Catherine Wilkin

Actor / Voice
Age Range

60—70

Height

164cm

Eye Colour

Brown

Ethnicity

New Zealander

Based In

Auckland, New Zealand

Voice Style

Accents / Corporate / Documentary / Soft Sell / Straight / Voice Acting

With an acting career verging on five decades, Catherine Wilkin is a widely admired, indefatigable force on stage and screen.

Catherine was born and raised in Christchurch and started her acting career at the University of Canterbury Drama Society. Committed to becoming a professional, she trained at Auckland’s legendary Mercury Theatre and worked at Downstage and the Court Theatre before heading to Australia in the mid-seventies. From Ophelia for the Melbourne Theatre Company to Liz Ryan in McLeod’s Daughters and much more, she built a remarkable career, moving easily between stage and screen roles on both sides of the Tasman.

She played the recurring role lawyer Kate McGrath in Cop Shop in 1981. In 1983 she played Janice Young in Prisoner. Other roles included Pauline Grey in Rafferty's Rules, Katherine Jensen in Embassy, Sally Downie in Blue Heelers and Liz Ryan in McLeod's Daughters. Catherine also starred in the Saddle Club as the well-loved Mrs. Reg, the mother of the owner of the stable, in 2001.

She has appeared extensively on stage: for The Melbourne Theatre Company, Auckland Theatre Company, Downstage Theatre, in parts ranging from Ophelia to Hedda Gabler. Highlights include Linda in Death of a Salesman and Kitty/Joyce in Roger Hall’s Last Legs and Joy/Corrie on As The Day Draws In.

After McLeod’s Daughters wrapped in 2008 she returned to New Zealand to live and has continued to find new opportunities and challenges in theatre, television and film, including a role in Brokenwood Mysteries and her first-ever soap character, Jean King in Shortland Street. Catherine has also completed two seasons playing Hilary in Under The Vines.

In 1987 she was an Australian Film Institute nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series. A Most Outstanding Actress Logie in 1988 for Rafferty’s Rules was a major recognition of her work. In the 1996 TV Guide New Zealand Film and Television Awards she won Best Supporting Actress for Margaret for Swimming Lessons. And for New Zealand feature film Weight of Elephants Catherine received a Best Supporting Actress nomination in the 2013 New Zealand Film and TV Awards.

“They say actors don't retire, they just die. It's good for anyone of any age – but especially as you are getting older – to have projects.”, Catherine told Kerry Harvey in an interview for Stuff. “There's nothing more stimulating than creating a character.That's why actors endure all the highs and lows of being in this business. If you have something that's challenging and rewarding, then there's nothing like it really. I think it's good for your mind and good for your body to do that.”

