Leah Purcell

AM
Purcell at the premiere of The Sapphires in 2012
Born (1970-08-14) 14 August 1970
Murgon, Queensland, Australia
Occupations
Years active1996–present
Notable work
PartnerBain Stewart
Children1

Leah Maree Purcell AM (born 14 August 1970) is an Aboriginal Australian stage and film actress, playwright, film director, and novelist. She made her film debut in 1999, appearing in Paul Fenech's Somewhere in the Darkness, which led to roles in films, such as Lantana (2001), Somersault (2004), The Proposition (2005) and Jindabyne (2006).

In 2014, Purcell wrote and starred in the play, The Drover's Wife, based on the original story by Henry Lawson. In 2019, she went on to write the bestselling novel, The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, which was adapted for the screen when Purcell made her directorial debut in the acclaimed film of the same name in 2022, for which she had also written, produced and starred as the titular character. For her work, she has won several awards, including a Helpmann Award, two AACTA Awards, and Asia Pacific Screen Awards Jury Grand Prize.

Purcell is notable for her roles in several television drama series, including Police Rescue (1996), Fallen Angels (1997), Redfern Now (2012–2013), which earned her an AACTA Award, Janet King (2016), and perhaps her most recognisable television role being that of her AACTA and Logie Award-nominated performance as Rita Connors in the Foxtel prison drama series, Wentworth (2018–2021).

Early life and education

Leah Purcell was born on 14 August 1970[1][2] in Murgon, Queensland, and she was the youngest of seven children of Aboriginal (Goa–Gunggari–Wakka Wakka Murri[3]) and white Australian descent.[2][4] Her father was a butcher and a boxing trainer.[5]

After a difficult adolescence looking after her sick mother, Florence, who died while Leah was in her late teens, as well as problems with alcohol and teenage motherhood, Leah left Murgon and moved to Brisbane and became involved with community theatre.[2]

Career

In 1996 she moved to Sydney to become presenter on a music video cable television station, RED Music Channel.[6] This was followed by acting roles in ABC Television series Police Rescue and Fallen Angels.[7][8]

Together with Scott Rankin she co-wrote and acted in a play called Box the Pony, which played at Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre, the Sydney Opera House, the 1999 Edinburgh Festival and in 2000 at the Barbican Theatre in London.[9] She then wrote and directed the documentary film Black Chicks Talking, which won a 2002 Inside Film award.[10] She appeared as Claudia in the Australian film Lantana for which role she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by Sydney-based Film Critics Circle of Australia; she lost to Daniela Farinacci. She appeared on stage in The Vagina Monologues.[11] She went on to appear in three 2004 films, Somersault, The Proposition and Jindabyne, as well as playing the role of Condoleezza Rice in David Hare's play, Stuff Happens in Sydney and Melbourne.[12]

In 2023 Purcell was announced as part of the cast for upcoming Foxtel/Binge drama High Country as the lead character Andrea Whitford.[13] Purcell would also appear in Amazon Prime drama The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

Wentworth

In 2018, Purcell joined the cast of Foxtel drama series Wentworth as Rita Connors, a role originally portrayed by Glenda Linscott in Prisoner. It was announced that she was one of three new leading cast members to join the series for its sixth season, alongside Susie Porter and Rarriwuy Hick. She first appeared in the first episode of season six, broadcast on 19 June 2018.[14] Following her appearances in seasons six and seven, it was announced in October 2018 that she would be reprising her role for the eighth season, which premiered in 2020.[15]

The Drover's Wife

Purcell developed stories in three different media based on the short story by Henry Lawson published in 1892,[16] which Purcell recalls her mother reading to her.[17] She began writing her version of the story in around 2014, giving the woman a name, Molly Johnson, something that Lawson did not do. Purcell's versions centres around Molly, who is left alone on a remote homestead while heavily pregnant and having to care for her four children while her husband is away droving cattle. She meets an Aboriginal man fleeing police, called Yadaka, and a personal drama evolves. She says that "The essence of the Henry Lawson short story and his underlining themes of racism, the frontier violence and gender violence are [in her story]". However, she has added stories from her own Indigenous family as well as incorporating her own extensive historical research, which included talking to Aboriginal elders and owners of property in the Snowy Mountains, where the story is set.[3] She has said of the development of the stories:[18]

My DNA is within it. And I've sung up business on it. I sung up the play, I sung up the novel, I sung up the movie. And in cultural ways you have that thread of a Songline which connects you to country, to family, to culture.

Recognition, awards and honours

Purcell was recipient of the Balnaves Fellowship in 2014,[27] which allowed her to develop her play, The Drover's Wife, to be performed at the Belvoir in 2016.[3]

In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Purcell was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to the performing arts, to First Nations youth and culture, and to women".[28][18]

At the 14th Asia Pacific Screen Awards held in November 2021, she was awarded the Jury Grand Prize for her film The Drover's Wife,[29] "not just for her singular vision in writing, directing, producing and starring in the film but for the journey to bring this remarkable story, viewed through the lens of a First Nations woman to the screen in its entirety".[30]

Purcell has appeared twice on ABC Television's Australian Story, once in 2002[5] and once in June 2022.[18][31]

In June 2022, Purcell was honoured with a star on Winton's Walk of Fame, which was unveiled during The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.[32]

Personal life

Purcell's partner is Bain Stewart, who is also her business partner in Oombarra Productions. She has a daughter and two grandchildren.[33] She believes that Stewart has been "a gift from the ancestors", as he has been such an important support to her through difficult times.[18]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1999 Somewhere in the Darkness Lulu
2001 Lantana Claudia
2002 Beginnings Police Officer
2003 Lennie Cahill Shoots Through Doctor
2004 Somersault Diane
2005 The Proposition Queenie
2006 Jindabyne Carmel
2014 My Mistress Audrey
2015 Last Cab to Darwin Sonya
2022 The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson Molly Johnson
2023 Shayda [34] Joyce

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1996 G.P. Lauren Season 8 (guest, 1 episode)
Police Rescue Constable Tracey Davis Season 5 (main, 9 episodes)
1997 Fallen Angels Sharon Walker Season 1 (main, 20 episodes)
1998 Water Rats Sarah Lane Season 3 (guest, 1 episode)
2000–01 Beastmaster The Black Apparation Seasons 1–3 (recurring, 5 episodes)
2001 The Lost World Witch Doctor Season 2 (guest, 1 episode)
2002 Bad Cop, Bad Cop Lorraine Simpson Season 1 (guest, 1 episode)
2007 Love My Way Caroline Syron Season 3 (recurring, 3 episodes)
The Starter Wife Hannah Sprints Miniseries (recurring, 2 episodes)
2008 McLeod's Daughters Terri Barker Season 8 (guest, 1 episode)
2009 My Place Ellen Season 1 (guest, 1 episode)
2012–13 Redfern Now Grace Seasons 1–2 (main, 2 episodes)
2015 House of Hancock Hilda Kickett Miniseries (guest, 1 episode)
Mary: The Making of a Princess Toni Klan TV movie
2015–16 Love Child Daisy Seasons 2–3 (recurring, 3 episodes)
2016 Janet King Heather O'Connor Season 2 (main, 8 episodes)
2016–18 Black Comedy Guest Performer Seasons 2–3 (recurring, 3 episodes)
2018–21 Wentworth Rita Connors Season 6–8 (main; 37 episodes)
2019 Wentworth: Behind the Bars Self TV Special
2020 Wentworth: Behind the Bars 2
2021 All My Friends Are Racist Justice Janelle Ray AO 1 episode
Wentworth: Unlocked Self TV Special
2022 Childish Deano Mrs Narkle 1 episode (voice)
Krystal Klairvoyant Deborah 3 episodes (Tik Tok series)
2023 The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Twig Miniseries
2024 High Country [35] Andrea Whitford 8 episodes (post prod)

Director/writer

Year Title Notes
2004 Black Chicks Talking Director; documentary
2009 Aunty Maggie and the Womba Wakgun Director; short film
My Place Writer; episode: "2008 Laura"
2012 She Say Director / Writer; video short
Redfern Now Director; episode: "Sweet Spot"
2016 The Secret Daughter Director; episode: "Flame Trees"[36]
2019 My Life Is Murder Director; episodes: "The Boyfriend Experience"; "Lividity in Lycra"
2022 The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson Director, writer and producer
The Twelve Writer (2 episodes)
2023 Is That You Ruthie? Writer & Director:Theatre play [37]
202? Koa Kid [38]

Awards and nominations

In 2006 Purcell was the recipient of the Bob Maza Fellowship, which recognises emerging acting talent and support professional development for Indigenous actors.[39]

Year Ceremony Category Title Work Reference
1997 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama Fallen Angels Nominated [40]
1999 Deadly Awards 1999 Female Artist of the Year herself Won
NSW Premier's Literary Awards Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting Box the Pony Won
2000 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards Queensland Premier's Literary Award for Best Play Box the Pony Won
2001 Helpmann Awards Best Female Actor in a Play Box the Pony Nominated
2006 Helpmann Awards Best Female Actor in a Play Stuff Happens Nominated
2008 Helpmann Awards Best Female Actor in a Play The Story of the Miracle at Cookie's Table Won
2013 AACTA Awards Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama Redfern Now Won
2013 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Actress Redfern Now Nominated
2016 AACTA Awards Best Performance in a Television Comedy Black Comedy Nominated
2017 Helpmann Awards Best Female Actor in a Play The Drover's Wife Nominated
Helpmann Awards Best New Australian Work The Drover's Wife Won
NSW Premier's Literary Awards Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting The Drover's Wife Won
NSW Premier's Literary Awards Book of the Year The Drover's Wife (book) Won
NSW Premier's Literary Award Indigenous Writers Prize The Drover's Wife Won
2018 AACTA Awards Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama Wentworth Nominated
National Dreamtime Awards[41] Female Actor of the Year Won
2019 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Actress Wentworth Nominated
2020 Davitt Award[42] Best debut crime book The Drover's Wife (book) Nominated
2021 Asia Pacific Screen Awards[29] Jury Grand Prize The Drover's Wife (film) Won
2022 NSW Premier's Literary Award[43] Betty Roland Prize for Scriptwriting Nominated
AACTA Awards Best Film Nominated
Best Direction Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Actress Won

