Rarriwuy Hick

Rarriwuy Hick (born ) is an Aboriginal Australian award-winning actress, known for her roles in the television series Redfern Now, Cleverman, Wentworth and True Colours.

Early life and education Hick was born around 1991 in Sydney, Australia. She grew up in both the suburb of Lilyfield, and in Dhalinybuy, an Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. She was raised speaking Yolŋu Matha and other Aboriginal Australian languages before learning English, and speaks seven dialects. In 2009, she commenced studies at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College. She was asked to audition for the Aboriginal-produced play Wrong Skin, and was successful, performing on the tour while studying.

Career

Acting Hick starred in two episodes of the television series Redfern Now (2012–2013), and as ongoing character of Ruby Mitchell in Wentworth making her first appearance for season 6, Hick would reprise the role of Ruby Mitchell when the show was renewed for its eighth and final season.

In 2022 she played the lead role as detective Toni Alma, returning to her home town in Central Australia after living most of her life away from it, in the television miniseries True Colours. One reviewer called her performance "career-best".

In 2023, Hick appeared in Home and Away in the role of Elandra Hudson. Hick also appeared in SBS drama Erotic Stories.

In 2024, Hick was named as part of the cast for upcoming feature film Kangaroo. On 21 November 2024, Hick was named as part of the cast for the second season of the ABC drama Mystery Road: Origin.

Dance and theatre She established the dance group Yapa Mala and led its choreography. In 2011, she starred in the theatre play Bloodland.

In 2016, Hick starred in a revival of the Louis Nowra play The Golden Age by the Sydney Theatre Company and her performance and dance received praise.

Other activities Hick was living in Arnhem Land at the time of the 2007 Northern Territory National Emergency Response. She later remarked that the intervention was not having an effect on child abuse like intended and instead that her family's lives and finances were being "completely controlled by the government".

In May 2013, Hick and other actors from theatre production The Shadow King in Melbourne were refused taxi rides by several drivers who reportedly drove off after observing that the group members were of Indigenous appearance.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role NotesRef 2012 Move It Mob Style Herself Episode 4 2012–2013 Redfern Now Robyn Davis 2 episodes 2013 The Broken Shore Suzie Pascoe TV movie The Outlaw Michael Howe Mary TV movie 2014 The Gods of Wheat Street Electra Freeburn 6 episodes 2015 Redfern Now: Promise Me Robyn Davis TV movie 2016–2017 Cleverman Latani 12 episodes 2018 Black Comedy Various characters 6 episodes 2019 Molly and Cara Cara TV series 2021 Wentworth Unlocked Self TV special 2022 True ColoursDetective Toni Alma Miniseries, 4 episodes Significant Others Deb Munroe 5 episodes Darby and Joan Tegan 1 episode 2023–2024 Home and Away Elandra Hudson 8 episodes 2024 Erotic Stories Kiarra Episode: "Powerful Owl" 2025 Warm Props Aunty Jilby TV series Mystery Road: Origin Jesse Roman TV series 2012 Bloodland 2013 The Shadow King Cordelia 2014 Brothers Wreck Adele 2016 The Golden Age Betsheb

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Film Result Ref. 2011 Deadly Awards Female Actor of the Year Wrong Skin 2012 Deadly Awards Female Actor of the Year Bloodland 2016 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Supporting Actress Redfern Now: Promise Me Equity Ensemble Awards Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a TV Movie or Miniseries The Outlaw Michael Howe 2022 Asian Academy Creative AwardBest Actress in a Leading RoleTrue Colours