Ewen Leslie

Australian actor


title: "Ewen Leslie" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1980-births", "living-people", "aacta-award-winners", "australian-male-film-actors", "australian-male-stage-actors", "australian-male-television-actors", "australian-male-child-actors", "helpmann-award-winners", "people-from-fremantle", "actors-from-perth,-western-australia"] description: "Australian actor" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewen_Leslie" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Australian actor ::

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

FieldValue
nameEwen Leslie
birth_date
educationJohn Curtin College of the Arts
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (2000)
occupationActor
years_active1993–present
birth_placeFremantle, Western Australia, Australia
partnerNicole O'Donohue
children2
::

| name = Ewen Leslie | birth_date = | image = | education = John Curtin College of the Arts Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (2000) | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1993–present | birth_place = Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia | partner = Nicole O'Donohue | children = 2 |}}

Ewen Leslie (born 27 July 1980) is an Australian actor.

Early life and education

Leslie is from Fremantle, Western Australia. He was acting in school plays at the age of ten. After seeing a newspaper advertisement for auditions for children's series Ship to Shore, he secured a role on the show from the age of 12 to 14. From there he attended high school at John Curtin College of the Arts, via a theatre scholarship, attending at the same time as fellow actor Sam Worthington, who was several years older.

Leslie wanted to attend Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) after his senior year, but missed the auditions. Instead, he ended up studying acting at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in Perth, graduating in 2000.

Career

Theatre

After graduating from WAAPA, Leslie moved to Sydney, and between bar work shifts at the Old Fitzroy Hotel, he began performing in shows at the venue. His first paid stage-acting job was a small part in a 2007 production of Paul at Belvoir Theatre, which lead to further stage roles at Belvoir. He eventually scored a role in Riflemind, a play by Andrew Upton which for Sydney Theatre Company directed by Oscar-winning actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman and starring Hugo Weaving and Martin Csokas. His performance caught the attention of Cate Blanchett.

He joined the STC Actors Company in 2008 and won a Helpmann Award and a Sydney Theatre Award for his performance as Prince Hal/Henry V opposite Cate Blanchett in The War of the Roses (directed by Benedict Andrews).

In 2010, Leslie played Richard III at the Melbourne Theatre Company directed by Simon Philips. Alison Croggon in The Australian wrote: "This is a deeply intelligent performance, physically and emotionally unafraid. It marks the ascension of a remarkable actor". He won his second Helpmann Award and a Green Room Award for this performance.

The following year, Leslie played Hamlet in a sellout season at the Melbourne Theatre Company, a role he would reprise in 2013 in Sydney for Belvoir St Theatre. He played one of the lead roles in The Wild Duck (directed by Simon Stone) which had successful seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and Oslo for The Ibsen Festival.

In 2013 he was The Player in STC's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead opposite Toby Schmitz and Tim Minchin. In 2015 he travelled to Paris to perform in Simon Stone's production of Thyestes, and played the title role in Belvoir's production of Ivanov.

In 2021, Leslie returned to the Sydney Theatre Company to perform in Kip Williams' production of Julius Caesar performed by only three actors.

Film and television

Leslie's first break came when he was cast as the lead role in 2005 drama Jewboy, a film that screened at the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. He has since played lead roles in several drama films – Three Blind Mice (2008), Dead Europe (2012), The Daughter (2015) and The Butterfly Tree (2017). His other film appearances include war film Kokoda (2006), erotic psychological horror drama Sleeping Beauty (2011), war drama The Railway Man (2013), black comedy The Mule (2014), outback drama Sweet Country (2017) and colonial thriller The Nightingale (2017). Leslie also voiced the character of Pigling Bland in the live action / animated Peter Rabbit films.

His notable television roles include Operation Buffalo, The Luminaries, The Gloaming, The Cry, Safe Harbour, Fighting Season, Deadline Gallipoli, Devil's Dust, Mabo, Redfern Now and Rake.

In 2017, Leslie won an AACTA Award for his role as Pyke in the second season of Top of the Lake, opposite Elisabeth Moss, Nicole Kidman and Alice Englert. Maureen Ryan in Variety wrote that his performance was "subtle and powerful", while Michael Idato in the Sydney Morning Herald wrote, "In a world where fame is fleeting and often hoisted upon the undeserved, Leslie is a proper revelation. He's a stunning performer, perhaps one of the best on our screens".

In 2024, Leslie appeared in Stan thriller series Exposure and drama series Prosper. In December 2024, Leslie was named in the cast for Foxtel drama The Twelve.

Leslie has also performed voiceover work on television commercials for My State Bank, Subaru, McDonald's McCafé, University of Melbourne, Repco RACQ and BMG.

