Nicholas Hope

Last updated

Nicholas Hope
Born1959 (age 6566)
Manchester, England
Education University of Sydney
OccupationActor
Known for Bad Boy Bubby (1993)

Nicholas Hope is a British-born Australian actor, director and teacher of acting, most notable for his performance as the lead role in the 1993 film Bad Boy Bubby .

Contents

Early life and education

Born in 1959, [1] in Manchester, England, [1] Hope's family emigrated to the steel and he was raised in shipbuilding town of Whyalla, South Australia. [1] In 2010, he gained a PhD in Performance Studies at The University of Sydney. [2] In 2014, he was teacher of direction and acting for Film, at the Sydney Film School, [2] and was Head of Acting at the International Screen Academy, Sydney. [2]

Career

Hope's first foray into live performance was as a bass player in a variety of rock bands around the in the 1970s and 1980s. [3]

He started his acting career, working in many productions for the State Theatre Company of South Australia. [1] He had only starred in one short film, before he got his big break [1] when he played the lead role of Bubby in 1993 cult crime comedy-drama film Bad Boy Bubby , [4] [5] written and directed by Rolf de Heer. The role won him several best actor accolades, at the Australian Film Institute Awards, the Venice Film Festival in 1993, and France's Valenciennes Film Festival in 1995. [1]

In 1998, Hope was nominated for best supporting actor at the Amanda Awards for his performance in the Norwegian film En dag til i solen (1998). [2]

Subsequent film credits include The Goddess of 1967 (2000), [6] alongside Rose Byrne, family film Scooby-Doo (2002), opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr., The Night We Called It a Day (2003), with Joel Edgerton, Dennis Hopper and Melanie Griffith, creature thriller Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004) and Australian drama film Lost and Found (2005). [1] Later films include The Daughter (2015), [6] with Sam Neill and Geoffrey Rush, The School (2018), [7] The Invisible Man (2020) [6] alongside Elisabeth Moss and directed by Leigh Whannell, Moon Rock for Monday (2020) [8] and The Drover's Wife (2021), [3] opposite Leah Purcell.

He played lead roles in the 2012 films Redd Inc and Double Happiness Uranium. [6] He received a Film Critics Circle of Australia nomination for best actor in a supporting role for his role as Joseph in Ivan Sen's 2023 film, Limbo . [9]

Hope has also starred in numerous television series. He made early appearances in G.P. , Blue Heelers , Farscape and Beastmaster . He starred in the award-winning 2001 miniseries Changi , as well as Gallipoli (2014) and Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018). His other television credits include Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries , Offspring , Janet King , Ash Vs Evil Dead , Operation Buffalo , The Twelve , The Secrets She Keeps , The Messenger , The Artful Dodger , Black Snow and Ten Pound Poms . [6]

Hope is also a writer, director and producer. He made his writer/director debut with the play Little Gods in 2013. The following year, he directed Four Places for Outhouse Theatre, and in 2015 he directed his own play Five Properties of Chainmale for Griffin Theatre Company. [9] [10] [11] He directed the short film Like Gold (2017), and produced the 2019 short film The Reckoning of Christian Spencer. [9] [3]

Hope recounted his experiences in the film industry – including his failure to secure main roles – in his 2004 memoir "Brushing the Tip of Fame". [1]

Recognition and awards

A portrait of Hope appears in the National Portrait Gallery. [1]

