Luke Carroll

Last updated

Luke Carroll
Born
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Education Marcellin College Randwick
OccupationActor
Years active1991–present
Known for Australian Rules (2002)
The Alice (2005)
Play School
Children2

Luke Carroll is an Australian stage, television, and film actor. He is known for his role in the television drama The Alice (2005), and as a host of the children's program Play School .

Contents

Early life and education

Luke Carroll was born in Sydney [1] and grew up in the suburb of Woolloomooloo. [2] He is an Aboriginal Australian man of the Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal peoples. [3]

Carroll was the class clown at primary school, which got the attention of his year three relief teacher, who set up a meeting with an acting agent for him in North Bondi. [2] Carroll then attended Marcellin College Randwick. [4]

Career

Television and film

Carroll got his start on television in the early 1990s, in the children's series Lift Off! . [2] He had guest roles in several other Australian series, including The Flying Doctors , The Man from Snowy River , G.P. , Ocean Girl , All Saints , Water Rats and Heartbreak High , [5] before he landed his break with a leading role as Dumby Red, opposite Nathan Phillips in the 2002 football drama film Australian Rules . His portrayal saw him nominated for an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor. [6] [7] He followed this with a lead role in the POV competition short film Free, winning the award for best actor. [6]

Carroll then had regular roles in several Australian television dramas, including The Alice (2005) playing the role of Michael Anderson [6] and the miniseries RAN (2006) as Paul Gabui. [6] In 2007, he co-hosted (together with Cathy Freeman) Going Bush, a documentary travel show for SBS Television, taking over from Deborah Mailman, after she vacated the hosting position, to have her first child. [8] That same year, Carroll had a recurring role as intern doctor Lewis Rigg, in long-running soap opera Home and Away . [9]

In 2008, Carroll appeared opposite Rose Byrne and Hugo Weaving in 2008 film The Tender Hook , playing the role of Alby O'Shea. [10] The film was renamed The Boxer and the Bombshell for the American market. The following year, he starred as Eddie in the Aboriginal stoner comedy film Stone Bros. , [11] and also had a role in comedy drama film Subdivision , opposite Brooke Satchwell, Gary Sweet and Steve Bisley. [12] In 2010, he portrayed Nelson in horror film Needle , alongside Michael Dorman, Travis Fimmel and Ben Mendelsohn. [13]

Carroll hosted indigenous awards ceremony The Deadlys , for SBS in 2010. [14] That same year, he began a long-running association with children's television series Play School , as presenter, over a 12-year period. [15] [16] [17]

In 2015, Carroll featured opposite Nicole Kidman and Joseph Fiennes in drama suspense film Strangerland , playing the role of Darrell. [18]

Carroll landed the role of Tim Billiberliary in big budget Disney+ series The Artful Dodger in 2023. The series serves as a follow up to Oliver Twist , but set in 1850s Australia. [19] [2] [20] He reprised the role in the second season in 2025. [21] Carroll also had a recurring role as Jonny in Mystery Road: Origin , the 2025 second season of Mystery Road . [22] He was named as part of the cast for the second season of Scrublands , [23] going on to play the part of Scotty Waaliti. [24] In June 2025, he was named in the cast for ABC drama miniseries Goolagong . [25] The biopic, chronicling the career of tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley premiered in January 2026, with Carroll in the role of Kenny Goolagong. [26]

Carroll is part of the presenting team of Channel Seven's Sydney Weekender . [27] He has also appeared in an Australian Government advertisement about being "Climate Clever",[ citation needed ] as well as advertisements for Colgate and Nestle Quik. [5]

Stage

Carroll has made many appearances in theatre, [28] including a 2013 Yirra Yaakin / Belvoir production of Bob Merritt's 1975 play about Aboriginal life on a mission, The Cake Man . [29] In 2018 and 2019, he toured with Nakkiah Lui's Black is the New White. [28]

In 2022, Carroll played a lead role in the Belvoir production of Nathan Maynard's play At What Cost?. The play had its world premiere at the Belvoir in Sydney in February 2022 and toured to Adelaide in June, presented by the State Theatre Company of South Australia, [30] [31] before going on to Hobart. [32]

