PM's son set to star in new series
by David Brown

Julian McMahon, tall, dark and handsome son of former prime minister, the late Sir William McMahon, is set to make his television acting debut on the Seven Network.

Julian, 19, best known as the clean-cut American GI who removes his trousers to the strains of My Girl in Levis jeans commercial, has screen tested for Seven's new daytime soap The Power, The Passion.

After two tests for the glossy soap, Julian is now on the short list for a major role.

Producer John Holmes was more than pleased with Julian's audition.

As TV WEEK when to press, the final casting decisions for the five pilot episodes, to be filmed next month, were being made.

The only obstacle in Julian's path in his modeling career. Would he give up the lucrative and profitable world of fashion modeling for another acting career?

In a recent interview, he said he hoped to have established himself as an actor by the time he was too old for modeling.

Julian 'fell' into modeling two years ago, when he was studying for an economics degree at Wollongong University.

A talent agent spotted him at his sister Debbie's beauty course graduation.

He landed a soft drink commercial and the work snowballed from there. Last year he abandoned his degree to devote himself to modeling full-time.

But it is that jeans commercial which has won him the hearts of Australian girls.

It was shot in Griffith, New South Wales. Model Rachel Miller plays his girlfriend in the ad.

Julian would be ideal as one of the young heart throbs in The Power, The Passion - the producer John Holmes has been quoted as saying he wants " an extremely glamorous and good looking cast".

A number of models, along with popular actors, have screen-tested for the proposed one hour, five days a week soap.

It is described as the story of a patriarch's dynasty and of passion, desire, hatred and love!