Julie Nihill

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Born1957 (age 6869)
Melbourne, Australia
OccupationActor
Yearsactive1981–present
KnownforBlue Heelers as Chris Riley
Julie Nihill
Born1957 (age 6869)
Melbourne, Australia
OccupationActor
Years active1981–present
Known forBlue Heelers as Chris Riley

Julie Nihill (born 1957 in Melbourne) is an Australian actress, voice artist, narrator, producer and writer, best known for her 12-year role as Chris Riley on the police drama Blue Heelers (1994–2006).[1]

Nihill was drawn to acting through her love of storytelling. She originally studied a Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences) at La Trobe University, which she abandoned to pursue a career as an actress. She trained at Trinity College London, studying an Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama, and an Associate Diploma in Effective Speaking.[2]

Career

Nihill made her television debut in I Can Jump Puddles (1981) and her film debut in Careful, He Might Hear You (1983). That led to her first lead role, in the ABC TV movie Every Move She Makes, for which she received a Penguin Award, and the miniseries Bodyline, in which Nihill played Jessie Bradman, the wife of Sir Donald Bradman.

Nihill became a household face in 1994 when she was cast as publican and local councillor Chris Riley in the police drama Blue Heelers. Nihill was one of only two actors (the other being John Wood) to star in the series for its entire run.[3]

Nihill had guest roles in television programs including Prisoner: Cell Block H, Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, Mother and Son, House Husbands, The Leftovers, and Picnic at Hanging Rock.

She is also a theatre performer, having worked with Australian theatre companies such as the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Tasmanian Theatre Company. She has performed numerous radio plays for the ABC, as well as commercial voice-over work and documentary narration.[4] Nihill has also narrated a number of audiobooks.[5]

Personal life

Nihill was married to actor Richard Moir, and they had two daughters, actress Lucy Moir and director Bonnie Moir.[6]

She runs an Australian production company called EarthStar Films.[7]

Nihill has a Graduate Diploma in Education from Mercy College, Melbourne and is registered with the Victorian Department of Education. She is also a Human Potential and Transformation Coach and Facilitator, a qualification she obtained in California.[8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Type
1982A Slice of LifePamFeature film
1982We of the Never NeverFeature film
1983Careful, He Might Hear YouDianaFeature film
1983UndercoverDesign Room GirlFeature film
1985The Coca-Cola KidMarching GirlFeature film
1985RebelJoycieFeature film
1986KangarooVicki CalcottFeature film
1988Boundaries of the HeartJune ThompsonFeature film
1990DeadlyJenyFeature film
2000The Way of the BirdsHerself (Voice)Film short
2001DalkeithSallyFeature film
2015Holding the ManPetrea, Pranic Healer (uncredited)Feature film
2016The Prince of ChinatownMotherFilm short
2017PillarsLouisaFilm short
2018BirdTeacherFilm short
2019The DiverCynthiaFilm short
2020NurseryCarolFilm short
2020The Way of the BirdsNarrator / The MotherAnimated short
2020Love is a Lunatic CityOp-Shop VolunteerFilm short
2021The Cutting RoomFayFilm short
2023NurseryCarolFilm short

Television

Year Title Role Type
1981 I Can Jump Puddles Young Woman TV miniseries, 1 episode "Getting Your Breath"
1981 The Sullivans Sue Matthews TV series, 1 episode
1982 Cop Shop Raylene Fennell / Christine Powell TV series, 2 episodes
1982 Holiday Island Bernadine TV series, 1 episode
1982 Home Joy TV series, 2 episodes
1982 The Young Doctors Linda Wilson TV series, 8 episodes
1982; 1983 Prisoner Lindy Peters / Nurse TV series, 2 episodes
1983 Starting Out Tessa Staples TV series, 1 episode
1984 Bodyline Jessie Bradman TV miniseries, 1 episode
1984; 1989 A Country Practice Michelle Hayden / Dinny TV series, 4 episodes
1984 Every Move She Makes Alison Berger TV movie
1984 The Cowra Breakout Merle TV miniseries, 4 episodes
1985 Sons and Daughters Julie Webb TV series, 16 episodes
1986 Tusitala Belle Strong TV miniseries, 3 episodes
1987 Army Wives Jill TV movie
1988; 1991 Rafferty's Rules Cathy Gregory TV series, 3 episodes
1989 The Flying Doctors Jilly Potter TV series, 1 episode
1992 Mother and Son Receptionist TV series, 1 episode
1994–2006 Blue Heelers Christine 'Chris' Riley TV series, 507 episodes
1995 Banjo Paterson's The Man from Snowy River (aka Snowy River: The McGregor Saga) Nora O'Reilly TV series, season 2, 1 episode
1998 Good Morning Australia Guest TV series, 1 episode
2012 Winners & Losers Pauline Brown TV series, 1 episode
2012 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab Mrs. Hableton TV movie
2014 Worst Year of My Life, Again! Ms Fowler TV series, 1 episode
2014 The Greatest Love of All Gary's Mum TV series, 1 episode
2017 House Husbands Bronwyn TV series, 1 episode
2017 The Leftovers Sharon TV series, 1 episode
2017 True Story with Hamish & Andy Ruth TV series, 1 episode
2018 Picnic at Hanging Rock Mrs. Horton TV miniseries, 1 episode
2018 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Maggie Butson TV series, 1 episode
2018 How to Stay Married Mrs. Veteris TV series, 1 episode
2019 Neighbours Sister Grace TV series, 1 episode

Theatre

Year Title Role Venue / Co.
1980You're a Good Man, Charlie BrownPattyUniversal Theatre, Melbourne & Anthill Theatre
1985–86Mixed Doubles: Tom Thumb the GreatPrincess Huncamunca / FoodleWharf Theatre with STC
1985–86Mixed Doubles: SeducedMiamiWharf Theatre with STC
1985–86Mixed Doubles: Family FavouritesLucyWharf Theatre with STC
1985–86Mixed Doubles: Suddenly Last SummerSister FelicityWharf Theatre with STC
1986Wild HoneySachaPlayhouse, Adelaide with STCSA
1988–89Don's PartyKathSydney Opera House, Melbourne Athenaeum with Kinselas
1991Ursula (Adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's Women in Love)UrsulaCrossroads Theatre, Sydney
1991Molly in Bed (Soliloquy from James Joyce's Ulysses)Clara MasonCrossroads Theatre, Sydney
1993Big ToysMagMalthouse Theatre, Melbourne, Ford Theatre, Geelong, Monash University, West Gippsland Arts Centre, Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat
1995The SupperErikaMalthouse Theatre, Melbourne with Stables Productions
2001Return JourneyBarmaidMontsalvat, Melbourne
2001The Fire & the RoseOne woman cabaretMontsalvat, Melbourne
2001Under Milk WoodPolly GarterMontsalvat, Melbourne
2003InheritanceSimon PhillipsPlayhouse, Melbourne, Sydney Opera House with MTC / STC
2006Secret Life of ShakespeareGertrude / Viola
2007The Glass SoldierPlayhouse, Melbourne with MTC
2014The Glass MenagerieAmandaMelbourne Fringe Festival
2017Bakersfield MistMaudeTasmanian Theatre Company
2020Running with EmusLa Mama, Melbourne

[9][10]

Awards

References

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