The Diary: Taking on Rupert Murdoch's ex

Actress Danielle Cormack.

Kiwi goes where Aussie actors fear to tread.

Playing the role of Anna Murdoch is a dream job for Kiwi actress Danielle Cormack, whose latest production Rupert had its star-studded premiere at Sydney Theatre on Saturday night.

The second wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch was notably absent, however. She resides in The Hamptons with her second hubby, William Mann, in a sumptuous house bought with the $1.7 billion proceeds she reportedly received in her divorce settlement from the Aussie magnate.

Cormack, who lives in Sydney with her two sons and a new man in her life, whom she prefers to keep on the lowdown, has received rave reviews for the bio-play.

But how will playing Murdoch's former spouse affect Cormack's career?

The Guardian reported actors were too scared to play the role of Rupert Murdoch because they fear his power.

Playwright David Williamson told the BBC: "The man has so much power and quite understandably, people - and that includes actors - don't want to offend him. He owns Fox Studios, for heaven's sake."

Cormack's rep, Imogen Johnson, who travelled to Sydney for opening night, said the actress has become firmly entrenched in the Australian acting scene, thanks in large part to her highly-acclaimed role in prison TV drama Wentworth.

"Dani is a major player in Aussie; they love her over there. Her acting career is going from strength to strength, and as for being a Kiwi, well that's just a bonus really. She's hard-working and diligent - a great Kiwi export."

Rupert will make its way to NZ next year with the Auckland Theatre Company from June 25 to July 19. Stuart Devenie and Jennifer Ward-Lealand will play the lead roles.

Resting up

National MP Nikki Kaye is recovering at home from surgery and her boss wants her to use the time to rest.

John Key says the conscientous Auckland MP is "typically trying to rush back to work". Whatever for?

Pic of the week

Eric Watson continues his PR charm offensive on social media by issuing this image of himself and his four sons preparing to decorate the Christmas tree.

Sporting specs, facial stubble and a bad case of side eye, Watson smiles for the camera while his eyes dart cautiously sideways to his 11-month-old baby son, Aidan, perched on a ladder.

We wish you a villainous Christmas

Tony and Cherie Blair issued their annual Christmas card yesterday and social media erupted, with some likening the former British PM's awkward smile to a threatening Bond villain. If that was the pic of the bunch, what was the worst? Nightmare before Christmas, was the general consensus.

John Key and his wife Bronagh - who celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary this week - are issuing their personal Chrissie cards soon but the kids, Stephie and Max, will not be present on it. Like Sasha and Malia Obama, they evidently don't want to hang with the olds.

Max, an aspiring DJ, has garnered many column inches lately since his foray into late-night club beats, but it's unclear whether he will be available for his dad's political party Chrissie bash. The Tory tots would love it, mind you.