Danielle Cormack

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title: "Danielle Cormack" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1970-births", "living-people", "logie-award-winners", "new-zealand-film-actresses", "new-zealand-stage-actresses", "new-zealand-television-actresses", "new-zealand-soap-opera-actresses", "new-zealand-bisexual-actresses", "actresses-from-auckland", "20th-century-new-zealand-actresses", "21st-century-new-zealand-actresses", "new-zealand-women-theatre-directors", "people-educated-at-selwyn-college,-auckland", "21st-century-new-zealand-lgbtq-people"] description: "New Zealand actress" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Cormack" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary New Zealand actress ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]

Field	Value
name	Danielle Cormack
image	Danielle Cormack (cropped).jpg
caption	Cormack in 2011
birth_date
birth_place	Auckland, New Zealand
known_for	* Wentworth
occupation	Actress/Producer/Director
years_active	1987–present
children	2
partner	Pana Hema Taylor (2009–2013)
::

| name = Danielle Cormack | image = Danielle Cormack (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Cormack in 2011 | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | known_for = * Wentworth

• Rake
• Underbelly | occupation = Actress/Producer/Director | years_active = 1987–present | children = 2 | spouse = | partner = Pana Hema Taylor (2009–2013)

Danielle Cormack (born 26 December 1970 ) is a New Zealand stage and screen actress. She was one of the original cast members of the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, though she is also known for her roles as the Amazon Ephiny in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, Bea Smith in Wentworth, Cynthia Ross in The Cult, and Shota in Legend of the Seeker. Other works include the 2009 film, Separation City, and the Australian series Rake.

Acting career

Danielle Cormack is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She portrayed notorious Sydney underworld figure Kate Leigh in Underbelly: Razor, and doctor Rory Finch in Jack Irish.

In 2012 Cormack was announced as Bea Smith in the Foxtel prison drama Wentworth when the series had first gone into production for four years, before leaving the show in 2016. The role of Bea Smith was originally played by Val Lehman. in Prisoner. Cormack has since appeared regularly at Wentworth-related events in the US and the UK, and hosted the 2023 New Jersey Event.

In 2022, Cormack narrated the SBS documentary series Life on the Outside, which showed what life is like for newly released prison inmates.

In 2023 she appeared in Erotic Stories on SBS Television. In the same year, she was named as part of the cast for New Zealand dramedy series Madam. Cormack was also named in the cast for Stan Australia drama Year Of.

She served as executive producer for the short film Oi (2024). On 8 December 2024, Cormack was announced in the cast for series 3 of Foxtel legal drama The Twelve.

Cormack, alongside Wentworth cast member Nicole da Silva, started the production company Four One One, and together they produced their first play Whose Afraid in 2022. Cormack and da Silva in 2023 directed the short film Why We Fight. Why We Fight was nominated for an AACTA award for Short Film.

On 17 April 2025, Cormack was named as part of the extended cast for series two of Return to Paradise. On 16 September 2025, Foxtel announced a documentary for the late Brian Walsh with Cormack announced as one of many guests.

Other activities

In 2018, Cormack, while working alongside aid agency ChildFund, helped build a water tank that would supply villages in Uganda.

Cormack went to provide humanitarian aid to children in Ukraine after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Cormack is an ambassador for SHINE for Kids.

Personal life

Cormack was in a relationship with Pana Hema Taylor from 2009 until 2013. She has two children: one with Taylor, and one from a previous relationship.

In an interview with LOTL magazine in 2016, Cormack said that she had had long-term relationships with both men and women, and indicated that she prefers to avoid applying labels to patterns of sexuality.

Cormack is an avid motorbike fan and often goes on motorbike rides to manage stress.