Catherine Wilkin

Artist Resume

Television

Year
Role
Production

2023

Joy

After the Party

TVNZ

2022

Hilary

Under The Vines Season 2

Libertine Pictures (UTV) Ltd

2021

Hilary

Under The Vines

Libertine Pictures

Dir. Danny Mulheron

2019

Jean King

Shortland Street

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Various

2019

Elka

Stateless

Matchbox Pictures

Dir. Emma Freeman/Jocelyn Moorhouse

2017

Catherine

Brokenwood Mysteries

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Mark Beasley

2015

Beverley

Wanted Series 1

Matchbox Productions

Dir. Jennifer Leacey

2011

Emma Blair

Tangiwai

Lippy Pictures Limited

Dir. Charlie Haskell

2008

Mary

Outrageous Fortune

South Pacific Pictures

Dir. Peter Berger

2006

Sister Mary Leo

Production Shed

Dir. Yvonne McKay

2003

Elizabeth Regnery - Series Regular

The Saddle Club - 17 Eps

Crawford Productions

Dir. Various

2003

Liz Ryan - Series Regular

Meillennium Productions Australia

Dir. Various

2002

Elizabeth Regnery - Series Regular

The Saddle Club - 6 Eps

Crawford Productions, Australia

Dir. Various

2002

Liz Ryan - Series Regular

Millennium Productions, Australia

Dir. Various

2002

Jessie

The Lost World - The Elixir

Coote / Hayes

Dir. Colin Budd

2001

Erica Chatwin

Halifax f.p. - Playing God

Simpson Le Mesurier Films

Dir. Lynn Hegarty

2001

Mrs Reg - Series Regular

The Saddle Club - 26 Eps

Crawford Productions

Dir. Various

2001

Liz Ryan - Series Regular

Millennium Productions, Australia

Dir. Various

2001

Erica Chatwin

Halifax fp

Beyond Simpson Le Mesurier

Dir. Lynn Hegarty

1999

Sally Downie

Blue Heelers - 6 Eps

Southern Star, Australia

Dir. Various

1999

Kathleen

Flipper 4

MGM Co-Production, Australia/Canada

1999

Adama

The Lost World - Nectar

Cootes Hayes

Dir. Colin Budds

1998

Sally Downie

Blue Heelers - 6 Eps

Southern Star, Australia

Dir. Various

1998

Lynette Bridges

Duggan - Sins of the Fathers

The Gibson Group

Dir. Various

1998

Olwen Parsens

State Coroner - Sunday in the Country

Crawfords Australia

Dir. David Cameron

1998

Andrea Gordon

The Chosen

Communicado Productions

Dir. Richard Franklin

1998

Halifax f.p. - Afraid of the Dark

Simpson Le Mesurier Films

Dir. Steve Jodrell

1997

Madame President

Ocean Girl - 3 Eps

Jonathan Schiff Productions, Australia

Dir. Various

1997

Lynette Bridges

Duggan - Death In Paradise

The Gibson Group

1995

Margaret

Swimming Lessons

Top Shelf Productions

Dir. Steve La Hood

1994

Guest role

Over the Hill

Channel Seven, Australia

1993

Molly Logan - Series Regular

Snowy - 13 Eps

Beyond Simpson Le Mesurier, Australia

Dir. Ian Gilmour/Paul Moloney

1992

Ambassador Katherine Jenson

Embassy - Pigs Might Fly

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dir. Peter Andrikidis/Mark Callent/Paul Moloney

1991

Catherine Pierce

Shark in the Park - 5 Eps

The Gibson Group

Dir. Various

1989

Kate

Grim Pickings

Nine Network Australia

Dir. Riccardo Pellizzeri

1989

Claire Boyd

Il Magistrato

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dir. Kathy Mueller

1989

Marion Clarke

This Man...This Woman

Crawford Productions, Australia

Dir. Paul Moloney

1987

Pauline Grey

7 Network, Australia

Dir. Various

1987

Jessie Logan

The Flying Doctors - NO Quarter Asked

Crawford Productions

Dir. Dan Burstall

1986

Carol Power

The Great Bookie Robbery

9 Network, Australia

Dir. Marcus Cole/Mark Joffe

1986

Katherine

The Case o Katherine Mansfield

Marigold Productions

1985

May Prang

Journey 1908 - 1914

Marigold Productions

Dir. Marcus Cole

1985

Pamela Stoneham

The Flying Doctors

Crawford Productions, Australia

Dir. Pino Amenta

1984

Helen Elliott

Children of the Dog Star

Television New Zealand

Dir. Chris Bailey

1984

Aggie Frency

The Keepers

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dir. Kevin James Dobson/Noel Price

