Jacqueline Brennan

Last updated

Jacquie Brennan
JacquieBrennanWentworthCon.png
Alma mater University of Southern Queensland
OccupationActress
Years active1986–present
Known for
Spouse
​
(m. 2001)​
[1]
Children2

Jacquie Brennan is an Australian stage, television film and theatre actress and voiceover artist. [2] She is known for her roles in Bullpitt!, [3] The Hollowmen, [4] and her best known role in Australian award-winning television drama Wentworth as Officer Linda 'Smiles' Miles.

Contents

Education

Brennan graduated from the University of Southern Queensland with a Diploma of Performing Arts. [5]

Career

Theatre

Brennan has worked for both Queensland Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company, with Camille (1986) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (1987) and Dinkum Assorted (1989) for the former and Milo (1994) for the latter. She wrote and starred in one-woman show Dangerous When Wet in 1991 and toured Australia with 1960s spoof group 'The Harlettes' in 1995. [6] [7]

Her other theatre credits include Room to Move, Camille (both 1986), Australian musical Beach Blanket Tempest (1988), Rosy Apples, Too Darn Hot (both 1990), Macquarie (1998), Silhouette (1999) and a 2001 Australian tour of Are You Being Served? [6] [7]

Television

In 2008, Brennan was announced as part of the cast for ABC political comedy series The Hollowmen , in the role of press secretary Mel. [8] She appeared in both seasons of the show. [9]

In 2020, Brennan appeared in the Underbelly adaptation Informer 3838 , [10] where she played the role of real life figure Christine Hodson, who was a victim of the Melbourne gangland killings. The real life case still remains open and unsolved, and the $1 million reward for information still stands to this day. [11]

Brennan joined the cast of Wentworth in 2012. [12] She initially came into set as a cast reader, but was asked to read for a 'small role' by the series set-up director, Kevin Carlin. That role however, ultimately ended up being the role of prison officer Linda 'Smiles' Miles. Brennan has since revealed she originally auditioned for the role of Liz Birdsworth. [13] [14] Her first appearance was in episode 2 of season 1 and she remained part of the supporting cast for the show's entire run, [15] appearing in every season, for a total of 99 episodes. [13]

Brennan in attendance at Wentworth Con 2023 JBrennanWWcon2023.png
Brennan in attendance at Wentworth Con 2023

Brennan appeared alongside several Wentworth cast members at a Screen Star Event in London and Birmingham in mid-2022 [16] and again at "Wentworth Con", Melbourne in 2022, after withdrawing from the con's New Jersey event due to illness. [17] Brennan appeared for a second event this time in the US [18] and the UK in 2023 for Screen Star Events 15th Year alongside co-star Tammy MacIntosh and Colette Mann. [19] [20]

On 9 November 2022, it was announced that Brennan had been cast in Warnie , a two-part telemovie to air on the Nine Network in 2023 about the late Australian cricketer Shane Warne, alongside Alex Williams. [21] She was cast as Warne's mother Brigitte. [22] The telemovie aired in June 2023.

In 2023, Brennan played Nicole in SBS drama Safe Home , and appeared in season 4 of Paramount+ series Five Bedrooms , reprising the role of Denise Schaap from season 1.

Voiceover

Brennan is a sought-after voiceover artist, [23] [24] who has lent her voice to numerous voiceover productions, including SheZow , Kuu Kuu Harajuku , [25] Get Ace, Monster Beach's Television Movie, Australian-Canadian co-production Big Words, Small Stories, [26] often voicing multiple characters in each series. She also provided the voiceover work for Seven Network police operations series Police Strike Force.

