Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton | |
|---|---|
 Thornton in 2012 | |
| Born | Sigrid Madeline Thornton 12 February 1959 Canberra,Australia |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Spouse | Tom Burstall (1981–present) |
| Children | 2 |
Sigrid Madeline ThorntonAO(born 12 February 1959) is an Australian film and television actress. Her television work includesPrisoner(1979–80),All the Rivers Run(1983),SeaChange(1998–2019) andWentworth(2016–2018). She also starred in the AmericanWesternseriesParadise(1988–91). Her film appearances includeSnapshot(1979),The Man from Snowy River(1982),Street Hero(1984) andFace to Face(2011). She won theAACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Dramafor the 2015 miniseriesPeter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door.
Biography
[edit]Early years
[edit]Thornton was born inCanberra,the daughter ofMerle,an academic and writer, and Neil Thornton, an academic.[1]She was raised in Brisbane, attendingSt. Peter's Lutheran College.For two years, she lived in London, where she was a member of theUnicorn Theatre.
Back in Brisbane she attendedTwelfth Night TheatreJunior Workshop and in 1970, during theCaptain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations,Thornton appeared beforeQueen Elizabeth IIasRosa Campbell-PraedinLooking Glass on Yesterday.[2]Thornton was a student of noted theatre director,Joan Whalley.
Career
[edit]She acted in TV seriesHomicidein 1973 andDivision 4in 1975. She also appeared onThe Sullivans,as Elizabeth "Buffy" Turnbull.
In 1977, Thornton made her film debut as Wendy inThe FJ Holdendirected byMichael Thornhill,and in the same year as Maria in the film adaptation ofHenry Handel Richardson's colonial Australian novel,The Getting of Wisdom(1977) directed byBruce Beresford.In 1978, Thornton appeared in the Australian television sequel of the British comedy seriesFather, Dear Father in AustraliaandCop Shop,. The same year she played Angela in the filmSnapshot(akaThe Day After Halloween) directed bySimon Wincer,for which role she was nominated for Australian Film Awards Best Actress in a Feature Film in 1979.
In 1980, she appeared as Roslyn Coulson in the Australian television dramaPrisoner(known overseas asPrisoner: Cell Block H).[3]Thornton starred in 1981 inDuet for Four.In 1982, she took on the roles ofJessica Harrisonin the filmsThe Man from Snowy Riverand its sequel in 1988The Man from Snowy River II.In 1983, she marked an appearance inStreet Hero.She starred in 1983's miniseriesAll the Rivers Run.[4]1986 saw her inThe Lighthorsemen,the TV adaptation ofNevil Shute's novelThe Far Country,[5]Great Expectations: The Untold StoryandSlate, Wyn & Me.
From 1988 to 1991, she appeared as Amelia Lawson in the American television drama seriesParadise.SyndicationofAll the Rivers RunandThe Man from Snowy RiverandThe Man from Snowy River IIbrought her to a wider international audience.
In 1991, she starred inOver the Hilldirected byGeorge T. Millerand in 1996,Love in Ambushdirected by Carl Shultz. She starred asLaura Joy Gibsonin the Australian television seriesSeaChangefrom 1998 to 2000,[6]winning the Most Outstanding Actress award in 1999 and 2000.
Stage highlights
[edit]Thornton's stage performances include a 2002/03 touring production ofThe Blue Roomdirected bySimon Phillipsfor theMelbourne Theatre CompanyoppositeMarcus Graham.[7]In 2009 she made her debut withOpera Australiain its production at Melbourne'sArts Centreas Desiree Armfeldt inSondheimandWheeler'sA Little Night Music,directed byStuart Maunder.[8]
In 2014, she won critical acclaim for her portrayal ofBlanche DuBoisinTennessee Williams' playA Streetcar Named Desirefor theBlack Swan State Theatre Companyin Perth.[9]
In 2015, she appeared in the premiere of Stephen Beckett's playDiary of a Nobody,inspired by the 1892 novelThe Diary of a Nobody,at thePrincess Theatre, Launceston,Tasmania.[10]The same year, Thornton played the part of Golde inFiddler on the Roofat thePrincess Theatre, Melbourne.[11]
As of September 2022 Sigrid made her stage debut for theSydney Theatre Companyin the premiere stage playThe Lifespan of a Factto rave reviews and in 2023 returns to the stage forAnton Chekhov'sThe Seagullfor theSydney Theatre Company.