Awards and recognition

YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.
2002 Australian Rules AFI Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated [33] [5]
Film Critics Cicle Awards Best Supporting ActorNominated [5]
FreePOV competitionBest ActorWon [5] [6]
2005 The Alice The Deadly Awards Male Actor of the YearNominated[ citation needed ]
2006 RAN AFI Awards Best Guest or Supporting Actor in Television Drama Nominated [5]
2008Luke Carroll Bob Maza Fellowship Emerging Acting TalentAwarded [34]
2009 Stone Bros. Deadly Awards Male Actor of the YearWon [35]
2013 Redfern Now Deadly Awards Male Actor of the YearWon [36]
Redfern Now (episode 6: "Pretty Boy Blue") AACTA Awards Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama Nominated [37]
2014 The Cake Man Helpmann Awards Best Male Actor in a PlayNominated [38]
2020Black Cockatoo BroadwayWorld Sydney Awards Best Actor in a Play – ProfessionalNominated [39]
2024 The Artful Dodger Equity Ensemble Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNominated [40]
2026 Mystery Road: Origin AACTA Awards Best Supporting Actor in a DramaNominated [41]

Other activities

As of April 2024, Carroll is ambassador for Education, Action & Change, a resource pack for schools, at Reconciliation SA. [3]

Personal life

Carroll is a supporter of rugby league club the South Sydney Rabbitohs. [42] [43]

Carroll has two sons, [44] one of whom was the first baby born in Sydney in 2014. [43] He had his oldest son with his first girlfriend when he was 22. His second-born son is thirteen years younger. He also has two stepdaughters. [2]

Filmography

Source: [5]

Film

YearTitleRoleTypeRef.
1994 Dallas Doll BoyFeature film
1998TearsVaughnShort film [45]
2002 Australian Rules Dumby RedFeature film [6] [7]
FreeShort film [6]
2004 The Alice Michael AndersonTV movie
The New BootsDe LisleShort film
2008 The Tender Hook Alby "Othello" O'SheaFeature film [10]
2009 Stone Bros. EddieFeature film [11]
Subdivision Feature film [12]
2010 Needle NelsonFeature film [13]
The Biggest PortLukie SweetHeatShort film
2012WoolloChris OlsenTV movie
2015 Strangerland DarrellFeature film [18]
2018 The Nightingale ArchieFeature film
2019Twelfth RoundShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleTypeRef.
1991 The Flying Doctors Cameron1 episode
1992 Lift Off Paul3 episodes
Lift Off: The Story of E.C PaulTV special, 1 episode
Six Pack Felix1 episode
1993–2007 Home and Away Lewis Rigg / Buyer No.112 episodes
1994 G.P. Tony Thompson2 episodes
Heartland Jason SuttonMiniseries, 8 episodes
Sky Trackers Simon Tjapiljari1 episode
1995 Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Sam Murray1 episode
1996 Naked: Stories of Men Buddy1 episode
1997 Ocean Girl Bobby1 episode
1999 All Saints Seb1 episode
Water Rats Courier1 episode
Heartbreak High Mo6 episodes
2003 Stingers Alan Kelly1 episode
2005 The Alice Michael Anderson22 episodes [6]
2006 RAN Paul GaibuiMiniseries, 6 episodes [6]
2007Going BushCo-host (with Cathy Freeman) [8]
2009 Heartbeat Nev2 episodes
2009–2022 Play School Host56 episodes
2012 Redfern Now Lenny Brewster1 episode
2014 The Gods of Wheat Street Wayne3 episodes
2016–2020 Black Comedy Uncle Dave6 episodes
2019 Total Control RobSeason 1
Upright Constable BrettSeason 1
2021 Preppers Quincy1 episode
2022Grey NomadsYarran Charles6 episodes
MaveriX Murray Peterson6 episodes
Significant Others IanMiniseries, 1 episode
2023–2026 The Artful Dodger Tim Billiberliary16 episodes [19] [2] [20] [21]
2025 Mystery Road: Origin Jonny6 episodes [22]
Scrublands: Silver Scotty Waaliti4 episodes [24]
2026 Goolagong Kenny GoolagongMiniseries, 3 episodes [26]

Theatre

Source: [28]

YearTitleRoleTheatreRef.
2001–2002The Cherry PickersLead Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC & UK tour [6] [5]
2002 The Dreamers Shane Wallich Belvoir, Sydney [5]
No Sugar Juvenile Lead [5]
Purple DreamsSupport role [5]
My GirragundjiLeadAustralian tour with Bell Shakespeare [5]
2003Conversations with the DeadLead Belvoir, Sydney [5]
2004 A Midsummer Night's Dream Puck [6]
Eora CrossingLead Museum of Sydney [5]
RiverlandLead Adelaide Festival [5]
2006CapricorniaNorman York Theatre, Sydney [5] [46]
2013 Mother Courage and Her Children Eilif Playhouse, Brisbane [5]
The Cake Man Sweet WilliamStudio Underground Perth, Belvoir, Sydney with Yirra Yaakin [5]
201420 Questions Belvoir, Sydney
2014–2015Black DiggersLeadAustralian tour [5]
2015 The Wind in the Willows Ratty / Mole / Badger / Toad Roundhouse Theatre, Brisbane with La Boite [5] [47]
Battle of WaterlooRay Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [5]
2016The HangingDetective Flint [5] [48]
2017The SeasonLead Sydney Opera House, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne [5]
2017–2018Black is the New WhiteNarratorAustralian tour with STC [5]
2018 The Harp in the South Various STC [5]
2019 The Torrents Kingsley Myers Black Swan Theatre Co
2020Black CockatooCurator Ensemble Theatre, Sydney [5] [49]
2021–2023Sunshine Super GirlLarryAustralian tour [5] [50]
2022At What Cost?Boyd Mansell Belvoir, Sydney [51] [5]
2023 The Visitors Gordon Sydney Opera House & NSW tour [52]

