Natalie Abbott loves the deep end of Aftertaste

Not many young actors are given a shot at a lead role in their first television role, performing alongside the series star, but Natalie Abbott impressed many with her debut in ABC comedy Aftertaste.

Following from rave reviews in the Muriel’s Wedding musical, she more than held her own playing Diana, niece to bad boy chef Easton West (Erik Thomson).

Now both are back for second helpings.

“This is my first TV thing, which was really fun. I think I’ve just I’ve discovered that I love being thrown in the deep end for things. I think that’s my favourite way of learning,” she tells TV Tonight.

“The script is just so funny.”

“The characters have grown and developed and Diana’s a young woman’s who’s going through stuff. The script is just so funny. I think the writers and creators have done such an amazing job of keeping the essence of the characters, but letting them grow.

“We left Diana in Season One giving everyone the finger and she went off to London. Now she’s come back, she has a lot to prove.

“But a series of unfortunate events occur, and she and Easton end up working together again. So there’s a lot of tension that’s a bit unresolved from season one -stubbornness really runs in the family!”

In episode one Diana lands back in ‘Uraidla’ for Denise (Susan Prior) and Brett’s (Wayne Blair) wedding but struggles to prove to her new beau Harry (Julian Maroun) that her family are as insane as she says they are.

So if the Wests are one of TV’s newer dysfunctional families, is there also unconditional love? Yes and no…

“In the series overall, there are some moments where the family does not like each other. Sometimes family members just don’t get along,” she continues.

“She really doesn’t like him as a person.”

“But because they’re family, you’re stuck with them. There was a moment in Season One where Diana, looked down into Easton’s eyes and said, ‘I don’t like you’ and that was a genuine moment. She really doesn’t like him as a person.

“But I think there’s a mutual respect between the two of them because they are from the same industry and they share a passion for food. That’s what really brings them together.”

Whilst filming of Season One took place at the height of the 2020 pandemic in Adelaide, Season Two observed protocols but was far more settled.

“The landscape is beautiful… I love Adelaide.”

“Season one was a bit was a bit scary because that was at the very peak. This time around, it was sunshine, everyone was happy and chilled, everyone is vaccinated, the landscape is beautiful… I love Adelaide.”

Also returning are Rachel Griffiths, Remy Hii and Kavitha Anandasivam, joined by industry veteran Lynette Curran as ‘Grandma June.’

“Lynette Curran is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met in my whole life. So, to have this opportunity to work with her has been so incredible,” says Abbott.

“It’s a wonderful cast.”

Aftertaste 9:10pm Wednesday on ABC.