Awards

YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.
1994 Bad Boy Bubby Australian Film Institute Awards Best Actor in a Leading RoleWon [5]
Australian Cinematographers Society Won [1]
1993 Venice Film Festival CIAC (Popular) Prize for Best PerformanceWon [1] [12]
1995Valenciennes Film FestivalBest ActorWon [1]
The Colour of Panic100 0g Nå’ Ibsen CentenaryWriting PrizeWon [12]
2018Jade of DeathDenver Series-FestBest ActorWon [9]
2024 Limbo Film Critics Circle of Australia Best Actor in a Supporting RoleNominated [9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989Confessor CaressorMichael Freely
1993 Bad Boy Bubby Bubby [2]
1994 Exile MacKenzie
1995 The Life of Harry Dare Kevin
1996 Little White Lies
North Star Sheriff Lamont
Lust and Revenge Karl-Heinz Applebaum
1997Applied Mathematics: Questions 1 to 10John MayShort film
Henry Fool Father Hawkes
1998 En dag til i solen Windy [2]
1999The Darkest LightFather Mark
2000Når mørket er forbiEdvin
Mother Said (a Year Younger)Short film
The Goddess of 1967 Grandpa
2001Happy Mother's DayDadShort film
2002HarveyShort film
Scooby-Doo Old Man Smithers
2003 Paradise Found Maurrin
The 13th HouseMan from the 14th Floor
The Flaming BrainEricShort film
The Night We Called It a Day Phil
Collier Brothers SyndromeLangley CollierShort film
2004 Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid Christian Van Dyke
2006 Uro Dealeren
Sharp TurnThe StrangerShort film
Lost and FoundEbeneezer Wrench
2007 Bitter Flowers (aka Varg Veum - Bitre blomster)Warren Donaldson
2008LønsjReataurantør
En perfekt dag for golfJulius the English golferShort film
OvumShort film
2010The PassportInspector FlorezShort film
ComplicityManShort film
All at SeaEric
2012ButterfliesDalton HearstShort film
Redd Inc. Thomas Reddmann
DecrepitLawrence WrinkleShort film
2013Double Happiness UraniumReuben Henschke
Greg's First DayBernardShort film
2014PermafrostMaxShort film
FadeGerryShort film
2015 The Daughter Peterson
Truth Marcel Matley
2016SandwichLarryShort film
2017Maurice's SymphonyMr FerkShort film
Event ZeroLangston Charlesworth
2018 The School Dr. Peter Masuta
Book WeekKen Cutler
Slam Pete the Journalist
2019 Dark Place BossAnthology film, segment: "Scout"
Henry Needs a New HomeHenryShort film
ForeclosureHaywoodShort film
2020 The Invisible Man Head Doctor
Moon Rock for Monday The Bobbins
Over the EdgeOfficer BlazeShort film
The Story of Lee PingSlaterShort film
2021 The Drover's Wife Judge Eisenmangher
The SuspectDetective CarverShort film
CollectorsSebastianShort film
2022The Home TeamDarrenShort film
Lustration VR – Series 1Short film
LeanRobertShort film
2023 Limbo Joseph
Contagion of FearLangston Charlesworth
Pasifika DriftDarrylShort film
2024ExposureGlenShort film
Kangaroo Island Barnaby Roberts
ElectricUgo CerlettiShort film
2025The TrialMiltonShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987FrontierSir George PippsMiniseries, 3 episodes
1994 Blue Heelers Father Leary1 episode
G.P. Ray1 episode
1996 Little White Lies BarrettTV movie
Eldorado RockoTV movie
1998Getting HurtEdgar / Viola's husbandTV movie
Bugs Yerevenkian1 episode
2000 Beastmaster Khadros1 episode
2000–2001 Farscape Akkpr / Kreetago5 episodes
2001 Changi Guillaume KoperMiniseries, 6 episodes
2002Don't Blame the KoalasVideo Shop Owner1 episode
2004FallenChief Supt, EdridgeTV movie
2005GrangeTV movie short
2006 Who Killed Dr Bogle and Mrs Chandler? Geoffrey ChandlerTV movie
2007 Varg Veum Warren Donaldson1 episode
2008ResistanceStephen Hope1 episode
The Prime Minister is Missing William McMahon TV documentary film
2009Rogue NationJudge Advocate Richard Atkins1 episode
3 Acts of Murder Harry ManningTV movie
2010 Rake Professor Aden Sinclair1 episode
2011 Wild Boys Morris McLardy1 episode
The Bedou KeyBedouin BrotherVideo short
2013 Offspring Tadgh Reid2 episodes
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Geoffrey Spall1 episode
2015 Gallipoli Major General Walter Braithwaite 7 episodes
Mary: The Making of a Princess Per ThornittTV movie
2016 Janet King Justice Felton2 episodes
Soul Mates Caveman Bob6 episodes
Ash vs Evil Dead Professor Raymond KnowbySeason 2, 2 episodes
2017 Cleverman Dr. Mitchell3 episodes
2018ChosenThe Box Maker2 episodes
Picnic at Hanging Rock Colonel FitzhubertMiniseries, 4 episodes
Jade of DeathWilkins6 episodes
2019 Random and Whacky Nigel10 episodes
The Hunting Principal Fischer1 episode
Les Norton PriestMiniseries, 1 episode
2020 Operation Buffalo Dr Breston5 episodes
Deadhouse DarkDavid Souris2 episodes
2020; 2022 The Secrets She Keeps Brother Bowler5 episodes
2021 Born to Spy Mr Potts6 episodes
2022 The Twelve Mr Isaacs1 episode
2023 Crazy Fun Park Neville Moore1 episode
The Messenger BernieMiniseries, 2 episodes
The Artful Dodger Justice Micawber2 episodes
2023–2025 Black Snow Tommy Cormack / Tommy Doyle6 episodes
2024 Nautilus Dr Skinny1 episode
2025 Ten Pound Poms Stanley1 episode