References

  1. ↑ "Luke Carroll, Acting The Part". Deadly Vibe. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "How Luke Carroll Dads - The "beautiful challenge" of parenting in a blended family and what Play School has taught him about kids". howotherdadsdad.com. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Education, Action & Change" (video + text). Reconciliation SA . 25 April 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "Books in Homes at Bridge Road". Bridge Road School. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  5. 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 "Actor profile | Luke Carroll". showcast.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "The Alice: characters". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Australian Rules – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Cathy Freeman | Going Bush". deadlyvibe.com.au. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Guest Cast | Lewis Rigg". backtothebay.net. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  10. 1 2 "The Tender Hook – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Stone Bros – Full Cast & Crew". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Subdivision – Full Cast & Crew". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Needle – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  14. ↑ The 2008 Deadlys Archived 6 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ "Play School Presenters|".
  16. ↑ "2014's firstborn delivered on cue". January 2014.
  17. ↑ "Luke Carroll joins cast of ABC's Play School". IF Magazine . 21 September 2010.
  18. 1 2 "Strangerland – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  19. 1 2 "The Artful Dodger – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Artful Dodger, The series 1". Screen Australia . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Artful Dodger, The series 2". Screen Australia . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Mystery Road: Origin – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  23. ↑ Slatter, Sean (4 June 2024). "Luke Carroll, Debra Lawrance, David Roberts head west for 'Scrublands: Silver'". IF Magazine . Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  24. 1 2 "Scrublands – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  25. ↑ Knox, David (27 June 2025). "Goolagong new drama filming for ABC | TV Tonight". TV Tonight . Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  26. 1 2 "'Goolagong' (Trailer)". IF Magazine . 3 December 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  27. ↑ "Luke Carroll". Celebrity Speakers.
  28. 1 2 3 "Luke Carroll". AusStage . 9 October 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  29. ↑ "Robert Merritt's The Cake Man makes WA debut" (Text, photos, audio.). Radio National . 8 November 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  30. ↑ "At What Cost?". State Theatre Company. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  31. ↑ "At What Cost? State Theatre Company SA". Australian Stage Online. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  32. ↑ Meegan, Genevieve (9 June 2023). "At What Cost? is a play that pulls no punches". InReview . Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  33. ↑ "2002 AFI Awards". Australian Television. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  34. ↑ "Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years". Screen Australia . 4 June 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  35. ↑ "The Deadlys 2009 Finalists". Vibe Australia. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  36. ↑ "Deadly Awards: List of winners". SBS. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  37. ↑ Knox, David (3 December 2012). "AACTA Awards 2013: nominees". AACTA . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  38. ↑ "Past nominees and winners | Theatre". Helpmann Awards . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  39. ↑ "2020 BroadwayWorld Sydney Awards". equityfoundation.org.au. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  40. ↑ "Finalists announced for 2024 Equity Ensemble Awards". Equity Foundation. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  41. ↑ "Winners & nominees | 2026 AACTA Awards". AACTA . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  42. ↑ "My Souths Story – Luke Carroll". rabbitohs.com.au. 22 November 2018.
  43. 1 2 Bodkin, Peter (2 January 2014). "Enzo, the son of actor and Play School presenter Luke Carroll, is Sydney's first baby of 2014".
  44. ↑ "Luke Carroll". invigorateconference.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  45. ↑ "Tears – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  46. ↑ Kary, David. "The Capricornia". sydneyartsguide.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  47. ↑ "The Wind in the Willows". La Boite Theatre Company . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  48. ↑ Hennessy, Kate (4 August 2016). "The Hanging (Sydney Theatre Company)". limelight-arts.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "Black Cockatoo" (PDF). Ensemble Theatre . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  50. ↑ "Sunshine Super Girl". stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  51. ↑ "At What Cost?". Belvoir St Theatre . Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  52. ↑ "Review: The Visitors (Sydney Theatre Company)". suzygoessee.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
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