Lisa Chappell Explained

Lisa Chappell
Birth Date:1968 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand[1]
Birth Name:Lisa Irene Chappell
Occupation:Actress, singer
Yearsactive:1987–present
Notable Works:
  • Gloss (1987–1990)
  • McLeod's Daughters (2001–2003)
Height:1.740NaN0
Awards:

Lisa Irene Chappell (born 18 October 1968) is a New Zealand actress and musician. She is known for her roles as Chelsea Redfern in Gloss (1987–1990), and as Claire McLeod in McLeod's Daughters (2001–2003), a performance which earned her two Logie Awards, for Most Popular New Female Talent and Most Popular Actress.

As one of New Zealand's most prominent theatre performers, Chappell made her stage debut in 1991, having appeared in The Merchant of Venice, which led to numerous roles, including Chicago, Hamlet, Design for Living, and The Thirty-Nine Steps. Following the establishment of her own company, Chappell has made appearances in more contemporary works, in addition to producing and writing.

While maintaining her continued success on screen, Chappell has had also appeared in films, such as Desperate Remedies (1993), Jack Brown Genius (1996), and Coffin Rock (2009), and further television roles, in City Life (1996–1998), The Cult (2009), (2025) for which she was the recipient of a Qantas Film and Television Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress – General Television, and most recently as Michelle Beaufort in the soap opera, Shortland Street (2020–2022).

Early life

Lisa Chappell was born in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand and grew up in Mairangi Bay. She has two older siblings, a brother, Mark, and a sister, Catherine.[2] Chappell studied acting in the 1980s, and was educated at Rangitoto College, where she took drama classes and performed in school musicals, as well as singing and dancing tuition.

Career

Television

Chappell's big break came in the late 1980s when she was a student, and while in Christchurch attending a Fringe Festival, she was lodging with Michelle Hine, who was teaching clown at the time, when Chappell was offered to audition for the upcoming television drama, Gloss. Hine coached her for the part, which she eventually received.[3] Chappell made her on-screen debut in 1987 when she was cast as Chelsea Redfern in the TV2 series which lasted three seasons, until 1990.[4] This was followed by a short stint in the police procedural series, Shark in the Park,[5] and guest roles in shows, such as, soap opera Shortland Street, Mysterious Island, and multiple roles on . In 1996, she began appearing in a regular role on the short-lived TV2 soap opera, City Life, as Bronwyn Kellett.[6]

In 1998, Chappell had relocated to Australia and completed "The Journey" program at the Actors Centre Australia in Sydney, Australia, graduating in 2000.[7] After which, she auditioned for the role of Claire McLeod on the Nine Network rural drama series, McLeod's Daughters,[8] a role which was originally intended for actor Laurie Foell during which Chappell was in the process of establishing a theatre company; she successfully secured the role following her audition.[9] During production of the series, Chappell gained the skills in how to ride a horse and sheering sheep,[10] and also made the decision to become a vegetarian.[11] She appeared in the series for three seasons, from 2001 to 2003, before her character was killed off in a car accident.[12] [13] [14] For her performance, Chappell was nominated for several Logie Awards, receiving two, for Most Popular New Female Talent[15] [16] and Most Popular Actress[17] [18] in 2002 and 2004, respectively, and has gained a cult following among both Australian and international audiences.

Chappell continued in Australian television, and would later appear in a recurring role on the police drama, Stingers, as Constable Megan Walsh for its eighth and final season, the television film, ,[19] the serial drama The Cult,[20] in a role with earned her a Qantas Film and Television Award,[21] and guest appearances in [22] and Cops L.A.C..[23]

In 2020, Chappell returned to Shortland Street, and was cast in the regular role of Michelle Beaufort.[24] [25]

In 2024, it was announced that Chappell would be appearing in a supporting role in the upcoming television film sequel , which is set to premiere on Disney+ and Disney Channel in 2025.[26]

Film

Chappell made her film debut in the 1993 critically acclaimed drama film Desperate Remedies, in a supporting role, alongside Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Kevin Smith.[27] She also appeared in the Jack Brown Genius in 1996, a film written and produced by Peter Jackson,[28] and the 2009 psychological thriller Coffin Rock, with Robert Taylor and Sam Parsonson.[29] Chappell also appeared in the 2017 horror film Out of the Shadows.[30]

Theatre

Chappell is a well established theatre performer, having appeared in numerous stage productions for more three decades, and has worked extensively in New Zealand, particularly with the Auckland Theatre Company.[31] Early in her career, she appeared in classical theatre productions, including William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the musical, Chicago, and Arthur Miller's All My Sons. She has also directed and performed in two plays at Auckland's Rose Theatre – Up the Garden Path and Girl Talk in 1993 and 1994, respectively.