Theatre

As cast

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1989 The Rover STCSA [13]
1993 The School for Scandal Snake Playhouse, Adelaide with STCSA [14]
1996 Simpatico Vinnie Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [15]
2004Bima & BramatiBima (lead)Det Apne Theater, Oslo / Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh [6] [16]
2005This Little PiggyThe Eagle Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC [6]
2006The Colour of PanicBalder (lead) Sydney Opera House, Det Apne Theater, Oslo with Splinter Theatre Company [6] [17]
2007 2,000 Feet Away Byron Belvoir St Theatre with B Sharp & Frogbattleship [6] [18]
2010 Way to Heaven Red Cross Representative Stables Theatre, Sydney with Ride On Theatre / Griffin Theatre Company [6] [19]
2012 The Mousetrap Major MetcalfAustralian tour [20]

As writer

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2006The Colour of PanicBalder (lead) Sydney Opera House, Det Apne Theater, Oslo with Splinter Theatre Company [12]
2013Little GodsWriter / DirectorMay Day Playwrights Festival [12]
2014Four PlacesDirector Tap Gallery, Sydney with Outhouse Theatre Company [21]
2014The Dixie Swim ClubWriterHeidelberg Theatre Company [22]
2015Five Properties of ChainmaleWriter / Director Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company [10] [11]
2021Always a BridesmaidWriterPavilion Theatre, Castle Hill with Castle Hill Players [23]
2022Till Beth Do Us PartWriterThe 1812 Theatre, Ferntree Gully with Theatrematters [24]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Nicholas Hope, b. 1959". National Portrait Gallery . Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "AUTHORS: Nicholas Hope". triarchypress.net. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Film Spotlight: An Exclusive Look at Over The Edge". www.filmcentralmagazine.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  4. "Bad Boy Bubby (1993)". AllMovie . Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Interview: 'Bad Boy Bubby' Star Nicholas Hope Talks About Starring in the Controversial Aussie Cult Classic". Screen Realm. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Nicholas Hope". www.sjmanagement.com.au. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  7. Jeremy, Kay (3 April 2017). "Production underway on supernatural thriller 'The School'". Screen Daily.
  8. Free, Erin (8 September 2021). "Moon Rock For Monday - Review". FilmInk . Archived from the original on 12 April 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Jeremy, Kay. "Nicholas Hope: Writer / Actor / Director". Western Australia Screen Culture Awards . Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  10. 1 2 "A Quick Chat With Nicholas Hope". www.aussietheatre.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Five Properties of Chainmale". www.griffintheatre.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Week 3: Little Gods". www.maydayplaywrightsfestival.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  13. "Guide to the State Theatre Company of South Australia: programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia". National Library of Australia . Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  14. "The School for Scandal". Theatregold. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  15. Doyle, Brendan (17 April 1996). "Fractured characters in an invisible world". Green Left, Issue 227.
  16. Walker, Lynne (11 August 2004). "Bima and Bramati, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh". www.independent.co.uk .
  17. "The Colour of Panic @ Studio Theatre, Sydney Opera House". www.kazumichi.com. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  18. Barry, Helen (10 November 2007). "2,000 Feet Away – Frogbattleship / B Sharp". wwwaustralianstage.com.au.
  19. Simmonds, Diana (16 April 2010). "Way to Heaven". www.stagenoise.com.
  20. Hicks, Robin (2 November 2012). "Bad Boy Bubby actor Nicholas Hope: distributors are scared to back brave Australian films". Mumbrella .
  21. "Four Places". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  22. "Program Photos Review Newsletter Poster Memorabilia, The Dixie Swim Club written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten directed by Gaylene Poor". www.victoriancollections.net.au. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  23. "Always a Bridesmaid". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  24. Hilbig, Allison (2 June 2022). "Till Beth Do Us Part". www.theatrematters.com.au.