Filmography

Film

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1993	Snap	Felicity	Short film
**	Vera Smith	Short film
1994	The Last Tattoo	Molly
1997	Topless Women Talk About Their Lives	Liz
1998	Via Satellite	Chrissy / Carol
1999	Siam Sunset	Grace
Channelling Baby	Bunnie
2000	**	Lucinda
2004	Without a Paddle	Toni
Stringer	Butcher
Together	Rose	Short film
2005	**	Jane	Short film
River Queen	Viola
2006	Mirage	Various	Short film
Cross My Heart	Krystal	Short film
Perfect Creature	Margaret Sparrow
2008	**	Rachel Cradle
2009	Separation City	Pam Nicholson
2025	Backseat	Sheena	Short
::

Television

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref
1987–89	Gloss	Tania Veitch	Main role
1992–93	Shortland Street	Alison Raynor	Main role
1994	High Tide	Meghan Kelly	Episode: "Sitting Ducks"
1995	High Tide	Jill McMillan	Episode: "Dead Heat"
**	Stacey	Television film
Overnight	Kelly	Television film
1995–2001	Xena: Warrior Princess	Ephiny	Recurring role (8 episodes)
1997	Hercules: The Legendary Journeys	Lady Marie DeValle	Episode: "Les Contemptibles"
1997–99	Hercules: The Legendary Journeys	Ephiny	Episodes: "Prodigal Sister", "Sky High"
2000	Jack of All Trades	Katherine	Episode: "A Horse of a Different Color"
Cleopatra 2525	Raina	Episodes: "Mind Games", "Trial and Error", "Out of Body"
Xena: Warrior Princess	Samsara	Episode: "Lifeblood"
2004	Maiden Voyage	Lynn Fabrizio	Television film
2006	Maddigan's Quest	Maddie	Main role (13 episodes)
2007	Rude Awakenings	Dimity Rush	Main role (11 episodes)
2008	City Homicide	Shirley Steadman	Episode: "Taniwha"
**	Amy	Episodes: "1.11", "1.12", "1.13"
2008–10	Legend of the Seeker	Shota	Recurring role (6 episodes)
2009	Buzzy Bee and Friends	Elle-Gator (voice)	Recurring role (14 episodes)
**	Cynthia Ross	Main role (13 episodes)
2010	Forever New Zealand	Catherine	Television film
2010–16	Rake	Scarlet Meagher	Main role (32 episodes)
2011	East West 101	Angela Travis	Episodes: "Jerusalem", "Behold a Pale Horse", "Revelation"
Underbelly: Razor	Kate Leigh	Main role (13 episodes)
2012	Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries	Anna Ross	Episode: "Queen of the Flowers"
Buzzy Bee and Friends	Elle-Gator (voice)	Episodes: "2.1", "Memories", "Oscar's Ups and Downs"
2013–16	Wentworth	Bea Smith	Main role (46 episodes)
2016	Deep Water	Brenda MacIntosh	4 part miniseries on SBS	last=Knox
Stake Out	Davina	"Hijacking Hijinks"
2018	Patricia Moore	Marnie	9 episodes
Jack Irish	Rory Finch	5 episodes
Secret City	Karen Koutoufides	Main role
2019	Fresh Eggs	Lulu	TV series
My Life Is Murder	Nikki Malone / Nicole Buttera	TV series, episode: "The Locked Room"
2022	The Secrets She Keeps	Vicky Michaelson	Season 2 (6 episodes)	**
2023	Year Of	Lucinda Prichard	9 episodes
Erotic Stories	Ginger	1 episode (The Deluge)	**
2024	Madam	Deziyah	TV series: 8 episodes
Double Parked	Edie	TV series 1 episode
2025	The Last Anniversary	Kate Kennedy	TV series: 1 episode
The Twelve	Gabe Nicholls	TV series; 8 episodes (season 3: Cape Rock Killer)
Return to Paradise	Asher Svensson	TV series: 1 episode (Apex Predator)
::

Other appearances

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref
2025	The Great Entertainer	Self	Documentary
2025	Memory Bites with Matt Moran	Guest	1 episode
2022	Life on the Outside	Self/Narrator	Documentary 3 episodes
2019	Wentworth: Behind the Bars	Self	TV Special
2017	Cram	Self	1 episode
2016	An Audience With the Cast of Wentworth	Self	TV Special
::