Following her graduation from the Actor's Centre Australia, Chappell has performed as the titular character in Educating Rita, which toured Australia in 2007, before returning to New Zealand to appear in productions, such as, Design for Living, The Thirty-Nine Steps, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Vagina Monologues, The Wizard of Oz, and Much Ado About Nothing.

Chappell has, more recently, appeared in roles in contemporary works, including Fallen Angels, The Pink Hammer, That Bloody Woman, Bright Star,[32] and Shortland Street – The Musical, and three plays which she wrote and produced – On/Off, Fred, and Bad Day Insurance.[33]

She is a member of Equity New Zealand.[34] [35]

Singing

Chappell's debut album, When Then Is Now,[36] was released on 1 May 2006.[37] She did some minor touring in Australia and New Zealand to support the album's release.

Personal life

Chappell met Chris Taylor in August 2001 when they both attended her McLeod's Daughters co-star, Rachael Carpani's 21st birthday; they married in December 2001, and divorced in 2005.[38] [39] She currently resides in Puhoi, New Zealand.[40]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1993Desperate RemediesAnne Cooper[41]
1995Dirty DaveLucy Short [42]
1996Jack Brown GeniusSylvia
2007CrossbowMumShort[43]
2008Beneath The TidesJaneShort[44]
2009Coffin RockJessie Willis
2010Be Careful...FiShort[45]
2017Out of the ShadowsLinda Dee[46]
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1987–90GlossChelsea RedfernMain role: Seasons 1–3 — 55 episodes
1990–91Shark in the ParkTanyaRecurring role: Seasons 2–3 — 13 episodes
1992Shortland StreetDeborah WaltersGuest role: Season 1, episodes 5 & 6
1994Hercules and the Circle of FireDaughter #1TV film
1995Mysterious IslandJane MorecombeGuest role: Season 1, episode 16
1995–99VariousGuest role: Seasons 1–5 — 7 episodes
1996Letter to BlanchyMonicaGuest role: Season 2, episode 5
1996–98City LifeBronwyn KellettMain role: Season 1 — 26 episodes
1999Aunt LindaGuest role: Season 1, episode 11[47]
2001–03McLeod's DaughtersClaire McLeodMain role: Seasons 1–3 — 73 episodes
2004StingersMegan WalshRecurring role: Season 8 — 9 episodes[48]
2005Intrepid JourneysHerselfEpisode: Season 3, episode 7 – "Malaysia"[49]
2006Louise PageTV film[50]
2009Sophie McIntyreMain role: Season 1 — 13 episodes [51]
2010Vivian WalkerGuest role: Season 2, episode 9[52]
2010Cops L.A.C.Justine TaylorGuest role: Season 1, episode 5
2011Emilie Richards – Der Zauber von NeuseelandDaisyTV film
2012True Crime: SiegeRobyn DiverTV film[53]
2013Agent AnnaMarinaGuest role: Season 1, episode 3[54]
2014Auckland DazeLisaGuest role: Season 2, episode 4[55]
2016JeanMrs. ShepherdTV film[56]
2016Friday Night BitesMumGuest role: Season 1, episode 7[57]
2016Roman EmpireFaustinaGuest role: Season 1, episode 1[58]
2018James Patterson's Murder is ForeverDr. Claire HunterGuest role: Season 1, episode 4
2018Tongue TiedAnnieMain role: Season 1 — 7 episodes[59] [60]
2020–22Shortland StreetMichelle BeaufortMain role: Seasons 29–31 — 194 episodes
2022The Brokenwood Mysteries[61] Polly McAlpineGuest role: Season 8, episode 5[62]
2023Blind Bitter HappinessHelenTV series[63]
2024My Life is MurderChristineGuest role: Season 4, episode 2[64]
2024Camp Be BetterSloanGuest role: Season 1, episode 2
2025EldressTV film [65]

Theatre

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryNominated workResult
2002Logie AwardsMost Popular New Female TalentMcLeod's Daughters
2003Most Popular Actress[100]
Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television
2004Most Popular Actress
Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television
2010Qantas Film and Television AwardsBest Performance by a Supporting Actress – General TelevisionThe Cult

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shortland Street (Cast). tvnz.co.nz. 31 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210215150805/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/shortland-street/cast/lisa-chappell. 15 February 2021.
  2. Web site: Family Album – Catherine Chappell. Stuff. 14 August 2015. 31 July 2022.
  3. Web site: Snapchat with Lisa Chappell: 'Luke Perry gave a great shoulder massage'. The New Zealand Herald. 4 September 2019. 22 June 2024.
  4. Web site: Gloss. nzonscreen.com. 31 July 2022.
  5. Web site: Shark in the Park. nzonscreen.com. 31 July 2022.
  6. Web site: City Life. nzscreen.com. 26 June 2024.
  7. Web site: Alumni News – Lisa Chappell . actorscentre.sitesuite.ws . Actors Centre Australia . 13 January 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140505043439/http://actorscentre.sitesuite.ws/page/alumni_news.html . 5 May 2014.
  8. Web site: Lisa Chappell as Claire McLeod. australiantelevision.net. 3 November 2010.
  9. Web site: Opening Night Show 6 Facebook version. https://web.archive.org/web/20220321015451/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trc6m7hZOlY&feature=youtu.be. 21 March 2022. bot: unknown. youtube.com. 13 July 2018. 30 July 2022.
  10. Web site: Samways. Ana. Lisa Chappell loses Gloss for cowgirl role. australiantelevision.net (original article from The New Zealand Herald). 6 December 2001. 31 July 2022.
  11. Web site: Gates. Anita. Estrogen Rides Tall in the Saddle in the Australian Outback. The New York Times. 10 October 2004. 31 July 2022.
  12. Web site: Donnelly. Keryn. 'Claire' from McLeod's Daughters finally talks about the cliff scene.. Mamamia. 23 December 2017. 27 August 2024.
  13. Web site: Pritchard. Tahlia. McLeod's Daughters: It's been 20 years since one of the most traumatic deaths on Aussie TV. Yahoo!. 19 December 2023. 27 August 2024.
  14. Web site: Hui. Chelsea. 21 years ago today, Australians were inconsolable.. Mamamia. 15 October 2024. 11 December 2024.
  15. Web site: Logie Awards 2002. australiantelevision.net. 29 July 2022.
  16. Web site: Abdullah. Immy. Flashback to the McLeod's Daughters cast attending their very first Logie Awards in 2002: In pictures. nine.com.au. 1 December 2024. 5 January 2025.
  17. News: McLeod's Daughters a success. theage.com.au. 3 November 2010. Melbourne. 19 April 2004.
  18. Web site: Logie Awards 2004. australiantelevision.net. 29 July 2022.
  19. Web site: SMALL CLAIMS 3 – THE REUNION. Screen Australia. 26 June 2024.
  20. Web site: The Cult. nzonscreen.com. 31 July 2022.
  21. Web site: Winners 2010 Qantas Film And Television Awards. Scoop. 18 September 2010. 29 July 2022.
  22. Web site: Knox. David. Returning: Rescue Special Ops. TV Tonight. 17 June 2010. 26 June 2024.
  23. Web site: Cops L.A.C.: episode guide. australiantelevision.net. 26 June 2024.
  24. Web site: Harvey. Kerry. McLeod's Daughter star Lisa Chappell returns to Shortland Street. Stuff. 30 January 2020. 30 July 2022.
  25. Web site: Harvey. Kerry. Lisa Chappell toughs it out on Shortland Street. Stuff. 21 May 2020. 30 July 2022.
  26. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . 2024-03-26 . Disney's 'Zombies 4' Rounds Out Cast As Production Begins In New Zealand . 2024-04-22 . Deadline . en-US.
  27. Web site: Holden. Stephen. Review/Film: Desperate Remedies; Spoofing Movies With Arty Glamour. The New York Times. 23 May 1994. 26 June 2024.
  28. Web site: Jack Brown Genius. nzonscreen.com. 26 June 2024.
  29. Web site: Bradshaw. Peter. Coffin Rock. The Guardian. 22 October 2009. 26 June 2024.
  30. Web site: OUT OF THE SHADOWS. brontepictures.com. 26 June 2024.
  31. Web site: Lisa Chappell. atc.co.nz. 31 July 2022.
  32. Web site: Pratt. Ciara. Lisa Chappell On Turning 50 And Living An Unconventional Life. 2021-05-29. Now To Love. 12 September 2018 . en.
  33. Web site: LISA CHAPPELL. lcmc.com.au. 1 August 2022.
  34. Web site: Lisa Chappell. aucklandactors.co.nz. 31 July 2022.
  35. Web site: Equity New Zealand. equity.org.nz. 31 July 2022.