On 11 September 2024, Thornton was named for the 2025 season for the Melbourne Theatre Co playMother Play.[12]
Recent film and television work
[edit]In 2002, Thornton starred in Australian thrillerThe Pact,directed by Strathford Hamilton, written by Hugh O'Brien.
In 2003, Thornton appeared inMittensdirected byEmma Freeman.In 2004, she played ageneticistin a four-episode arc onMDA.She shaved her head for her role in the 2005 telemovieLittle Oberon.
Thornton hosted theNine Network'sWhat's Good For You.
In 2010, she appeared inUnderbelly: The Golden Mileas recurring character Geraldine "Gerry" Lloyd, anAustralian Federal Policedetectiveand investigator for theWood Royal Commission.[13]
In 2011, Thornton starred inFace to Face,an independent Australian film directed byMichael Rymer.[14]
In 2012, she participated inWho Do You Think You Are.[15]
In 2016, Thornton appeared in the fourth season ofSoHodrama seriesWentworthfor seven episodes as a special guest star. She portrayed the character of Sonia Stevens (initially played byTina BursillinPrisoner), a woman on remand for the suspected murder of her best friend.[16]
Thornton returned for season 5 ofWentworthas a main cast member and served as the main antagonist in season 6, until her characters death in episode 7, "The Edge".
In 2018, she appeared inAnh's Brush with Fame.
In 2021 Thornton would film the feature film Slant and critics praised Thornton's role as 'career best'.[17]
The "Sigrid Factor"
[edit]In his bookThe Big Shift,about changing Australian demographics and culture,Bernard Saltcoined the term the "Sigrid factor" pointing out that Australian towns in which movies had been made featuring Thornton had prospered since that time.[18]More broadly he referred to changing Australian cultural values which were well reflected in the types of places in which Sigrid Thornton had acted: the Riverland during the 1980sAll the Rivers Runand the coast in the 2000sSeaChange.
Personal life and advocacy
[edit]Thornton is married to actor Tom Burstall and has two children. She is known for her work withWorld Vision,theRoyal Children's Hospital,Vision Australia,Reach Foundation and other charitable causes.[19]She has lobbied successive governments to keep libraries open and to resource the Australian film and television industry. She has been appointed to several federal and state film bodies, includingFilm Victoria[3]and is involved in helping to sustain and develop the industry.[20]
In 2023 Thornton would receive a star on theRandwickWalk of Fame.[21]
In August of 2024 Thornton's motherMerle Thorntonpassed away aged 93. Merle was a well known activist whom Sigrid looked up to. Sigrid said of her mother's passing that she was proud of her mother.[22]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | The F.J. Holden | Wendy | Feature film |
| The Getting of Wisdom | Maria | Feature film | |
| 1978 | The King of the Two Day Wonder(akaThe Wargame) | Christy | Feature film |
| 1979 | Snapshot(akaThe Day After Halloween) | Angela | Feature film |
| 1982 | Duet for Four | Caroline Martin | Feature film |
| The Man From Snowy River | Jessica Harrison | Feature film | |
| 1984 | Street Hero | Gloria | Feature film |
| 1985 | Niel Lynne(akaBest Enemies) | Fennimore | Feature film |
| 1987 | Slate, Wyn & Me | Blanche McBride | Feature film |
| The Lighthorsemen | Anne | Feature film | |
| 1988 | The Man from Snowy River II | Jessica | Feature film |
| 1992 | Over the Hill | Elizabeth | Feature film |
| 1997 | Love In Ambush | Shelley Kincaird | Feature film |
| 2000 | Arctic Adventure | Lucy (voice) | Film animated short |
| 2002 | Living with Happiness | Mother (voice) | Film animated short |
| The Pact | Susan Tuttle | Feature film | |
| 2003 | Inspector Gadget 2 | Mayor Wilson | Feature film |
| Mittens | Mother | Film short | |
| 2008 | Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! | Herself | Feature film documentary |
| 2011 | The Telegram Man | Barbara Lewis | Film short |
| Face to Face | Claire Baldoni | Feature film | |
| 2014 | BFFs | Jacqueline | Feature film |
| 2016 | Scare Campaign | Vicki | Feature film |
| 2023 | Slant | Vivianne Verity | Feature film |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Homicide | Erica Johnston | TV series, 1 episode |
| Certain Women | TV series | ||
| 1975; 1976 | Matlock Police | Cathy Simpson / Simone Foley | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1975 | Division 4 | Wendy Sherlock | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976 | Bluey | Helen Laughton | TV series, 1 episode |
| Bobby Dazzler | Anastasia | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1977 | The Sullivans | Buffy Turnbull | TV series, 24 episodes |
| Young Ramsay | Annette Murray | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1978 | Father, Dear Father In Australia | Sue Glover | TV series, 14 episodes |
