Kate Box
{{short description|Australian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kate Box
| image = Kate Box.png
| caption = Box at event
| birth_date = 28th October 1979
| birth_place =
| occupation = Actress
| notable_works = * Rake {{small|(2010–18)}}
| years_active = 2004–present
| partner = Jada Alberts (2009–?)
| children = 3
}}
Kate Box is an Australian stage, film, and television actress. She is known for her roles as Nicole Vargas in Rake, Lou Kelly in Wentworth, and as Dulcie Collins in Deadloch.
Early life and education
Kate Box grew up in Adelaide, South Australia.{{Citation | last = Debelle | first = Penelope | date = 23 February 2018 | title =Role call – a gay rights drama too good to miss |periodical=The Advertiser| url = https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/role-call-a-gay-rights-drama-too-good-to-miss/news-story/49c0bb102ca617c029e08404f3c63d2a }} She lived with her parents, social workers Greg and Lorraine, and sister Sally in Colonel Light Gardens, and attended the local primary school.{{cite web | last=Green | first=Tanya | title=Kate Box: Don't box me in | website=SALIFE | date=3 February 2021 | url=https://salife.com.au/people-places/kate-box-dont-box-me-in/ | access-date=19 December 2023 |quote =This story first appeared in the October 2020 issue of SALIFE magazine. }}
She did her secondary education at Annesley College. At the age of 13 she started classes at Unley Youth Theatre (now Urban Myth), where she met filmmakers Sophie Hyde and Matthew Cormack, who went on to form Closer Productions, and screenwriter Drew Proffitt.
Box started a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Adelaide aged 17, intending to major in psychology, but changed her mind and graduated with politics and Australian studies as her major subjects. She then auditioned for the Victorian College of the Arts and National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). She was accepted into NIDA course and, at the age of 22, moved to Sydney. She graduated from NIDA in 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.nida.edu.au/about-nida/news/news-archive/2018/nida-graduates-alumni-at-aacta-awards|title=NIDA congratulates alumni at AACTA Awards |date=6 December 2018|publisher=NIDA|access-date=14 August 2019}}
Career
=Stage=
Her first stage performance was in 2004 as Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Bell Shakespeare Company.{{cite web| title=Shakespeare in Performance: Stage Production| url=https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Theater/production/stage/1463/| website=internetshakespeare.uvic.ca| access-date=7 August 2020}} Her role in the Sydney Theatre Company presentation of Top Girls earned her a Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play nomination in 2018.{{Citation | last = Nguyen | first = Justine | date = 18 June 2018 | title = 2018 Helpmann Awards nominations announced |periodical=Limelight| url = https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/2018-helpmann-awards-nominations-announced/ }} Other stage credits include Dolores (Old Fitzroy Theatre), Macbeth (Sydney Theatre Company) and A Christmas Carol (Belvoir).{{cite web| last=Blake| first=Elissa| title=Kate Box and Janine Watson's Dolores shines light on domestic violence| url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/kate-box-and-janine-watsons-dolores-shines-light-on-domestic-violence-20150420-1mneo8.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 April 2015| access-date=5 August 2020}}
=Screen=
She went on to make her screen debut with a role in the 2005 television film sequel Small Claims: White Wedding. Following this, she made her film debut in 2008 with The Black Balloon and she received guest spots on television shows such as the medical drama series All Saints and the children's drama series My Place.
Her performance in the 2014 comedy film The Little Death earned her a nomination for best actress in a leading role in the AACTA Awards.
She came to prominence with her role as Nicole Vargas in the ABC comedy-drama series Rake for which she appeared throughout its entire run.{{cite web| last=Russell| first=Stephen A.| title=Les Norton star Kate Box on how Rake made her a 'bold' type| url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/2019/08/02/rake-kate-box/| website= The New Daily| date=2 August 2019| access-date=15 November 2020}} During her run on Rake, Box was cast in popular television series including Offspring,{{cite web| title=Offspring: Cast| url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/offspring/cast.html| website=australiantelevision.net| access-date=5 August 2020}} Old School, and the six-part Closer Productions comedy drama mini-series Fucking Adelaide (2018).{{cite web| last=Howard| first=Jane| title=F*!#ing Adelaide review – Pamela Rabe and Brendan Maclean in love letter to a city| url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/14/fucking-adelaide-review-pamela-rabe-and-brendan-maclean-in-love-letter-to-a-city|work=The Guardian|date=14 June 2018| access-date=5 August 2020}} The story follows three siblings who reunite back in Adelaide after some time, when their mother decides to sell the family home.
Box played Marg McMann in the 2018 television film Riot, a film focusing on the LGBTI rights movement and the origins of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in the 1970s,{{cite web| last=Debelle| first=Penelope| title=Role call – a gay rights drama too good to miss| url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/role-call-a-gay-rights-drama-too-good-to-miss/news-story/49c0bb102ca617c029e08404f3c63d2a| website= Adelaide Now| date=23 February 2018| access-date=7 August 2020}} a role which won her the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama,{{Citation | last = Maddox | first = Gerry | date = 5 December 2018 | title = Sweet Country dominates AACTA Awards, with a surprise best actor win |periodical=The Sydney Morning Herald| url = https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/sweet-country-dominates-aacta-awards-with-a-surprise-best-actor-win-20181204-p50k25.html }} and the role of which she is most proud, saying "I was so grateful to walk with that character for a bit because the courage that she displayed definitely helped me to live my life with more truth and courage". Winning the AACTA for the performance was especially meaningful for her, because it gave her the opportunity to stand "front and centre" of issues relating to gay rights and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people.
