Helen Thomson (actress)

Last updated

Helen Thomson
Education University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
Years active1990–present
Known for Elvis (2022)
Colin from Accounts
Spouse David Roberts (m. 2000)
Children2

Helen Thomson is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role as Gladys Presley in the biographical film Elvis (2022).

Contents

Early life

Thomson grew up on a farm outside Thangool in central Queensland, as one of five children. [1]

At the age of 14, her mother took her to see a stage production of Steaming at Rockhampton's Pilbeam Theatre, in which Genevieve Lemon’s performance inspired her to become an actor. She went on to study drama at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). [2]

Career

Theatre

When Thomson began her acting career, she was cast as Abigail Williams in a 1991 Queensland Theatre Company production of The Crucible , which she credits with helping launch her career. [1]

Her early stage roles include playing Desdemona in Othello and appearing opposite Geoffery Rush in The Dutch Courtesan , both at the Melbourne Theatre Company, after which time she relocated to Sydney. [2] She went on to appear in numerous productions for the Sydney Theatre Company including Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia , a Judy Davis-directed production of The School for Scandal , God of Carnage . She also featured in Measure for Measure for Belvoir Theatre Company and Ray Lawler’s Summer of the Seventeenth Doll in Melbourne. [2]

Thomson received a Helpmann Awards nomination for her performance in In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) . [2] In 2024, she appeared in Belvoir Street Theatre’s production of August: Osage County. [3]

She has been a frequent collaborator with her husband David Roberts. [4]

Film and television

Thomson has appeared in numerous television shows including A Country Practice , Water Rats , Blue Heelers , Stupid Stupid Man , Bad Mothers . Other credits include Jane Campion's Top of the Lake: China Girl , Fires and playing Prime Minister Angela Sway in season 5 of Rake . [5] opposite Richard Roxburgh.

She plays Ashley's mother Lynelle, in award-winning Australian dramedy television series Colin from Accounts . In 2025 she appeared in Foxtel series The Last Anniversary , [6] [7] executive produced by Nicole Kidman and based on the hit novel by Liane Moriarty.

Thomson's film credits include comedy drama La Spagnola (2002) and A Man's Gotta Do (2004). She received an Australian Film Institute Awards nomination for her role in 2003 comedy crime thriller Gettin' Square , in which she starred opposite Timothy Spall [2] and Sam Worthington.

She portrayed the role of Gladys Presley, the mother of Elvis Presley (played by Austin Butler), in the 2022 Baz Luhrmann biographical film Elvis , [8] scoring the role after Maggie Gyllenhaal was unable to take part. [9]

In 2025, she appeared in comedy film Spit , [10] a spin-off of Gettin' Square .

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1990 Bloodmoon Mary Huston
1997 Thank God He Met Lizzie (aka The Wedding Party)Emma
1999 Strange Planet Lulu
2001 La Spagnola Wendy [2]
2003 Kangaroo Jack TV Announcer
Gettin' Square Marion Barrington [2]
The Rage in Placid Lake Teacher 1
RedskinShort film [11]
2004 A Man's Gotta Do Tina [2]
2022 Elvis Gladys Presley [8]
2023 The Rooster Lorraine [12]
A Savage Christmas Brenda Savage [13]
2025 Spit Marion Barrington [10]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1993 A Country Practice Charlotte O'Neill2 episodes: "Floating on Air: Parts 1 & 2"
1994 G.P. JanineEpisode: "Breaking Out"
1996 Water Rats Anne HarveyEpisode: "Pay Back"
1997 Home and Away Claudia MilesEpisode #1.2137
Big Sky Tessa CoburnEpisode: "You Must Remember This"
1998 Murder Call Chyna GoldEpisode: "Dared to Death"
2000Nowhere to LandClaire MunsonTV film
2001 Water Rats NeridaEpisode: "Another Man's Poison"
2002 White Collar Blue Rita CalliopeEpisode #1.4
2002–2003 Bad Cop, Bad Cop Tracy Lafever8 episodes [14]
2003 Blue Heelers Dr. Tatiana Zylinski6 episodes
Stingers Selma KatsonisEpisode: "Conversations with the Dead"
MDA Nerida Bailey2 episodes
Kath & Kim ReceptionistEpisode: "The Moon"
2005 BlackJack: In the Money Sandra MillerTV film
2008The InformantLucy NorrisTV film
2006–2008 Stupid, Stupid Man Carol Van Dyke9 episodes
2007 All Saints Sharon CoxEpisode: "Smoke and Mirrors"
Bastard Boys Valerie CorriganMiniseries, 4 episodes [15]
2009 The Jesters HarrietEpisode: "Hard Time Getting Soft Time"
30 Seconds Faith O'CallaghanEpisode: "A Matter of Trust"
2012Nick & Seaton's Palace of Sexy SecretsVarious2 episodes
2013 Mr & Mrs Murder Olivia PattersonEpisode: "The Art of Murder"
2014 Wonderland Jackie PageEpisode: "Monogamy"
2014 Rake MargotEpisode #3.2 [5]
2015 Catching Milat Dr. Miriam BentleyMiniseries, episode #1.1
2016 Love Child EleanorEpisode #3.4
2016–2017 Doctor Doctor Nora4 episodes
2017 Top of the Lake Felicity3 episodes
Pulse Lorraine Walsh2 episodes
A Place to Call Home Gerda Davis2 episodes
2018 Rake PM Angela Way3 episodes
2019 Bad Mothers Liz7 episodes
2021 Fires Yvonne Webber2 episodes
2022 Irreverent Antoinette4 episodes
2022–2024 Colin from Accounts Lynelle9 episodes [16]
2023 One Night Lindy3 episodes
Wolf Like Me JackieEpisode #2.1
2025 The Last Anniversary Enigma6 episodes [17] [6] [7]

