Sara Wiseman
{{Short description|New Zealand actress}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sara Wiseman
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| occupation = Actress
| spouse = {{marriage|Craig Hall|2007|2023|end=divorce}}
| years_active = 1995–present
}}
Sara Wiseman is a New Zealand actress, best known for her roles as Dr. Nicky Somerville in the television series Mercy Peak (2001–2004), Annabelle Willis in The Cult (2009), and Carolyn Bligh in A Place to Call Home (2013–2018).
Early life and education
Sara Wiseman was born in Auckland, New Zealand.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
She completed a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Career
Wiseman has worked on both stage and screen, and has also worked as a presenter and voiceover artist. She works both in NZ and Australia.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Beginning her career with low-profile TV roles in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1996 and 1999), Xena: Warrior Princess (1995) and Jackson's Wharf (2000). Wiseman made her first high-profile television appearance in the drama series Street Legal as Louise Jarvis in 2000,{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} before in 2001 getting the role of Dr. Nicky Sommerville in the New Zealand TV series Mercy Peak. Wiseman starred in Mercy Peak until 2002, when she left the cast after the tenth episode of the second series.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Following the conclusion of her role in the show, Wiseman went on to star in Atomic Twister, Serial Killers, and Matuka.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Wiseman also appeared in the movie Jinx Sister in 2008, for which she garnered her third New Zealand Film and Television Awards nomination under the category of "Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role".{{Citation|title=NZIFF: Jinx Sister |url=https://www.nziff.co.nz/2008/archive/jinx-sister/|access-date=2018-01-07}}
Following this she went had recurring roles in television series such as Outrageous Fortune (2007–2008), Shortland Street (2011), Crownies (2011), and The Almighty Johnsons (2011–2012).{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} She also appeared in the short-lived drama series The Cult as Annabelle Willis in 2009.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Wiseman guest starred on The Doctor Blake Mysteries as Olivia Goldsmith and as Caitlin Farquhar in Rake during 2015 and 2016 respectively.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} She also performed in the films The Insatiable Moon (2010), Love Birds (2011), Nerve (2013), Venus and Mars (2015) and Human Traces (2017).{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
During 2013, Wiseman appeared for the first time as recurring character Carolyn Bligh, in the Australian romantic drama series A Place to Call Home. Following a successful first season, the show was renewed for a second season, in which Wiseman's character was upgraded to a main character.{{Cite news |last=Woolford |first=Lisa |date=8 October 2017 |title=A Place to Call Home stars Sara Wiseman, Craig Hall and Brett Climo are loving being back on set |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/a-place-to-call-home-stars-sara-wiseman-craig-hall-and-brett-climo-are-loving-being-back-on-set/news-story/e20437de5765e8dcd182b29ed6adabc5 |access-date=2018-01-07 |work=The Advertiser (Adelaide)}}{{Cite news |last=White |first=Naomi |date=18 November 2017 |title=Actor Sara Wiseman of A Place to Call Home counts her blessings |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/actor-sara-wiseman-of-a-place-to-call-home-counts-her-blessings/news-story/743d09db59ec8c21b6a350d4b2218718 |access-date=2018-01-07 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Jenna |date=1 April 2017 |title=A Place To Call Home costume designer's hunt for Australia's 1950s look |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/90984148/a-place-to-call-home-costume-designers-hunt-for-australias-1950s-look |access-date=2018-01-07 |website=Stuff}} Wiseman's storylines whilst on the show have included relevant world issues such as sexual assault, which the show explored during its third season when Wiseman's character was sexually assaulted by someone she had trusted,{{Cite news |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/nov/02/place-call-home-season-3/|title=A Place To Call Home: Season 3|last=Robinson|first=Jennifer|work=KPBS Public Media|access-date=2018-01-07}} on the subject Wiseman has stated that the storyline was a "poignant and challenging subject matter to tackle".{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/89893912/a-place-to-call-homes-sara-wiseman-challenged-by-sexual-assault-storyline|title=A Place To Call Home's Sara Wiseman challenged by sexual assault storyline|website=Stuff|date=2 March 2017|access-date=2018-01-07}} When the fourth season was due to air in 2016, Wiseman stated that there was "a darker edge" to the upcoming series.