Anna Torv(born 7 June 1979) is an Australian actress who has worked extensively in the United States. Her performance asOlivia Dunhamin theFoxscience fiction seriesFringe(2008–2013) earned her four consecutiveSaturn Awards for Best Actress on Television,a record for any performer. She portrayed psychologist Wendy Carr in theNetflixperiod crime dramaMindhunterfrom 2017 to 2019, andTessin theHBOpost-apocalyptic drama seriesThe Last of Usin 2023. She is especially known in Australia for theABCdramaThe Newsreader,for which she won two consecutiveAACTA Awards.She stars in the Netflix drama series set in theNorthern Territory of AustraliacalledTerritory,which premiered in October 2024.
Anna Torv | |
|---|---|
 Torv in 2011 | |
| Born | 7 June 1979 Melbourne,Victoria, Australia |
| Education | National Institute of Dramatic Art(BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
|
Early life and education
editTorv was born inMelbourne[1]on 7 June 1979,[2]the daughter of Susan (née Carmichael), of Scottish descent and Hans Arvid Torv (Tõrv), of Estonian ancestry.[3][4]At age six, she moved with her mother and younger brother to theGold Coast,where she grew up,[1]initially attendingAll Saints Anglican Schoolbefore finishing her schooling atBenowa State High School,where she graduated in 1996.[5]
Following high school graduation, she relocated toSydney,New South Wales,where she had been accepted into theNational Institute of Dramatic Art(NIDA) at the age of 17. As she was too young to get an electricity account on her own, and to go to pubs, she decided to take "a gap year", during which she worked as cafe and bar staff.[1]She graduated with aperforming artsdegree in 2001.[6][1]
Torv has been estranged from her father,[6]a property developer and radio presenter, for many years.[7]
Career
edit
In 2003, Torv played the role ofOpheliawith theBell Shakespeare CompanyinJohn Bell's production ofHamlet.[8]In 2004, she joined the cast of Australia's acclaimed television dramaThe Secret Life of Us,playing Nikki Martel.[9]
In 2005, Torv recorded a series of audio books for Scholastic Australia's Solo Collection, including titlesLittle Fingers,Jack's Owl,Spike,andMaddy in the Middle[10]and later did voice work and performance capture for the role of Nariko in the 2007 video gameHeavenly Sword.[11]
She then appeared in theBBCseriesMistressesin 2008. From 2008 to 2013, Torv played AgentOlivia Dunhamin the American television seriesFringe.She received an Australians in Film Breakthrough award in 2009. She has been nominated five times for theSaturn Awardfor Best Television Actress from 2009 to 2013, winning a total of four times.[12]Torv appeared asVirginia GreyonHBO's mini-seriesThe Pacificand later starred in aCollegeHumor Originalvideo as a tyrannical traffic cop.[13]In 2014, Torv reprised her role as Nariko in thefilm adaptationofHeavenly Sword.[14]
In March 2016, Torv was cast in the role of Dr. Wendy Carr, anFBIconsultant, in the Netflix dramaMindhunter.[15][16][17]
In July 2021, Torv was cast in the role ofTessin the HBO post-apocalyptic seriesThe Last of Us.[18][19]The show premiered in January 2023; despite being a guest role, Torv's performance was seen as an early highlight, with Bernard Boo ofDen of Geekwriting: "With just about an episode and a half, the terrific Anna Torv leaves an indelible impression as Joel's no-nonsense ride-or-die Tess before literally exiting the series with a bang [...]".[20]
Torv played newsreader Helen Norville in theABCseriesThe Newsreader,released in August 2021, which was set in a 1980s Australian TV newsroom in the mid-1980s.[21]The series returned for a second season in November 2023.[22]Torv won theAACTA Awardstwice for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, one for each season.[23][24]For the first season, she won the 2022Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress,[25]and the series also won theLogie Award for Most Outstanding Drama Series.[26]She was nominated for a second Logie for the second season, butDeborah Mailmanwon that year.[27]
In 2021, Torv also appeared in the television seriesFires,produced by the ABC Television network, about the2019–20 Australian bushfire season,in whichmegafiresdevastated Australia.[28]
In October 2024, Torv appeared in the Neflix seriesTerritory.[29]
Personal life
editTorv's paternal aunt, journalistAnna dePeyster(née Torv; formerly Murdoch and Mann), was married to media mogulRupert Murdochfor 31 years. Through this marriage, Torv is a cousin ofElisabeth,Lachlan,andJames Murdoch.[6]
In December 2008, Torv married American actorMark Valley,with whom she co-starred inFringe.[30]In April 2010, it was reported that the couple had separated or divorced several months previously.[31][32]
Torv lived inLos Angelesfor over a decade, up until shortly after theCOVID-19 pandemicbegan in early 2020.[33]During her time there, she became a mother and bought a house.[34]She then sold her home and returned to Australia'sGold Coastin early 2020,[33]where she stayed with her mother before moving toMelbourneto filmThe Newsreader.[28]
As of 2021[update]Torv does not usesocial media.[33]As of January 2024[update],Torv and her son live in northernNew South Wales.[35]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Travelling Light | Debra Fowler | |
