Comedian and actor Peter Rowsthorn, best known for playing Brett in the beloved Australian sitcom Kath & Kim, has shared heartfelt reflections on the show’s unexpected success and the unique audience that helped make it a cultural phenomenon.
Speaking on Wil Anderson’s Wilosophy podcast, Rowsthorn dived into his personal and professional life, including the early days of the show that would come to define his career.
“It was a gift from God,” he said of landing the role.
But when asked if he ever expected Kath & Kim to become such a hit, Rowsthorn was honest:
“Nah, nup,” he told Anderson.
From ‘Baby Cheeses’ to Beloved Classic
Recalling the very first table read at the ABC, Rowsthorn admitted he didn’t quite “get” the humour initially.
“I’m reading things like effulent/affluent, I’m like umm ahh,” he laughed.
“Baby cheeses? Oh, for fuck’s sake!”
He noted that during the cold read, creators Gina Riley and Jane Turner were cracking up at their own script, even though it wasn’t being read in character yet.
Despite the laughter from the writers, getting the show off the ground wasn’t easy.
“It was so hard to make it, ABC wouldn’t make it for a long time,” Rowsthorn revealed.
He explained that the comedy department passed on the show, saying it “wasn’t funny enough” and wouldn’t work. Ironically, it was the drama department that finally greenlit it because the series had a narrative structure.
A Serious Start to Something Silly
Reflecting on filming the first season, Rowsthorn described a surprisingly focused and serious atmosphere on set.
“No one was giggling and no one was fucking around,” he said.
“It was just real set characters doing their dialogue.”
“You’re just hoping that it’s gonna take when it’s released,” he added, saying all the pressure was on Riley and Turner, who had written, produced, and handpicked the cast.
Once the show aired in 2002, it quickly gained traction, particularly with a specific audience.
“It took off with the groovy people, which is really nice,” Rowsthorn said.
The Power of Women and the LGBTQ+ Community
Rowsthorn credited the gay community and women as the early champions of Kath & Kim.
“Gay people and women loved Kath & Kim first,” he told Anderson.
“It was like, oh, we’re in the groovy camp! This is great!”
While the show’s hipster appeal faded after the first couple of seasons, it had already won over the broader public.
“The groovy people fall off after a couple of series, and then the general masses have now caught up.”
With the later seasons, the cast and crew found their rhythm, making production smoother.
Rowsthorn also praised the loyalty of women for keeping the show alive, especially in the age of streaming.
“It’s now a show that women are passing down to their children to watch,” he said, reflecting on the enduring legacy of Kath & Kim thanks to platforms like Netflix.