| 1978-80 | Cop Shop | Tracy McBean / Karen / Helen Davis | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1978 | Glenview High | Georgiana | TV series, 1 episode |
| Case for the Defence | Mandy Lattimer | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Chopper Squad | Mandy Paramor | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1979–80 | Prisoner | Roslyn Coulson | TV series, 30 episodes |
| 1980 | Skyways | Olivia Baker | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Last Outlaw | Kate Kelly | TV miniseries, 4 episodes | |
| Lawson's Mates | Hannah | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Players in the Gallery | TV film series, 1 episode | ||
| 1981 | I Can Jump Puddles | Mabel | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| Bellamy | Fiona | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Outbreak of Love | Anthea Langton | TV miniseries | |
| 1982 | 1915 | Frances | TV miniseries, 7 episodes |
| 1983 | All The Rivers Run | Philadelphia Gordon | TV miniseries, 8 episodes |
| The Boy in the Bush | Monica Ellis | TV miniseries, 4 episodes | |
| 1984 | 26th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Best Lead Actress in TV Mini SeriesAll The Rivers RunWinner | TV special |
| 1987 | Great Expectations: The Untold Story | Bridget Tankerton | TV movie |
| The Far Country | Jennifer Morton | TV miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| 1988-1991 | Paradise | Amelia Lawson | TV series, 56 episodes |
| 1993 | Ernie and Denise | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Feds | Christine McQuillan | TV movie pilot | |
| 1994 | G.P. | Renee Jackson | TV series, 1 episode |
| Trapped In Space(akaBreaking Strain) | Issacs | TV movie | |
| 1996 | Whipping Boy | Cass Meridith | TV movie |
| 1998; 2010 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1998–2000 | SeaChange | Laura Gibson | TV series, lead role, 47 episodes |
| 2000 | The New Adventures of Ocean Girl | Narrator | TV series, 10 episodes |
| 2002 | Island Life | Narrator | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2005 | MDA | Dr. Robyn Masterton | TV series, 4 episodes |
| Little Oberon | Lola Green | TV movie | |
| 2006 | Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King | Mrs. Anges Sternwood | TV miniseries, episode 1 |
| 2008 | Dream Life | Mrs Buchanan | TV movie |
| 2010 | Underbelly: The Golden Mile[23] | Gerry Lloyd | TV series, 7 episodes |
| Hey Hey It's Saturday[24] | Herself ( "Red Faces" segment) | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2013 | #7 Days Later | Molly | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | The Code[25] | Lara Dixon | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2015 | Peter Allen: The Boy Next Door[26] | Judy Garland | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 2016–2018 | Wentworth[27] | Sonia Stevens | TV series, 26 episodes |
| 2017 | David Stratton: A Cinematic Life | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Sando | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| Orange Is the New Brown | Dr. Vulva, Nigella Lawson | TV series 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | Lambs of God | Rose Stanford | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| SeaChange[28] | Laura Gibson | TV series, 13 episodes | |
| 2020 | Brazen Hussies | Narrator | TV special |
| 2021 | Amazing Grace[29] | Diane Cresswell | TV series, 8 episodes |
Self / Interviews
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The 2024 TV Week Logie Awards | Herself on screen | TV Special |
| 2023 | Today Extra | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| Sunrise | Guest (withTom Burlinson) | TV series, 1 episode | |
| The Morning Show | Guest (withTom Burlinson) | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Studio 10 | Guest (withTom Burlinson) | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Studio 10 10th Birthday Show | Guest (withTom Burlinson) | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2022 | This Is Your Life: Rebecca Gibney | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022, 2023 | Today Extra | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | ABC 90 Celebrate! | Guest | TV special |
| 2020 | News Breakfast | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2019, 2022 | Today Extra | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Today | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Daily Edition | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| The 61st AnnualTV Week Logie Awards | Herself | TV special | |
| 2018 | Anh's Brush with Fame[30] | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018, 2023 | Studio 10 | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018 | Wentworth: Season 6 Behind the Scenes | Herself | TV special |
