Aaron Pedersen

Aaron Pedersen is an Aboriginal Australian television and film actor. He is known for many film and television roles, in particular as Detective Jay Swan in the film Mystery Road, its sequel Goldstone (2016), and spin-off television series (2018–2020). He has been nominated for many and won several acting awards, including the 2021 AACTA Award for International Award for Best Actor in a Series.

Early life and education Aaron Pedersen, who is of Arrernte and Arabana descent, was born on an Ansett flight to Alice Springs, his home town. He and his seven siblings grew up in foster homes away from their alcoholic mother, Margaret, From an early age, he looked after his brother, Vinnie, who has cerebral palsy and a mild intellectual disability. He came to notice in 1995 as co-host of Gladiators Australia, an Australian game show.

Pedersen's first major acting role was as lawyer Vince Cellini in Wildside in 1997. In 1999, he played Detective Senior Constable Michael Reilly in Water Rats, and took a major role in The Secret Life of Us (2005).

In 2024, Pedersen would appear in the Foxtel/Binge series High Country. On 13 January 2026, Pedersen was announced as a returning cast member of the second series.

Recognition In 2007, Pedersen was the recipient of the Bob Maza Fellowship, which recognises emerging acting talent and support professional development for Indigenous actors.

Awards Pedersen has been nominated for many and won several awards.

He won the Best Actor award at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival for Darklovestory (2006).

Pedersen won a Deadly Award nomination for Male Actor of the Year in 2003 and 2011, and was nominated for it in 2007.

After being nominated several times over the years for AFI and AACTA Awards, in 2021 he won the AACTA International Award for Best Actor in a Series, for his role in Mystery Road.

Other roles Pedersen speaks at schools and prisons, and is concerned at the rate of incarceration of Indigenous Australians, seeing parallels with the early history of Australia, being founded as a penal colony; the link between poverty and crime. The short documentary film My Brother Vinnie (2006), written by Pedersen, directed by Steven McGregor, and shot by Warwick Thornton (both friends), was selected for the Melbourne International Film Festival and Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival.

Pedersen's partner was Sarah Bond. They split up in 2017. While he is not currently seeing anyone, he says that caring for Vinnie means that there is no space in his life for children. He loves working with wood, and has a "secret desire to be a tradie".

Filmography Film

Television

Other appearances