{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/showcase/a-place-to-call-home.html|title=A Place To Call Home: Sara Wiseman on the dark side of Season 4|website=Foxtel|access-date=2018-01-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/showcase/a-place-to-call-home/season-5/leading-ladies.html|title=A Place to Call Home: Stars spill on their characters|website=Foxtel|access-date=2018-01-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/showcase/a-place-to-call-home/season-3-sara-wiseman-and-craig-hall.html|title=A Place To Call Home: Exclusive Insider interview with Sara Wiseman & Craig Hall|website=Foxtel|access-date=2018-01-07}} The fifth series of the show aired in 2017,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/a-place-to-call-home-season-four-we-we-left-off-41637|title=A Place To Call Home season five: Where we left off|website=Now To Love|access-date=2018-01-07}} and the sixth, and final series, aired in 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/whats-on/foxtel-insider/showcase/a-place-to-call-home/season-six.html|title=A Place To Call Home: Season 6 confirmed for 2018|website=Foxtel|access-date=2018-01-07}}
Wiseman later appeared on Bevan Lee's Seven Network series Between Two Worlds with Hermione Norris, Aaron Jeffery and Alex Cubis.{{Cite web |last=Groves |first=Don |date=2020-07-24 |title=Bevan Lee breaks the rules with 'Between Two Worlds' |url=https://www.if.com.au/bevan-lee-breaks-the-rules-with-between-two-worlds/ |access-date=2021-05-21 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}} She joined the cast of CBBC drama Mystic in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=2021-05-05|title=CBBC & TVNZ Re-Commission Two More Seasons Of Family Adventure 'Mystic'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/cbbc-tvnz-re-commission-two-more-seasons-of-family-adventure-mystic-1234749950/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} She also played Tanya Reed in series 3 of Harrow (2021).
In August 2022, Wiseman was cast in a role in the film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Wes Ball for 20th Century Studios.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=25 October 2022 |title='Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes' Adds Five |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-adds-five-1235154551/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025185507/https://deadline.com/2022/10/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-adds-five-1235154551/ |archive-date=25 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
In 2024 she had parts in two Australian drama series: the Foxtel/Binge series High Country,{{Cite web |last=Simich |first=Ricardo |date=26 November 2023 |title=Kiwi Sara Wiseman on days with apes in the city and roos in the Outback |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-kiwi-actor-sara-wiseman-filming-aussie-drama-high-country/OXA2UYGNE5H3HIYBYKZTHGELJA/ |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=The New Zealand Herald}} and the Netflix series Territory, set on a cattle station in the Northern Territory of Australia.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-07-18 |title=Airdate: Territory {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/07/airdate-territory.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}
Other activities
Wiseman co-founded and is a board member and tutor at NZ acting school; The Actors Program.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Accolades
Wiseman has been nominated for film and television awards multiple times and in 2011 she won Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film at the Aotearoa Film and Television awards for her role in Matariki. That year she was also a finalist for Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film for her role in The Insatiable Moon. She won Best Actress for playing Kate Sheppard in What Really Happened: The Women's Vote at the NZ Television Awards in 2012.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
For her role in Mercy Peak, Wiseman garnered several nominations at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards under the category "Best Actress" in 2002{{Cite web |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0206/S00057.htm|title=TV Guide New Zealand Television Awards 2002 {{!}} Scoop News|website=www.scoop.co.nz|access-date=2018-01-07}}
In 2005 Wiseman was nominated for the "Television - Best Performance By an Actress" award at the New Zealand Screen Award.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/person/sara-wiseman/awards|title=Sara Wiseman {{!}} NZ On Screen|website=www.nzonscreen.com|others=NZ On Screen|access-date=2018-01-07}}