Brennan has also voiced advertisements including BHP, Hungry Jack's, Lexus, GE Money and TAFE. [23]

Brennan has also narrated audiobooks, including "Blood River" (2019), "Wake" and "Ripper" (2023), the latter written by Shelley Burr. [27]

In 2018, Brennan was rewarded for her efforts with a Voice Over Award or 'VoVo' for 'Most Emotionally Powerful Delivery' for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre ad, "Prevent, Detect, Act". [28]

Personal life

Brennan is married to actor Ian Bliss, the two met in 1999 on the production of theatre play Silhouette. [29] Brennan in 2021 spoke with 9Honey's 'How We Met' video series and explained in detail how she met Ian and how he would drive Jacquie to rehearsal and bring her coffee, and how the two began a close bond during that time. Brennan and Bliss married in 2001 and have two children together. [30]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1987 Contagion TrishFilm [31]
1995 Babe Various voicesFeature film [32] [33]
2008Playing for CharlieVickyFilm
2010 Animal Kingdom Sandra LeckieFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1986Jackson's CrewGayeTV movie
1987Walter Dixon's WombatHarrietTV movie
1987–1988 Wombat Harriet2 episodes
1992, 1993 A Country Practice Amanda Morton / Ms. Janice Bamford2 episodes
1996 After the Beep Trish1 episode
1997 Murder Call Leonie1 episode
1997–1998 Bullpitt! Samantha MacDonald26 episodes
1998 Home and Away Nurse June WrenchEpisode 2299
1999 Wildside Karen Thompson1 episode [34]
2000, 2003 Stingers Gail Lynch / Hannah Hausman2 episodes
2001 Sit Down, Shut Up Helen Peters13 episodes [35]
BackBerner Various characters1 episode
2002 All Saints Phillipa McAlpine1 episode
White Collar Blue Ava Syme1 episode
2003 Temptation CathyTV movie [36]
2007 Dangerous Dean's motherTV series, 2 episodes [37]
2008 Canal Road NinaTV series, 1 episode [38]
Bed of Roses Anna Mayhew2 episodes [39]
City Homicide Bonnie Roper1 episode
The Hollowmen Mel12 episodes [40] [41]
2008–2009 Neighbours Det. Sgt. Michaela Morris12 episodes [42]
2010 Offspring Nurse Metcalf1 episode
Lil LarrakinsMaddie (voice)
2010–2012WakkavilleAunt Agnes (voice)26 episodes [43]
2011 Winners & Losers Gayleen Longbrook1 episode
2012 Dangerous Remedy HonTV movie
2012–2013 SheZow Sheila, Tara, Grilla, Null, Madame Curiador (voice a)26 episodes [44]
2013 Zuzu & the Supernuffs Various voices2 episodes
Upper Middle Bogan Celia1 episode
2013–2021 Wentworth Officer Linda MilesSeason 1–8 (b), 99 episodes [45]
2014 Monster Beach Amphibia (voice)TV movie [46]
Get Ace Mom / Reporter / Various (voices)Animated TV series [47]
2015 House Husbands Kerry the Tutor1 episode
Exchange Student Zero Queen Blackyard / Various7 episodes [48] [49]
2015–2018 Kuu Kuu Harajuku Colonel Spyke / Mauve Madison / Various (voices)156 episodes [50] [51]
2016 Molly 'Dot' Canteen LadyMiniseries, part 1
2017Operation ThailandNarratorTV documentary, 10 episodes [52]
True Story with Hamish & Andy Laura's MumSeason 1, episode 9
2018 Picnic at Hanging Rock Mrs. McCreadyMiniseries, season 1, episode 4
2019 Secret Bridesmaids's Business Kerri LaneMiniseries, 4 episodes [53]
2019, 2023 Five Bedrooms Denise Schaap2 episodes [54]
2020 Informer 3838 Christine HodsonMiniseries, parts 1 & 2 [55]
2021Big Words, Small StoriesSally Mander / Aunt Ria / Various (voices)65 episodes [56]
2022Police Strike ForceNarrator6 episodes [57]
2023 Safe Home Nicole1 episode [58]
Warnie Brigitte WarneMiniseries, 2 episodes

Other appearances

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2017Thinkergirls PodSelf1 episode [59]
2019Wentworth: Behind the BarsSelfTV Special
2020Wentworth: Behind the Bars 2SelfTV Special [60]
2021LadyParts TVSelf1 episode
Teal TalkSelf1 episode [61]
Wentworth UnlockedSelf / Linda MilesTV special [62]
2021-22Hot off the PressSelf2 episodes [63] [64]
2022Broad RadioSelf1 episode [65]
2023The Sounds of BaysideSelf1 episode [66]

