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Michael Caton moves from hit to hit, from The Castle, Hot Property to Packed to the Rafters

Michael Caton loves his fellow cast-members of Packed to the Rafters, l-r: Angus McNamee, Eric Thomson, Rebecca Gibney, Michael Caton, Jessica McNamee. Picture: Noel Kessel Source: Herald Sun

MICHAEL Caton is a lucky TV charm - everything he touches becomes ratings gold, including his latest outing as the patriarch of Packed to the Rafters.

Caton is probably best known for his role in the hit film The Castle, made by the Working Dog team, as the unbreakably upbeat Darryl Kerrigan.

He fronted Hot Property and Hot Auctions for 10 years; had a recurring role as Bob Parkin in All Saints in the late '90s; and now finds himself as the family patriarch in the ratings juggernaut Packed to the Rafters.

And Caton couldn't be happier playing the sweet and slightly sardonic Ted Taylor.

"He has a bit of a roving eye, our Ted," Caton says with more than a touch of mischief.

"He's had a bit of a look around after his lovely Louise departed. After a suitable period of mourning he's out and about."

The success of Rafters has surprised even an entertainment veteran such as Caton, who says the recipe for a winning show is never easy to find.

"If you knew that secret you'd be a very rich guy," he says.

"It was fantastic that (Rafters) got the reaction it did.

"The success always does surpriseme. I was totally unprepared for the reception The Castle had, and for that matter Hot Property.

"I mean we've put the old girl to bed now, but she did really well for 10years."

Caton says a combination of top writing, a great "happy, co-operative" cast and extremely diverse characters has taken Rafters to the top.

His character's role is often one of a tension breaker, using humour to defuse dramatic family situations.

Firing off the one-liners as the dry voice in the background is how Caton describes Ted.

It's also an important lesson for families struggling with the pressures of modern-day life.

"(Humour) is really important in family life," Caton says.

"Really important. You don't want dramas all the time in a family, mate. You want everyone to be able to put their tongue firmly in their cheek.

"And remember, some of the best laughs you've had never cost you abuck."

As for making a buck, Caton is more than happy with his lot.

By Geoff Shearer
September 30, 2009
Herald Sun