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1990 The Tempest Iris La Boite Theatre, Brisbane [18]
1991Kaspajack Queensland Theatre Company with Brolgas Youth Theatre [18]
If Only We Had a Cat [18]
On the Verge Alex La Boite Theatre, Brisbane [18]
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Helena [18]
The Crucible Abigail Williams Queensland Theatre Company [1]
The Selection Dora Pettigrew Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC [18] [2]
1992 Othello Desdemona Arts Centre, Melbourne with MTC [2]
A Dickens Christmas Miss Zoe Playbox Theatre Company, Melbourne [18]
A View from the Bridge Catherine Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC [18]
1993 The Dutch Courtesan Francheschina [2] [19]
Much Ado About Nothing Margaret [18] [20]
1994 The Shaughraun Arte O'Neil Sydney Opera House with STC / Playhouse, Melbourne with MTC [18]
Arcadia Sydney Opera House with STC [21]
1995 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Hippolyta / Titania Elston Hocking & Woods [18]
1996 Coralie Lansdowne Says No Coralie Lansdowne Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney [18]
1996–1997The John Wayne PrincipleFiona Ellston / Sarah Stich Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC & Melbourne tour with Playbox Theatre Company [21]
1997 Romeo and Juliet Lady Capulet EHJ Productions [18]
1998Killing & Chilling of Annabelle LeeChristina Muzy / Various Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney [18]
1999 The Taming of the Shrew KateEHJ Productions [18]
Popcorn Brooke Picture This Productions [18]
Footprints on WaterLenaNeonheart Theatre Company [18]
2000–2001 Troilus and Cressida Helen Melbourne Athenaeum, Playhouse, Canberra, Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare [18] [22]
2001 The School for Scandal Lady Sneerwell Sydney Opera House with STC [21]
2002The Virgin MimKelly Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [21] [18]
2004HinterlandWinsome Snell Arts Centre Melbourne with MTC [18] [23]
2006 Macbeth Lady Macbeth Sydney Theatre Company [18]
2007 The Season at Sarsaparilla Julia Sheen Sydney Opera House with STC [21] [24]
The Art of WarHannah Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [21] [25]
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Quince Sydney Theatre with STC [21]
2009 God of Carnage Annette Reille Sydney Opera House with STC [21] [18]
2010 Measure for Measure Mistress Overdone / Mariana Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney [26] [18]
2011 In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) Sabrina Daldry Sydney Theatre Company [21]
2011–2012 Summer of the Seventeenth Doll Pearl Cunningham Belvoir Theatre Company, Arts Centre Melbourne with MTC [18] [27]
2012 Under Milk Wood Rosie Probert / Mrs Pugh / Mrs Dai Bread 1 / Gossamer Beynon / Mrs Cherry Owen Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [28] [18]
The SplinterMother [21] [18]
2013 Mrs. Warren's Profession Mrs. Kitty Warren [29]
2014 The Winter's Tale Hermione Sydney Opera House with Bell Shakespeare [18]
Cruise Control Imogen Ensemble Theatre, Sydney [18]
Children of the Sun Melaniya Sydney Opera House with STC [21] [18]
2015 After Dinner Monica Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [30] [18]
King Lear Regan Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney with STC [21]
2016 Hay Fever Myra Arundel Sydney Opera House with STC [21]
2018 Top Girls Marlene [21] [31]
The Harp in the South Delie Stock Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney with STC [32]
2019 Mary Stuart Queen Elizabeth [33] [21]
2020No Pay? No Way! Sydney Opera House with STC [21]
2021 Death of a Salesman Linda Loman Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney with STC [34]
2023 The Importance of Being Earnest Lady Bracknell [35]
2024 August: Osage County Mattie Fae Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney [36]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cunningham, Katie (7 August 2023). "Three things with Helen Thomson: Barbie as a Salem witch has pride of place in my office". www.theguardian.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "The Selection". Theatregold. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. Jefferson, Dee (15 November 2024). "August: Osage County review – Pamela Rabe leads stellar cast in an American tragicomedy". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  4. Horner, Garnett D. (25 April 2011). "Good vibes for couple on stage". Herald Sun .
