There’s no escaping Steve Byers. The handsome young actor, whose perfect pecs and washboard
abs can be seen in advertisements and on billboards all over the country, is arguably Canada’s sexiest new star.
Byers plays Jason Tanner, the wakeboard jock on Falcon Beach, a new 13-episode series on Global
In the show, shot in the town of Winnipeg Beach on Lake Winnipeg, Jason must decide between sexy Paige (played by Jennifer Kydd) and
his ex-girlfriend Tanya (Devon Weigel), who has come back to town after a four-year absence.
Falcon Beach is a big break for Byers, who has had roles in some forgettable TV movies and shows like Mutant X.
Byers took some tough questions from canada.com at his home in downtown Toronto.
What scared you the most when you found out you were going to make a TV series in Winnipeg – the mosquitoes or the snow banks?
I didn’t anticipate any snow banks but we had a snowstorm in October. I thought it was a myth that it got so cold there. I had reservations – Winnipeg,
of all the places you can pick – but I had no idea that Winnipeg had these beautiful beaches.
Was it hard to be a convincing wakeboarder?
Generally I’m an active person and I play a lot of sports. I learned from some amazing guys who showed me the ropes.
I learned what I could but my stunt double, Duncan Jessman, got to do a lot of the really difficult stuff.
Because of insurance – and personal fear – I didn’t actually go over those wooden monsters.
You have your shirt off a lot in the show – how did it feel being treated like a piece of meat?
There are worse things you can be treated like. It got to be a little taxing as it wasn’t my personal choice. Certain days,
I’d be at lunch and have an extra helping of roast beef and then the director wanted me back in the water.
A lot of women, and some men, will want to know how you keep so fit.
I was physically doing a lot of the wakeboarding and I used to work out (at a gym).
Now I just have an intensive home routine with weights.
In a heartthrob rumble, whose ass would Jason Tanner kick: Dylan McKay, Dawson Leery or Seth Cohen?
I wouldn’t want to kick Seth Cohen’s ass. I worked with him (Adam Brody) and he’s a nice guy.
I think Jason would kick Dawson’s ass.
Are you ready to handle the inevitable fame that will come from being on such a high-profile show?
I don’t know. I guess I would say no. I haven’t really thought about it.
I’m just crossing my fingers that people will watch.
You were in Slap Shot 2. At any point during filming did you or any one else call Paul Newman to beg forgiveness?
Someone should have made that phone call. If I can use you to make an apology now, I’d be grateful. I think everyone who worked on that owes him one.
