Kate Atkinson (actress)

Last updated

Kate Atkinson
Kate Atkinson.png
Born (1972-06-28) 28 June 1972 (age 52)
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Australia
Occupation(s) Actress, voice artist, theatre actor
Years active1994–present
Notable work Wentworth , SeaChange , Underbelly: Vanishing Act
Height160 cm (5 ft 3 in)

Kate Atkinson (born 28 June 1972) [1] is an Australian film, television and theatre actress. She is best known for her roles on television series SeaChange [2] as police officer Karen Miller and Offspring as Renee. [3] From 2013 to 2021 she appeared in a regular role in Wentworth as Deputy Governor (later Governor) and Industries Manager Vera Bennett.

Contents

Atkinson has also had regular roles in the television series Fat Cow Motel, Blue Heelers , The Cooks and Kath & Kim . Film roles include Japanese Story , The Hard Word and The Jammed .

Biography

Atkinson was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on 28 June 1972 to an English mother and Tasmanian father. She was raised in Perth, Western Australia. She studied English at Curtin University in Perth from 1990 to 1993, earning a BA with a double major in theatre and film and television. [1]

Wentworth

Atkinson appeared in long running drama Wentworth as Vera Bennett from series 1 to the finale in 2021. [4] She reprised the role in 2020 when the series returned to production for series 8 after the show was renewed. Atkinson appeared in all 100 episodes of the show and was a part of the "100 club", alongside co-stars Jacquie Brennan, Katrina Milosevic and Robbie Magasiva, the "100 club" would receive a placard for their efforts. [5] Atkinson revealed in 2021 that she had planned to walk away from acting altogether before she was offered her role in Wentworth as she was studying a Masters in International Politics at the time and said "I'll do a season. But I don't know if this thing has legs." As she believed the show would not last more than a single season. [6]

In 2022 Atkinson appeared at the "Wentworth Con" fan convention in Melbourne alongside many others in the Wentworth cast and she also appeared frequently for events in the UK. [7]

Underbelly: Vanishing Act

In 2022 Channel 9 had announced that Atkinson was named as the lead for Underbelly: Vanishing Act as con woman Melissa Caddick. She was cast in the role as Caddick's story was of high public interest at the time and it was announced just weeks after Caddick had disappeared from her home, sparking a manhunt to find her. The mini series, which aired over two nights, told the story of Caddick's disappearance from a 'what if' angle as the investigation into her disappearance was still ongoing and Caddick's foot had washed up on a beach some weeks later. [8] After the show went to air Atkinson said "There was still a lot of hurt" for the victims of Caddick's crimes. [9] The show aired to mostly negative reviews, where some labeled the show 'in poor taste' and 'tacky'. [10] [11] [12]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000TrappedJackieShort
2002 The Hard Word Pamela
2003 Japanese Story Jackie
2007 The Jammed Gabi
2024The HoistShazShort

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1996 The Man from Snowy River Biddie O'Brien / Jeannie DrabbleRecurring role
1997 Blue Heelers Stacey Cooper / Stacey NorseRecurring role
State Coroner Ilana Summers"Final Approach"
1998–2000 SeaChange Karen MillerRegular role
2003TemptationRuthTV film
Fat Cow MotelCassie BrownMain role
CrashBurn Deb Wallington"Seven Letters or Less"
2003 Kath & Kim Clothing Store AssistantSeries 2, Episode 4
2004MotherSeries 3, Episode 2
2004–05 The Cooks Ruth O'NeillMain role
2006Doves of WarSophie Morgan"1.6"
Sinchronicity Helena"1.5", "1.6"
2009 Rush Freya"2.22"
2010 Sleuth 101 Jacqui"A Tan to Die For"
2010–2012 Offspring ReneeRecurring role (series 1–3)
2012 Jack Irish: Black Tide Simone BendtsonTV film
2013 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Monica Patterson"Still Waters"
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Maude Ashmead"Death Comes Knocking"
2013–2021 Wentworth Vera Bennett Main role 100 episodes [13]
2016 Molly MotherTV miniseries
2016–2021 Jack Irish SimoneRegular role [14]
2022 Underbelly: Vanishing Act Melissa Caddick Main role 2 episodes [15]

Self /podcast appearances

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2022Isolation InterviewsSelfPodcast [16]
2022Hot off the PressSelfPodcast [17]
2021Nova 100SelfPodcast / Radio [18]
Wentworth UnlockedSelfTV special [19] [20]
2020Wentworth: Behind the Bars 2SelfTV special [21]
2019Wentworth: Behind the BarsSelfTV special
2017Interrogation RoomSelfPodcast [22]

Stage

In 2016 Atkinson appeared in Melbourne Theatre Company production Lungs., [23] Atkinson returned to the MTC in 2017 for its production of Three Little Words. [24]

