By Ojas Devanathan
Actor Daniel Berini
For this week’s profile we decided to look at Australian actor Daniel Berini who, through his continuous work in Australian film and television, has carved out quite a name for himself. He now has his sights set internationally after starring in the web-series, ‘Elling & Izzy’, which has gathered steam given its association with Will Ferrell’s company, FUNNY OR DIE and its streaming on American platform Stareable. Berini, who has appeared in a wide range of Australian television favourites, including the ABC series ‘Black Comedy’, Channel Seven’s ‘The Secret Daughter’ and Channel Nine’s ‘Love Child’, gives great insight into balancing comedy with drama.
In ‘Elling & Izzy’, the versatile actor showcases his dry wit playing Elling, a man suffering from OCD and Agoraphobia who struggles to reconcile the battle between his mental illness and deep desire for love and human connection. Berini successfully navigates that fine line between comedy and drama, somehow making the audience simultaneously have the urge to both laugh and burst into tears. Even in the midst of dramatic tension Berini’s inherent sense of comedy shines through in every moment (whether it’s him feverishly cleaning the shower or in the midst of a panic attack), lifting the atmosphere and preventing the series from becoming too weighted in its own drama. It’s this quality that explains why he continues to land roles in beloved Australian comedies.
“Comedy has a way of bringing people together,” he adds, and he’s absolutely right.
Daniel certainly has fans dying of laughter with his hilarious performance in season two of the AACTA award-winning show, ‘Black Comedy’.
The highly praised Aboriginal-Australian sketch features a series of comedic vignettes and skits around fictional Indigenous Australian stories. The series is known to highlight Australian racial politics and its race-relations through an amusing, lighter tone. Berini told us “[he] was both delighted and honoured to be on a show that portrays sensitive crucial political issues in such a unique manner.”
Berini plays the stereotypical, privileged (and aptly named) White Man, who often finds himself to be the butt of the joke. He brings a genuine charm that’s both truthful and effective, elevating the satirical sketch comedy.
In ‘Elling & Izzy’, the versatile actor showcases his dry wit playing Elling, a man suffering from OCD and Agoraphobia who struggles to reconcile the battle between his mental illness and deep desire for love and human connection. Berini successfully navigates that fine line between comedy and drama, somehow making the audience simultaneously have the urge to both laugh and burst into tears. Even in the midst of dramatic tension Berini’s inherent sense of comedy shines through in every moment (whether it’s him feverishly cleaning the shower or in the midst of a panic attack), lifting the atmosphere and preventing the series from becoming too weighted in its own drama. It’s this quality that explains why he continues to land roles in beloved Australian comedies.
“Comedy has a way of bringing people together,” he adds, and he’s absolutely right.
Daniel certainly has fans dying of laughter with his hilarious performance in season two of the AACTA award-winning show, ‘Black Comedy’.
The highly praised Aboriginal-Australian sketch features a series of comedic vignettes and skits around fictional Indigenous Australian stories. The series is known to highlight Australian racial politics and its race-relations through an amusing, lighter tone. Berini told us “[he] was both delighted and honoured to be on a show that portrays sensitive crucial political issues in such a unique manner.”
Berini plays the stereotypical, privileged (and aptly named) White Man, who often finds himself to be the butt of the joke. He brings a genuine charm that’s both truthful and effective, elevating the satirical sketch comedy.
Daniel Berini (left), Holly Fraser ("Packed to the Rafters") and guest on the red carpet
‘The Secret Daughter’, in which Berini plays Andrew, gave the Perth native an opportunity to establish his niche as an Australian with the comedic timing akin to ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’s’ Larry David or any of the cast members of ‘Seinfeld’. In the series, Berini worked on the same set as MTV-award winning Australian singer, Jessica Mauboy, whose character Billie discovers that she is the secret daughter of recently deceased hotel mogul, Jack Norton. The majority of the story unfolds behind the doors of the Norton Hotel, within which Andrew is a crucial member of the staff. The Norton Hotel is a large melting pot of dramatic tension and Andrew can often be found at the centre of the unfolding drama. It’s a hilarious role that’s intricately woven into the popular comedy driven TV drama.
“I am very grateful to have been a part of that show. It was a lot of fun.” Berini offered.
The Casting Director of ‘The Secret Daughter’, Anousha Zarkesh, confidently exclaimed that Daniel especially stood out within the hundreds of applicants she received. Zarkesh stated that Berini’s “unique ability to adapt to any given role makes him the perfect candidate for any comedy or drama.”
Berini has forged an enviable reputation as a hard working down-to-earth talent, which is all the more refreshing in such a tumultuous industry, known for producing big egos when an actor’s star factor grows.
“I feel very fortunate to be working in this industry. It feels a bit silly sometimes when I take a step back and look at what it is I get to call ‘work’, because it really doesn’t feel like work at all. Being an actor would have to be one of the coolest gigs ever, and I feel like pinching myself when on set sometimes just to remind me how lucky I really am to be doing this. It’s a real privilege to tell these stories, and I’m stoked to know that I’m making people laugh along the way!”
Entertainment LA is definitely laughing, and we look forward to welcoming the Aussie to American shores any day now. Check out ‘Elling & Izzy’ online now.
“I am very grateful to have been a part of that show. It was a lot of fun.” Berini offered.
The Casting Director of ‘The Secret Daughter’, Anousha Zarkesh, confidently exclaimed that Daniel especially stood out within the hundreds of applicants she received. Zarkesh stated that Berini’s “unique ability to adapt to any given role makes him the perfect candidate for any comedy or drama.”
Berini has forged an enviable reputation as a hard working down-to-earth talent, which is all the more refreshing in such a tumultuous industry, known for producing big egos when an actor’s star factor grows.
“I feel very fortunate to be working in this industry. It feels a bit silly sometimes when I take a step back and look at what it is I get to call ‘work’, because it really doesn’t feel like work at all. Being an actor would have to be one of the coolest gigs ever, and I feel like pinching myself when on set sometimes just to remind me how lucky I really am to be doing this. It’s a real privilege to tell these stories, and I’m stoked to know that I’m making people laugh along the way!”
Entertainment LA is definitely laughing, and we look forward to welcoming the Aussie to American shores any day now. Check out ‘Elling & Izzy’ online now.
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