Essie Davis

Esther 'Essie' Davis is an Australian actress, renowned for her roles in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and The Babadook. Born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania, Davis made her acting debut in 1993 after training at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. She found fame on stage, performing Juliet in the Bell Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet, and later going on to play in Hamlet, Richard III, and Macbeth. Davis began her film career in 1995, playing in the Australian movie, Dad and Dave: On Our Selection, which also starred celebrated actor Geoffrey Rush. Known for her versatility, she went on to star in popular movies such as The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. One of her major works includes her recurring role as Lady Crane in season six of the television series Game of Thrones.

In 2003, Davis won the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Trevor Nunn's production of A Streetcar Named Desire. Similarly, in 2004, she received a Tony Award nomination for her role in Tom Stoppard's Broadway production, Jumpers. Her dedication to theatre is also evident in her personal projects, such as launching the Tasmanian Theatre Company in 2008 to support local theatre. Among her standout performances, Davis is heralded for her portrayal of the title role in Jennifer Kent's critically acclaimed drama-horror film The Babadook. Her work in this film saw her nominated for multiple awards. Davis also reprised her role of Phryne Fisher from the popular TV series in a standalone feature film, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears.