Susan Prior

Susan Prior is an Australian actress, who has worked extensively in film, television and theatre.

Early life and education Prior attended a high school that specialised in music, where she took an interest in singing and playing the cello, as well as being heavily involved in sports. She was also chosen for the Student Representative Committee. She subsequently participated in dance with the Australian Dance Theatre 's youth group Mummy 's Little Darlings, including performing at the Adelaide Festival. graduating in 1991.

Career Prior began her acting career on stage. After performing in productions with Belvoir Theatre Company and Griffin Theatre Company from 1992, she played Tegwyn in an Australian touring production of That Eye, the Sky, directed by Richard Roxburgh from 1994 to 1995. 1997 action film Heaven's Burning with Russell Crowe and 1998 drama film Praise.

Prior's performance as Lizzie in a 1997 Griffin Theatre Company production of Wolf Lullaby In 2003, she co-wrote and starred in the film A Cold Summer, seeing her nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Film Critics' Circle Awards. In 2006, she appeared in the comedy thriller film Suburban Mayhem, with Michael Dorman and Anthony Hayes.

In 2007, Prior starred in short film The Saviour which was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the Academy Awards. In 2012, she played opposite Ryan Kwanten and Sarah Snook in comedy drama film Not Suitable for Children, and also had a recurring guest role in long-running soap opera Home and Away, playing the role of Margaret Henderson. That same year, she also landed the recurring role of Yvonne Hennessey in drama series Puberty Blues, the series reimagining of the 1981 film of the same name. Her portrayal saw her nominated for an AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama.

After playing Sasha, the wife of Richard Roxburgh 's Mikhail in a production of The Present for Sydney Theatre Company in 2015, She then appeared opposite Angourie Rice, Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving in 2017 mystery drama film Jasper Jones, in the role of Gwyn Wishart, before playing head teacher, Ms Lee Issen in 2018 film Book Week, and Norma Gowland in docudrama film Riot, with Damon Herriman, Jessica De Gouw and Xavier Samuel.

In 2021, Prior landed a role in ABC comedy series Aftertaste, playing sister Denise, sister of the main character, celebrity chef Easton West (Erik Thomson). The series also starred Rachel Griffiths. In early 2022, Prior played one of the lead roles, Martha, in a State Theatre Company South Australia production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, to acclaim by critics.

In 2024, Prior played Tish in comedy musical film The Deb, with Rebel Wilson. The following year, she appeared in Foxtel comedy-drama series The Last Anniversary, based on Liane Moriarty's book of the same name. She played the role of Margie, alongside Teresa Palmer, Miranda Richardson and Danielle Macdonald.

Prior is set to appear in the upcoming biopic Fenech – The Jeff Fenech Story in the role of boxer Jeff Fenech's mother, Mary.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes Ref 1994 Muriel's Wedding Girl at Wedding Feature film 1998 Praise Sophie Feature film 1999 Doctor By Day Kay Short film 2000 A Wreck A Tangle Eleanor Feature film 2003 A Cold Summer Phaedra Feature film Monster Mother Short film The Saviour Carmel Short film Still Time Sue Short film 2006 Suburban Mayhem Christine Andretti Feature film Nothing Lasts Forever Woman Short film 2008 The View from Greenhaven Kate Feature film 2014 The Orchard Rachel Short film The Rover Dorothy Peeples Feature film Handyman Melinda Short film 2015 Second Hand Gabby Short film Reg Makes Contact Susan Short film Bunny New Girl Alice Dunn Short film 2017 Jasper Jones Gwyn Wishart Feature film Riot Norma Gowland TV movie Mukbang Sandra Short film 2021 Chopin's Piano George Sand Feature film The Gathering Gale Short film Ascendant Barbara Wolf Feature film 2024 The Deb Tish Feature film Fenech – The Jeff Fenech Story Mary Fenech Feature film 1996 Police Rescue Debra 1 episode House Gang Chris 1 episode 2000 Water Rats Rosie Callaghan 2 episodes 2002 Farscape Kirayh 1 episode Young Lions Christine Malouf 1 episode 2005 All Saints Beth Chandler 15 episodes 2012 Rake Barbara 1 episode Home and Away Margaret Henderson 6 episodes 2012–2014 Puberty Blues Yvonne Hennessey 17 episodes 2017 Doctor Doctor Minnie 3 episodes Top of the Lake Beccy 1 episode 2018 Fighting Season Dr. Linda 1 episode Bite Club Tricia 1 episode Safe Harbour Renee 3 episodes 2019 The Commons Mayor Lena Gordon 1 episode The Other Guy Sharon 1 episode Frayed Ruth 2 episodes Glitch Anna Donohue 3 episodes Les Norton Chenille 4 episodes Jade of Death Donna 2 episodes 2020 The Gloaming Counsellor Susan Kelly 2 episodes 2021 The Moth Effect Staff Member 1 episode 2021–2022 Aftertaste Denise West 12 episodes 2025 The Last Anniversary Margie 6 episodes 1991 Merrily We Roll Along NIDA, Sydney 2006 Constance Drinkwater & the Final Days of Somerset Constance Drinkwater Stables Theatre, Sydney with Tamarama Rock Surfers 2001 Sweet Road Norman Kessell Memorial Awards Outstanding Performance 2012 Puberty Blues (episode 4) AACTA Awards Best Guest or Supporting Actress 2013 Small and Tired Sydney Theatre Awards Best Actress in Supporting Role in a Mainstage Production 2014 Small and Tired Helpmann Awards Best Actress in Supporting Role 2015 The Rover Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actress in Supporting Role The Present Sydney Theatre Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Mainstage Production Making Love to the Scarecrow Searchlight Griffin Theatre Prize