# Sigrid Thornton

Sigrid Madeline Thornton AO (born 12 February 1959) is an Australian film and television actress. Her television work includes Prisoner (1979–80), All the Rivers Run (1983), SeaChange (1998–2019) and Wentworth (2016–2018). She also starred in the American Western series Paradise (1988–1991). Her film appearances include Snapshot (1979), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Street Hero (1984) and Face to Face (2011). She won the AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama for the 2015 miniseries Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door.

## Biography
### Early years

Thornton was born in Canberra, the daughter of Merle, an academic and writer, and Neil Thornton, an academic. She was raised in Brisbane, attending St. Peter's Lutheran College. For two years, she lived in London, where she was a member of the Unicorn Theatre.
Back in Brisbane she attended Twelfth Night Theatre Junior Workshop and in 1970, during the Captain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations, Thornton appeared before Queen Elizabeth II as Rosa Campbell-Praed in Looking Glass on Yesterday. Thornton was a student of noted theatre director, Joan Whalley.

### Career

She acted in TV series Homicide in 1973 and Division 4 in 1975. She also appeared on The Sullivans, as Elizabeth "Buffy" Turnbull.
In 1977, Thornton made her film debut as Wendy in The FJ Holden directed by Michael Thornhill, and in the same year as Maria in the film adaptation of Henry Handel Richardson's colonial Australian novel, The Getting of Wisdom (1977) directed by Bruce Beresford. In 1978, Thornton appeared in the Australian television sequel of the British comedy series Father, Dear Father in Australia and Cop Shop,. The same year she played Angela in the film Snapshot (aka The Day After Halloween) directed by Simon Wincer, for which role she was nominated for Australian Film Awards Best Actress in a Feature Film in 1979.
In 1980, she appeared as Roslyn Coulson in the Australian television drama Prisoner (known overseas as Prisoner: Cell Block H). Thornton starred in 1981 in Duet for Four. In 1982, she took on the roles of Jessica Harrison in the films The Man from Snowy River and its sequel in 1988 The Man from Snowy River II. In 1983, she marked an appearance in Street Hero. She starred in 1983's miniseries All the Rivers Run. 1986 saw her in The Lighthorsemen, the TV adaptation of Nevil Shute's novel The Far Country, Great Expectations: The Untold Story and Slate, Wyn & Me.
From 1988 to 1991, she appeared as Amelia Lawson in the American television drama series Paradise. Syndication of All the Rivers Run and The Man from Snowy River and The Man from Snowy River II brought her to a wider international audience.
In 1991, she starred in Over the Hill directed by George T. Miller and in 1996, Love in Ambush directed by Carl Shultz. She starred as Laura Joy Gibson in the Australian television series SeaChange from 1998 to 2000, winning the Most Outstanding Actress award in 1999 and 2000.

### Stage highlights

Thornton's stage performances include a 2002/03 touring production of The Blue Room directed by Simon Phillips for the Melbourne Theatre Company opposite Marcus Graham. In 2009 she made her debut with Opera Australia in its production at Melbourne's Arts Centre as Desiree Armfeldt in Sondheim and Wheeler's A Little Night Music, directed by Stuart Maunder.
In 2014, she won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire for the Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth.
In 2015, she appeared in the premiere of Stephen Beckett's play Diary of a Nobody, inspired by the 1892 novel The Diary of a Nobody, at the Princess Theatre, Launceston, Tasmania. The same year, Thornton played the part of Golde in Fiddler on the Roof at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne.
As of September 2022 Sigrid made her stage debut for the Sydney Theatre Company in the premiere stage play The Lifespan of a Fact to rave reviews and in 2023 returns to the stage for Anton Chekhov's The Seagull for the Sydney Theatre Company.
On 11 September 2024, Thornton was named for the 2025 season for the Melbourne Theatre Co play Mother Play.

### Recent film and television work

In 2002, Thornton starred in Australian thriller The Pact, directed by Strathford Hamilton, written by Hugh O'Brien.
In 2003, Thornton appeared in Mittens directed by Emma Freeman. In 2004, she played a geneticist in a four-episode arc on MDA. She shaved her head for her role in the 2005 telemovie Little Oberon.
Thornton hosted the Nine Network's What's Good For You.
In 2010, she appeared in Underbelly: The Golden Mile as recurring character Geraldine "Gerry" Lloyd, an Australian Federal Police detective and investigator for the Wood Royal Commission.
In 2011, Thornton starred in Face to Face, an independent Australian film directed by Michael Rymer.
In 2012, she participated in Who Do You Think You Are.
In 2016, Thornton appeared in the fourth season of SoHo drama series Wentworth for seven episodes as a special guest star. She portrayed the character of Sonia Stevens (initially played by Tina Bursill in Prisoner), a woman on remand for the suspected murder of her best friend.
Thornton returned for season 5 of Wentworth as a main cast member and served as the main antagonist in season 6, until her characters death in episode 7, "The Edge".
In 2018, she appeared in Anh's Brush with Fame.
In 2021 Thornton would film the feature film Slant and critics praised Thornton's role as 'career best'.
On 26 January 2025, it was announced that Thornton would be a contestant in the 2025 season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

## The "Sigrid Factor"

In his book The Big Shift, about changing Australian demographics and culture, Bernard Salt coined the term the "Sigrid factor" pointing out that Australian towns in which movies had been made featuring Thornton had prospered since that time. More broadly he referred to changing Australian cultural values which were well reflected in the types of places in which Sigrid Thornton had acted: the Riverland during the 1980s All the Rivers Run and the coast in the 2000s SeaChange.

