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Dustin set for big time

MCLEOD'S Daughters star Dustin Clare has quit the drama and will shoot his final scenes next month.

Dustin, 25, who plays "horse whisperer" Riley Ward in McLeod's, is heading overseas to pursue his acting career in the U.S., but remains tight-lipped about exactly what new acting roles he will be doing .

"I'm going to Los Angeles . . . the opportunity was too good to let go," he says.

"I can't say much about it, but I've been interested in the U.S.

"I'll be on air in McLeod's until the end of this year and we will leave Riley's character right open for his return."

Dustin has starred in the long-running South Australian drama for two series, and says he will be leaving for the U.S. as soon as he finishes shooting in June.

"I'm very grateful for the time I have had on McLeod's thus far, I have learnt a lot from people like Doris Younane and Aaron Jeffrey," he says.

"But I think it's always dangerous for an actor to get comfortable."

The show's executive producer, Karl Zwicky, says Dustin has been "fantastic" on the series. "He has always been very keen to try his hands in the U.S. industry," he says.

"We've just had series eight confirmed . . . and there are no new characters in the short term."

Channel 9 announced earlier this year the series would continue after the State Government put up $400,000 to support the drama.

Dustin follows many departures from McLeod's, including Gold Logie nominee Rachael Carpani, Aaron Jeffrey, Zoe Naylor and Brett Tucker.

Jeffrey has been working in New Zealand on comedy series Outrageous Fortune and returns to South Australia next week to shoot his final scenes in McLeod's.

Meanwhile, Carpani also travelled to the U.S. to play a role in a legal drama series, Law Dogs, but last month she did not rule out returning to Drovers Run.

She will return to Australia and attend Sunday night's TV Week Logie Awards.

By Sophie Elsworth
May 04, 2007
The Advertiser