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024I'm With HerJulia Gillard
2017Three Little WordsAnnieMTC
2016LungsWMTC
2015The Waiting RoomSue / Catrina / RobinMTC
2010Becky ShawBecky ShawEchelon
2009RockabyeJuliaMTC
2007Romantic ComedyPhoebe CraddockUK Tour
2005Serial KillersSimoneDerby Playhouse

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Ritchie</span> Australian actress, radio presenter, and childrens author (born 1978)

Katherine Leigh Ritchie is an Australian actress, radio presenter, and children's author. She is best known for her long-running role as original character Sally Fletcher on the television soap opera Home and Away, for which she won two Gold Logie awards. She played the character for 20 years, appearing from the pilot episode in 1988 until 2008. She currently co-hosts Nova 96.9's breakfast show Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie alongside Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli. Ritchie was part of Nova FM's national drive show, Kate, Tim & Joel with Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey from 2014 until 2023.

Valerie Kathleen Lehman is an Australian actress and director, best known locally and internationally for her role as the antagonist "Top Dog" and self-styled Queen Bea Smith in the Australian TV series Prisoner for the first five series from 1979 until 1983 for 356 episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeanna Walsman</span> Australian actress

Leeanna Walsman is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role as Zam Wesell in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), and for her roles in the 2000 film Looking for Alibrandi and the television series Wentworth. She was nominated for both AACTA and Logie awards for her role in Emmy Award-winning series Safe Harbour.

Kevin Harrington is an Australian stage, television and film actor and comedian who is perhaps best known for his roles as Kevin Findlay on the Australian drama SeaChange in the 1990s and as David Bishop on the soap opera Neighbours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy MacIntosh</span> Australian actress

Tammy MacIntosh is an Australian actress known for portraying Dr. Charlotte Beaumont in the medical drama All Saints and Jool in the TV series Farscape. She is also known for her roles on television series The Flying Doctors, Police Rescue, Sea Patrol, the television film McLeod's Daughters which led to the acclaimed drama series of the same title, and played the role of Kaz Proctor in the prison drama series Wentworth, until her departure in June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonia Kruger</span> Australian television presenter and media personality

Sonia Melissa Kruger is an Australian Gold Logie award-winning television presenter, actress and media personality, who has been a prominent figure in the media for over 20 years. Kruger is currently the host of Big Brother Australia and a presenter on The Voice Australia. She is best known for co-hosting the popular Australian version of Dancing with the Stars and for the role of Tina Sparkle in the dark 1992 film Strictly Ballroom, Kruger has also been a co-host of breakfast program Today Extra.

Kate Jenkinson is an Australian actress, known for her various roles on The Wedge, as well as her role of Kendall Quinn on Super Fun Night. She is known for her role as Allie Novak in the Australian TV series Wentworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susie Porter</span> Australian actress

Susie Porter is an Australian television, film and theatre actress. She made her debut in the 1996 film Idiot Box, before rising to prominence in films including Paradise Road (1997), Welcome to Woop Woop (1997), Two Hands (1999), Better Than Sex (2000), The Monkey's Mask (2000), Mullet (2001), Teesh and Trude (2002), and The Caterpillar Wish (2006). Porter is also highly recognised for her roles in television series, most notably, as Patricia Wright in East West 101, Eve Pritchard in East of Everything, as Kay Parker in Sisters of War, and as Marie Winter in the prison drama, Wentworth.

Jane Hall is an Australian actress, comedian, writer and presenter. She is best known for playing Rebecca Napier on the soap opera Neighbours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celia Ireland</span> Australian actress

Celia Ireland is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role as Regina Butcher on the television series All Saints and her Logie award winning role as Liz Birdsworth on the prison drama series Wentworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Curry</span> Australian actor (born 1974)

Bernard Curry is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Jake Stewart in Wentworth, Luke Handley in Neighbours and Hugo Austin in Home and Away.

Leah Vandenberg is a New Zealand-born Australian theatre, television, and film actress. She has appeared in many well-known Australian productions, including the award-winning Netflix series The Letdown and SBS drama The Hunting. She received an ASTRA nomination for "Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor-Female" in the comedy series Stupid, Stupid Man. She is a presenter on the long-running ABC television program Play School, a role she maintains today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole da Silva</span> Australian actress

Nicole da Silva is an Australian actress, best known for her roles as Stella Dagostino in the series Rush (2008–2011), and as Franky Doyle in the show Wentworth. She has made appearances in series such as Carla Cametti PD (2009) and Doctor Doctor (2016–2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katrina Milosevic</span> Australian actress

Katrina Milosevic is an Australian actress who has appeared in many television programs and theatre productions, including a starring role in the prison drama series Wentworth as Sue 'Boomer' Jenkins. and as Sophie Novak on Police Drama Stingers.

