# Paula Duncan

Paula Margaret Duncan AM (born 15 September 1952) is an Australian actress.
Her numerous television roles include playing in Number 96 as Carol Finlayson (1974-1975), The Young Doctors (1976–77), as Nurse Lisa Brooks, Cop Shop as Detective Danni Francis (1977–83), for which she twice won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress, Prisoner as Lorelei Wilkinson (1986), Richmond Hill as Janet Bryant (1988), Home and Away as Bridget Jackson (1990) and Neighbours (2011). Other notable roles include Paradise Beach and Breakers.
Duncan's older sister was stage and screen actress and activist Carmen Duncan.

## Career

Duncan was born in Cooma, New South Wales, to publicans Rita and Robert on 15 September 1952. has played several leading roles in various TV series. Early roles were Carol Finlayson in Number 96 (her sister Carmen Duncan had previously acted in this serial), followed by Lisa Brooks in The Young Doctors. She left The Young Doctors to take the role of Danni Francis in Cop Shop, and stayed in the role for the series' entire 1977–1984 run. After Cop Shop ended she played Lorelei Wilkinson in Prisoner in 1986, then was Janet Bryant in Richmond Hill (1988) for its entire run, Bridget Jackson in Home and Away, and Joan Hayden in Paradise Beach.
In 2011 Duncan joined the cast of Neighbours as Carolyn Johnstone, a love interest for Harold Bishop (Ian Smith). Duncan previously appeared in the show as Amy Medway in 1985.

### Advertising

Duncan is well known to Australian audiences through her work on television commercials, especially humorous commercials for the Ajax household cleaner Spray N' Wipe, from 1988 to 2010.
She has also made guest appearances on the NRL Footy Show on Network Nine.

## Personal life

Duncan married actor John Orcsik in June 1982 after they met acting together in Cop Shop. They opened acting school, The Australian Film & Television Academy (TAFTA) together on the Gold Coast in 1994. They divorced in 1998. They have since worked together in the show Paradise Beach and elsewhere.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1974 | Casualty Ward | unknown role | TV film |
| 1975 | Polly Me Love | unknown role | TV film |
| 1978 | Cass | | TV film |
| 1985 | Jenny Kissed Me | Gaynor | Feature film |
| 1987 | Future Past | Miss Bernsteen | TV film |
| 1996 | Academy | Jennifer Haywood | TV film |
| 2004 | Cocktail Hour | Sandra | Film short |
| 2004 | Strange Bedfellows | Yvonne Philpot | Feature film |
| 2009 | Braille | Madam | Feature film |
| 2011 | Surprise Surprise | Muriel | Film short |
| 2015 | Natural Injustice | Doreen Smith | Feature film |
| 2017 | Torn | Tess Smith | Film short |
| 2020 | Unsound | Angela | Feature film |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1955 | Lux Video Theatre | Kitty | TV series US, 1 episode "So Evil My Love" |
| 1973 | The Pirates of Penzance | Unknown role | Teleplay |
| 1974 | This Love Affair | Joan | TV series, 1 episode 8: 'One Of My Silly Dreams' |
| 1974 | Certain Women | unknown role | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1974-75 / 1977 | Number 96 | Carol Finlayson | "1.669", "1.689", "1.700" |
| 1975 | Ain't Got a Barrel of Money | unknown role | TV pilot |
| 1977 | The Young Doctors | Lisa Brooks | TV series, 121 episodes |
| 1977-1984 | Cop Shop | Det. Danni Francis | TV series, 582 episodes |
| 1984 | Matthew and Son | Barbara Dean | TV pilot |
| 1985 | Neighbours | Amy Medway | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 1986 | Prisoner | Lorelei Wilkinson | TV series, 54 episodes Regular role; Season 8 |
| 1986 | Studio 86 | Glenda | TV series, 1 episode "An Electric Day" |
| 1988 | Richmond Hill | Janet Bryant | TV series |
| 1990 | Home and Away | Bridget Jackson | TV series, 8 episodes Recurring role; Season 3 |
| 1990 | Skirts | Guest role: Janine Davies | TV series, 1 episode 3: "Wolf Whistles" |
| 1992 | Mother And Son | Real Estate agent | TV series, 1 episode "The Clock" |
| 1993-1994 | Paradise Beach | Joan Hayden | "2.139" |
| 1999 | Breakers | Karen Fairbarn | TV series |
| 2000 | Pizza | Lorelei Wilkinson | TV series, 1 episode "Gambling Pizza" |
| 2002 | Always Greener | Make-up artist | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2008 | East of Everything | Pauline | TV series, 3 episodes: "No Way to Nirvana", "Save Me Some Scones", "Aesthetic My Arse" |
| 2011 | Neighbours | Carolyn Johnstone | TV series, 7 episodes Recurring role; Season 27 |
| 2015 | Hiding | Jenny Krilich | TV series, 3 episodes "1.1", "1.3", "1.8" |