References

  1. ↑ Who's Who in Australia (2019), ConnectWeb.
  2. 1 2 3 Verghis, Sharon (17 August 2005), "Direct line to Washington", The Age, retrieved 20 January 2010
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gbogbo, Mawunyo (3 May 2022). "The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson is a compelling story weaving in present and historical truths". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Dow, Steve (6 November 2021). "Actor, director and writer Leah Purcell". The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  5. 1 2 Grasswill, Helen (17 June 2002). "Queen Leah". Australian Story. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  6. ↑ NEILSON, DEBBIE (9 July 1995). "A lesson of celebration". Sun Herald, The (Sydney, Australia). p. 26. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Keenan, Catherine (27 August 2002), "Blood sisters", The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved 21 January 2010
  8. ↑ "Upstaging". Message Stick. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 March 2004. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "Leah Purcell: profile". Claxton Speakers. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  10. ↑ "IF Award Winners". Inside Film Awards. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  11. ↑ Keenan, Catherine (21 February 2003), "Monologues shift focus to the body beautiful — and battered", The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved 21 January 2010
  12. ↑ Verghis, Sharon (9 July 2005), "Channelling Condoleezza", The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved 21 January 2010
  13. ↑ "'High Country': New Original Drama Coming to Foxtel and Binge". 8 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Wentworth season 6: date and new cast members Susie Porter, Leah Purcell and Rarriwuy Hick revealed". Foxtel. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  15. ↑ "Heritage Characters Join Siege Survivors on the Inside As Wentworth Season 8 Commences Production". foxshowcase.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  16. ↑ Daley, Paul (21 December 2019). "Leah Purcell on reinventing The Drover's Wife three times: 'I borrowed and stole from each'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Garret: The Drover's Wife". Reading Australia. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Chenery, Susan (13 June 2022). "Leah Purcell weaves her Indigenous Songlines into new film The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  19. ↑ Hennessy, Kate (23 September 2016). "The Drover's Wife review – plot twist leaves Australian classic spinning on its axis". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  20. ↑ Harmon, Steph (31 January 2017). "Leah Purcell wins Australia's richest literary prize for reimagining of The Drover's Wife". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  21. ↑ Harmon, Steph (22 May 2017). "'Brave, ruthless and utterly compelling': Leah Purcell wins big at NSW premier's literary awards". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  22. ↑ Harmon, Steph (24 July 2017). "Helpmanns 2017: The Drover's Wife and Adelaide festival claim Australian theatre awards". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  23. ↑ Maddox, Garry (26 August 2017). "Hacksaw Ridge and Lion win but Leah Purcell's The Drover's Wife dominates Awgies". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  24. ↑ Purcell, Leah (2019). The drover's wife : the legend of Molly Johnson. Penguin Random House. ISBN 9780143791478. Retrieved 6 November 2021. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  25. ↑ "Film Grid - SXSW Online 2021". SXSW. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  26. ↑ "Revealed: The Drover's Wife to get new TV series set in 2020". Courier Mail. (subscription required)
  27. ↑ "Fellowship and Residencies". Belvoir St Theatre. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  28. ↑ "Ms Leah Maree Purcell". It's An Honour. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Leah Purcell wins major screen award for The Drover's Wife". NITV. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "Leah Purcell for The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson". Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  31. ↑ The Songlines of Leah Purcell ABC iview
  32. ↑ Kornits, Dov (25 June 2022). "Leah Purcell receives star on the Winton Walk of Fame". FilmInk. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  33. ↑ O'Brien, Kerrie (17 January 2020). "'She was my hero': how her mum's struggle gave Leah Purcell her voice". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  34. ↑ "Sony Pictures Classics takes Sundance award winner 'Shayda'".
  35. ↑ "AARON PEDERSEN and LEAH PURCELL to star in new Australian drama event HIGH COUNTRY". 8 April 2023.
  36. ↑ Asciak, Libby (18 April 2016). "The secret is finally out: so excited to announce that I will be joining @jessicamauboy1 and the rest of the amazing cast in the new Channel Seven drama 'The Secret Daughter' playing the role of Rachel Rossi #thesecretdaughter #channel7 #comingsoon". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  37. ↑ "Leah Purcell Writes and Directs World Premiere Stage Adaptation of IS THAT YOU, RUTHIE? At QPAC".
  38. ↑ "Screen Australia announces over $1.2 million of story development funding for 47 projects - Media centre".
  39. ↑ "Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years". Screen Australia. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  40. ↑ "Australian Television: 1997 AFI Awards". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  41. ↑ "Dream of love, and success will come (pp32-34)" (PDF). AIATSIS - The Koori Mail. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  42. ↑ "Davitt Awards 2020 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  43. ↑ "NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2022 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
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