Julie Nihill (born 1957 in Melbourne) is an Australian actress, best known for her 12-year role as Chris Riley on the police drama Blue Heelers (1994–2006).[1]

Julie Nihill
Born1957 (age 66–67)
Melbourne, Australia
OccupationActor
Years active1981–present
Known forBlue Heelers as Chris Riley

Biography

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Nihill made her television debut in I Can Jump Puddles (1981) and her film debut in Careful, He Might Hear You (1983). This led to her first lead role in the ABC TV movie Every Move She Makes (for which Nihill received a Penguin Award) and the miniseries Bodyline, in which Nihill played Jessie Bradman, Sir Donald Bradman's wife.

Nihill became a household face in 1994 when she was cast as publican and local Councillor Chris Riley on the police drama Blue Heelers. Nihill was one of only two actors (the other being John Wood) to star in the series for its entire run.[2]

Nihill played guest roles in television programs including Prisoner: Cell Block H, Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, Mother and Son, House Husbands, The Leftovers, and Picnic at Hanging Rock. She is also a theatre performer, having worked with Australian theatre companies such as the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Tasmanian Theatre Company.

She was married to actor Richard Moir, and they had two daughters.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Type
1982 A Slice of Life Pam Feature film
1983 Careful, He Might Hear You Diana Feature film
1983 Undercover Design Room Girl Feature film
1985 The Coca-Cola Kid Marching Girl Feature film
1985 Rebel Joycie Feature film
1986 Kangaroo Vicki Calcott Feature film
1988 Boundaries of the Heart June Thompson Feature film
1990 Deadly Jeny Feature film
2000 The Way of the Birds Herself (Voice) Film short
2001 Dalkeith Sally Feature film
2015 Holding the Man Pranic Healer (uncredited) Feature film
2016 The Prince of Chinatown Mother Film short
2017 Pillars Louisa Film short
2018 Bird Teacher Film short
2019 The Diver Cynthia Film short
2020 Nursery Carol Film short

Television

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Year Title Role Type
1981 I Can Jump Puddles Guest role: Young Woman TV miniseries, 1 episode "Getting Your Breath"
1981 The Sullivans Guest role: Sue Matthews TV series, 1 episode
1982 Holiday Island Guest role: TV series, 1 episode
1982 Home Guest role TV series, 2 episodes
1982 The Young Doctors Recurring role: Linda Wilson TV series, 8 episodes
1982; 1983 Prisoner Guest roles: Lindy Peters / Nurse TV series, 2 episodes
1983 Starting Out Guest role TV series, 1 episode
1984 Bodyline Recurring role: Jessie TV miniseries, 1 episode
1984; 1989 A Country Practice Guest roles: Michelle Hayden / Dinny TV series, 4 episodes
1984 Every Move She Makes Lead role: Alison Berger TV movie
1984 The Cowra Breakout Recurring role: Merle TV miniseries, 4 episodes
1985 Sons and Daughters Recurring role: Julie Webb TV series, 16 episodes
1986 Tusitala Recurring role: Belle Strong TV miniseries, 3 episodes
1987 Army Wives Lead role: Jill TV movie
1988;1991 Rafferty's Rules Recurring role: Cathy Gregory TV series, 3 episodes
1989 The Flying Doctors Guest role: Jilly Potter TV series, 1 episode
1992 Mother and Son Guest role: Receptionist TV series, 1 episode
1994-2006 Blue Heelers Regular role: Christine 'Chris' Riley TV series, 507 episodes
1995 Banjo Paterson's The Man from Snowy River aka Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Guest role: Nora O'Reilly TV series, Season 2, 1 episode
1998 Good Morning Australia Guest TV series, 1 episode
2012 Winners & Losers Guest role: Pauline Brown TV series, 1 episode
2012 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab Recurring role: Mrs. Hableton TV movie
2014 Worst Year of My Life, Again! Guest role: Ms Fowler TV series, 1 episode
2014 The Greatest Love of All Guest role: Gary's Mum TV series, 1 episode
2017 House Husbands Guest role: Bronwyn TV series, 1 episode
2017 The Leftovers Guest role: Sharon TV series, 1 episode
2017 True Story with Hamish & Andy Guest role: Ruth TV series, 1 episode
2018 Picnic at Hanging Rock Recurring role: Mrs. Horton TV miniseries, 1 episode
2018 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Guest role: Maggie Butson TV series, 1 episode
2018 How to Stay Married Guest role: Mrs. Veteris TV series, 1 episode
2019 Neighbours Guest role: Sister Grace TV series, 1 episode

References

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  1. ^ "Blue Heelers". Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  2. ^ Carter, Paul (13 January 2006). "Blue Heelers axed after 12 years". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
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