# Genevieve Lemon

Genevieve Lemon (born 1959) is an Australian actress and singer who has appeared in a number of Australian television series and international film, including a frequent collaboration with Jane Campion for Academy Award-winning The Piano (1993) and The Power of the Dog (2021), which earned her a Satellite Award as cast member and a Critic's Choice Awards nomination.
Lemon is known for her television soap opera roles including Zelda Baker in The Young Doctors, Marlene "Rabbit" Warren in Prisoner and Brenda Riley in Neighbours.
Lemon has also appeared in numerous musical and stage productions, performing in major Australian theatres, including the 2008 original Australian stage production of Billy Elliot the Musical in which she won the Helpmann Award for Best Leading Actress.

## Early life

Lemon was born at the Crown Street Women's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales in 1959 as the third child of four to film editor and director Anthony Cripps Lemon and actress Patricia Mary O'Donnell, whom had married in the early 1950s, her siblings include Michael and Peter.
Lemon joined "The Rock Players" an amateur theatre company in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Leichhardt and after appeared in a production of the musical Steaming before attending and graduating the University of New South Wales in 1982.

## Career

Lemon's professional career began on television in 1982 with a guest role in soap opera Sons and Daughters, followed shortly after with a larger role as Nurse Zelda Baker in the eighth season of The Young Doctors. Between 1984 and 1985 Lemon starred as Marlene Warren in the television series Prisoner, receiving critical acclaim, winning a Penguin Award for her role.
Between 1985 and 1988 Lemon performed in numerous Australian musicals, working for the Sydney Theatre Company, and others before appearing in Judy Morris's film Luigi's Ladies in 1989, after which she was cast as the lead actress in Jane Campion's film Sweetie. The latter role earned her a nomination at the AACTA Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and she won in the same category at the AFCA Awards.
After guest appearances on the television series The Flying Doctors and G.P., Lemon was cast as Brenda Riley in the television series Neighbours between 1991 and 1992. In the same years she appeared in several theatre productions, including Summer Rain by Rodney Fisher, critical acclaimed The Venetian Twins by John Bell, and The Girl Who Save Everything by Robyn Nevin.
In 1993, Lemon again acted under the direction of Jane Campion in the Academy Award-winning film The Piano, co-starring with Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel. Later she also acted in Australian television film Big Ideas and ABC mini-series Seven Deadly Sins. After stage acting in Aubrey Mellor's Brilliant Lies and Rodney Fisher's And a Nightingale Sang, Lemon returned to film in the movie Billy's Holiday in 1995. In 1996 she performed in Miracle City by Nick Enright and Max Lambert, and Merrily We Roll Along by Wayne Harrison.
In 1997 Lemon was cast for Samantha Lang's film The Well acting with Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto, Paul Chubb, and Frank Wilson. Over the next two years, she appeared in numerous theatre productions, including Taming of the Shrew by Glen Elston, Daylight Saving by Nick Enright, and in The Milemonum Project written and devised by Lemon and Russell Dykstra. In 1999 Jane Campion cast Lemon for two films: Holy Smoke! and Soft Fruit.
From 1999 to 2005 Lemon became an integral part of the casts of Sydney Theatre Company productions, appearing in the musical Piaf by Adam Coo, Morning Sacrifice by Jennifer Flowers, The Republic of Myopia by Jonathan Biggins, Summer Rain by Robyn Nevin, and My Brilliant Divorce by Gary Down. In 2003 Lemon acted in television films The Postcard Bandit and Mermaids.