Personal life

Leslie's partner of over 20 years is award-winning film producer Nicole O'Donohue, and together they have two children, Elliot and Eve.

Filmography

Film

::data[format=table]

YearTitleRoleNotesJusticeThe DoppelgangersSold OutRight Here Right NowJewboyLive to GiveThe MechanicalsKokodaKatoombaThree Blind MiceNetherland DwarfLonelyApricotSleeping BeautyDead EuropeSuspendedScene 16The Railway ManThe MuleThe DaughterDeath in BloomThe Butterfly TreeSweet CountryFacePeter RabbitThe NightingalePeter Rabbit 2: The RunawayThe StrangerMr Pillow
1998Bully
2002FitzShort film
2004PunterShort film
SBLT Sam FisherFeature film
2005YuriFeature film
SebShort film
Toast ManShort film
2006WilsteadFeature film
2007DonShort film
2008SamFeature film
DadShort film
2009BobShort film
MarcelShort film
2011BirdmannFeature film
2012IsaacFeature film
DaveShort film
2013LukeShort film
ThompsonFeature film
2014Detective Les ParisFeature film
2015Oliver FinchFeature film
Christopher CrumplesShort film
2017AlFeature film
Harry MarchFeature film
JamesShort film
2018Pigling Bland (voice)Feature film
GoodwinFeature film
2021Pigling Bland (voice)Feature film
2022Assistant Commissioner MillikenFeature film
Upcoming
::

Television

::data[format=table]

YearTitleRoleNotesShip to ShoreBush PatrolThe GiftWild KatThe Road from CoorainThe Junction BoysAll SaintsLove My WayLockie LeonardMy PlaceMaboDevil's DustRedfern NowTop of the LakeMr & Mrs MurderWonderlandDeadline GallipoliNo ActivityJanet KingRakeTop of the LakeSistersSafe HarbourFighting SeasonThe CryThe LuminariesThe GloamingOperation BuffaloPieces of HerBali 2002The ClearingProsperColin from AccountsExposureThe Twelve
1993Guido Bellini52 episodes
1996Dave1 episode
1997BoyEpisode: "The Cockroach Rap"
2001Morgan Ritchie13 episodes
2002RegTelevision film
Luke MasonTelevision film
2003Tony Hunter3 episodes
2006Duc8 episodes
2007John East7 episodes
2009Mr. Bracey1 episode
2012Bryan Keon-CohenTelevision film
Matt PeacockMiniseries
Mr. Parish2 episodes
2013Steve (voice)Episode: "The Edge of the Universe"
HugoEpisode: "The Course Whisperer"
2014Nick Deakin8 episodes
2015Keith Murdoch1 episode
Police officer (voice)6 episodes
2016Patrick Bocarro5 episodes
Bevan Leigh3 episodes
2017Pyke6 episodes
Abraham2 episodes
2018Ryan GallagherMiniseries
Captain Edward 'Ted' NordenfeltMain cast
Alistair RobertsonMain cast
2020Crosbie WellsMain cast
Alex O’ConnellMain cast
Major Leo CarmichaelMain cast
2022Arthur Gibson4 episodes
Tom Keirath1 episode
2023Tom Atkins1 episode
2024Dion Quinn8 episodes
Constable Byrne1 episode
Jim1 episode
2025Season 3: "Cape Rock Killer"
::

Theatre

::data[format=table]

YearShowRoleVenue
2002Flowers in the SnowNewtown Theatre, Sydney for Short+Sweet
2003Votive OfferingsTroyDarlinghurst Theatre, Sydney
WoyzeckDoctorOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney
Chicks Will Dig You!SebBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney
2004Cross SectionsAaronTamarama Rock Surfers, Sydney
This Blasted Earth / A Christmas Miracle With MusicFather Tim / ScarlettOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney with Tamarama Rock Surfers, Sydney
2005Top ShortsOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney with Naked Theatre Company
2005–2006ShakesperealismLewisThe Naked Theatre Company
2006Emergency Sex (and Other Desperate Measures)Wharf Theatre, Sydney
Plays: By HimselfOld Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney
2007PaulYeshuaBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney
Dead CaesarCassiusWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC
RiflemindLee
2008The Serpent's TeethSam LewisSydney Opera House with STC
GallipoliBilly Hughes / AtatürkSydney Theatre
2009The War of the RosesPrince Hal / Henry V / George of ClarenceSydney Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth
The PromiseMaratBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney
2010Richard IIIRichard III, Duke of GloucesterSouthbank Theatre, Melbourne with MTC
The TrialJosef K.Wharf Theatre, Sydney, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, Subiaco Arts Centre, Perth with STC
2011HamletPrince HamletMTC
2011–2012The Wild DuckHjalmar EkdalMalthouse Theatre, Melbourne, Nationaltheatret, Oslo, Norway with Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney
2013Cat on a Hot Tin RoofBrick PollittBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney, Theatre Royal Sydney
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are DeadThe PlayerSTC
HamletPrince HamletBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney
2015ThyestesAtreusBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney, Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers, France
IvanovNikolai IvanovBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney
2021Julius CaesarCassius / various rolesWharf Theatre, Sydney with STC
2022–2023The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHenry Jekyll / Edward Hyde / various rolesRoslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide with STC
::

