An Aussie is bringing sex, murder and suicide to American screens, writes Kate O'Hare

Striding into a restaurant for lunch, Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon seems pleased with himself. In Hollywood, not even a facelift can compare with the feel-good effects of getting a role that let's you show what you can do.

"I couldn't be happier or prouder of the show," the Aussie star says. "So far it's been a great ride."

Since its premiere in the US in July, the risqué Nip/Tuck, about two plastic surgeons played by McMahon and Dylan Walsh, has raised a few eyebrows with its graphic depiction of surgery.

And it has raised a few temperatures, too, with its high-octane storylines and steamy sex scenes, set against a backdrop of greed, vanity and desperation.

The series, created by Ryan Murphy, has offered murder, assault, transsexuals, vandalism, suicide, infidelity and child molestation.

McMahon's character, Dr Christian Troy, has been beaten, injected with the paralysing drug Botox and insulted by the people he loves.

His car and boat have been trashed and a vengeful lover (Kelly Carlson) has chained him to his bed.

"About three episodes ago, I said to Dylan, 'I don't know how much longer I can live Troy's life. It's so exhausting'," McMahon chuckles.

Much of the exhaustion stems from Troy's revealing sex scenes.

"It's so funny. We did a show the other day and Ryan Murphy asks, 'Do you mind if we see you're a...'." McMahon says.

"I say, 'Why should I mind? It's my character's rear-end. People can look all they want."

Someone who came looking recently was McMahon's three year old daughter, Madison.

"I was in the middle of a scene, joking around and Madison starts chuckling," the proud dad says.

"I can hear her saying. 'Dad, you're funny'. God it's like, 'Thank you, finally, somebody realises'.

"Madison is so gorgeous. I can't tell you."

"She sat there for a bunch of takes and I kept hearing this little chuckle all the time. It was so cute."

McMahon's character is a womaniser and playboy whose tailored suits and impeccable grooming hide a surprising moral centre and unexpected bouts of compassion.

It's a part that McMahon, 35, had to go through eight auditions to get.

"It's definitely a gidt role. I knew as soon as I read it. That's why I fought so hard to get it." he says.

One episode that raised eyebrows involved a priest who wanted plastic surgery to evade prosecution after being charged with child molesting.

Christian confronts the priest and forces him to turn himself in, then confesses to his colleague that he was molested by his foster father.

One of the things that appeals to McMahon about the series is the way his character continues to develop and change.

Following the success of Nip/Tuck, the cast was invited to this year's Emmy Awards in September. It was McMahon's first Emmys and he says he's never had so much fun.

"It was great, like being Cinderella, or something."