| 2006 | The Book of Revelation | Bridget / Gertrude | |
| 2014 | Heavenly Sword | Nariko (voice) | |
| Love Is Now | Virginia Grey | ||
| 2015 | The Daughter | Anna | |
| 2017 | Stephanie | Jane | |
| 2023 | Scarygirl | The Keeper (voice) | |
| 2024 | Force of Nature: The Dry 2 | Alice Russell |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | White Collar Blue | Neighbour | Television film |
| Young Lions | Irena Nedov | Recurring role (series 1) | |
| 2004 | McLeod's Daughters | Jasmine McLeod | 2 episodes |
| 2004–2005 | The Secret Life of Us | Nikki Martel | Recurring role (series 4) |
| 2007 | Frankenstein | ITU nurse | Television film |
| 2008 | Mistresses | Alex | Recurring role (series 1) |
| 2008–2013 | Fringe | Olivia Dunham | Main role |
| 2010 | The Pacific | Virginia Grey | Episode: "Peleliu Landing" |
| 2011 | The Cleveland Show | Herself | Episode: "A Short Story and a Tall Tale" |
| CollegeHumor Originals | Officer Alia | Episode: "Can I Give You a Ticket?" | |
| 2014 | Open | Windsor | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2015 | Deadline Gallipoli | Gwendoline Churchill | Main role; miniseries |
| 2016–2019 | Secret City | Harriet Dunkley | Main role |
| 2017–2019 | Mindhunter | Wendy Carr | Main role |
| 2021 | Fires | Lally Robinson | 2 episodes |
| 2021–present | The Newsreader | Helen Norville | Main role[36] |
| 2023 | The Last of Us | Tess | 3 episodes |
| 2024 | Nautilus | Revna | 1 episode |
| Territory | Emily Lawson | Main role | |
| So Long, Marianne | Charmian Clift | Main role |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Night Before Christmas | Bess | Roman Scandals Theatre Restaurant | |
| 1998–2001 | Undiscovered Country | Unknown | Unknown | Credited from playbill of the 2003 production ofHamlet |
| Bodyline: Time's Up | ||||
| Richard III | ||||
| Basic Burlesque | ||||
| 2001 | Plenty | Susan Traherne | NIDA Theatre | 2 April 2001 |
| Language of the Gods | Alicia | 5 May 2001 | ||
| Ring Round the Moon | Capulat | NIDA Studio | 27 June 2001 | |
| Goodnight Children Everywhere | Ann | 28 September 2001 | ||
| Kiss Me, Kate | Chorus Girl | Parade Theatre | 17 October 2001 | |
| 2002 | The Credeaux Canvas | Amelia | SBW Stables Theatre | In association with theGriffin Theatre Company |
| 2003 | Hamlet | Ophelia | Bell Shakespeare | |
| 2005 | The Cherry Orchard | Anya | Sydney Theatre Company |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Heavenly Sword | Nariko (voice) | Also motion capture |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | NAVGTR Awards | Lead Performance in a Drama | Heavenly Sword | Nominated |
| 2009 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | Fringe | Won |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Fringe | Nominated | |
| Scream Awards | Breakout Performance – Female | Fringe | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | Fringe | Won |
| Scream Awards | Best Television Performance | Fringe | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Fringe | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | Fringe | Won |
| International Online Cinema Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | Fringe | Nominated | |
| Scream Awards | Best Science Fiction Actress | Fringe | Nominated | |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Actress | Fringe | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Fringe | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | Fringe | Won |
| IGN Awards | Best TV Actress | Fringe | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Fringe | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | Fringe | Nominated |
| 2016 | AACTA Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Daughter | Nominated |
| 2017 | Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Actress | Secret City | Won |
| 2019 | AACTA Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama | Secret City | Nominated |
| 2021 | AACTA Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama | The Newsreader | Won |
| 2022 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Actress | The Newsreader | Nominated |
| Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Actress | The Newsreader | Won | |
| Equity Ensemble Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Series in a Drama Series | The Newsreader | Won | |
| 2023 | Online Film & Television Association | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Last of Us | Nominated |
| International Online Cinema Awards | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Last of Us | Nominated | |
| Gold Derby Awards | Drama Guest Actress | The Last of Us | Nominated | |
| TV Scholar Awards | Best Guest Performance in a Drama | The Last of Us | Nominated | |
| MTV Movie Awards | Best Kiss | The Last of Us | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Last of Us | Nominated |
| CinEuphoria Awards | Merit - Honorary Award Shared with the cast | The Last of Us | Won | |
| AACTA Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama | The Newsreader | Won | |
| Logie Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Drama | The Newsreader | Nominated |
References
edit- ^abcd"The secret life of Anna Torv".Sydney Morning Herald.2 June 2016.Retrieved22 October2022.