Awards and nominations

::data[format=table]

YearCeremonyCategoryWorkResult
2005Australian Film Institute AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Craft in a Non-FeatureJewboy
2006Movie Extra Filmink AwardsBest Australian Newcomer
2009Sydney Theatre AwardsBest Actor in a Lead RoleThe War of the Roses
Helpmann AwardsBest Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
2010Best Male Actor in a PlayRichard III
Green Room AwardsBest Male Actor
2011Sydney Theatre AwardsBest Actor in a Lead RoleThe Wild Duck
2012Australian Film Critics Association AwardsBest ActorDead Europe
Film Critics Circle of Australia AwardsBest Actor
Green Room AwardsBest Ensemble – Theatre CompaniesThe Wild Duck
Best Male Actor
2013Equity Ensemble AwardsMost Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Movie or MiniseriesMabo
Devil's Dust
Sydney Theatre AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting RoleRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
2014Glugs Theatrical AwardsBest Supporting Actor
Helpmann AwardsBest Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play
AACTA AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleDead Europe
2015Sydney Theatre AwardsBest Actor in a Lead RoleIvanov
2016AACTA AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleThe Daughter
Film Critics Circle of Australia AwardsBest Actor
2017Australian Film Critics Association AwardsBest Actor
AACTA AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleThe Butterfly Tree
Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television DramaTop of the Lake
2018Logie AwardsMost Outstanding ActorSafe Harbour
2019Australian Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActorSweet Country
Equity Ensemble AwardsMost Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Movie or MiniseriesSafe Harbour
Logie AwardsMost Outstanding Supporting ActorFighting Season
AACTA AwardsBest Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television DramaFighting Season
AACTA AwardsBest Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television DramaThe Cry
2020New Zealand Film and Television AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Luminaries
2020AACTA AwardsAACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television DramaOperation Buffalo
::

References

References

  1. (November 2010). "Ewen Leslie: Our Next Big Thing".
  2. Waites, James. (12 October 2007). "Riflemind {{!}} Sydney Theatre Company".
  3. "Past nominees and winners".
  4. "2009".
  5. Boland, Michaela. (22 January 2009). "The War of the Roses – Part 1 and Part 2". [[Variety (magazine).
  6. Croggon, Alison. (3 May 2010). "This Richard III is one of the greats". [[The Australian]].
  7. Boland, Michaela. (11 August 2011). "Hamlet too successful for Melbourne Theatre Company's own good". [[The Australian]].
  8. Woodhead, Cameron. (23 February 2012). "The Wild Duck". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  9. Blake, Jason. (11 August 2013). "Alive yet alone, Stoppard players shine together". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  10. Blake, Jason. (24 September 2015). "Ivanov review: Entertaining Ewen Leslie brings dry Australian laughs to Russian tale of woe". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  11. Martyn, Shona. (4 February 2019). "Lunch with: The Cry actor Ewen Leslie". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  12. Idato, Michael. (22 August 2017). "Top of the Lake: China Girl is Nicole Kidman's finest hour". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
  13. Knox, David. (2024-05-24). "Airdate: Exposure {{!}} TV Tonight".
  14. Knox, David. (2023-11-17). "Airdate: Prosper {{!}} TV Tonight".
  15. Staff Writer. "Cast revealed for third season of award-winning anthology series, THE TWELVE: CAPE ROCK KILLER".
  16. "Ewen Leslie".
  17. (15 May 2020). "Talent. Charm. Ambition. He's a star in the making, but who is he?".
  18. (23 July 2022). "Actor Ewen Leslie".
  19. "Ewen Leslie".
  20. "Ewen Leslie theatre credits".

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1980-birthsliving-peopleaacta-award-winnersaustralian-male-film-actorsaustralian-male-stage-actorsaustralian-male-television-actorsaustralian-male-child-actorshelpmann-award-winnerspeople-from-fremantleactors-from-perth,-western-australia