Photography: Luci Hare
Beau Tarrant doesn’t want to become an actor – he is one. That’s what the cute seven-year-old son of star Alex Tarrant and his wife Lucinda declares if someone asks whether he has showbiz ambitions. And just like his dad, Beau’s currently enjoying his biggest break yet – playing Jack in a school production of Jack And The Beanstalk. Meanwhile, Alex’s hitting a career high with leading roles in the hot new US comedy DMV and upcoming Kiwi film Sgt Haane.
“He doesn’t ask, nor does he want my advice on playing Jack, because he is an actor,” chuckles Alex, 34.
“The world’s his oyster – Beau wants to be an actor, soccer pro and engineer all at once.”
While it’s “scary” thinking his beloved boy might follow in his footsteps, Alex’s thrilled to be showing him it’s possible for Kiwis to succeed globally. Such dreams were once far-fetched for Alex, who, at Beau’s age, was helping feed his family by diving for dinner in Raglan.
Struggling to fit in at school, it wasn’t until Alex appeared in a production of High School Musical that he found his calling, going on to star in 800 Words, Shortland Street and The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, before winning a lead role in NCIS: Hawai’i.
A new chapter far from home
Despite the show being cancelled in 2024, Alex and Auckward Love actress Luci decided to stay in Hawai’i, with the couple finding a new purpose teaching acting classes. Before long, they were relocating to Montreal so Alex could film his role in DMV.
Playing Noa, a new staff member at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Hollywood, proved the perfect scenario for Alex, who’s of Māori, Samoan and Niuean descent, because he got to keep his Kiwi accent.
“I’ve always dreamt of doing a US show with my accent and my character has a Polynesian name, so it was a proud moment to represent our country and culture on a big platform,” he enthuses.
Identity is something Alex has long grappled with, having grown up disconnected from his Māori and Pacific roots. However, he no longer sees this as a weakness.
“I’ve come to understand not knowing my language and culture can be my superpower because it gives me the ability to just exist, without having any label attached to me,” he tells.
Coming home to culture
Today, he’s learning te reo Māori with Beau, has filmed a doco titled Descendants Of Niue and says it was the “biggest blessing” to represent his heritage on DMV.
“It’s interesting finishing season one and being at peace with knowing Noa belongs and brings an amazing perspective to the story,” he shares.
But Alex admits Montreal’s subzero temperatures were a challenge, causing him to lose his voice at one stage.
“We’re not built for -21 degrees!” he laughs.
Kiwi actress Rose McIver, who also films Ghosts in Canada, proved invaluable, guiding the family on where to live, hang out and also eat.
“She paved the way for us,” shares Luci.
“It’s very different to living in New Zealand or Hawai’i, where you’re always outside or in the ocean. You have to entertain yourself inside, so Beau learned chess, joined a dance troupe and started a science class.”
Learning the craft as a family
With his reading becoming stronger, he also helps his dad learn his lines.
Alex grins, “He understands what I do now, but not what it took to get here. He was just three when we left New Zealand for NCIS: Hawai’i, so he’s spent more time overseas than at home, which was the time of the grind, when Luci kept us afloat.”
Today, Luci continues to help Alex behind the scenes, while also producing and writing for the couple’s production company Snack Run Studios. It was Hollywood star Jason Momoa who inspired them to start it, after he spoke to their students in Hawai’i and encouraged them to “dream big”. One of their projects is a short film starring Beau, whose first screen appearance was as a baby in Mean Mums.
Meanwhile, Alex plays the lead in the upcoming film Sgt Haane, the story of the late Māori soldier Haane Manahi.
He shares, “The film dives into the bravery of his acts during World War II and why his Victoria Cross was downgraded. Hopefully it helps get it reinstated.”
The family will return to Aotearoa for the premiere and Beau can’t wait. Despite being a “citizen of the world”, his connection to his Kiwi roots remains strong.
“He has cousins whose lives are so different and when he goes back, it’s an amazing culture shock,” smiles Alex.
“But they pick up where they left off. It’s like he’s been there the whole time.”
DMV screens 8.30pm Wednesdays on TVNZ 2 and streams on TVNZ+.