1983

Janice Young

Prisoner - 9 Eps

Grundy Television Productions, Australia

Dir. Various

1979

Hannah Clayton

Skyways - Hard Case Hannah

Crawfords Productions, Australia

Dir. Various

1979

Anne

Close to Home

Television New Zealand

Dir. Dan McKirdy

1977

Kate McGrath

Cop Shop

7 Network, Australia

Dir. Various

Feature Film

Year
Role
Production

2012

Gran

The Weight of Elephants

Zentropa /Three Birds Prod

Dir. Daniel Joseph Borgman

1997

Mother

Small Town Blues

He Taonga Films

1996

Marion Lee

Brilliant Lies

Bayside Pictures

Dir. Richard Franklin

1992

Lead

The Joker

Seannachie Productions

Short Film

Year
Role
Production

2016

Meredith/Theodora

Theodora

Flyleaf Films

Dir. Abigail Greenwood

2015

Stephanie

The Couple

White Balance Pictures

Dir. David White

Stage

Year
Role
Production

2017

Kitty/Joyce

Last Legs

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Colin McColl

2015

Joyce

Enlightenment

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Andrew Foster

2014

Nieve Campbell

Trees Beneath the Lake

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Simon Bennett

2014

Detective Carapetis

Girl in Tan Boots

Basement Theatre

Dir. Janice Finn

2012

Beth

Tribes

Silo Theatre

Dir. Shane Bosher

2012

Linda

Death of a Salesman

Peach Theatre Company

Dir. Jesse Peach

2010

Miss Prism

The Importance of Being Earnest

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Colin McColl

2009

Shirley

The Raft

Centrepoint Theatre

Dir. Stephen Ray

2009

Mrs Atkinson

The Pohutukawa Tree

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Colin McColl

2008

Sara/Audrey/Mary

Who wants to be a 100

Auckland Theatre Co

Dir. Alison Quigan

2007

Mrs Robinson

The Graduate

Downstage Theatre

Dir. Catherine Downes

2006

Page

Dinner

Circa Theatre Company

Dir. Bruce Phillips

2005

Dora Strang

Equus

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Colin McColl

2005

Felicity

Up For Grabs

Auckland Theatre Company

Dir. Roy Ward

2004

Mary

Native Tongue Productions

2003

Isobel

Middle Age Spread

Auckland Theatre Company

2003

Mrs Alving

Ghosts

The Court Theatre

2000

Tosha

The Goldberg Variations

Playbox Theatre

1999

Marcia

The Misanthrope

Melbourne Theatre Company

Dir. Simon Phillips

1999

Karen

The Burnt Piano

Melbourne Theatre Company

Dir. Kate Cherry

1998

Vera

Shark Fin Soup

Melbourne Theatre Company

1997

Mabel

Jung Frau

Playbox Theatre

1997

Mrs Erlynne

Circa Theatre

1996

Goneril

King Lear

Theatre at Large

1994

Susannah

Falling from Grace

Playbox Theatre

1993

Hannah

Arcadia

The Court Theatre

1991

LInda

Ricordi

Wellington International Festival

1990

Hedda

Hedda Gabler

Downstage Theatre - International Festival Tour - Edinburgh, Covent Garden, Oslo, Sydney

Dir. Colin McColl

1989

Carol

Trifecta

Tantrum Theatre

1989

Hedda

Hedda Gabler

Downstage Theatre

Dir. Colin McColl

1986

Kate

Unsuitable for Adults

Downstage Theatre

1981

Mrs Linde

Melbourne Theatre Company

1980

Various

Six One Acts

Melbourne Theatre Company

1979

Eva Braun

Summit Conference

Hole in the Wall

1978

Lead

Ashes

Downstage Theatre

1978

Lady Isobel

East Lynne Music Hall

Downstage Theatre

1977

Of Mice and Men

Melbourne Theatre Company

1977

Castiza

Melbourne Theatre Company

1977

Kitty

Thark

Melbourne Theatre Company

1976

Lisette

The Game of Love and Chance

Melbourne Theatre Company

1976

Susan

City Sugar

Melbourne Theatre Company

1976

Desdemona

Othello

Melbourne Theatre Company

1975

Ophelia

Hamlet

Melbourne Theatre Company

1975

Ophelia

Rosencrantz and Guildernstein Are Dead

Melbourne Theatre Company

Theatre

Year
Role
Production

2020

Joy/ Corrie

As The Day Draws In

Woodham Productions

Dir. Puti Lancaster

Documentary

Year
Role
Production

1996

Catherine Wilkin (Herself)

In The Shadow of King Lear

Dir. Warrick Attewell