During 2012, Wiseman won her first-ever New Zealand Film and TV Award for her starring role in the TV movie Votes For Women: What Really Happened?.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
Personal life
Wiseman was married to actor Craig Hall for sixteen years, before splitting in 2023.{{cite web|title=Interview with Bevan Lee creator of A Place to Call Home|url=https://au.tv.yahoo.com/a-place-to-call-home/23296057/interview-with-bevan-lee-creator-of-a-place-to-call-home/|access-date=14 June 2014}}[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-kiwi-acting-duo-sara-wiseman-and-craig-hall-split-after-16-years-of-marriage/R6HHPBZUQNHONMNKNUF662B2ZI/ Spy: Kiwi acting duo Sara Wiseman and Craig Hall split after 16 years of marriage] The New Zealand Herald. 29 July 2023[https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/high-country-s-sara-wiseman-it-takes-20-years-to-become-an-actor-20240306-p5fadl.html High Country’s Sara Wiseman: 'It takes 20 years to become an actor'] Sydney Morning Herald. 24 March 2024 She publicly came out as bisexual in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Judy |date=25 March 2021 |title=Sara Wiseman: 'I'm fortunate to find someone who accepts me' |url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/australian-womens-weekly-nz/20210325/281547998663812 |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=The Australian Women's Weekly |via=PressReader}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2005
| Luella Miller | Lydia | |
| 2006
| Yes Yes Girl | |
| 2008
| Jinx Sister | Laura | |
| rowspan="2"|2010
| Matariki | Megan | |
| {{sortname|The|Insatiable Moon |
| Margaret
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|2011
| Mum #2
|
|-
| Rest for the Wicked
| Susan
|
|-
| 2013
| Nerve
| Jennifer
|
|-
| 2017
| Human Traces
| Tanya
|
|-
| 2022
| Dark Noise
| Senior Sergeant Joanne Kerr
|{{Cite web |last=Groves |first=Don |date=6 July 2020 |title=Philip Quast, Steve Le Marquand and Sara Wiseman join 'Dark Noise' cast |url=https://if.com.au/philip-quast-steve-le-marquand-and-sara-wiseman-join-dark-noise-cast/ |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=If Magazine}}
|-
| 2024
| Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
| Dar
|
|}
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|Notes |
|---|
| 1995, 2001
| Young Woman / Amazon #1 | Episodes: "Prometheus" & "Dangerous Prey" |
| 1996, 1999
| Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | Hephates / Mab | Episodes: "Heedless Hearts" & "Once Upon a Future King" |
| rowspan="2"|2000
| Rebecca Priest | TV series |
| Street Legal
| Louise Jarvis | TV series |
| 2001–2004
| Dr. Nicky Somerville | Main role |
| rowspan="2"|2002
| Lisa Gilmore | TV film |
| Mataku
| Petra | Episode: "The Heirloom" |
| 2004
| Serial Killers | Skye | Episode: "Control, Alt, Delete" |
| rowspan="2"|2006
| Morag | Episode: "Tunnellers" |
| Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America
| Susan Wood | TV film |
| 2007–2008
| Danielle | Recurring role |
| 2008
| {{sortname|The|Amazing Extraordinary Friends}} | Dr. Helen | Episode: "Mad Mike Molloy" |
| 2009
| {{sortname|The|Cult|The Cult (TV series)}} | Annabelle Wills | Main role |
| 2011
| Crownies | Lisa Simpson | Recurring role |
| 2011–2012
| {{sortname|The|Almighty Johnsons}} | Helen | Recurring role |
| 2011–2022
| Jennifer Mason / Francesca Telford |
| 2012
| Anchor Person | TV film |
| 2013–2018
| {{sortname|A|Place to Call Home|A Place to Call Home (TV series)}} | Carolyn Bligh | Main role |
| 2014
| Auckland Daze | Sara | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2015
| Olivia Goldsmith | Episode: "This Time and This Place" |
| Venus and Mars
| Sue Stewart | TV film |
| 2016–2018
| Rake | Caitlin | Recurring role |
| 2017
| Auckward Love | Olivia | 7 episodes |
| 2019
| Annette McGregor | 7 episodes |
| rowspan="4"|2020
| Jackie Ryder |
| Between Two Worlds
| Sophia Grey |
| Inside
| Jean | Episode #1.6 |
| The Sounds
| Annette McGregor | 7 episodes |
| rowspan="7"|2021
| Harrow | Tanya Reed |
| The Gulf
| Valerie Wells | 5 episodes |
| Creamerie
| Hunter |
| The Brokenwood Mysteries
| Anne Robinson | Episode: "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" |
| My Life Is Murder
| Eleanor |
| Mystic
| Lauren | 1 episode |
| Power Rangers Dino Fury
| Arla | Episode: "Phoning Home" |
| 2021–2022
| Mayor Kelleher | 3 episodes |
| 2021–2023
| Simone |
| rowspan="2"|2024
| Helen Hartley |
| Territory
| Sandra Kirby | 6 episodes |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0936493|Sara Wiseman}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiseman, Sara}}
Category:20th-century New Zealand actresses
Category:21st-century New Zealand actresses
Category:New Zealand bisexual actresses
Category:New Zealand bisexual women
Category:New Zealand film actresses
Category:New Zealand soap opera actresses