Kate Atkinson (born 28 June 1972)[1] is an Australian film, television and theatre actress. She is best known for her roles on television series SeaChange[2] as police officer Karen Miller and Offspring as Renee.[3] From 2013 to 2021 she appeared in a regular role in Wentworth as Deputy Governor (later Governor) and Industries Manager Vera Bennett.
Atkinson was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on 28 June 1972 to an English mother and Tasmanian father. She was raised in Perth, Western Australia. She studied English at Curtin University in Perth from 1990 to 1993, earning a BA with a double major in theatre and film and television.[1]
Atkinson appeared in the long-running drama Wentworth as Vera Bennett from series 1 to the finale in 2021.[4] She reprised the role in 2020 when the series returned to production for series 8 after the show was renewed. Atkinson appeared in all 100 episodes of the show and was a part of the "100 club", alongside co-stars Jacquie Brennan, Katrina Milosevic and Robbie Magasiva, the "100 club" would receive a placard for their efforts.[5] Atkinson revealed in 2021 that she had planned to walk away from acting altogether before she was offered her role in Wentworth as she was studying a Masters in International Politics at the time and said "I'll do a season. But I don't know if this thing has legs." As she believed the show would not last more than a single season.[6]
In March 2022 Channel 9 had announced that Atkinson was named as the lead for Underbelly: Vanishing Act as con woman Melissa Caddick. She was cast in the role as Caddick's story was of high public interest at the time and it was announced just weeks after Caddick had disappeared from her home, sparking a manhunt to find her. The mini series, which aired over two nights, told the story of Caddick's disappearance from a 'what if' angle as the investigation into her disappearance was still ongoing and Caddick's foot had washed up on a beach some weeks later.[7] After the show went to air Atkinson said "There was still a lot of hurt" for the victims of Caddick's crimes.[8] The show aired to mostly negative reviews, where some labeled the show 'in poor taste' and 'tacky'.[9][10][11]
In September 2022 Atkinson appeared at the "Wentworth Con" fan convention in Melbourne alongside many others in the Wentworth cast and she also appeared frequently for events in the UK.[12]
In 2016 Atkinson appeared in Melbourne Theatre Company production Lungs.,[23] Atkinson returned to the MTC in 2017 for its production of Three Little Words.[24]
