Geoff Morrell
Encyclopedia
Geoff Morrell is an Australian film and theatre actor.
Morrell began his career in theatre acting, becoming a founding member of the Theatre South organisation. In 1983, he briefly moved to England, featuring in a number of productions there.
In 1985, he branched into film acting, with a minor role in a telemovie version of Wilde
's "Lady Windermere's Fan
". Over the next few years, he moved between film and theatre, starring in productions such as Macbeth
and King Lear
, as well as several supporting roles in films telemovies, mini-series and regular series. These included notable Australian films Blackrock
and Oscar And Lucinda
. He has had guest roles in the series The Secret Life Of Us
, Stingers
and Farscape
.
Morrell starred as Harry in Australia's first production of the acclaimed play, Away
, which was performed by the Griffin Theatre Company and premiered at the Stables Theatre, Sydney on 7 January 1986.
After filming Oscar And Lucinda, Morrell won the role of forensic scientist "Lance Fisk" in the series Murder Call
, which screened from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, he won one of his most major roles to date, as the protagonist of the ABC
series Grass Roots. The series was not renewed after the 2001 season, and Morrell followed this with a major role in the ABC telemovie Marking Time
, as the father of a boy in love with an asylum seeker.
Morrell won the 2000 AFI Award for Best Actor for Grass Roots, and has been nominated four times, for Fallen Angels (1997) "Grassroots" 2nd series, Changi
(2001)and "Marking Time".He has been nominated for three silver Logies for Grassroots(first and second series),and "Changi"(2001)
In 2004, Morrell made a move into the mainstream when he became one of four new actors to join the long-running police series Blue Heelers
, on which he played Sergeant
Mark Jacobs
. In September 2004, there was speculation that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation would commission a third series of Grass Roots. However, Morrell stated that the ABC "may have missed its chance", and as he remained contracted to Blue Heelers, would likely not be able to participate if the series did return.
Morrell has also been involved in the film Right Here Right Now, which is due for release in 2005.
Due to family commitments, Morrell chose to leave Blue Heelers.
In 2010 Morrell made a return to ABC to star alongside Richard Roxburgh in the 1st series of Rake. Morrell played the role of Joe Sandilands, a NSW Attorney General involved in the inside wheeling and dealing of the Labor party. Morrell's charachter commits suicide in the 7th episode.
He lives in the Southern Highlands of NSW, has two grown up daughters, and is married to fellow actor Caroline Brazier. He continues to act in theatre, in addition to films. He recently appeared in the feature film "Rogue", and Tony Hayes' feature film debut "Ten Empty". In 2010 he began work on the set of Cloudstreet
, a television miniseries version of Tim Winton's novel. He plays the role of Lester Lamb.
Morrell began his career in theatre acting, becoming a founding member of the Theatre South organisation. In 1983, he briefly moved to England, featuring in a number of productions there.
In 1985, he branched into film acting, with a minor role in a telemovie version of Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s...
's "Lady Windermere's Fan
Lady Windermere's Fan
Lady Windermere's Fan, A Play About a Good Woman is a four act comedy by Oscar Wilde, first produced 22 February 1892 at the St James's Theatre in London. The play was first published in 1893...
". Over the next few years, he moved between film and theatre, starring in productions such as Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
and King Lear
King Lear
King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...
, as well as several supporting roles in films telemovies, mini-series and regular series. These included notable Australian films Blackrock
Blackrock (film)
Blackrock is a 1997 Australian film directed by Steven Vidler and written by Nick Enright. Internationally, it is best remembered as the first prominent role of actor Heath Ledger.-Origin:...
and Oscar And Lucinda
Oscar and Lucinda
Oscar and Lucinda is a novel by Peter Carey which won the 1988 Booker Prize, the 1989 Miles Franklin Award, and was shortlisted for The Best of the Booker.-Plot introduction:...
. He has had guest roles in the series The Secret Life Of Us
The Secret Life of Us
The Secret Life of Us was a television drama series set in the beachside suburb of St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia. The series was produced by Southern Star Entertainment and screened in Australia from 2001 to 2005 on Network Ten and on Channel 4 in the UK...
, Stingers
Stingers
Stingers was an Australian police drama television series. It ran for eight seasons on the Nine Network before it was canceled in late 2004 due to declining ratings and the late timeslot Channel Nine gave the program...
and Farscape
Farscape
Farscape is an Australian-American science fiction television series filmed in Australia and produced originally for the Nine Network. The series was conceived by Rockne S. O'Bannon and produced by Jim Henson Productions and Hallmark Entertainment...
.
Morrell starred as Harry in Australia's first production of the acclaimed play, Away
Away
Away is a play written by the Australian playwright Michael Gow. First performed by the Griffin Theatre Company in 1986, it tells the story of three internally-conflicted families holidaying on the coast for Christmas, 1968...
, which was performed by the Griffin Theatre Company and premiered at the Stables Theatre, Sydney on 7 January 1986.
After filming Oscar And Lucinda, Morrell won the role of forensic scientist "Lance Fisk" in the series Murder Call
Murder Call
Murder Call was an Australian television series, created by Hal McElroy for the Southern Star Entertainment and seen on the Nine Network between 1997 and 2000. The idea to the series was born by the books of Tessa Vance by Jennifer Rowe: Suspect/Deadline and Something Wicked...