## Recent years: Stage and Screen

In 2006, after starring in Paul Goldman's film Suburban Mayhem, Lemon was played as Shirley in Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott's critical acclaimed musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, touring between 2006 and 2008 the major theatres of Australia and New Zealand. In 2008 Lemon gave voice to Charlotte's Mum, Henry's Mum and Madame in the animated film The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry.
In 2007 Lemon was selected for Australian production of Billy Elliot the Musical, written by Lee Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry with music by Sir. Elton John. She played Mrs Wilkinson from 2007 to 2009, received positive reviews by critics and winning the Sydney Theatre Awards, the Green Room Awards, and the Helpmann Award for her performance. From 2010 and 2011 Lemon was cast for the fifth anniversary United Kingdom tour of the musical's debut.
In 2012 Lemon plays in Death of a Salesman musical by Trevor Ashley, and The Mousetrap by Gary Young. In 2013 Lemon came back to television acting as Bunny in Jane Campion's mini-series Top of the Lake, winning the Equity Ensemble as a cast member. The same year she act in The Pirates of Penzance by Dean Bryant at the Hamer Hall in Melbourne.
In 2014 Lemon played Dotty Otley in Jonathan Biggins's Noises Off production at the Sydney Opera House, She was also cast for season three of television series Rake, and Australian mini-series The Secret River. In 2015 she was cast with Kate Winslet, Judy Davis and Liam Hemsworth in critical acclaimed The Dressmaker directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse. The next two years Lemon worked with Belvoir St Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company.
In 2017 she played in The Homosexuals, or “Faggots” by Lee Lewis, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Iain Sinclair, and Melba by Wayne Harrison and Michael Tyack. The next year Lemon played as Mrs. Wentworth in Bruce Beresford's film Ladies in Black, and had a recurring role in television series Home and Away.
In 2019 Lemon starred in Thomas M. Wright's film Acute Misfortune. The same year she played Sister Winnie in Terence O'Donnell's musical Folk.
In 2020 was announced the participation of Lemon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons in Jane Campion's project The Power of the Dog. The cast performance was critically acclaimed, receiving positive reviews and numerous nominations in several film awards, including Academy Award, Golden Globe and BEFFTA Awards Lemon won her first Satellite Award and received a Critics' Choice Awards nomination as a member of the cast.
In 2021 Lemon starred in the recurring role of Fiona Palmer in the Australian television series Eden and as in the critical acclaim series The Tourist. In November 2021 the film Here Out West was presented at the Sydney Film Festival, in which Lemon starred as Nancy. From March to April 2022, Lemon starred as Mrs Thornhill in the theatrical adaptation of North by Northwest at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.
In 2024, Lemon was named as part of the cast for Stan series Population 11.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | Luigi's Ladies | Debbo | Directed by Judy Morris |
| 1989 | Sweetie | Dawn 'Sweetie' | Directed by Jane Campion |
| 1993 | The Piano | Nessie | With Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel; Directed by Jane Campion |
| 1995 | Billy's Holiday | Julie | Directed by Richard Wherrett |
| 1997 | The Well | Jen Brodern | Starring with Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto, Paul Chubb, and Frank Wilson; Directed by Samantha Lang |
| 1999 | Holy Smoke! | Rahi | Starring with Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel; Directed by Jane Campion |
| 1999 | Soft Fruit | Josie | Written and directed by Christina Andreef |
| 2006 | Suburban Mayhem | Auntie Dianne | Starring with Emily Barclay and Michael Dorman; Directed by Paul Goldman |
| 2006 | The Water Diary | | Film Short |
| 2007 | To Each His Own Cinema | The Voices #1 | French anthology film; segment: "The Lady Bug" Segment directed by Jane Campion |
| 2008 | 8 | Pam Garner | Segment: "The Water Diary" - directed by Jane Campion |
| 2015 | The Dressmaker | Mae McSwiney | Starring with Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse |
| 2018 | Ladies in Black | Mrs. Wentworth | Directed by Bruce Beresford |
| 2019 | Acute Misfortune | Carmel Cullen | Produced and directed by Thomas M. Wright |
| 2021 | The Power of the Dog | Mrs. Lewis | Starring with Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons Directed by Jane Campion |
| 2022 | Here Out West | Nancy | Directed by Fadia Abboud, Lucy Gaffy, Julie Kalceff |
| 2022 | Christmas Ransom | Nan | Feature film |
| 2022 | Ticket to Paradise | Beth-Ann | With George Clooney and Julia Roberts Directed by Ol Parker |
| 2023 | The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race | Barb Brickner | |
| 2024 | Runt | Dolly Shearer | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Sons and Daughters | Jennifer Hickson | TV series, season 1, episode 136 |
| 1983 | The Young Doctors | Zelda Baker | TV series, season 8 |
| 1984–85 | Prisoner | Marlene Warren | TV series, seasons 6–7; 74 episodes Internationally re-titled Prisoner: Cell Block H |
| 1986 | Studio 86 | | TV series, episode: "Lady's Day" |
| 1989 | The Flying Doctors | Libby | TV series, season 5, episode 24: "A Rhyme for Reason" |
| 1990 | G.P. | Kate Mawson | TV series, season 2, episode 37: "Longing" |
| 1991–92 | Neighbours | Brenda Riley | TV series, seasons 7–8, 41 episodes |
| 1993 | Seven Deadly Sins | Envy | TV miniseries |
| 1994 | Heartland | Fiona Lovell | TV series, season 1, episode 8 |
| 1996 | Monday to Friday | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1996 | After the Beep | Josephine Donnelly | TV series, season 1, 7 episodes |
| 2001 | Always Greener | Loretta | TV series, season 1, episode 3: "Close Encounters of the Furred Kind" |
| 2003 | The Postcard Bandit | Nola | TV Movie |
| 2003 | Mermaids | Betty | TV Movie |
| 2008 | The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry | Charlotte's Mum/Henry's Mum/Madame | Animation |
| 2013 | Top of the Lake | Bunny | BBC Two/BBC UKTV miniseries, 7 episodes Created, written and directed by Jane Campion |
| 2014 | Rake | Tikki Wendon | TV series, season 3, 6 episodes |
| 2014 | The Secret River | Mrs. Herring | TV miniseries |
| 2015 | Redfern Now: Promise Me | Dr. Linda | TV Movie (conclusion of Redfern Now) |
| 2018 | Home and Away | Hazel Easton | TV series, season 31, 10 episodes |
| 2021 | The Tourist | Sue | TV series, season 1, 6 episodes |
| 2021 | Eden | Fiona Palmer | TV series, season 1, 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Pieces of Her | Gloria | TV series, season 1, 1 episodes |
| 2022 | Colin From Accounts | Jenny | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2023 | Totally, Completely, Fine | Lorraine Matthews | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Strife | Anne Marie Ford | 1 episode |
| 2024 | Population 11 | Valerie Hogarth | TV series: 9 episodes |
| 2024 | Return To Paradise | Madge Woodburne | TV series |