| The 60th AnnualTV Week Logie Awards | Herself | TV special | |
| 2016 | One Plus One | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2015 | The Daily Edition | Self | TV series, 1 episode |
| 4th AACTA Awards | Herself | TV special | |
| Mornings | Self | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2012 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2008-2011 | Inside Film Awards | Presenter | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 2008 | Talking Heads | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2007 | What's Good For You | Host | TV series |
| 2006 | Ingenious Africa | Herself | TV series, 13 episodes |
| 2005 | 50 Years 50 Shows | Herself | TV Special |
| 2005 | Australia Unites: Reach Out to Asia | Herself | TV telethon special |
| 2004 | 2004 Australian Film Institute Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 2003 | ABC Australian Movie Screenings | Host | TV series, 4 episodes |
| Welcher & Welcher | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Greeks on the Roof | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Micallef Tonight | Herself - Cue card holder | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Enough Rope with Andrew Denton | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2001 | Rove Live | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Micallef Program | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2000 | The Panel | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Big Schmooze | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1999 | O'Loughlin on Saturday Night | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | World Vision: A Friend in Need | Herself | TV special |
| E! News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Sunday | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Race Around the World | Herself | TV series | |
| Laws | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Australian Story | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| People's Choice Awards | Herself | TV special | |
| Witness | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Seven Nightly News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| National Nine News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| ABC News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Denise | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| Recovery | Guest (withCassandra Magrath) | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1997; 1998 | Ten News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997 | World Vision: A Matter of Survival | Herself | TV special |
| 1996 | The1996 Australian Film Institute Awards | Co-host | TV special |
| World Vision: A Christmas Wish | Herself | TV telethon special | |
| 1995 | 4 Quarters | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| AFL Grand Final | Guest | TV special | |
| World Vision Appeal: Vision For A Better World | Herself | TV telethon special | |
| Cinematheque | Herself | TV series | |
| 1994; 1995 | World Vision Appeal: Vision For A Better World | Herself | TV telethon special |
| 1994; 1998 | People's Choice Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1994 | The Talk Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| Wildscreen - Sperm Wars | Herself | TV documentary | |
| One Family | Herself | TV special | |
| Australian Fashion Awards | Presenter | TV special | |
| Homicide... 30 Years On | Herself | TV special | |
| Review - A.F.I Awards | Herself | TV series special | |
| 1993-2005 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series |
| 1993 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| Children at the Edge | Herself | TV special | |
| Inside Edition | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1992; 1994 | People's Choice Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1992 | In Sydney Today | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Morning Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| The World Tonight | Guest | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1992-98 | The Midday Show | Guest | TV series, 5 episodes |
| 1991; 1992 | Tonight Live with Steve Vizard | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990 | 32nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1989 | The Pat Sajak Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1988 | Reading Australian Film | Presenter | Video |
| The Comedy Company | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 1982 | The Don Lane Show | Guest (withJack Thompson&Tom Burlinson) | TV series, 1 episode |
| The Mike Walsh Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
Theatre
[edit]Awards and nominations
[edit]References
[edit]Notes
- ^Sigrid Thornton: biography and credits
- ^Morris 1970,p.[page needed].
