Draft:Clare Hughes
Australian actress
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Clare Hughes is an Australian actor originally from Perth, Western Australia.[1] She rose to prominence following her graduation from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 2022, where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.[1] She is recognised for her work in television and theatre, most notably in the series Ladies in Black.[2]
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Early life and education
Hughes was born in Perth. She moved from Perth to Sydney to pursue acting training at National Institute of Dramatic Art , where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2022.[1] During her studies, she participated in various student productions, including a third-year production of Picnic at Hanging Rock.[3] In late 2022, shortly after her graduation, she attended a guest lecture by industry executive Brian Walsh, who provided career guidance to her cohort.[citation needed]
Career
Television
Hughes' first professional acting role post-graduation was the lead role of Lisa in the ABC series Ladies in Black (2024), an adaptation of Madeleine St John’s novel set in 1961, directed by Gracie Otto.[2] In this production, she starred as an ambitious university student working part-time at the Goodes department store alongside veteran actors such as Miranda Otto.[4]
Following her debut, Hughes appeared in the second season of the series Ten Pound Poms (2025).[2] Her television credits also include the 2026 streaming series Ponies.[5]
Theatre
Hughes made her professional stage debut in the one-woman show Sitting, Screaming at the Old Fitz Theatre. It was written by Madelaine Nunn and directed by Lucy Clements, featuring Hughes as Sam, a teenager navigating family and adolescence.[6]
Internationally, Hughes performed at London’s Old Vic in the production of Mary Page Marlowe, appearing alongside Susan Sarandon and Andrea Riseborough.[7]
Awards and recognition
In 2025, the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) named Hughes one of its Rising Stars, an initiative identifying actors poised for significant career breakthroughs.[2]
In February 2026, Hughes received the AACTA Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent at the AACTA Awards held on the Gold Coast. The award recognises innovation and passion in the early stages of an acting career and includes a development package valued at $25,000, including $20,000 in career advancement funds contributed by Nicole Kidman.[8]
Personal life
Hughes is a big fan of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. She likes to play piano. Prior to getting her first acting role, Hughes worked at a cinema.[1]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ladies in Black | Lisa Miles | 6 episodes |
| 2024 | Ten Pound Poms | Birdie Skinner | 6 episodes |
| 2025 | Ponies | Eevi | 5 episodes |