Luke Pegler, an actor with over 25 years of experience in both Australia and Hollywood, is now diving into a new career path—studying law at the University of New England (UNE). After spending most of his adult life in Sydney and Los Angeles, Luke returned to Perth during the COVID-19 pandemic to explore his interest in law, driven by his passion for fairness and a desire to tackle real-world issues.
Find Luke's student Q&A below.
What are you studying, and how far along are you?
I’m studying a Bachelor of Laws. I’m still early in the journey—about a quarter of the way through.
Tell us a little about yourself?
For the last 25 years I’ve worked predominantly as an actor. I’m from Perth, but I’ve spent most of my adult life in Sydney as well as a couple of years in Los Angeles.
During the covid era there was very little opportunity for an actor to make a living in Sydney. My partner, having just had our first baby, packed up and moved to Perth to try something different. Law seemed like something I might be good at. I value fairness and, whilst I won’t go as far as to say I like arguing, my contempt for arbitrary or ill-conceived policy is a strong motivator.
Has your acting career helped with your studies?
I think it has. I’ve spent a lifetime reading scripts where the goal is to convey meaning through feeling. In law, the idea is to convey meaning through clear and concise language. Although I’m generally unable to apply a narrative framework to communicate meaning in law, an ability to intuit how your reader (whoever that might be) might best receive meaning is an artistic trait. Legal writing must still effectively communicate to an audience. If you don’t think feeling is at least a factor in clear expression, I’d hate to read your essay… or your judgement.
Has your role in ‘The Twelve’, which revolves around twelve jurors bringing their personal lives and prejudices to the courtroom, influenced your legal studies?
A little bit. My character wasn’t super invested in the outcome of the trial, nor was he central to the plot.
In the TV show ‘Silver’ where I play a lawyer, my studies were super helpful. We were lucky enough to have a really collaborative team who welcomed contributions from the cast. It’s always the goal to aim for realistic procedural dialogue – provided it's still compelling to your audience.
‘The Twelve’ has already aired on Binge, but ‘Silver’, which is the sequel series to ‘Scrublands’, should be out early 2025 on Stan.
What would you like to do after your studies?
Take a break!
I’m still not entirely sure, although I’m picking units currently that sit within both the ‘social justice’ and ‘criminal law’ focus. I’ve got a bit of time.
What have been your biggest achievements and challenges in your study journey so far?
Initially I wasn’t sure if I’d have the stones or the smarts for academia. To be honest, I’m still not sure. I think the achievement is that the answer scares me less now.
What’s been your favourite unit?
Definitely ‘law in context’; Liberalism and its critiques. It was a humbling experience to pick apart my own certainty and righteousness.
Luke has spent over 25 years acting in Australia and Hollywood.
I’m quieter now at dinner parties, unless I have a citation.
What have you learned about yourself through university?
I’ve learned how not to fixate. Or at least that I shouldn’t fixate. There’s too much to learn and not enough time. My default has – thus far - been to stare at difficult content for as long as it takes to consume it. I’ll be learning to skim, circle back, formulate questions and engage with my tutors. That’s what they’re there for.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I have four guitars, loads of power tools, surfboards, gym equipment and two toddlers. I pick up two of those items frequently. I know the others are somewhere in my house, but I haven’t seen them in a while.
Luke with his young family.
Any advice for other uni students?
If your parents have annoying house rules but will let you eat the food in their fridge and stay there whilst you study, that is a good deal. That is a very good deal. Take that deal. You can listen to music as loud as you want when you graduate.
If you do come late to study, know that it will likely sit among other priorities. Centrelink will not care how hard you are working on things outside their benefit criteria. Your employer will not make accommodations for you in conflict with their commercial agenda. Don’t expect them to. Most importantly, your kids won’t get how important your study is to you, or, let’s be honest, to them. It’s boring. You have to learn how to put things aside and be present, quickly, in multiple arenas. It’s really hard, but you’re tougher than you think you are. Show yourself some love and be disciplined.
Ready to follow in Luke’s footsteps? Explore the possibilities of a legal career and join the UNE School of Law today. Apply now and start your own journey into the world of law!