- ^abGriffin, Michelle (18 September 2005)."The Sigrid weapon".The Age.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^Warden, Ian (2 April 1984)."Familiar damsel saved from ravagingly good shipwreck".The Canberra Times.p. 26.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^Wallace, Lisa (14 September 1987)."An Australian miniseries for everyone".The Canberra Times.p. 6.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^Idato, Michael; Lallo, Michael (17 October 2018)."Nine revives ABC drama SeaChange – with Sigrid Thornton at the helm".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^"Thornton, Graham red hot in the Blue Room"by Helen Thomson,The Age,16 January 2003
- ^A Little Night MusicArchived3 March 2012 at theWayback Machine,Opera Australia
- ^"Sigrid Thornton shines as Blanche Dubois inA Streetcar Named Desire"by Jay Hanna,Perth Now,20 March 2014
- ^"Event Details: Sigrid Thornton inDiary of a Nobody"
- ^"Anthony Warlow returns to Australian stage forFiddler on the Roof".Herald Sun.13 September 2015.
- ^Woodhead, Cameron (11 September 2024)."An unflinching footy play is coming back. And so is a David Williamson classic".The Age.Retrieved11 September2024.
- ^McWhirter, Erin (8 September 2009)."Sigrid Thornton plays hard cop in Underbelly The Golden Mile".Adelaide Now.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^"Face to Face".The Sydney Morning Herald.10 September 2011.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^"Season 2, episodes –Who Do You Think You Are".SBS.Retrieved7 January2014.
- ^Thomas, Sarah (5 November 2015)."Sigrid Thornton joinsWentworthas part of Foxtel's home-grown roster for 2016 ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved22 May2019.
- ^Gogos, Christopher (8 December 2022)."Nikou's Slant wins Best Australian Film at Monster Fest".NEOS KOSMOS.Retrieved24 December2022.
- ^Salt 2001,p.[page needed].
- ^Quinn, Karl (5 December 2015)."'There is no endgame': Sigrid Thornton on a life embracing change ".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved1 November2018.
- ^Thornton, Sigrid (28 March 2006)."National Press Club Address: Expanding Horizons".National Press Club,Council of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Archived fromthe originalon 17 March 2012.Retrieved23 January2012.
- ^Writer, Staff."Sigrid Thornton welcomed by Randwick City to the Film Walk of Fame | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data".screen hub.
- ^O'Flaherty, Antonia (21 August 2024)."Merle Thornton, who fought for the right for women to drink at public bars in Queensland, dies aged 93".ABC News.Retrieved25 August2024.
- ^"Sigrid cops it for Underbelly | TV Tonight".9 September 2009.
- ^"Hey Hey: Guests | TV Tonight".14 April 2010.
- ^"Anthony LaPaglia, Sigrid Thornton join the Code. | TV Tonight".17 August 2015.
- ^"Sigrid: 'Judy championed Peter Allen to be his own man' | TV Tonight".11 September 2015.
- ^"Sigrid Thornton joins Wentworth | TV Tonight".5 November 2015.
- ^"No Sigrid, no SeaChange. | TV Tonight".23 July 2019.
- ^"Filming underway on Amazing Grace | TV Tonight".9 October 2020.
- ^"Anh's Brush with Fame: Sept 12 | TV Tonight".11 September 2018.
- ^"AusStage".
- ^Thornton, Sigrid."Biography".sigridthornton.com.Retrieved10 April2020.
- ^"MO Award Winners".Mo Awards.Retrieved16 March2022.
- ^"The Chauvel Award".Gold Coast Film Festival.Retrieved6 April2022.
Sources
- Morris, Jill (April 1970).A Looking Glass on Yesterday.Brisbane: Captain Cook Bicentennary Committee.
- Salt, Bernard(2001).The Big Shift.Hardie Grant Publishing.ISBN978-1-876719-29-6.
Further reading
[edit]- Plum Role for 14-year-old.Brisbane:Queensland Newspapers.November 1974.[not specific enough to verify]
- Denton, Andrew(2005).Enough Rope:Sigrid Thornton.Sydney:Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
External links
[edit]
- Sigrid ThorntonatIMDb
- Official website
- Thornton, Sigrid (1959–)atThe Encyclopedia of Women and Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia
- Sigrid Thornton onInstagram
- 1959 births
- 20th-century Australian actresses
- 21st-century Australian actresses
- Actresses from Brisbane
- Actresses from Canberra
- Australian film actresses
- Australian soap opera actresses
- Australian stage actresses
- Officers of the Order of Australia
- Living people
- Logie Award winners
- People educated at St Peters Lutheran College