Liv Hewson

Liv Hewson (born 29 November 1995) is an Australian actor and playwright known for bringing a dark, queer twist to classic fairy‑tale narratives. Born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, they grew up in the suburb of Hughes, the child of public‑servant mother Angela and psychologist father Tony, and share a home with three brothers. Their early exposure to American television such as "The Simpsons" and "Futurama" helped them master an American accent, a skill they later used in numerous international productions. After attending Alfred Deakin High School and Canberra College, Hewson joined the Canberra Youth Theatre, where their passion for performance blossomed and led them to travel to Los Angeles in 2014 for an intensive acting workshop. Hewson's on‑screen debut came with the fantasy web series Dramaworld in 2016, where they portrayed Claire Duncan, a role that showcased their ability to blend humor with speculative storytelling. The following year they appeared in the film Before I Fall and secured recurring roles on the second series of Top of the Lake and the Marvel miniseries Inhumans. Their breakout television role arrived in 2017 when they were cast as Abby Hammond in Netflix’s dark comedy‑horror series Santa Clarita Diet, a part they inhabited until the show concluded in 2019. Since 2021, Hewson has been a main cast member of Showtime’s critically acclaimed series Yellowjackets, playing the enigmatic Van Palmer. Beyond acting, Hewson writes plays that re‑imagine mythological and fairy‑tale motifs through a queer lens, contributing to the contemporary Australian theatre scene. In 2020 they received the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award for LGBTQ+ advocacy, and in 2023 publicly discussed undergoing gender‑affirming surgery, emphasizing their refusal to tolerate body shaming. Their openness about being non‑binary, gay, and using they/them pronouns has made them an important voice for visibility and inclusivity within the entertainment industry.