In 2019 Box appeared in Upright, with Tim Minchin, and in Les Norton.
In 2019, it was announced Box was cast in the role of "legacy" character Lou Kelly in the Foxtel prison drama series Wentworth for its eighth and final season.{{cite web| last=Burke| first=Tina| title=Jane Hall, Kate Box and Zoe Terakes join Wentworth ahead of final seasons| url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/wentworth-new-cast-jane-hall-kate-box-zoe-terakes-60006| website=nowtolove.com.au| date=28 October 2019|access-date=5 August 2020}} Also in 2019, Box was announced as a cast member in the Cate Blanchett-produced Matchbox Pictures series, Stateless,{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2019-05-14 |title=Cate Blanchett, Yvonne Strahovski, Dominic West to Star in TV Series 'Stateless' |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/cate-blanchett-yvonne-strahovski-dominic-west-stateless-tv-series-1203214198/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Variety|language=en-US}} released in 2020.
Box played a leading role in the "Tasmanian noir crime comedy" TV series, Deadloch, written by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. The eight-part series by Australian Amazon Original was released in 2023 to positive reviews.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-21 |title=Filming commences on new Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan comedy series Deadloch |url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2022/02/21/prime-video-announces-start-of-production-on-the-australian-comedy-series-deadloch/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=TV Blackbox |language=en-AU}} Box revealed in an interview in August 2024 that she had originally auditioned for the part of Eddie Redcliffe.{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Sarah |date=2024-08-16 |title=Getting Cracking in a Killer Mystery-Comedy (and Getting Excited About Season Two): Kate Box Talks 'Deadloch' |url=https://concreteplayground.com/brisbane/arts-entertainment/kate-box-interview-deadloch |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=Concrete Playground |language=en-US}}
Box appears in the SBS anthology series Erotic Stories (2023), in the episode "The Deluge", as Cara.{{cite web | last=Nguyen | first=Giselle Au-Nhien | title=Erotic Stories review – explicit SBS series incites more reflection than arousal | website=the Guardian | date=26 October 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/oct/26/erotic-stories-review-explicit-sbs-series-incites-more-reflection-than-arousal | access-date=20 December 2023}}{{cite web | last=Knox | first=David | title=Production begins on Erotic Stories for SBS | website=TV Tonight | date=27 April 2023 | url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/04/production-begins-on-erotic-stories-for-sbs.html | access-date=20 December 2023}}
In November 2023 Box was announced for the upcoming ABC television series Ladies in Black.{{cite web | last=Knox | first=David | title=Cast announced for Ladies in Black | website=TV Tonight | date=13 November 2023 | url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/11/cast-announced-for-ladies-in-black.html | access-date=20 December 2023}}{{cite web | title=SA lands new ABC series Ladies in Black with all-star cast | website=SAFC | date=10 November 2023 | url=https://www.safilm.com.au/latest-news/sa-lands-new-abc-series-ladies-in-black/ | access-date=20 December 2023}}
Box plays Dr Brennan{{cite web | last=H-B | first=Khaled | title=Boy Swallows Universe Season 2: What Release date? | website=TheCinemalic.com | date=13 January 2024 | url=https://www.thecinemalic.com/boy-swallows-universe-season-2/ | access-date=14 January 2024}} in the seven-part Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton's novel Boy Swallows Universe, aired in January 2024.{{cite web | last=Knox | first=David | title=Boy Swallows Universe | website=TV Tonight | date=10 January 2024 | url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/01/boy-swallows-universe.html | access-date=14 January 2024}}
Box during the 2024 AACTA awards won the award for Best Acting in a Narrative Comedy for her role in Amazon series Deadloch, Box also delivered a rousing speech for her award win and also said "we are the stories we tell and the one's we don't." Box also used her speech to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and her speech went viral over the following days.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-02-10 |title=AACTA Awards 2024: winners {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/02/aacta-awards-2024-winners.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=TV Tonight |language=en-AU}}
On 9 July 2024, Deadloch would be renewed for another season with Box to reprise the role of Dulcie Collins.{{Cite web |last1=Whittock |first1=Jesse |last2=Clarke |first2=Stewart |date=2024-07-08 |title=Madeleine Sami & Kate Box Return For 'Deadloch' Season 2 On Prime Video |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/madeleine-sami-kate-box-deadloch-season-2-prime-video-1236001924/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Deadline}} On 4 September, it was announced that Box was named as part of the cast for SBS drama series Four Years Later.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=Love conquers all in SBS Original romantic drama series 'Four Years Later' |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/four-years-later-season-1/3dchwnacl |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=SBS What's On |language=en}}
Personal life
Box is openly gay. Since meeting at a playwright's conference in 2009, she had been in a relationship with writer and actor Jada Alberts, who also appeared in Wentworth from 2013 to 2014. They live with their three daughters{{cite web| last=Northover| first=Kylie| title=Queer actors playing queer roles is a rare thing: lunch with Kate Box| url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/queer-actors-playing-queer-roles-is-a-rare-thing-lunch-with-kate-box-20200831-p55r0t.html| website=The Sydney Morning Herald| date=4 September 2020| access-date=15 November 2020}} in a "really affectionate household" in Sydney. In October 2020 they were considering a move back to Adelaide, but {{as of|lc=yes| October 2023}} were still in Sydney.{{cite web | last=Gray | first=Lorna | title=Deadloch actor Kate Box on queer representation on Australian TV | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=29 October 2023 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/deadloch-s-kate-box-i-ve-never-been-a-closeted-actor-but-there-was-an-instinct-to-hide-20231016-p5ecow.html | access-date=20 December 2023| url-access=subscription}} During an interview in 2024, Box had said she had taken 8 months away from acting to look after the kids.{{Cite web |last=Dunk |first=Tiffany |date=2024-10-08 |title=Kate Box on love and family |url=https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/kate-box-family/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=The Australian Women's Weekly |language=en-AU}}
She is a close friend of director Sophie Hyde.
Awards and nominations
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2008
| Elizabeth | Feature film |
| 2010
| Radio Studio Recptionist | Feature film |
| 2011
| Random 8 | Frances Austin | Feature film |
| 2011
| Hush | Kate | Short film |
| 2014
| Rowena | Feature film (also known as A Funny Kind of Love) |
| 2014
| You Cut, I Choose | Rosey (27 & 37 Years-Old) | Short film |
| 2015
| Julieanne | Feature film |
| 2016
| Here is Now | Rachel | Short film |
| 2017
| Linda | Feature film |
| 2019
| Coach Smith | Feature film |
| 2019
| Way Out Assistance | Rose | Short film |
| 2022
| Monolith | Laura (voice) | Feature film |
| 2025
| Jimpa |Emily | Feature film |
=Television=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Film ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2005
| Nicole | Television film |
| 2006
| Melinda | Season 1 (3 episodes) |
| 2007
| Mia | Season 10 (1 episode) |
| 2008
| Scorched | Annie | Television film |
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| Rona Hennessy | Television film (also known as The Diplomat) |
| My Place
| Kath | Season 1 (2 episodes) |
| 2010
| Alice Havel | Season 1 (6 episodes) |
| 2011
| Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo | Miniseries (1 episode) |
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| Cath Khoury | Season 1 (8 episodes) |
| Soul Mates
| Aunty Hazel | Season 1 (2 episodes) |
| 2015
| Dr. Ella Stack | Documentary series; Season 1 (1 episode) |
| 2017
| Fucking Adelaide | Emma | Miniseries (6 episodes) |
| rowspan="3" | 2018
| Riot | Marg McMann | Television film |
| Picnic at Hanging Rock
| Mrs. Bumpher | Miniseries (3 episodes) |
| Sheilas
| Mina Smith | Miniseries |
| 2010–2018
| Rake | Nicole Vargas | Seasons 1–5 (40 episodes) |
| 2018
| Wanted | Maxine Middleton | Season 3 (6 episodes) |
| rowspan="5" | 2019
| Nadia | Season 2 (1 episode) |
| The Unlisted
| Emma Ainsworth | Season 1 (6 episodes) |
| Lucy and DiC
| Paige | Animated series; Season 1 (8 episodes) |
| Les Norton
| Lauren "Lozza" Johnson | Season 1 (10 episodes) |
| Upright
| Esme | Miniseries (2 episodes) |
| 2020
| Janice | Miniseries (6 episodes) |
| 2020–2021
| Lou Kelly | Season 8 (20 episodes) |
| rowspan="2" |2021
|Various roles |5 episodes |
| Fires
|Ruth |Episode 5 |
| 2023–present
|Dulcie Collins |8 episodes |
| rowspan="2" |2023
|Cara |1 episode (The Deluge) |
| Paper Dolls
|Helena |3 episodes |
| rowspan="4" |2024
|Dr. Brennan |2 episodes |
| Ladies in Black
|Cheri St Clair |3 episodes |
| Four Years Later
|Gabs |TV series: 6 episodes |
| Bump
|Dr. Maryanne Brant |TV series: 1 episode |
= Other appearances =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 2021
|Wentworth: Unlocked |Self |TV Special |
| 2020
|Wentworth Behind the Bars 2 |Self |TV Special |
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|2094547|Kate Box}}
- Kate Box on [https://www.instagram.com/boxkatebox/ Instagram]
{{AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy}}
{{AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Box, Kate}}
Category:20th-century Australian LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century Australian LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century Australian actresses
Category:Actresses from Adelaide
Category:Australian film actresses
Category:Australian lesbian actresses
Category:Australian stage actresses
Category:Australian television actresses