### Other appearances

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2022 | Today Extra | Guest | 1 episode |
| 2018 | The Daily Edition | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1999 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1996; 1999 | Good Morning Australia | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 19?? | The Mike Walsh Show | Guest - Herself | TV series, 1 episode |

## Radio

| Program | Years | Station | Notes |
| Bastille Day Show | 1989 | ABC Radio - Australia | Comedy sketch with Andrew Denton and Simon Dodd |
| The Tatty Hallow Story | 1995 | ABC Radio - Australia | Recurring guest host |
| Hinx Minx | 1999 | ABC Radio - Australia | Co-host |

## Theatre and musical
### Sydney Theatre Company productions

Sydney Theatre Company is an Australian theatre company based in Sydney, New South Wales, which performs at The Wharf Theatre, the Roslyn Packer Theatre and the Sydney Opera House. Lemon has performed in nineteen productions with the company.
| Title | Years | Role | Location | Notes |
| The Madras House | 1986 | Mrs Brigstock | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Rodney Fisher |
| The Seagull | 1986 | Masha | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon |
| Summer Rain | 1989 | Lorna Farrell | Roslyn Packer Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Rodney Fisher |
| Once in a Lifetime | 1990 | Helen Hobart | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Richard Wherrett |
| The Girl Who Saw Everything | 1992 | Carol | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Robyn Nevin |
| Miracle City | 1996 | Lora Lee Truswell | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; written by Nick Enright, directed by Gale Edwards, music by Max Lambert |
| Merrily We Roll Along | 1996 | Gussie | Footbridge Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Simon Phillips and Wayne Harrison, music by Stephen Sondheim |
| The Recruit | 1999 | Meg | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Robyn Nevin |
| The Olympic Revue | 2001 | Various characters | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; various artistic directions |
| Morning Sacrifice | 2001 | Miss Bates | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Jennifer Flowers |
| Hanging Man | 2002 | Linda | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Robyn Nevin |
| Victory | 2004 | Pyle | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; written and directed by Judy Davis and Ben Winspear |
| The Republic of Myopia | 2004 | Envoy of the USA | Roslyn Packer Theatre | Stage musical; written and directed by Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe, music by Phillip Scott |
| Harbour | 2004 | Jo | Roslyn Packer Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Jonathan Biggins |
| Wharf Revue | 2004–2006 | Various characters | Wharf Theatre; Roslyn Packer Theatre; Sydney Opera House | Stage musical; directed by Jonathan Biggins |
| Summer Rain | 2005 | Ruby Slocum | Roslyn Packer Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Robyn Nevin |
| Noises Off | 2014 | Dotty Otley | Sydney Opera House | Stage musical; directed by Jonathan Biggins |
| Hay Fever | 2016 | Clara | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Imara Savage, music by Max Lyandvert |
| The Hanging | 2016 | Ms Corrossi | Wharf Theatre | Stage musical; written by Angela Betzien, directed by Sarah Goodes, music by Steve Francis |
| North by Northwest | 2022 | Mrs Thornhill | Sydney Lyric Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Simon Phillips |