### Interview / self appearances

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2023 | Today Extra | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | Weekend Sunrise | Guest (with John Orcsik) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | Seven News Melbourne | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2022 | This Is Your Life: Ray Meagher | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018-2019 | The Morning Show | Herself - Infomercial | TV series |
| 2019 | Studio 10 | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Chris Smith Tonight | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2020 | First Dates Australia | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2021-2024 | The Morning Show | Herself - Sleeper Pro Pillow Infomercial | TV series |
| 2015-2019 | The Daily Edition | Herself | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2016 | Australian Disability Film Festival | Herself | TV special |
| 2016; 2016 | The Morning Show | Guest (with John Orcsik) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016; 2019 | Studio 10 | Guest (with Maggie Kirkpatrick, Lynda Stoner & Toni Pearen) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2016 | The Morning Show | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2012 | The Circle | Herself | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2015; 2016 | Studio 10 | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2008 | This Is Your Life: Bert Newton | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2009 | Ten News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2010 | A Current Affair | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2011 | Today Tonight | Herself & John Orscik | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2011 | The Morning Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2007 | Where Are They Now | Guest - Herself with 'Cop Shop' cast: John Orscik, Lynda Stoner, Joanna Lockwood, Terence Donovan & Gil Tucker | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2007; 2011 | Today Tonight | Herself - Guest with 'Cop Shop' cast: Gil Tucker, John Orcsik, Terence Donovan & Greg Ross | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Confidential at the Logies | Herself | TV special |
| 2008 | Susie | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2003 | This Is Your Life :10 Year Celebration Special | Herself | TV special |
| 2003; 2006; 2007 | Mornings with Kerri-Anne | Herself | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 2006 | 50 Years 50 Stars | Herself | TV special |
| 2006 | TV Turns 50 - The Events That Stopped A Nation | Herself | TV special |
| 2006 | What a Year | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2006; 2010 | A Current Affair | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Best of Aussie Cop Shows | Herself | TV special |
| 2002 | New Idea: 100 Fabulous Years | Herself | TV special |
| 2000 | The Morning Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Denise | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Good Medicine | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Laws | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Fox Studios Australia: The Grand Opening | Herself | TV special |
| 1998 | FCTV | Herself | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 1997 | The Footy Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997 | Sex And Beyond: 25 Years of Cleo | Herself | TV special |
| 1995; 1996; 2001; 2008 | This Is Your Life: Paula Duncan/Carmen Duncan/Judy Nunn/Bert Newton | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1996; 1997 | Monday to Friday | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Australian Good Taste | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997 | Where Are They Now? | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997 | Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune | Contestant | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1997-2000 | Beauty and the Beast | Herself | TV series |
| 1996-2000 | An Australian Christmas At Darling Harbour | Herself | TV special |
| 1996 | The Crawford Story | Herself | TV special |
| 1995 | The Times | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Dr Feelgood | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1993; 1995 | Ernie and Denise | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Love Rules | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | What’s Cooking? | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | At Home | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Today | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Midday with Derryn Hinch | Guest with John Orcsik | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1993; 1994 | Live It Up | Herself | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1993-2005 | Good Morning Australia | Herself | TV series |
| 1993 | The Great Outdoors | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | The Morning Show | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1992 | Ten News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | Seven Nightly News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | National Nine News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1992 | ABC News | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1991; 1992 | In Sydney Today | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1990; 1991 | Tonight Live With Steve Vizard | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1990 | TV Celebrity Dance Party | Herself | TV special |
| 1991; 1997 | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune | Contestant | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1991 | The Main Event | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1988 | Henry Lawson's Australia | Presenter | Video |
| 1988 | Rugby League Grand Final | Herself | TV special |
| 1988 | Life Education Television Appeal | Herself | TV special |
| 1989 | TV Weddings | Herself | TV special |
| 1989 | The Bert Newton Show | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | In Melbourne Today | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989; 1989 | Celebrity Family Feud | Contestant (with family John, Simon & Jessica Orcsik) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1989 | Celebrity Family Feud | Guest (with Chantal Contouri, Jo Mitchell & Jodie Gillies) | TV series, 1 episode "Leading Ladies" |
| 1987 | Have a Go | Herself | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1987-1998 | The Midday Show | Herself | TV series |
| 1986 | An Australian Audience with Dame Edna Everage | Herself | TV special |
| 1986 | Punchlines | Herself | TV special |
| 1984; 1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest (with sister Carmen Duncan) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1982 | The 24th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1984 | 1984 TV Week Logie Awards | Guest (with John Orcsik arriving at event) | TV special |
| 1984 | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest (with John & Simon Orcsik) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | The 22nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Herself | TV special |
| 1977 | Number 96: The Final Episode | Herself | TV special |
| 1975 | Celebrity Squares | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1974-1978 | You Say The Word | Herself | TV series |
| 1973 | The Barry Crocker Comedy Hour | Herself | TV special |

## Stage

| Year | Title |
| 1972 | Dick Whittington and His Cat |
| 1983 | Salad Days |
| 1985 | Half In Earnest |
| 1987 | Hansel And Gretel's Aussie Adventure |
| 1987 | Blithe Spirit |
| 1989 | Bedroom Farce |
| 1990 | The Lady's Not For Burning |
| 1995 | Brazilian Blue |
| 1998 | Social Climbers |
| 2002 | The Vagina Monologues |
| 2007 | Flying Solo |
| 2008 | Theatresports |