Essie Davis

Esther "Essie" Davis was born on 19 January 1970 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
As the daughter of an artistic father, Davis grew up immersed in the arts.
After completing her high school education, she enrolled at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), one of Australia's most prestigious drama schools, and graduated in 1992.
This institution, where she studied alongside figures such as Cate Blanchett, laid the foundation for her professional acting career.
Beginning her career on stage, Davis worked with esteemed ensembles such as Bell Shakespeare Company, taking on significant roles in classic plays including "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet".
Her powerful stage performances established her identity as a renowned Australian theatre actress.
Her transition to film began in the mid-1990s, with appearances in Australian productions such as "Dad and Dave: On Our Selection" (1995).
On the international stage, she first gained recognition for her small yet memorable roles in the Wachowskis' films "The Matrix Reloaded" (2003) and "The Matrix Revolutions" (2003).

The production that transformed Essie Davis into a global star and delivered one of the most iconic roles of her career was the television series "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" (2012–2015). Set in Melbourne during the 1920s, she portrayed Phryne Fisher, an aristocratic, striking, and fearless private detective. With this role, she garnered a massive international fanbase and became almost indistinguishable from her character. Following the series' success, she reprised the role in the film "Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears" (2020). Another major turning point in her career was Jennifer Kent's psychological horror film "The Babadook" (2014), which received universal critical acclaim. Her performance as a grieving and troubled mother in this film earned widespread international praise and secured her the AACTA Award for Best Actress. This film demonstrated to the world her depth and power in dramatic roles. Following these achievements, she further solidified her place in Hollywood by portraying Lady Crane in the sixth season of the pop culture phenomenon "Game of Thrones" (2016).

She also took on significant roles in films such as "True History of the Kelly Gang" (2019), directed by her husband Justin Kurzel, and the critically acclaimed "Babyteeth" (2019). She continues to showcase her versatility across different genres through projects like Guillermo del Toro's anthology series "Cabinet of Curiosities" (2022) and "Nitram" (2021). Davis is married to director Justin Kurzel, and they have twin children.