### International productions and tours

| Title | Years | Role | Location | Notes |
| My Brilliant Divorce | 2001 | Miss Bates | Australian theatre tour | Stage musical; written by Geraldine Aron,directed by Gary Down |
| Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | 2006–2007 | Shirley | Lyric Theatre; Regent Theatre; Star City Hotel | Jukebox musical; written and directed by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott |
| Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | 2008 | Shirley | Auckland Civic Theatre (New Zealand) | Jukebox musical; written and directed by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott |
| Billy Elliot the Musical | 2007–2009 | Mrs Wilkinson | Capitol Theatre; Her Majesty's Theatre; | Coming-of-age stage musical; written by Lee Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry, music is by Elton John |
| Billy Elliot the Musical | 2010–2011 | Mrs Wilkinson | Victoria Palace Theatre (United Kingdom) | Coming-of-age stage musical; written by Lee Hall, directed by Stephen Daldry, music is by Elton John |

### Other Australian productions

| Title | Years | Role | Location | Notes |
| Belvoir Theatre Company |||||
| The Cosmonaut's Last Message | 2002 | Vivienne / Sylvia | Belvoir St Theatre | Stage musical; written by David Greig, directed by Joseph Couch, music by Paul Charlier |
| Death of a Salesman | 2012 | Linda / Letta | Belvoir St Theatre | Stage musical; written by Trevor Ashley and Phillip Scott,directed by Gary Scalese |
| Seventeen | 2015 | Lizzie | Belvoir St Theatre | Stage musical; written by Matthew Whittet,directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, music by Alan John |
| The Blind Giant is Dancing | 2016 | Eileen | Belvoir St Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Eamon Flack, music by Steve Toulmin |
| Ensemble Theatre Company |||||
| Broken Glass | 2003 | Harriet | Ensemble Theatre | Stage musical; written by Arthur Miller, directed by Adam Cook |
| Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? | 2017 | Martha | Ensemble Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Iain Sinclair |
| Folk | 2019 | Sister Winnie | Ensemble Theatre | Stage musical; written by Tom Wells, directed by Terence O'Donnell |
| Griffin Theatre Company |||||
| The Homosexuals, or “Faggots” | 2017 | Diana | Malthouse Theatre | Stage musical; written by Declan Greene, directed by Lee Lewis, music by Steve Toulmin |
| Hayes Theatre Company |||||
| Melba | 2017 | Madame Marchesi | Hayes Theatre | Stage musical; written and directed by Wayne Harrison, music by Michael Tyack |
| Melbourne Theatre Company |||||
| Summer of the Seventeenth Doll | 1996 | Olive | Arts Centre Melbourne | Stage musical; directed by Robyn Nevin |
| Piaf | 2000 | Toine | Southbank Theatre | Stage musical; directed by Adam Cook |
| Mousetrap Australia Company |||||
| The Mousetrap | 2012 | Mrs Boyle | Hamer Hall | Stage musical; directed by Gary Young |
| The Production Company |||||
| The Pirates of Penzance | 2013 | Ruth | Arts Centre Melbourne | Stage musical; directed by Dean Bryant |

## Awards and nominations
### Film and television awards

| Association | Year | Work | Category | Result |
| AACTA Awards | 1989 | Sweetie | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards | 2006 | Suburban Mayhem | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | 1990 | Sweetie | Best Actress | Won |
| Critics' Choice Awards | 2021 | The Power of the Dog | Best Acting Ensemble | Nominated |
| Equity Ensemble Awards | 2014 | Top of the Lake | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Mini-Series | Won |
| New York Film Critics Online | 2021 | The Power of the Dog | Best Assemble | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2021 | The Power of the Dog | Best Ensemble - Motion Picture | Won |
| Penguin Award | 1985 | Prisoner | Certificate of Commendation | Won |
| Women Film Critics Circle | 2015 | The Dressmaker | Best Ensemble | Nominated |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | 2021 | The Power of the Dog | Best Ensemble | Nominated |

### Theatre awards

| Association | Year | Work | Category | Result |
| Sydney Theatre Awards | 2007 | Billy Elliot: The Musical | Best Actress in a Musical | Won |
| Helpmann Award | 2008 | Billy Elliot: The Musical | Best Actress in a Musical | Won |
| Green Room Awards | 1982 | Steaming | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nominated |
| Green Room Awards | 2008 | Billy Elliot: The Musical | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Won |