Ally offers a profile on Aussie co-star


New mum, Ally Walker, is obviously impressed by Profiler co-star Julian McMahon. The Aussie actor, now living in Los Angeles where Profiler is filmed can do no wrong in Ally's eyes.

She says Julian is "down-to-earth, honest, charming and just a great guy". "He is a joy to work with on set. We have a lot of fun together, goofing around," Ally said.

"In my opinion, Julian is going to be a very big star. He has that extra quality about him. I just wouldn't be surprised at all if he went on to very big things. I think he's had a lot of pressure on him in many ways and I like the way he handles that."

While Julian plays John Grant, a detective who goes by the book, Ally's character, Dr Sam Waters, uses unconventional methods to solve crimes.

"I was very attracted to her because, in many ways, she reminds me of myself.

"She's very strong but at the same time she is very sensitive and she isn't some kind of wonderwoman who can do everything. She has guilt over her husband's death, she has problems and she just seems very real to me. But, at the same time, we're very unalike. I'm actually kind of goofy when you get to know me - just ask Julian."

Like her character Sam, Ally also has a scientific background. In fact, she has a science degree and at one stage was looking at a career in genetic engineering.

"Well, my dad is a scientist and my mom is an attorney, so I was raised in a very academic household. I studied biology and chemistry at university and I have always been very interested in the sciences. But what can I say? The acting bug bit me."

Discovered in a restaurant by a producer, Ally admits she got a lucky break.

"I know other people have to struggle for years to get the sort of break I had, but I also think it's what you do with that luck afterwards." And although acting has become a passion, there are other things more important to her. (Since this interview, Ally has had her first child - a son).

"Family is really so special to me. I'm pregnant right now and to me that's real magic. I don't know if I'll be saying that in the delivery room, though."

FRANCES WHITING