, which screened from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, he won one of his most major roles to date, as the protagonist of the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
series Grass Roots. The series was not renewed after the 2001 season, and Morrell followed this with a major role in the ABC telemovie Marking Time
Marking Time
Marking Time was an Australian television mini-series, consisting of four one-hour episodes. It first aired on 9 and 10 November 2003 on ABC-TV...
, as the father of a boy in love with an asylum seeker.
Morrell won the 2000 AFI Award for Best Actor for Grass Roots, and has been nominated four times, for Fallen Angels (1997) "Grassroots" 2nd series, Changi
Changi (television)
Changi is a critically acclaimed six-part Australian television miniseries broadcast by ABC TV in 2001. It originally aired from 14 October 2001 to 18 November 2001.-Overview:...
(2001)and "Marking Time".He has been nominated for three silver Logies for Grassroots(first and second series),and "Changi"(2001)
In 2004, Morrell made a move into the mainstream when he became one of four new actors to join the long-running police series Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
, on which he played Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Mark Jacobs
Mark Jacobs (Blue Heelers)
Mark Jacobs was a fictional character in the long-running Australian police drama series, Blue Heelers. He was portrayed by Geoff Morrell and appeared in the series from 2004 to 2005....
. In September 2004, there was speculation that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation would commission a third series of Grass Roots. However, Morrell stated that the ABC "may have missed its chance", and as he remained contracted to Blue Heelers, would likely not be able to participate if the series did return.
Morrell has also been involved in the film Right Here Right Now, which is due for release in 2005.
Due to family commitments, Morrell chose to leave Blue Heelers.
In 2010 Morrell made a return to ABC to star alongside Richard Roxburgh in the 1st series of Rake. Morrell played the role of Joe Sandilands, a NSW Attorney General involved in the inside wheeling and dealing of the Labor party. Morrell's charachter commits suicide in the 7th episode.
He lives in the Southern Highlands of NSW, has two grown up daughters, and is married to fellow actor Caroline Brazier. He continues to act in theatre, in addition to films. He recently appeared in the feature film "Rogue", and Tony Hayes' feature film debut "Ten Empty". In 2010 he began work on the set of Cloudstreet
Cloudstreet
Cloudstreet is a novel by Australian writer Tim Winton. It chronicles the lives of two working class Australian families who come to live together at One Cloud Street, in a suburb of Perth, over a period of twenty years, 1943 - 1963...
, a television miniseries version of Tim Winton's novel. He plays the role of Lester Lamb.
Selected filmography
- Blackrock (1997)
- Oscar And LucindaOscar and LucindaOscar and Lucinda is a novel by Peter Carey which won the 1988 Booker Prize, the 1989 Miles Franklin Award, and was shortlisted for The Best of the Booker.-Plot introduction:...
(1997) - Murder CallMurder CallMurder Call was an Australian television series, created by Hal McElroy for the Southern Star Entertainment and seen on the Nine Network between 1997 and 2000. The idea to the series was born by the books of Tessa Vance by Jennifer Rowe: Suspect/Deadline and Something Wicked...
(series) (1997–1999) - Looking For AlibrandiLooking for AlibrandiLooking for Alibrandi is a 1999 Australian film written by Melina Marchetta based on the novel of the same name. The film sets in the 1990s Sydney, New South Wales and starring Australian actors, including Pia Miranda as Josephine Alibrandi, the film's main character, Anthony LaPaglia as her...
(2000) - Grass Roots (series) (2000–2001)
- ChangiChangi (television)Changi is a critically acclaimed six-part Australian television miniseries broadcast by ABC TV in 2001. It originally aired from 14 October 2001 to 18 November 2001.-Overview:...
(mini-series) (2001) - My Husband My Killer (2001)
- Ned Kelly (2003)
- Marking TimeMarking TimeMarking Time was an Australian television mini-series, consisting of four one-hour episodes. It first aired on 9 and 10 November 2003 on ABC-TV...
(telemovie) (2003) - Blue HeelersBlue HeelersBlue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
(series) (2004–2005) - Right Here Right NowRight Here Right NowRight Here, Right Now or Right Here Right Now may refer to:*"Right Here, Right Now" , a 1991 song by Jesus Jones*"Right Here, Right Now" , a 1999 song by Fatboy Slim...
(2005) - Bastard BoysBastard BoysBastard Boys is an Australian television miniseries broadcast on the ABC in 2007. It tells the story of the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute.-Plot:...
(2007) - RogueRogue (film)War is a 2007 American action thriller film, directed by Phillip G. Atwell who makes his film debut, with fight choreography by Corey Yuen. The film was released in North America on August 24, 2007 and stars action film actors Jet Li and Jason Statham, making their second collaboration after the...
(2007) - Emerald Falls (2008)
- Sea PatrolSea Patrol (TV series)Sea Patrol is an Australian television drama, set on board HMAS Hammersley, a fictional patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy . The series focuses on the ship and the lives of its crew members....
(2008) - Ten Empty (2008)
- Packed to the RaftersPacked to the RaftersPacked to the Rafters is an Australian family-orientated television series which premiered on the Seven Network on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 8:30 pm. The drama series features a mix of lighthearted comedy woven through the plot. It revolves around the Rafter family facing work pressures and...
(2009) - RakeRakeRake may refer to:* Rake , a horticultural implement, a long-handled tool with tines* Rake or hay rake, a farm implement* Rake or castor angle – various fork offset angles in bicycle and motorcycle geometry...
(2010)