Janet Andrewartha

Theatre

In 1981, Andrewartha toured her one-woman theatre show in Melbourne, titled Singing in the Raid.^[5] In 1982, she performed her show at the National Theatre.^[6][7] She played Iris in the production Framework at the Universal Theatre, in Fitzroy.^[8] In 1984, she took the role of Polly in the Victorian Arts Centre production of The Three-penny Opera.^[1]

In 1985, she took roles in Russell Street Theatre productions. She acted in Barry Dickins' Reservoir by Night, and in Shirley Gee's Never in My Lifetime, opposite Kevin Harrington.^[9][10]

Andrewartha continued working with the Melbourne Theatre Company on several productions, including a role in the Australian outing of Tom & Viv.^[6] For her portrayal of the role, Andrewartha won a leading actress accolade at the 1987 Green Room Awards.^[11] In 1988, she took the role of Great Aunt Dinah in Tristram Shandy, and Joan in Dinkum Assorted.^{[12][13][14][15][16]}

In 1991, she played Sandra in another Melbourne Theatre Company production, Sunday Lunch; she also took the lead role of investigative journalist Jean in Michael Gurr's Sex Diary of an Infidel.^[17][18] During the 1992 season, Andrewartha played the lead role of Emilia in Othello.^[19][20] In 1993, she took a role playing barmaid Breda in A Happy and Holy Occasion and later played Lisa in The Garden of Granddaughters.^[21][22] Andrewartha played Caroline in another play by Gurr, titled Underwear, Perfume and Crash Helmet, which debuted in 1994.^[23][24] In the 1995 season she took the role of Mary Margaret in Good Works.^[25] Her 1997 theatre roles included a part in the Sydney Theatre Company collaboration Jerusalem, and Isola in Navigating.^[26][27] In 1998, she secured the role in Hotel Sorrento, and she later played Liz in Rising Fish Prayer.^[28][29] That year, Andrewartha also directed a theatre production titled Neon Angel.^[30]

Television

Although Andrewartha had an extensive career in theatre, she starting appearing in television roles in the early 1980s, with a role in court drama Carson's Law.^[7] From 1990 until 1991, she appeared in drama serial Embassy as Marion Stewart, the strong wife of an Australian ambassador. For her role of Marion, she was nominated an Australian Film Institute Award for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama" at the 1991 Australian Film Institute Awards.^[15] Despite her success, Andrewartha was not asked to return for the show's last series, and she resumed her work with the Melbourne Theatre Company.^[15]

She became known internationally for her television role in the drama series Prisoner, joining the cast in 1984 as rebellious biker Rebecca "Reb" Kean.^[7] Her character was written out of the series, after Andrewartha decided not to renew her contract and return to the stage.^[31] She reprised the role in June 1985.^[32]

In 1999, Andrewartha joined the cast of the soap opera Neighbours, playing the role of Lyn Scully.^[33] Andrewartha left the show in 2006,^[34] and immediately resumed working in theatre. In 2007, Andrewartha took a hiatus from acting while she helped care for her ill mother, until her death in January 2008. She also used the time off to help her daughter with her education.^[7] She later returned to Neighbours for a guest role in 2008, and once again in 2009, and remained with Neighbours for another two years.^[34][35] In 2011, Andrewartha decided to leave the series once again. She stated that she was only supposed to return in a guest role and ended up staying on. Andrewartha chose to leave to pursue other acting roles.^[35] The actress later reprised the role for further guest roles in 2016, 2017 and 2019.^[36][37][38]

In 2017, Andrewartha joined the cast of Seven Types of Ambiguity in the recurring role of Kathleen.^[39] Her most recent roles were in 2023 in the SBS drama miniseries Safe Home as Diana, and her last role was in 2024 Paramount+ thriller Fake as Kath Tovey.^[40][41]

Film

Television

As performer

As director

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