Matt Whelan Explained

Matt Whelan
Birth Name:Matthew Whelan
Birth Date:[1]
Birth Place:Christchurch, New Zealand
Occupation:Actor, comedian
Years Active:2007–present
Awards:2010 – Best Performance by a Supporting Actor

Matt Whelan (born 1985) is a New Zealand actor and comedian. Whelan is known for his roles as Brad Caulfield in the New Zealand television comedy-drama programme Go Girls. He has also played Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in the Amazon Original series . Whelan plays DEA agent Van Ness in the Netflix original series Narcos.

Early life

Whelan was born in Christchurch, Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand.[2] Whelan graduated from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, one of New Zealand's most prestigious drama schools located in Wellington.[3] Completing a Bachelor of Performing Arts in acting in 2007,[4] immediately upon graduating he joined the cast of Show of Hands, performing alongside Melanie Lynskey.[5]

Career

In April 2017, it was revealed Whelan would be playing the role as Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner, in the 2017 Amazon original docu-series, .[6] [7] The ten-episode series, chronicles the Playboy founder's life, the rise of the magazine and unveils never-before-seen footage from his private archives. Whelan met with Hefner during the filming of the show. It was released just before Hefner's 91st birthday and was partly filmed in Auckland.[8] [9] After featuring in larger acting roles and gaining popularity playing Hefner in 2017, Whelan landed a role in the third season of Netflix original series, Narcos.[10] [11] [12] Whelan played Daniel van Ness, a young DEA agent partnered with Chris Feistl (played by Michael Stahl-David), who go to Cali, Colombia after the death of Pablo Escobar under the order of Javier Peña (played by Pedro Pascal) in hopes of taking down the Cali Cartel.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007Eagle vs SharkKissing Boy
2008Show of HandsMatt
2011My Wedding and Other SecretsJames
2012The Most Fun You Can Have DyingMichael
20143 Mile LimitRichard
201525 AprilJohn PerssonNarrated documentary
2017Pork PieNoah
Gary of the PacificNelson
2023The TankBen
2024We Bury the DeadMitchPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007–2008My StoryRegan
2009–2012Go GirlsBrad Caulfield49 episodes
2013Top of the LakeLittle ShaneEpisode: "No Goodbyes Thanks"
2014CoverbandAlex6 episodes
2016Of Kings and ProphetsMattiyahuEpisode: "Offerings of Blood"
Stake OutSalesmanEpisode: "Salesmans"
2017Hugh Hefner10 episodes
NarcosDaniel van Ness9 episodes
2018WantedAlistair Poussin2 episodes
2019The Brokenwood MysteriesJack RuddEpisode: "A Real Page Turner"
2020The LuminariesCowell Devlin 6 episodes
The SoundsTom CabbottMain role
2021My Life Is MurderConnor FarrowEpisode: "Wild Life"
2021–2023Under the VinesBen5 episodes
2023The GoneMayor Ken Armstrong6 episodes

Theatre

Awards

Notes and References

  1. News: Matt Whelan: Tall order. The New Zealand Herald. 8 March 2011.
  2. News: Narcos DEA role not to be sniffed at for Kiwi actor. Stuff.co.nz. 26 August 2017.
  3. Web site: Go Solo 2007 – Many will significantly develop. TheatReview. 10 August 2007.
  4. Web site: Graduate. 2021-08-09. www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz.
  5. Web site: Matt Whelan – Biography. IMDb. 10 July 2018.
  6. News: Amazon's 'American Playboy' tells Hugh Hefner's story straight from the source. Los Angeles Times. 6 April 2017.
  7. News: Who Plays Hugh Hefner On 'American Playboy?' Matt Whelan Isn't The First Actor To Take On The Mogul. Bustle. 7 April 2017.
  8. News: Amazon backs New Zealander to play Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in doco-series. Stuff.co.nz. 31 March 2017.
  9. News: Secrecy surrounds Hugh Hefner TV show shot in Auckland. The New Zealand Herald. 16 August 2016.
  10. News: 'Narcos' Adds Pair of Series Regulars Amid Season 3 Shift (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. 20 October 2016.
  11. News: Kiwi actor Matt Whelan lands role on Netflix series Narcos. Stuff.co.nz. 21 October 2016.
  12. News: Narcos season 3 cast announced as Netflix series is shaken up. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/narcos-season-3-release-date-netflix-series-pablo-escobar-wagner-moura-boyd-holbrook-a7375536.html . 12 May 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent. 22 October 2016.