  5. 1 2 Weiner, Yitzi (22 July 2022). "ELVIS Star Helen Thomson on the Five Things You Need to Shine in the Entertainment Industry". www.medium.com.
  6. 1 2 Warner, Sam. "BBC to air The Tourist star's Australian mystery drama". Digital Spy . Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Helen Thomson: star of the new series, The Last Anniversary". The Sydney Morning Herald . 20 March 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  8. 1 2 Thompson, Eliza (21 July 2022). "How the 'Elvis' Cast Compares to Their Real-Life Counterparts: Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and More". www.usmagazine.com. US Magazine. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  9. Estera, Christine (6 June 2024). "From stage to screen: How Colin From Accounts star Helen Thomson's career pivot paid off". www.news.com.au.
  10. 1 2 Maddox, Garry (9 February 2025). "Back in thongs: David Wenham revives the beloved star of Gettin' Square". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  11. "Redskin". Screen Australia . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  12. "[FILM REVIEW] THE ROOSTER Review (2024)". www.subcultureentertainment.com. 26 February 2024.
  13. Huyssen, Carla (23 October 2023). "A Savage Christmas // Bonsai Films". www.theatrehaus.com.
  14. "Bad Cop, Bad Cop: articles". Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  15. "Bastard Boys: full cast". Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  16. Peplow, Gemma (4 June 2023). "Colin From Accounts: The real-life couple behind the hit Australian comedy everyone in the UK is raving about". www.news.sky.com. Sky News . Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  17. Knox, David (24 November 2023). "Filming underway on The Last Anniversary". tvtonight.com.au . Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 "Helen Thomson" (PDF). www.helenthomson.com.au. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  19. "The Dutch Courtesan". Theatregold. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  20. "Much Ado About Nothing". Theatregold. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Archive: Helen Thomson". Sydney Theatre Company . 5 September 2018.
  22. "Troilus and Cressida". Theatregold. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  23. "Hinterland". Theatregold. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  24. "The Season at Sarsaparilla" (PDF). Sydney Theatre Company . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  25. Simmonds, Diana (24 May 2007). "The Art of War". www.stagenoise.com.
  26. "Measure for Measure". Belvoir St Theatre . Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  27. Mattarelli, Vito (18 January 2012). "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll – Melbourne Theatre Company". www.australianstage.com.au. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  28. Garrett, Emily (29 May 2012). "Under Milk Wood – Sydney Theatre Company". www.australianstage.com.au. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  29. Keath, Jessica (25 February 2013). "Mrs Warren's Profession – Sydney Theatre Co". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  30. Litson, Jo (17 January 2015). "Helen Thomson embraces another crazy role in After Dinner for the Sydney Theatre Company". Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  31. "Sydney Theatre Company 2018 Season". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  32. Nguyen, Justine (27 August 2018). "★★★★½ The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two (Sydney Theatre Company)". Limelight. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  33. Nguyen, Justine (11 February 2019). "★★★★½ Mary Stuart (Sydney Theatre Company)". Limelight. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  34. "Death of a Salesman". Sydney Theatre Company . 20 March 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  35. "Full cast announced for STC's The Importance of Being Earnest". AussieTheatre.com. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  36. "AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY hits Belvoir stage". AussieTheatre.com. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2025.