<i>Wentworth</i> (TV series) Australian television series

Wentworth is an Australian television drama series. It was first broadcast on SoHo on 1 May 2013, and it concluded on Fox Showcase with its 100th episode on 26 October 2021. The series serves as a contemporary reimagining of Prisoner, which ran on Network Ten from 1979 to 1986. Lara Radulovich and David Hannam developed Wentworth from Reg Watson's original concept. The series is set in the modern day and initially focuses on Bea Smith's early days in prison and her subsequent rise to the top of the prison's hierarchy. From the fifth season onward, the series shifted to emphasize more of an ensemble format.

Bert La Bonté is an Australian stage, film and television actor. With a career that has spanned over 20 years, La Bonté's most known roles include Five Bedrooms, The Newsreader and many more.

Rarriwuy Hick is an Aboriginal Australian award-winning actress, known for her roles in the television series Redfern Now, Cleverman, Wentworth and True Colours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Box</span> Australian actress

Kate Box is an Australian stage, film, and television actress. She is known for her roles as Nicole Vargas in Rake, Lou Kelly in Wentworth, and as Dulcie Collins in Deadloch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacqueline Brennan</span> Australian actress

Jacqueline Brennan is an Australian stage, television and film actress with a career that has spanned over 30 years. Brennan has appeared in television, film, theatre and voice-over roles. Jacquie Brennan is known for her roles in Bullpitt!, The Hollowmen, and her most known role in Australian award-winning TV Drama Wentworth as Officer Linda 'Smiles' Miles.

Underbelly: Vanishing Act is a television miniseries based on the story of Melissa Caddick's disappearance. It first aired on the Nine Network in April 2022. It was the seventh season of the true crime anthology series Underbelly. It was written by Matt Ford and Michael Miller.

References

  1. 1 2 "Showcast - Kate Atkinson". Showcast.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. ↑ "Sea Change - Karen Miller". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Australian Television: Offspring". Australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Pobjie, Ben (25 August 2021). "Kate Atkinson planned to walk away from acting. Wentworth changed that". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Knox, David. "Wentworth wraps filming | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  6. ↑ Pobjie, Ben (25 August 2021). "Kate Atkinson planned to walk away from acting. Wentworth changed that". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  7. ↑ ""The Wentworth community is very strong" | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  8. ↑ Vnuk, Helen. "EXCLUSIVE: Kate Atkinson reveals the toughest part of playing alleged conwoman Melissa Caddick on Underbelly: Vanishing Act". Now To Love. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "Kate Atkinson on playing Melissa Caddick in Underbelly: Vanishing Act". www.nine.com.au. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  10. ↑ https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/the-first-episode-of-melissa-caddicks-underbelly-has-been-slammed/news-story/b9a55978ef81cfbcb0d87e4fdce86b6a?amp
  11. ↑ https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/latest-season-of-underbelly-sparks-crazy-melissa-caddick-theories/news-story/64ccc0548ea35b66485fc4a7551033cf?amp
  12. ↑ Jack, Amberleigh. "tvs-underbelly-take-on-melissa-caddick-mystery-in-poor-taste-and-too-soon". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Australian Television: Wentworth". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Australian Television: Jack Irish". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Australian Television: Underbelly: Vanishing Act [Part 1]". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  16. ↑ Matthew Rolland (17 January 2022). Isolation Interviews Episode 119 (Kate Atkinson) . Retrieved 22 July 2024– via YouTube.
  17. ↑ SCREEN STAR EVENTS (12 March 2022). Wentworth Live Chat with Pamela Rabe and Kate Atkinson . Retrieved 22 July 2024– via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Natasha Graver (11 October 2021). Kate Atkinson's Interview with the Chrissie, Sam & Browny show on Nova 100 (Melbourne) . Retrieved 22 July 2024– via YouTube.
  19. ↑ "Wentworth Unlocked | TV Tonight". 16 August 2021.
  20. ↑ "Airdate: Wentworth Unlocked | TV Tonight". 4 August 2021.
  21. ↑ "Wentworth: Behind the bars promo | TV Tonight". 23 July 2020.
  22. ↑ Wentworth France (25 June 2017). Wentworth S5; Kate atkinson (Vera Bennett) Interviews . Retrieved 22 July 2024– via YouTube.
  23. ↑ Wilson, Sean (5 February 2016). "Wentworth's Kate Atkinson talks about performing in Lungs at Arts Centre Melbourne". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  24. ↑ Woodhead, Cameron (23 April 2017). "Three Little Words: A misery-go-round caught between comedy and contemplation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.