An impressive range of super talented NIDA alumni are all over our screens at the moment on a diverse array of content to enjoy during thevariousCOVID-19 lockdowns across Australia. Here’s some ways to watch NIDA alumni at work.
Murray Bartlett(Acting, 1991) (above) stars in one of the most talked about and buzzworthy new shows so far this year – the HBO hit on Foxtel and Binge The White Lotus. Murray plays fastidious resort manager Armond in the six-episode dramedy series. He has been based in NY for many years and has also featured in series such as Tales of the City, Looking and Sex and the City. It centres around the exploits of various guests and employees of a Hawaiian holiday resort over the span of a week.
Anna Torv(Acting, 2001) (above) leads the cast in the new ABC series The Newsreader. She stars in this Australian series, set in 1986, which follows an unconventional relationship in a world on the cusp of change. Astar news reader played by Anna and an ambitious reporter join forces in a ruthless newsroom, as events unfold that will change their lives.
Most recently Anna has starred in the David Fincher Netflix series Mindhunter and in two successful seasons of Secret City, an Australian political drama sent in Canberra. She also had huge success as lead in the US series Fringe which ran for five seasons (2008-2013).
On the upcoming final season of Foxtel’s Wentworth, four NIDA alumni feature in the worldwide smash hit women’s prison drama. Susie Porter(Acting 1995)plays the manipulative and frightening Marie Winter; Kate Box(Acting 2003)enters her second season in the role of trouble-maker Lou Kelly; Katrina Milosevic(Acting 1997) -an original cast member-is prison favourite Boomer and Vivienne Awosoga (Acting, 2018) (above) stars as Judy Bryant, a secretive and conniving young activist.
On the new Paramount + streaming service, the second season of the relationship drama series Five Bedrooms (above) has just dropped and a raft of NIDA’s alumni also play key roles.
Five Bedrooms tells the story of five people at different times of their lives. They bond after they find themselves seated together at the singles table at a wedding. After a few too many drinks, the solution to all of their problems seems to be buying a five-bedroom house together.
Doris Younane(Acting 1986)and Hugh Sheridan(Acting 2007)return for season 2 and Daniel Lapaine(Acting 1992)joins in a recurring role for the new season.
Channel Seven’sgrippingnew prime timeaction/dramaRFDShas a stellar cast led byRob Collins(Acting,2013) andAsh Ricardo(Acting, 2008) and2020Diploma of Stage andScreen PerformancegraduateAsh Hodgkinson (above).
The series was filmed lastyearand producers Endemol Shine Australia collaborated very closely with the real Royal Flying Doctors Servicetobring to life thefictionalstoriesand characters. Overeightone-hourepisodes, the modernheroesof the RFDS navigate private lives as turbulent and profound as the heart-stopping emergencies they attend.
Feeling inspired? Applications to study the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) at NIDA are closing on September 31. All applications are online, and it’s free to apply.
Visit apply.nida.edu.au for more info.
NIDA encourages applications from students from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of experience in theatre, film, television or other areas. NIDA welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
Images courtesy of ABC, Foxtel, Channel Seven, Paramount +.