Audio books

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2019Blood RiverNarratorAuthor: Tony Cavanaugh
2022WakeNarratorAuthor: Shelley Burr
2023RipperNarratorAuthor: Shelley Burr [67]
2025VanishNarratorAuthor: Shelley Burr [68]

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1986Room to MoveEllie La Boite Theatre [69]
CamilleUnderstudy Queensland Theatre Company [70]
1987 Away Understudy Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane [70]
Merry Wives of Windsor Ann Page Queensland Theatre Company [70]
1988 Bullshot Crummond Rosemary TN! Theatre Company [70]
Alligator JonesVarious charactersPolymedia [70]
Beach Blanket Tempest Annette TN! Theatre Company [70]
Crazies Comedy ClubCharacter Stand UpCrazies Comedy Club [70]
1989Popular MechanicalsTom Stout TN! Theatre Company [70]
Dinkum AssortedGlad Queensland Theatre Company [71]
Gerry Connolly ShowVarious charactersHocking & Woods [70]
1990Rosy ApplesKaren TN! Theatre Company [70]
Too Darn HotPriscilla Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne [70]
1991Who Shrunk SantaNarratorAlso Writer/Director
Dangerous When WetLolita La TouchéSit Down Comedy Club [70]
Ménage A Twah!Singing Comedy TrioHarold Park Hotel [70]
1994Sex The MusicalClaudiaHarold Park Hotel [70]
MiloPeg Sydney Theatre Company [70]
1995The HarlettesCocoAustralian tour [70]
Big Girls Don't CryCocoAlso Writer
1998MacquarieNarratorGovernment House [70]
1999SilhouetteWPC Leach Marian St Theatre, Sydney [70]
2001Are You Being Served?Miss Brahms Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane [70]

