By Sophia Nurse
In honour of the recent spotlight on Margot Robbie’s role in Suicide Squad, we take a look at Australia’s actresses making waves in Hollywood and doing the green and gold proud internationally.
Morgan Griffin
With notable roles in American films such as the family adventure film Nim’s Island and the 2015 disaster thriller San Andreas, 24-year-old Morgan Griffin has come back to our shores to star in Australia romantic comedy film, Spin Out. Griffin will be starring alongside Australian heartthrobs Xavier Samuels and Lincoln Lewis. Not bad company!
Isabel Lucas
Starring in last year’s thriller Careful What You Wish For alongside singer/actor Nick Jonas, Australian beauty and former Home & Away star Isabel Lucas is one lucky Australian to make it on the West Coast. Lucas broke through Hollywood after catching the attention of legendary director, Steven Spielberg, who suggested her for the role of Alice in the sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Since then Lucas has starred in a range of Hollywood films including Immortals, Red Dawn, and The Loft alongside fellow Aussie actress Rachael Taylor.
Rose Byrne
She’s had supporting roles in films like Troy, Marie Antoinette and Knowing, but it wasn’t till her anti-hero role as the rich and uptight Helen in the female-ensemble comedy hit Bridesmaids that Rose Byrne truly caught our attention – and the attention of Hollywood. Since then, Byrne has established herself as a Hollywood it-girl, getting the top spot in comedies like Neighbors alongside Seth Rogen.
Margot Robbie
Former Neighbours star Margo Robbie made waves in Hollywood after making her big screen debut alongside Leonardo De Caprio in Martin Scorcese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. With a full frontal shot as infamous as Sharon Stone’s crotch-baring scene in the 90s erotic thriller Basic Instinct, Robbie instantly became Hollywood’s newest sex symbol. Since then the 26-year-old has gotten the lead role in American films such as Focus, The Legend of Tarzan and the 2016 superhero film Suicide Squad; which despite being a dud delivered favourable reviews for Robbie. Whatever direction she takes in her career, Robbie’s future looks sweet.
Mia Wasikowska
At just 26 years old, the quirky Australian actress Mia Wasikowska has taken Hollywood by storm. Since breaking through Hollywood as a virtual unknown playing Alice in the blockbuster Alice in Wonderland alongside Johnny Depp, Mia has also starred in indie gems like The Kids Are Alright and Maps to the Stars. It’s safe to say Mia has built herself an impressive resume, showing she can slay in historical, indie and dark mysterious films.
Abbie Cornish
Starring in the beloved Australian film Candy alongside Heath Ledger in 2006, Cornish is a genuine acting talent to emerge out of Australia. Since then, Cornish has starred in American box office hits like Limitless alongside Bradley Cooper, and the American fantasy film Sucker Punch.
Teresa Palmer
Starring in the 2015 action thriller remake Point Break and 2013 romantic zombie comedy Warm Bodies, Teresa Palmer is Australia’s answer to Kristen Stewart. At just 30, the Adelaide-born actress has broke through Hollywood, starring in a range of Australian and US films in 2016 including The Choice, Triple 9 and the horror flick Lights Out.
Isabelle Cornish
She won us over as the bad girl on the Australian teen drama Puberty Blues, but Isabelle Cornish – the younger sister of the aforementioned Abbie Cornish – has had an equally successful career as a model, boasting a contract with Chic Model Management and recently shooting a campaign for Dior. Cornish is currently living in LA making the auditions route.
Phoebe Tonkin
Having starred in hit American television series including The Vampire Diaries and The Originals as well as the 2016 British thriller film Billionaire Ransom, Phoebe Tonkin has come a long way since her humble beginnings in the Australian teen drama series, H2O: Just Add Water. Who knew an Aussie teen series about mermaids could give way to a full fledged Hollywood career?
Rachael Taylor
Currently starring in the Netflix Marvel series Jessica Jones, Australian beauty Rachael Taylor has starred in a series of American films. The Tasmanian-born actress has had roles in
The Loft and the box office hit Transformers, along with horror films Man-Thing, See No Evil and Shutter.
