight of the Conchords. He was also 00:08:46.889 --> 00:08:49.309 nominated for an OSTA, I believe. This really 00:08:49.309 --> 00:08:52.330 proved that his particular brand of high energy 00:08:52.330 --> 00:08:55.090 specific, slightly panicked authority translated 00:08:55.090 --> 00:08:58.259 seamlessly to a major television format. So the 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.860 success of Conqueror has basically immediately 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:02.259 transitioned him into major feature film. And 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:04.620 almost always in roles that seem to require that 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:07.259 specific brand of nervous, high energy, helpful 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:10.299 but awkward guidance. He essentially perfected 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:12.419 the archetype of the well -meaning, slightly 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:15.179 overwhelmed guide. That really is the classic 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:18.019 Darby pattern, isn't it? His first major film 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:21.500 role was Yes Man in 2008, opposite Jim Carrey. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:24.639 He played Norman, Norm Stokes, who was the boss 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:27.360 of Carrie's character, a slightly manic, maybe 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.080 overzealous, but ultimately decent authority 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.740 figure. The blueprint was pretty much set right 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:36.039 there. He plays the person whose enthusiasm wildly 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.860 outweighs their competence often. And he followed 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:40.620 that up pretty quickly with the Richard Curtis 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:43.899 film The Boat That Rocked in 2009, playing Angus 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:46.590 Nutsford. That film was released in some countries 00:09:46.590 --> 00:09:49.070 as Pirate Radio, I remember. Again, a high energy, 00:09:49.230 --> 00:09:51.429 socially awkward character, but this time in 00:09:51.429 --> 00:09:53.889 a period piece setting, which showed his versatility 00:09:53.889 --> 00:09:56.509 within that specific niche. Yeah, and these roles 00:09:56.509 --> 00:09:58.669 weren't just filler parts. They specifically 00:09:58.669 --> 00:10:01.929 utilized the physical and vocal precision he 00:10:01.929 --> 00:10:04.529 developed in standup. You really need that intense 00:10:04.529 --> 00:10:07.070 focus to deliver the kind of high octane physical 00:10:07.070 --> 00:10:09.669 comedy required, especially in a Richard Curtis 00:10:09.669 --> 00:10:11.870 ensemble cast. But what's really fascinating 00:10:11.870 --> 00:10:14.740 here, I think, is his deep... ongoing collaboration 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:17.799 with Taika Waititi. That partnership is arguably 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:20.019 one of the most important threads in modern New 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.279 Zealand comedy and filmmaking. It's huge. It's 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:24.200 incredibly successful, and I think it's because 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:26.799 they share the sensibility that somehow roots 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:30.120 absurdity in genuine, sincere emotion. He was 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:33.440 Anton in the 2014 comedy horror mockumentary 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:35.659 What We Do in the Shadows. Remember Anton? He 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:37.940 was the intense, surprisingly organized leader 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:41.080 of the Werewolf Pack. So, again, a manager of 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:43.960 sorts, but this time of a very different, much 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:46.840 more volatile organization. Yeah, the contrast 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.480 is brilliant. He brought that same kind of bureaucratic 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:51.620 anxiety to the top of the supernatural hierarchy. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:54.899 It was perfect. Then he shifted gears completely 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:57.659 to play that wonderfully wild and unforgettable 00:10:57.659 --> 00:11:00.740 character, Psycho Sam, in Hunt for the Wilder 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:03.480 People in 2016, a completely paranoid hermit 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:26.039 living off the grid. And somehow, amidst all 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:29.480 that, the man is also... a certified blockbuster 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.639 anchor too. It's incredible. He became instantly 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:35.179 recognizable to global mainstream audiences as 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:38.000 Nigel Billingsley, the perpetually exasperated 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:40.919 in -game guide character in both Jumanji, Welcome 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:43.720 to the Jungle in 2017, and then again in Jumanji, 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:47.129 the next level in 2019. That role feels like 00:11:47.129 --> 00:11:49.909 the absolute pinnacle of his unexpected guide 00:11:49.909 --> 00:11:52.730 archetype, but in a massive franchise setting. 