## Personal life and advocacy

Thornton is married to actor Tom Burstall and has two children. She is known for her work with World Vision, the Royal Children's Hospital, Vision Australia, Reach Foundation and other charitable causes. She has lobbied successive governments to keep libraries open and to resource the Australian film and television industry. She has been appointed to several federal and state film bodies, including Film Victoria and is involved in helping to sustain and develop the industry.
In 2023 Thornton received a star on the Randwick Walk of Fame.
In August 2024, Thornton's mother Merle Thornton died aged 93. Merle was a well known activist whom Sigrid looked up to. Sigrid said of her mother's passing that she was proud of her mother and everything she achieved.
In 2025, while appearing on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Thornton revealed that she had been diagnosed with ADHD, Thornton saying that it provided clarity. On 11 February 2025, Thornton had been eliminated from the jungle alongside Tina Provis. Thornton held the record of 33 minutes in the Viper Room surrounded by 170 snakes.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1977 | The F.J. Holden | Wendy | Feature film |
| 1977 | The Getting of Wisdom | Maria | Feature film |
| 1978 | The King of the Two Day Wonder (aka The Wargame) | Christy | Feature film |
| 1979 | Snapshot (aka The Day After Halloween) | Angela | Feature film |
| 1982 | Duet for Four | Caroline Martin | Feature film |
| 1982 | The Man From Snowy River | Jessica Harrison | Feature film |
| 1984 | Street Hero | Gloria | Feature film |
| 1985 | Niel Lynne (aka Best Enemies) | Fennimore | Feature film |
| 1987 | Slate, Wyn & Me | Blanche McBride | Feature film |
| 1987 | The Lighthorsemen | Anne | Feature film |
| 1988 | The Man from Snowy River II | Jessica | Feature film |
| 1992 | Over the Hill | Elizabeth | Feature film |
| 1997 | Love In Ambush | Shelley Kincaird | Feature film |
| 2000 | Arctic Adventure | Lucy (voice) | Film animated short |
| 2002 | Living with Happiness | Mother (voice) | Film animated short |
| 2002 | The Pact | Susan Tuttle | Feature film |
| 2003 | Inspector Gadget 2 | Mayor Wilson | Feature film |
| 2003 | Mittens | Mother | Film short |
| 2008 | Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! | Herself | Feature film documentary |
| 2011 | The Telegram Man | Barbara Lewis | Film short |
| 2011 | Face to Face | Claire Baldoni | Feature film |
| 2014 | BFFs | Jacqueline | Feature film |
| 2016 | Scare Campaign | Vicki | Feature film |
| 2023 | Slant | Vivianne Verity | Feature film |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1973 | Homicide | Erica Johnston | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1973 | Certain Women | | TV series |
| 1975; 1976 | Matlock Police | Cathy Simpson / Simone Foley | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 1975 | Division 4 | Wendy Sherlock | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976 | Bluey | Helen Laughton | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1976 | Bobby Dazzler | Anastasia | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1977 | The Sullivans | Buffy Turnbull | TV series, 24 episodes |
| 1977 | Young Ramsay | Annette Murray | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | Father, Dear Father In Australia | Sue Glover | TV series, 14 episodes |
| 1978-80 | Cop Shop | Tracy McBean / Karen / Helen Davis | TV series, 3 episodes |
| 1978 | Glenview High | Georgiana | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | Case for the Defence | Mandy Lattimer | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1978 | Chopper Squad | Mandy Paramor | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1979–80 | Prisoner | Roslyn Coulson | TV series, 30 episodes |
| 1980 | Skyways | Olivia Baker | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | The Last Outlaw | Kate Kelly | TV miniseries, 4 episodes |
| 1980 | Lawson's Mates | Hannah | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1980 | Players in the Gallery | | TV film series, 1 episode |
| 1981 | I Can Jump Puddles | Mabel | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 1981 | Bellamy | Fiona | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1981 | Outbreak of Love | Anthea Langton | TV miniseries |
| 1982 | 1915 | Frances | TV miniseries, 7 episodes |
| 1983 | All The Rivers Run | Philadelphia Gordon | TV miniseries, 8 episodes |
| 1983 | The Boy in the Bush | Monica Ellis | TV miniseries, 4 episodes |
| 1984 | 26th Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Best Lead Actress in TV Mini Series All The Rivers Run Winner | TV special |
| 1987 | Great Expectations: The Untold Story | Bridget Tankerton | TV movie |
| 1987 | The Far Country | Jennifer Morton | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 1988-1991 | Paradise | Amelia Lawson | TV series, 56 episodes |
| 1993 | Ernie and Denise | Guest | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1993 | The Feds | Christine McQuillan | TV movie pilot |
| 1994 | G.P. | Renee Jackson | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1994 | Trapped In Space (aka Breaking Strain) | Issacs | TV movie |
| 1996 | Whipping Boy | Cass Meridith | TV movie |
| 1998 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Guest | TV series, 1 episodes |
| 1998–2000 | SeaChange | Laura Gibson | TV series, lead role, 47 episodes |
| 2000 | The New Adventures of Ocean Girl | Narrator | TV series, 10 episodes |
| 2002 | Island Life | Narrator | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2005 | MDA | Dr. Robyn Masterton | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Little Oberon | Lola Green | TV movie |
| 2006 | Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King | Mrs. Anges Sternwood | TV miniseries, episode 1 |
| 2008 | Dream Life | Mrs Buchanan | TV movie |
| 2010 | Underbelly: The Golden Mile | Gerry Lloyd | TV series, 7 episodes |
| 2010 | Hey Hey It's Saturday | Herself ("Red Faces" segment) | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2013 | #7 Days Later | Molly | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2014 | The Code | Lara Dixon | TV series, 6 episodes |
| 2015 | Peter Allen: The Boy Next Door | Judy Garland | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 2016–2018 | Wentworth | Sonia Stevens | TV series, 26 episodes |
| 2017 | David Stratton: A Cinematic Life | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Sando | Guest | TV series, 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Orange Is the New Brown | Dr. Vulva, Nigella Lawson | TV series 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Lambs of God | Rose Stanford | TV miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 2019 | SeaChange | Laura Gibson | TV series, 13 episodes |
| 2020 | Brazen Hussies | Narrator | TV special |
| 2021 | Amazing Grace | Diane Cresswell | TV series: 8 episodes |
| 2024-25 | Darby and Joan | Miranda McNeil | TV series: 6 episodes |