Theatre

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref
1993	East	Sylv	Mercury Theatre, Auckland
1994	East	Sylv	Zurich Arts Festival – Lucerne, Switzerland
1996	Spare Prick	Lucinda	Basement Theatre, Auckland
1996	Return of the Summer Street Seven	Lucinda	Basement Theatre, Auckland
1997	Arcadia	Chloe Coverly	Auckland Theatre Company
1999	Trainspotting	Various	New Zealand Tour
2001	**	Alison / Various	Auckland Theatre Company
2001	**	Stella	Auckland Theatre Company
2002	**	Flo	Auckland Theatre Company
2003	**	Evelyn	Auckland Theatre Company
2003	**	Various	New Zealand Tour
2004	Skin Tight	Elizabeth	New Zealand Tour
2004	Caligula	Caesonia	Auckland Theatre Company
2004	Sex with Strangers	Robyn	Herald Theatre, Auckland
2005	Sex with Strangers	Prostitute	Herald Theatre, Auckland
2005	**	Various	Silo Theatre, Auckland
2006	**	Katherine Mansfield	Herald Theatre, Auckland
2007	**	Katherine Mansfield	Downstage Theatre, Wellington
2008	**	Dorine	Melbourne Theatre Company
2008	Rock 'n' Roll	Lenka	Melbourne Theatre Company & Sydney Theatre Company
2010	Christ Almighty	Three Wise Men	The Basement Theatre, Auckland
2011	Yellow Moon	Hollie	B Sharp
2012	Top Girls	Marlene	Silo Theatre
2014	Rupert	Anna Murdoch	Theatre Royal, Sydney
2015	Boys Will Be Boys	Astrid Wentworth	Sydney Theatre Company
2016	Straight	Steph	Kings Cross Theatre
2018	The Misanthrope	Alceste	Bell Shakespeare, with Griffin Theatre
2018	Hedda	Hedda	Queensland Theatre Company
2020	Every Brilliant Thing	(Director)	Silo Theatre, Auckland
2022	Whose Afraid	Cast	Belvoir St
2023	Blessed Union	Cast	Belvoir St
::

Awards

::data[format=table]

Year	Award	Category	Production	Result
1997	New Zealand Film and TV Awards	Best Actress	Topless Women Talk About Their Lives
1999	Channelling Baby
2000	The Price of Milk
Fantasporto International Film Festival	Siam Sunset
2005	Drifting Cloud International Film Festival	Best Performance	Together
2006	TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards	Best Actress	Maddigan's Quest
48 Hour Film Festival	Best Manic Performance	Mirage
Richmond Road Short Film Festival	Best Performance Female	Together
2009	Aotearoa Film & Television Awards	Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film	Separation City
2010	Qantas Television Awards	Best Performance by Actress in General Television	The Cult
2011	Equity Awards	Best Ensemble Cast	Rake
2012	Logie Award	Most Popular Actress	Underbelly: Razor & East West 101
2014	Outstanding Actress	Wentworth
Logie Awards	Most Outstanding Drama Series
Most Outstanding Actress
2015	ASTRA Award	Most Outstanding Female Actor
AACTA Award	Best Lead Actress in a Drama	Wentworth
Logie Award	Most Outstanding Actress	Wentworth
Most Outstanding Drama Series	Wentworth
2016	AACTA Award	Best Actress in a Drama	Wentworth
Logie Award	Most Outstanding Drama Series	Wentworth
2017	Most Outstanding Actress	Wentworth
Most Outstanding Drama Series	Wentworth
::

