Kat Stewart is best known for her performances in two very different Australian TV shows. Her breakout role was in the first season of Underbelly, where she played gangland wife Roberta Williams with chilling excellence. Then she followed that up with seven years as Billie Proudman on Offspring. Right now, she’s four seasons into the series Five Bedrooms, but still finds time for other roles – such as her turn in the short film Victim.
Whenever she’s away from her Melbourne home, the first thing the Logie winner checks is whether her accommodation has a kettle. Here, Stewart tells us why she must be close to tea-making devices at all times, as well as the stories of other important belongings.
What I’d save from my house in a fire
A makeup artist friend was raving about his cashmere dressing gown about eight years ago. I was pregnant at the time, not enjoying clothes and generally feeling blah, so I pounced on the website when they went on sale. He was right – there is something about being wrapped up in something so soft, forgiving, warm and luxurious. It’s cushioned countless 3am feeds and it saw me through Covid lockdowns, early starts and lots of dealing with sick kids.
I had to retire the original gown late last year – it could practically stand up on its own. It had seen more domestic action than any garment should. But it has been replaced with an identical one, which I will never surrender!
My most useful object
My kettle. Basic, I know. But I come from a long line of tea drinkers. My mother used to drink upwards of 10 cups a day. She would always use a pot. I’m generally too lazy and use teabags, but a kettle is the first thing I check in my accommodation whenever I am working away from home. And I always pack tea.
Admittedly, I have a single-shot coffee heart-starter in the morning but then it’s tea all the way. Coffee can be outsourced, but tea is personal. I need to make my own tea. I need that kettle. I’ll fire up with a strong English breakfast and then switch down to low caffeine or herbal from late afternoon.
The item I most regret losing
Every expensive pair of sunglasses I have ever owned. $20 ones always find their way back to me, but the beautiful, special ones? Gone. Always.
I love sunglasses. They are an instant lift; they cover any tiredness and make me feel put together. I have quite pale eyes so I’m very squinty in the sun without them. I had one pair that made me feel happy and better looking whenever I’d wear them. They were a birthday present from my husband and the kids. I loved them so much I replaced the lenses when they got too scratched to wear – then I promptly lost them.
Kat Stewart stars in Victim, which is screening at St Kilda film festival on 11 June at The Astor Theatre, Melbourne.