00:11:52.889 --> 00:11:55.590 He's literally the physical manifestation of 00:11:55.590 --> 00:11:57.889 the game's instruction manual. He's official, 00:11:58.049 --> 00:12:00.450 he's informative, yet he's constantly prone to 00:12:00.450 --> 00:12:02.570 emotional breakdown because of the chaos unfolding 00:12:02.570 --> 00:12:05.309 around him. He perfected the role of the safari 00:12:05.309 --> 00:12:07.629 guide, who is perpetually moments away from absolute 00:12:07.629 --> 00:12:10.190 panic, usually due entirely to the antics of 00:12:10.190 --> 00:12:12.409 his American co -stars. It's just the perfect 00:12:12.409 --> 00:12:14.389 adaptation of his physical stand -up persona 00:12:14.389 --> 00:12:17.080 for a mainstream. franchise, isn't it? A character 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:19.320 who is simultaneously official and completely 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:22.159 utterly overwhelmed. But beyond the blockbusters, 00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:23.960 there are these other sort of unexpected highlights 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:26.120 that speak volumes about his genuine enthusiasm 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:28.600 for the projects he actually takes on. Oh, absolutely. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:31.700 Take The X -Files, for instance. In 2016, he 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:34.639 played Guy Mann in the season 10 episode Mulder 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:37.919 and Scully Meet the Weremonster. Now, for longtime 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.940 fans of Darby, this might have felt like a massive 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:42.559 surprise seeing him pop up there. But for Darby 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:44.940 himself, according to the sources, it was a moment 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:47.980 of profound personal joy. Yeah, the sources noted 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:50.840 his genuine reaction. He was apparently a massive 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:53.740 longtime fan of the X -Files, was absolutely 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:57.360 thrilled by the entire experience on set. And 00:12:57.360 --> 00:13:00.159 he explicitly stated that he saw it as one of 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.919 those opportunities that only comes around every 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:04.240 so often, confirming he'd absolutely return to 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:07.100 the set the first chance he received. deep, genuine 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:09.519 enthusiasm just seems to be a really consistent 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:11.980 driver of his career choices. And his role as 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:14.340 a kind of public face extends beyond just fictional 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:16.820 guides, too. He appeared in that wonderful tourism 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:18.980 campaign video with the former New Zealand Prime 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:21.620 Minister Jacinda Ardern, remember that? Where 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:23.519 they comically discussed why New Zealand is so 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:25.980 frequently just left off world maps. He's the 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:28.340 perfect, charming ambassador for the country's 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:31.200 specific brand of self -deprecating humor. And 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.559 even going way back to his early days of high 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:36.159 -profile appearances, wasn't there an Nike ad 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:39.419 in 2008, where he played an imposter posing as 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:42.000 Roger Federer's coach. So whether it's an entire 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.500 country, a tennis superstar, a supernatural hierarchy, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:48.139 or just a band, he's somehow always the unexpected, 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:50.519 slightly over -his -head guide figure. Right. 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:52.700 So moving into our next section, this is where 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:55.360 we really see the sheer scope of his work. Because 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.480 while his face is incredibly recognizable now, 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:00.220 his voice is perhaps even more pervasive. It 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:02.980 demonstrates just incredible technical versatility 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:05.700 in animation and gaming especially. Yeah, the 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:08.279 animated roster alone shows his remarkable ability 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:11.159 to shift between that high -energy comedy and 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:13.460 some really deep character commitment. We're 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:16.039 talking 27 episodes as Korn in the massive Netflix 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:19.009 series Voltron. Yeah. Legendary defender. Corrin 00:14:19.009 --> 00:14:21.809 is such a perfect example of his ability to kind 00:14:21.809 --> 00:14:24.470 of anchor a serious narrative with essential 00:14:24.470 --> 00:14:26.950 comic relief, isn't he? He's the hyper -loyal, 00:14:27.090 --> 00:14:30.049 sometimes slightly panicky, but always technically 00:14:30.049 --> 00:14:32.710 skilled advisor to the whole Voltron team. He's 00:14:32.710 --> 00:14:35.070 great. He's also the voice of Hypnopotamus in 00:14:35.070 --> 00:14:37.129 Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which 00:14:37.129 --> 00:14:39.830 is fun. And he even popped up as Tag Tucker Bag 00:14:39.830 --> 00:14:43.090 in the Simpsons episode Heartbreak Hotel. That 00:14:43.090 --> 00:14:45.710 sheer volume shows he can lend immediate credibility 00:14:45.710 --> 00:14:48.250 and very specific humor to pretty much any animated 00:14:48.250 --> 00:14:51.070 role. And this adaptability extends really deeply 00:14:51.070 --> 00:14:53.049 into high -profile video games too, which sort 00:14:53.049 --> 00:14:55.669 of confirms his place in modern geek culture 00:14:55.669 --> 00:14:57.710 across all mediums, doesn't it? He was the voice 00:14:57.710 --> 00:15:00.590 of Russell in Half -Life, Alex, back in 2020. 00:15:00.830 --> 00:15:02.850 I mean, that is a huge, technically demanding 00:15:02.850 --> 00:15:04.889 voice role, especially in the world of virtual 00:15:04.889 --> 00:15:07.690 reality. Yeah, that VR context is really key 00:15:07.690 --> 00:15:10.549 there. Voice acting in VR requires immense precision 00:15:10.549 --> 00:15:12.970 because often that character is the player's 00:15:12.970 --> 00:15:15.309 sole companion, kind of grounding you in this 00:15:15.309 --> 00:15:17.710 new virtual world. So he's the eccentric guide 00:15:17.710 --> 00:15:20.330 once again, serving as the frantic but ultimately 00:15:20.330 --> 00:15:22.830 helpful ally. It's a perfect fit. And of course, 00:15:22.850 --> 00:15:25.110 he also reprised Nigel Billingsley for the Jumanji, 00:15:25.230 --> 00:15:28.230 the video game, in 2019. And he even dipped into 00:15:28.230 --> 00:15:30.629 the Star Wars universe, didn't he? voicing IG 00:15:30.629 --> 00:15:33.990 -88 and Deke in Star Wars, Tales from the Galaxy's 00:15:33.990 --> 00:15:37.330 Edge Last Call in 2021. This consistent presence 00:15:37.330 --> 00:15:40.629 in major franchises just confirms the market 00:15:40.629 --> 00:15:43.590 value of his unique vocal persona yeah you know 00:15:43.590 --> 00:15:46.409 high -pitched slightly panicked but hyper articulate 00:15:46.409 --> 00:15:48.590 what's really fascinating is that this guide 00:15:48.590 --> 00:15:51.289 persona is so commercially valuable that he was 00:15:51.289 --> 00:15:53.610 recently hired by one of the biggest video game 00:15:53.610 --> 00:15:55.830 franchises in the world just for promotional 00:15:55.830 --> 00:15:58.889 work his role in june 2024 as the interim deputy 00:15:58.889 --> 00:16:01.029 director of tourism in promotional videos for 00:16:01.029 --> 00:16:03.830 the final fantasy 4th expansion dawn trail he's 00:16:03.830 --> 00:16:05.649 essentially running a tourism advertisement but 00:16:05.649 --> 00:16:09.669 for a digital continent He has literally monopolized 00:16:09.669 --> 00:16:13.029 the eccentric guy genre in every single medium 00:16:13.029 --> 00:16:17.169 imaginable, hasn't he? From radio to HBO to VR 00:16:17.169 --> 00:16:20.750 to game promos. It's incredible. And beyond the 00:16:20.750 --> 00:16:23.269 screen and the microphone, his creativity just 00:16:23.269 --> 00:16:25.549 seems to overflow into these parallel projects 00:16:25.549 --> 00:16:28.710 that really define his interests, too. He wrote 00:16:28.710 --> 00:16:31.570 a book, remember, the self -described autobiographical 00:16:31.570 --> 00:16:34.269 space novel entitled This Way to Spaceship, which 00:16:34.269 --> 00:16:36.590 came out in 2012. Oh, yeah. And the connection 00:16:36.590 --> 00:16:38.690 between his written work and his stage roots 00:16:38.690 --> 00:16:41.649 is fantastic there, too. That book title wasn't 00:16:41.649 --> 00:16:43.370 just a one -off. It was actually the name of 00:16:43.370 --> 00:16:46.070 the show that won him the prestigious 2012 Fred 00:16:46.070 --> 00:16:48.940 Award. That's the best NZ show at the New Zealand 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:50.960 International Comedy Festival. It's a brilliant 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.639 integration of his writing and his performance 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:54.500 art, isn't it? And he seems really committed 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:56.679 to fostering that same scene that launched him 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.840 in the first place. He branched out into comedy 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.960 production with his wife and manager, Rosie Carnahan, 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.720 through their company, Awesomeness International. 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:05.819 And they specifically support local comedians 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:08.359 at the NZ International Comedy Festival. And 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:10.299 for those listeners who love his penchant for 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:12.460 the weird and the wonderful, there is his ongoing 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:15.900 podcast life, too. Since 2013, he's been co -hosting 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:18.220 the cryptozoology focused podcast The Cryptid 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:21.400 Factor with Dan Schreiber, David Farrier and 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:24.240 Leon Buttons Kirkbeck. That podcast just feels 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.119 like the perfect, slightly bizarre outlet for 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:29.720 his unique brand of high focus enthusiasm for 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:32.539 specific, unusual topics. It really shows the 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:35.140 man's genuine off screen curiosity, I think. 