#### Other appearances

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988 | Reading Australian Film | Presenter | Video |
| 1988 | The Comedy Company | Herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 1998 | Australian Story | Subject | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2003 | ABC Australian Movie Screenings | Host | TV series, 4 episodes |
| 2003 | Welcher & Welcher | Satirised version of herself | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2006 | Ingenious Africa | Host | TV series, 13 episodes |
| 2007 | What's Good For You | Host | TV series |
| 2012 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Subject | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2018 | Anh's Brush with Fame | Subject | TV series, 1 episode |
| 2020 | Brazen Hussies | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2025 | I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! | Contestant | TV series |

## Theatre

| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1983 | Sydney Film Festival Opening Night 1983 | Special guest | State Theatre, Sydney for Sydney Film Festival |
| 2001 | Betrayal | | Fairfax Studio, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company |
| 2003-04 | The Blue Room | | Playhouse, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Theatre Royal, Sydney,Lyric Theatre, Brisbane with Melbourne Theatre Company |
| 2004 | Australia's Leading Ladies | Compere | Concert Hall, Brisbane with Queensland Symphony Orchestra |
| 2007 | Talking Heads | | His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Princess Theatre, Launceston, Canberra Theatre, Playhouse QPAC Brisbane, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Newcastle Civic Theatre |
| 2009–10 | A Little Night Music | Desiree Armfeldt | Arts Centre, Sydney Opera House with Opera Australia |
| 2014 | A Streetcar Named Desire | Blanche DuBois | Black Swan State Theatre Company |
| 2014 | The Effect | | Southbank Theatre, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company |
| 2015 | Diary of a Nobody | | Princess Theatre, Launceston |
| 2015–16 | Fiddler on the Roof | Golde | Capitol Theatre, Sydney with TML Enterprises |
| 2022 | The Lifespan of a Fact | | Roslyn Packer Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company |
| 2023 | The Seagull | | Sydney Theatre Company |
| 2025 | Mother Play | Phyliss | Melbourne Theatre Co |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
| 1975 | Sammy Awards | Best Television Juvenile Performance | Homicide | Won |
| 1979 | Australian Film Institute Awards | Australian Film Institute Award | Snapshot | Nominated |
| 1979 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Best Actress in a Miniseries/Telemovie | 1915 | Nominated |
| 1984 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Best Actress in a Miniseries/Telemovie | All the Rivers Run | Won |
| 1990 | Viewers for Quality Television | Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Paradise | Nominated |
| 1999 | Australian Caption Centre | Personality of the Year | | Nominated |
| 1999 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress | SeaChange | Nominated |
| 2000 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress | SeaChange | Won |
| 2000 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress | SeaChange | Nominated |
| 2000 | Logie Awards | Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television | SeaChange | Nominated |
| 2001 | Logie Awards | Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television | SeaChange | Nominated |
| 2001 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress | SeaChange | Nominated |
| 2001 | Logie Awards | Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress | SeaChange | Nominated |
| 2003 | Mo Awards | Best Female Actor in a Play | | Won |
| 2003 | Helpmann Awards | Best Female Actor in a Play | The Blue Room | Nominated |
| 2005 | AACTA Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama | Little Oberon | Nominated |
| 2015 | AACTA Awards | Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama | Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door | Won |
| 2019 | Gold Coast Film Festival | Chauvel Award | Significant contribution to the Australian screen industry | Won |