References

References

1. https://www.instagram.com/daniellecormack/p/DECMKAZyAaT/
2. [http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/danielle-cormack/biography NZ On Screen biography] with permission via [[Creative Commons]]
3. "Danielle Cormack – Actor Profile & Biography".
4. Knox, David. (4 December 2017). "Danielle Cormack, Tom Gleeson to guest on Jack Irish. {{!}} TV Tonight".
5. (24 April 2013). "Prisoner originals meet Wentworth cast".
6. "TV WEEK".
7. "Meet the cast of Wentworth in New Jersey!".
8. (16 March 2022). "Would you invite a former prisoner into your home?".
9. Knox, David. (28 September 2023). "Airdate: Erotic Stories | TV Tonight".
10. Yossman, K. J.. (28 September 2023). "'Six Feet Under' Star Rachel Griffiths to Lead Escort Agency Comedy-Drama Series 'Madam' (EXCLUSIVE)".
11. Harris, Rachel. (15 May 2023). "STAN original Series YEAR OF, an original drama about friendship and family in the wake of a shocking event".
12. "Oi".
13. Knox, David. (8 December 2024). "The Twelve season 3 cast unveiled {{!}} TV Tonight".
14. "About".
15. "Who's Afraid {{!}} Four One One Productions – Australian Stage Online".
16. "One Chat With One Night's Nicole da Silva".
17. Staff Writer. "Best Documentary and Best Short Film Nominees Announced".
18. Knox, David. (2025-04-17). "Filming begins on Return to Paradise S2 {{!}} TV Tonight".
19. Knox, David. (2025-09-16). "Airdate: The Great Entertainer {{!}} TV Tonight".
20. (9 January 2018). "Danielle Cormack meets her Ugandan daughter".
21. Nissen, Wendyl. (June 2022). "Danielle Cormack's brave mission into a warzone".
22. "Looking for New National Youth Advisory Council Members".
23. "Wentworth star Danielle Cormack reconciled to 'judgement' over 'modern, blended family'".
24. (7 September 2012). "Danielle Cormack: Love without barriers". NZ Woman's Weekly.
25. "Danielle Cormack And The Remarkable Lightness Of Bea". LOTL Magazine.
26. Ilic, Nikolina. (7 March 2022). "Meet The Women Dispelling The Myth That Motorcycles Are For Men".
27. Harrop, Nick. (11 January 2024). "Why Danielle Cormack left Shortland St".
28. Knox, David. (4 October 2012). "Wentworth cast on the inside {{!}} TV Tonight".
29. Knox, David. (18 March 2016). "SBS cast revealed for Deep Water {{!}} TV Tonight".
30. (18 September 2017). "Danielle Cormack, Les Hill to star in digital series 'Patricia Moore'".
31. Knox, David. (4 December 2017). "Danielle Cormack, Tom Gleeson to guest on Jack Irish. {{!}} TV Tonight".
32. "Australian Television: The Secrets She Keeps: Episode guide: Series 2".
33. Knox, David. (27 April 2023). "Production begins on Erotic Stories for SBS | TV Tonight".
34. Knox, David. (28 September 2023). "Airdate: Erotic Stories {{!}} TV Tonight".
35. Knox, David. (29 September 2023). "Rachel Griffiths leads NZ dramedy Madam | TV Tonight".
36. sbsmelissa. (2025-02-09). "New series Memory Bites with Matt Moran stirs up nostalgia with a taste of the past".
37. Perry, Kevin. (15 March 2022). "DANIELLE CORMACK presents ground-breaking new series LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE – Tonight on SBS – TV Blackbox".
38. Knox, David. (6 December 2017). "Cram: Dec 6, 7. {{!}} TV Tonight".
39. Knox, David. (27 April 2016). "Airdate: An Audience with the cast of Wentworth {{!}} TV Tonight".
40. "The Misanthrope".
41. "Hedda".
42. Sills, Ethan. (16 November 2020). "Theatre review: Every Brilliant Thing, Silo Theatre".
43. "Belvoir on Instagram: "❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍💟💙🤎🖤 Happy Mardi Gras from the BLESSED UNION fam & all the staff here at Belvoir! However you choose to celebrate it, we hope you have a fabulous night!"".

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