00:17:35.710 --> 00:17:38.230 And his commitment also extends into real world 00:17:38.230 --> 00:17:40.349 activism and even physical challenges as well, 00:17:40.430 --> 00:17:42.869 which is interesting. Back in 2009, he became 00:17:42.869 --> 00:17:45.130 a climate ambassador for Greenpeace for their 00:17:45.130 --> 00:17:47.529 sign on climate campaign. And he even published 00:17:47.529 --> 00:17:49.779 a poem and a video in support. And then just 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:52.180 a few years later, in July 2013, we see that 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:54.599 foundational military discipline kind of resurface 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:57.019 in a totally different context, an athletic challenge. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:59.539 He climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:02.119 as part of a World Vision team. And that team 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:04.660 included the Olympian Mahe Drysdale. So this 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:07.200 is clearly a person who brings serious physical 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.000 and mental discipline to basically everything 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:12.380 he commits to. OK, now we arrive at what feels 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:14.660 like the critical moment in his career. certainly 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.799 according to the sources. What the materials 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:19.680 we look at unequivocally call his career best 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:22.200 work, playing the gentleman pirate Captain Steed 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:24.559 Bonnet in the HBO Max romantic comedy series 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:27.259 Our Flag Means Death. Yeah, this is definitely 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:30.559 where that eccentric charm met really profound, 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:33.960 genuine, dramatic depth. And the result was just 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:36.759 a completely career -defining performance. The 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:41.240 series ran from March 2022 to October 2023, 18 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.019 episodes in total. And he starred opposite his 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:46.359 longtime creative collaborator, Taika Waititi, 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.500 who was playing the legendary and pretty formidable 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:51.180 Blackbeard. The contrast between Steve Bonnet 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:53.859 and his previous roles is just staggering, isn't 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:55.599 it? He is essentially playing a manager again. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:57.920 but one who bought a pirate ship instead of, 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:00.279 you know, running a band or a New Zealand consulate 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:03.160 office. The character is this aristocratic fish 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:05.579 out of water, defined completely by his vulnerability, 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.960 his sensitivity, and this overwhelming desire 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:10.380 for self -actualization. And it wasn't just a 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:12.480 popular show. It became a bit of a cultural phenomenon, 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:15.279 really. The series received massive critical 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:17.839 acclaim, specifically for its handling of complex 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:20.859 themes, especially its LGBTQ representation. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:24.900 centering on that really heartfelt romantic relationship 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:27.259 that develops between Bonnet and Blackbeard. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:30.220 And that demanded a totally new level of emotional 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:32.559 performance from him, surely. He had to pivot 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:35.440 from purely physical, sort of anxiety -driven 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:38.440 comedy, to playing a really vulnerable, genuinely 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.259 romantic lead. And the source has absolutely 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:43.680 confirmed the immense personal significance this 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.680 role held for Darby himself. Oh, definitely. 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:48.299 He explicitly referred to Our Flag Means Death 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:50.900 as, quote, the best thing I've ever done and 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:53.619 also his favorite TV project. And crucially, 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:55.640 he also described the role of Bonnet as the most 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:57.980 challenging and complex of his entire career. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.299 He really had to shed that protective layer of 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:02.599 the bureaucratic manager or the manic guide to 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:05.339 fully embrace raw sensitivity. And that transition, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.380 moving from the sort of bureaucratic structured 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:10.240 anxiety of Murray Hewitt to the more artistic 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:13.140 existential anxiety of Steve Bonnet, was immediately 00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:15.539 recognized by the industry as a massive leap. 00:20:15.630 --> 00:20:18.589 forward for him absolutely the list of accolades 00:20:18.589 --> 00:20:20.849 just confirms its status as his professional 00:20:20.849 --> 00:20:23.970 peak so far he won the telltale tv award for 00:20:23.970 --> 00:20:26.369 favorite performer in a cable or streaming comedy 00:20:26.369 --> 00:20:29.809 series not just once but twice in 2022 and again 00:20:29.809 --> 00:20:32.890 in 2024 and beyond those wins he received nominations 00:20:32.890 --> 00:20:35.609 for the really prestigious peabody award for 00:20:35.609 --> 00:20:39.210 entertainment which is huge recognition alongside 00:20:39.210 --> 00:20:41.450 nominations from the hollywood critics association 00:20:42.410 --> 00:20:45.309 Gold Derby TV Awards for Best Comedy Actor, and 00:20:45.309 --> 00:20:47.789 the Astro Awards as well. Critics were practically 00:20:47.789 --> 00:20:50.309 unanimous in their praise. They were calling 00:20:50.309 --> 00:20:52.769 his portrayal career best work and citing it 00:20:52.769 --> 00:20:55.029 frequently as one of the very best TV performances 00:20:55.029 --> 00:20:58.430 of 2022. It stands as definitive proof that his 00:20:58.430 --> 00:21:00.509 unique focus and intense character work could 00:21:00.509 --> 00:21:03.029 successfully anchor a complex, emotionally nuanced 00:21:03.029 --> 00:21:05.130 narrative, not just a straightforward comedy. 00:21:05.410 --> 00:21:08.130 So who is the man behind this really vast, versatile 00:21:08.130 --> 00:21:10.740 career then? Looking at his personal insights, 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:12.480 the sources seem to paint a picture of resilience 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.079 and maybe necessity, perhaps explaining some 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:17.279 of that early pivot from structure to chaotic 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:19.759 creativity. Well, he's the youngest of five children, 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.759 and he was raised by a single mother. The sources 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:25.019 mention he was particularly close to his sister 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:27.519 Linda, who actually helped raise him after his 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:30.220 father left the family. So that necessity for 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:32.440 independence and resilience probably clearly 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:35.599 shaped his early career pivots and his ambition. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:38.180 And there's that beautiful story of how he met 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:40.400 his future wife and manager, Rosie Carnahan, 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:43.339 who sounds like classic comedy folklore. He was 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:45.339 performing stand -up comedy at her cafe down 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:47.359 in Christchurch. Just perfect. They married in 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.720 2004. They have two sons. And they've resided 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:52.660 in Los Angeles since about July 2014. And Rosie 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:54.680 is clearly not just his partner, but an essential 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:57.220 professional for us, too, co -running their production 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:59.880 company together. Yeah, and what feels absolutely 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:02.559 critical when you're trying to connect his intense 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:05.420 creative focus to his career path is his own 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:08.099 personal context. He has described himself as 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:11.500 being on the spectrum and also having ADHD. Now 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.960 that information provides a really critical lens, 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.980 I think, through which we can view his unique 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:18.240 intensity and that detailed focus we've been 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:20.519 talking about. From the technical specificity 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.759 of his mime and sound effects, right through 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:25.480 to the elaborate, very internal life of the gentleman 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:28.809 pirate, Steed Bonnet. Right, that deep dive into 00:22:28.809 --> 00:22:31.410 specific, structured details, whether it's the 00:22:31.410 --> 00:22:33.890 exact sound of a malfunctioning machine or the 00:22:33.890 --> 00:22:36.569 precise anxieties of a pirate captain, suddenly 00:22:36.569 --> 00:22:39.609 seems less random, maybe, and more like a focused, 00:22:39.789 --> 00:22:42.150 