- ^"On This Day: June 7".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon 9 January 2015.
- ^"Busy keeping secrets onFringeAussie stars in hot new show ".Philadelphia Daily News.Archived fromthe originalon 12 August 2014.Retrieved12 January2015.
- ^Anna Torv on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson 4/7/10.AnnaTorvDotCom. 8 April 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 5 November 2022.Retrieved7 December2022– viaYouTube.
- ^Anna Torv's storyArchived2 April 2013 at theWayback Machine,perthnow.au. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^abc"Torv is her own mistress".The Sydney Morning Herald.4 May 2008.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^Moore, Ann Wason (13 June 2016)."Anna Torv: The quiet achiever".Gold Coast Bulletin.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^Info re Torv and Bell Shakespeare Company,The Sydney Morning Herald,3 June 2003. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^"Revisit Anna Torv's Iconic Early Role In The Secret Life Of Us".10Play.1 February 2023.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"Anna Torv Audiobooks".AnnaTorverse.22 April 2016.
- ^Fussman, Cal.Anna Torv Is a Woman We Love,Esquire,8 February 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- ^Woman, The (25 June 2010)."2010 Saturn Award Winners".Dreadcentral.Retrieved2 June2011.
- ^"Can I Give You A Ticket? (With Anna Torv)".21 November 2011.Retrieved12 May2012.
- ^"First Look: Heavenly Sword Movie".IGN. 30 October 2013.Retrieved30 October2013.
- ^"Torv takes lead role in Abrams' drama".Digital Spy.31 January 2008.
- ^"We Should Be More Excited ThatMindhunterHas Brought Anna Torv Back Into the Spotlight ".18 October 2017.
- ^"Anna Torv Boards David Fincher's Netflix DramaMind Hunter".The Hollywood Reporter.8 March 2016.Retrieved8 April2016.
- ^"HBO'sThe Last of UsCasts Anna Torv in Key Role ".The Hollywood Reporter.22 July 2021.Retrieved22 July2021.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (16 February 2022)."'The Last Of Us': HBO Chief Gives Premiere Date Update On Video Game Adaptation ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved17 February2022.
- ^Boo, Bernard (22 January 2023)."The Last of Us Episode 2 Review: Anna Torv Steals the Show as Tess".Den of Geek.Retrieved30 January2023.
- ^Lobb, Adrian (9 November 2023)."The Newsreader star Anna Torv on how hit drama explores journalistic ethics".Big Issue.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^Richardson, Hollie; Seale, Jack; Catterall, Ali (9 November 2023)."TV tonight: Anna Torv returns in classy drama The Newsreader".The Guardian.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"AACTA announce the winners for the 2024 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group".AACTA.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"AACTA Awards winners: Talk to Me, The Newsreader win big, Margot Robbie recognised as trailblazer".ABC News.10 February 2024.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"Logie winner Anna Torv returns for season two of The Newsreader".The New Daily.8 September 2023.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"The Victorian projects that swept the 2022 TV Week Logies".VicScreen.23 June 2022.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"All the winners of the 2024 Logie Awards".9News.18 August 2024.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^abConnaughton, Maddison (24 September 2021)."From Mindhunter to Newsreader: Anna Torv on how she chooses her next role".the Guardian.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^Slatter, Sean (17 July 2024)."Netflix turns 'Desert King' into 'Territory' with Anna Torv leading the cast".IF Magazine.Retrieved25 July2024.
- ^Dos Santos, Kristin."FringeStars Anna Torv and Mark Valley Married! "E!,2 February 2009.
- ^Jordan, Julie (9 April 2010)."Anna Torv and Mark Valley Split".People.Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2017.Retrieved15 October2010.
- ^D'Zurilla, Christie (12 April 2010)."Divorce in bulk: Kate Walsh, Anna Torv and Mark Valley -- and birds".The Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe originalon 19 February 2023.Retrieved19 February2023.
- ^abcQuigley, Genevieve (10 July 2021)."Why you won't findThe Newsreaderactor Anna Torv on social media ".The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^Torv, Anna (1 August 2023)."Anna Torv:" I fought back the tears and carried on! "".The Australian Women's Weekly(Interview). Interviewed by Rieden, Juliet.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^Neill, Rosemary (January 2024)."The gruelling shoot Anna Torv will never forget".The Australian.Retrieved27 January2024.
- ^"Filming underway on the Newsreader S2".TV Tonight.11 July 2022.