References

  1. ↑ "How We Met: 'He said if I made him a bread and butter pudding, he'd propose'". honey.nine.com.au. 25 April 2020. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "The Australian Live Performance Database". AusStage. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  3. ↑ Knox, David (30 September 2021). "Bullpitt! was politically incorrect, but it was meant to be politically incorrect". TV Tonight . Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  4. ↑ Knox, David (8 June 2008). "ABC announces Hollowmen think tank". TV Tonight . Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Jacqueline Brennan". Lisa Mann Creative Management. LMCM. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  6. 1 2 "The Australian Live Performance Database – Jacqueline Brennan". AusStage . Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  7. 1 2 "The Australian Live Performance Database – Jacquie Brennan 2". AusStage . Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  8. ↑ Knox, David (8 June 2008). "ABC announces Hollowmen think tank". TV Tonight . Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  9. ↑ At The Bar with Australian actress Jacqueline Brennan (thewritedrop.com.au)
  10. ↑ Knox, David (20 April 2020). "Underbelly role of a lifetime". TV Tonight . Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Cronin, Seanna. "Perfect Execution of a Scene was a Shock". The Chronicle. Retrieved 17 July 2022– via PressReader.
  12. ↑ Knox, David (21 September 2021). "From 8 days to 8 years, Jacquie Brennan reflects on Wentworth. | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  13. 1 2 Cohen, Liron (22 August 2021). "LADY PARTS PRESENTS: A CONVERSATION WITH ACTOR JACQUIE BRENNAN". LadyPartsTV. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "Drop everything – here's when Wentworth's final 10 episodes are coming!". Foxtel. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "Wentworth resumes production of season 8 part B this week". MediaWeek. 16 June 2020. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "Facebook – WentworthCon". Facebook . Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  17. ↑ Knox, David (20 September 2022). "The Wentworth community is very strong". TV Tonight . Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  18. ↑ "Jacquie Brennan NJ Announcement | 🚨 ATTENTION COMPOUND! 🚨 We have a very exciting Guest announcement for the Official #Wentworth Con New Jersey, scheduled for October 28–29, 2023 at the... | By Wentworth Con | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  19. ↑ "Instagram".
  20. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com . Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  21. ↑ Knox, David (9 November 2022). "Alex Williams to star as Shane Warne in Nine drama". TV Tonight . Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  22. ↑ Writer, Staff (31 May 2023). "Channel 9's 'Warnie' miniseries slammed as 'disgraceful'". news.com.au . Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Jacquie Brennan". scoutmanagement.com.au. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  24. ↑ McManus, Bridget (10 June 2016). "Voiceover artists: Who are the faces behind the familiar tones?". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "KuuKuu Harajuku series 1 (2016) – The Screen Guide". www.screenaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "Big Words Small Stories". ABC iview . Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  27. ↑ Murder Town.
  28. ↑ "2018 Who Got a VoVo – Most Emotionally Powerful Read: Jacqueline Brennan". VOVO Awards. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  29. ↑ Staff Writer (20 April 2021). "The Sydney Morning Herald : Informer 3838 star Jacquie Brennan recalls the start of her romance with fellow actor Ian Bliss". smh.com.au. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  30. ↑ Preston, Kahla (25 April 2020). "How We Met: 'He said if I made him a bread and butter pudding, he'd propose'". honey.nine.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  31. ↑ "The screen guide - CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". screenaustralia.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  32. ↑ "TV Guide - Jacqueline Brennan". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  33. ↑ "Babe (1995) Credits". behindthevoiceactors.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  34. ↑ "Australian Television: Wildside: guest stars". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  35. ↑ "The screen guide - CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS - Series 2". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  36. ↑ "Australian Television: The Cooks: Temptation (pilot)". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  37. ↑ "Australian Television: Dangerous: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  38. ↑ "Australian Television: Canal Road: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  39. ↑ "Australian Television: Bed of Roses: episode guide". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  40. ↑ "Australian Television: The Hollowmen". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  41. ↑ "The screen guide - CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  42. ↑ "The Perfect Blend – Guest Character Profiles: Michaela Morris: Jacqueline Brennan". The Perfect Blend. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  43. ↑ "Wakkaville (2009) - The Screen Guide". Screen Australia . Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  44. ↑ "The screen guide – CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  45. ↑ "Australian Television: Wentworth: series 1 cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  46. ↑ "The screen guide – CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  47. ↑ "The screen guide - CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  48. ↑ "Jacqueline Brennan (visual voices guide) – Behind The Voice Actors". behindthevoiceactors.com (Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources). Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  49. ↑ "Exchange Student Zero (2015) – The Screen Guide". Screen Australia . Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  50. ↑ "KuuKuu Harajuku series 1 (2016) – The Screen Guide". Screen Australia . Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  51. ↑ "The screen guide – CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  52. ↑ "The screen guide – CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  53. ↑ "Australian Television: Secret Bridesmaids' Business". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  54. ↑ "Australian Television: Five Bedrooms: cast: series 1". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  55. ↑ "Australian Television: Informer 3838: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  56. ↑ "The screen guide – CAST & CREW & PRODUCTION DETAILS". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  57. ↑ "Watch Police Strike Force Online: Free Streaming & Catch up TV in Australia". 7plus .
  58. ↑ "Safe Home (2023) – The Screen Guide". Screen Australia . Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  59. ↑ June, Stacey (8 October 2017). "The Thinkergirls Pod Channel: OLDIE EP 198: Jacquie Brennan Joins Thinkergirl: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts". applepodcasts.
  60. ↑ Know, David (23 July 2020). "Wentworth: Behind the bars promo | TV Tonight". TVTonight.
  61. ↑ Clark, Kiana. "Episode 3 - The Ties that Bind with Special Guest Jacquie Brennan!". Spreaker. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  62. ↑ Knox, David (4 August 2021). "Airdate: Wentworth Unlocked | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  63. ↑ Wentworth Live Chat with Jacquie Brennan, 19 January 2022, retrieved 3 November 2023
  64. ↑ Season One: Episode 4 live chat, 15 May 2022, retrieved 3 November 2023
  65. ↑ Stalney, Jo. "Chats and laughs - Broad Radio". broadradio.com.au. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  66. ↑ Harding, Alli (25 June 2023). "Jacquie Brennan on South of the River this Sunday – 88.3 Southern FM". Southern FM.
  67. ↑ Staff Writer. "Ripper Audiobook". audible.com. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  68. ↑ "VANISH". www.chirpbooks.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  69. ↑ "Room To Move". La Boite Theatre Company . Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  70. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Jacquie Brennan" (PDF). showcast.com.au. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  71. ↑ "Dinkum Assorted". Theatregold. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
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