powerful, creative method. Professionally, his 00:22:42.150 --> 00:22:44.109 industry standing seems to be at an all -time 00:22:44.109 --> 00:22:46.210 high right now, really confirming his status 00:22:46.210 --> 00:22:48.349 as a major player. He's not just starring in 00:22:48.349 --> 00:22:50.289 hit shows anymore. He's hosting and presenting 00:22:50.289 --> 00:22:53.049 at major industry events, solidifying his role 00:22:53.049 --> 00:22:55.829 as this trusted, high -profile figure. Yeah, 00:22:55.869 --> 00:22:58.230 he hosted the 51st International Emmy Awards 00:22:58.230 --> 00:23:01.809 in November 2023. And he presented at both the 00:23:01.809 --> 00:23:04.670 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards, January 2024, 00:23:05.089 --> 00:23:07.450 and the Art Correctors Guild Awards in February 00:23:07.450 --> 00:23:10.089 2024. And he's gone from performing solo comedy 00:23:10.089 --> 00:23:12.349 at a little... Christchurch Cafe to hosting the 00:23:12.349 --> 00:23:13.930 International Emmys. That's quite a journey. 00:23:14.250 --> 00:23:16.609 And maybe best of all, for those who love his 00:23:16.609 --> 00:23:18.710 foundational style, that journey seems to be 00:23:18.710 --> 00:23:21.670 coming full circle. In November 2024, he announced 00:23:21.670 --> 00:23:23.269 he would be returning to his stand -up roots 00:23:23.269 --> 00:23:25.890 with a brand new show called The Legend Returns. 00:23:25.910 --> 00:23:29.089 And that's scheduled to tour in 2025. It really 00:23:29.089 --> 00:23:31.569 proves that the stand -up stage is still his 00:23:31.569 --> 00:23:34.569 creative laboratory, his home base. So what does 00:23:34.569 --> 00:23:36.450 this all mean for you, the listener? How do we 00:23:36.450 --> 00:23:39.690 synthesize this? The career path of Reese Darby 00:23:39.690 --> 00:23:42.109 feels defined by that foundational paradox we 00:23:42.109 --> 00:23:44.750 started with. The soldier turned mime comedian. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:47.500 who somehow leveraged military discipline to 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:50.200 master technical chaos and then used that mastery 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:52.259 to play the ultimate archetype, the well -meaning, 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:54.559 slightly chaotic guide across literally every 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:57.480 medium imaginable. But the profound aha moment, 00:23:57.640 --> 00:24:00.259 I think, is the sheer versatility required to 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:03.019 actually complete that journey. He shifted from 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:06.079 niche New Zealand physical comedy, relying heavily 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:08.319 on those precise sound effects and bodily movements, 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:11.079 all the way to earning a Peabody nomination for 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:13.720 playing a sensitive, complex, romantic pirate 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:16.440 captain. That is just a massive creative leap. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:18.839 His career really demonstrates the immense power 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:21.339 of having a truly unique, specific voice, doesn't 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:23.920 it? It's a voice that is so singular and so technically 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:26.599 controlled that it can somehow be adapted across 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:29.140 radically different genres. From the loud, mainstream 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:31.680 chaos of something like Jumanji to the niche, 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.720 bureaucratic humor of Flight of the Conchords. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.500 And then finally, to the critically darling, 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:37.920 complex, romantic drama of Our Flag Means Death. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:40.859 And that leaves us with one final provocative 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:43.880 thought for you to maybe chew on. Given his personal 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:45.880 admission of Steed Bonnet being the most challenging, 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:48.420 complex role of his career, and his own self 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:50.380 -description of being on the spectrum and having 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:53.539 ADHD, how might those factors actually influence 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:56.259 his unique ability to embody characters who are 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:59.000 defined by their intense focus, their elaborate 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:01.599 inner worlds, and their often awkward, hyper 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:03.819 -specific interactions with established social 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:06.299 norms? It's a trait that really seems to fuel 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:08.589 not only his distinctive physical comedy, you 00:25:08.589 --> 00:25:10.390 know, those intricate sound effects and precise 00:25:10.390 --> 00:25:13.890 mime routines, but also the intense nuanced performance 00:25:13.890 --> 00:25:16.089 that earned him such critical acclaim as the 00:25:16.089 --> 00:25:19.029 Gentleman Pirate. That beautiful specific complexity 00:25:19.029 --> 00:25:21.789 might truly be his ultimate superpower in the 00:25:21.789 --> 00:25:23.069 world of both comedy and drama.