Shareena Clanton

Shareena Clanton is an Australian film, television and theatre actress. She is known for her role as Doreen Anderson in the television drama series Wentworth (2013–2017).

Early life and education Clanton was born in Perth, Western Australia.

She first studied an Aboriginal Theatre course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2006, before being accepted into the full-time acting course at WAAPA, from which she graduated in 2010. She then landed an ongoing role in prison drama Wentworth from 2013 to 2017, as Doreen Anderson, an Aboriginal woman from an inner city community wracked by drugs, alcohol and abuse. She was the youngest member of the main cast and her performance saw her nominated for Most Outstanding Newcomer at the Logie Awards in 2014. Prior to her first on-screen appearance on the show, Clanton made public her displeasure about working on the show due to racism. According to Clanton, an unnamed cast member taunted her about her ethnicities twice and was not only defended by another cast member, but Clanton's rebuke of the actor resulted in Clanton being told she made the other cast members "uncomfortable". In the weeks that followed, Fremantle Australia began an investigation into these allegations, and at the same time, former cast members Sharon Johal, Meyne Wyatt, Remy Hii, Menik Gooneratne, and Sachin Joab also came forward with allegations of racism. The investigation into the racism scandal was concluded in late 2021, but the findings were not made public.

Clanton appeared as Valerie in seven episodes of 2022 miniseries Joe vs. Carole which was based on the real life story of Tiger King personalities, Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. That same year, Clanton voiced the character of Deb in the animated series Childish Deano. She subsequently appeared in the 2024 second season of The Twelve on Foxtel. She was later named as part of the cast for 2025 Stan series Invisible Boys. going on to play the role of Karla Hammersmith.

Recognition and awards Year Work Award Category Result Ref 2011 My Wonderful Day Sydney Theatre Awards Best Newcomer Wentworth ASTRA Awards Best New Talent

Credits

Film Year Title Role Notes Ref 2009 Stone Bros. Leah Feature film 2019 Rosehaven Suzanne Season 3, 2 episodes Glitch Elena Triggs Season 3, episode 3: "First Times" 2021 Neighbours Sheila Canning 2 18 episodes (guest role)

Other appearances

Theatre

As performer Year Title Role Notes Ref 2011 My Wonderful Day Laverne Ensemble Theatre, Sydney 2012 The Comedy of Errors Adrianna Shakespeare WA 2013 White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne 2015 Battle of Waterloo Sissy Wharf Theatre, Sydney with STC 2017 Macbeth Lady Macduff / Witch 2 Southbank Theatre, Melbourne with MTC 2021 York Rosy Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth with Black Swan Theatre Co & WA Youth Theatre Co

As director Year Title Role Notes Ref 2019 Conversations with the Dead Director Arts Centre Melbourne with Ilbijerri Ensemble