  36. Web site: Kara. Scott. A quick word with: Lisa Chappell. The New Zealand Herald. 20 June 2006. 22 June 2024.
  37. When Then Is Now. Lisa Chappell. itunes.apple.com, Retrieved 13 January 2016
  38. Web site: Clark. Amy. A McLeod's Daughters spin-off is officially happening. Here's what the cast are doing now.. Mamamia. 13 October 2019. 1 August 2022.
  39. Web site: Rohan. Lillie. McLeod's Daughters:15 years on from the show, where are the stars now?. The New Zealand Herald. 21 May 2024. 22 June 2024.
  40. Web site: Joynes. Joshua. EXCLUSIVE: Lisa Chappell: 'I live in a tiny slice of paradise'. New Idea. 7 February 2022. 1 August 2022.
  41. Web site: Desperate Remedies. nzonscreen.com. 18 February 2025.
  42. Web site: Lisa Chappell. archive.atc.co.nz. 18 February 2025.
  43. Web site: CROSSBOW. Screen Australia. 26 June 2024.
  44. Web site: Beneath the Tides. shortfilmwire.com. 18 February 2025.
  45. Web site: Lisa Chappell will sing on our short film. shootfirst-productions.com. 30 June 2009. 26 June 2024.
  46. Web site: OUT OF THE SHADOWS. evolutionaryfilms.com. 18 February 2025.
  47. Web site: William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale. Screen Australia. 26 June 2024.
  48. Web site: Stingers: episode guide Series 8. australiantelevision.net. 29 June 2024.
  49. Web site: Intrepid Journeys – Malaysia (Lisa Chappell). nzscreen.com. 26 June 2024.
  50. Web site: Small Claims: episode guide The Reunion (#3). australiantelevision.net. 29 June 2024.
  51. Web site: The Cult: episode guide. australiantelevision.net. 29 June 2024.
  52. Web site: RESCUE Special Ops: episode guide. australiantelevision.net. 29 June 2024.
  53. Web site: Siege. nzonscreen.com. 29 June 2024.
  54. Web site: Agent Anna. nzonscreen.com. 29 June 2024.
  55. Web site: Auckland Daze – Series Two. nzonscreen.com. 29 June 2024.
  56. Web site: Jean. nzonscreen.com. 29 June 2024.
  57. Web site: Friday Night Bites. Screen Australia. 26 June 2024.
  58. Web site: Conte. Peter. The stars of McLeod's Daughters: Where are they now?. nine.com.au. 12 June 2024. 30 June 2024.
  59. Web site: Tongue Tied. greenstonetv.com. 29 July 2022.
  60. Web site: Nealon. Sarah. Māori TV series leaves McLeod's Daughters actor Tongue Tied. Stuff. 7 July 2018. 22 June 2024.
  61. Web site: Simich. Ricardo. Spy: Brokenwood Goes Country. The New Zealand Herald. 19 February 2022. 22 June 2024.
  62. Web site: GOOD AS GOLD. EPISODE 35. thebrokenwoodmysteries.com. 26 June 2024.
  63. Web site: 'Loss puts people under a really interesting lens of pressure' – Actor Peter Feeney on Blind Bitter Happiness. Radio New Zealand. 1 September 2023. 26 June 2024.
  64. Web site: Simich. Ricardo. Lucy Lawless on new season of My Life is Murder and her directorial debut – Spy. The New Zealand Herald. 20 April 2024. 26 June 2024.
  65. Web site: Wicked. Hanna. Meet the Newbies‘ZOMBIES 4’ Introduces Brand New Characters and Two New Supernatural Creatures: A Guide. j-14.com. 11 February 2025. 17 February 2025.
  66. Web site: LISA CHAPPELL Writer CV. lmcm.com.au. 31 July 2022.
  67. Web site: All My Sons. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  68. Web site: Lisa Chappell.. johnsonlaird.com. 30 July 2022.
  69. Web site: The Homecoming. potentpause.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  70. News: 2000 Graduate Lisa Chappell. Actors Centre Australia. 30 July 2022.
  71. Web site: Design For Living. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  72. Web site: The Thirty-Nine Steps. natlib.govt.nz. 10 October 2009. 30 July 2022.
  73. Web site: Vital role in developing Kiwi plays taken as read / by Dionne Christian. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  74. Web site: The Importance of Being Earnest. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  75. Web site: The Vagina Monologues. Scoop. 26 July 2010. 30 July 2022.
  76. Web site: Delilkan. Sharu. REVIEW: Mike & Virginia (Comedy Festival). theatrescenes.co.nz. 4 May 2011. 30 July 2022.
  77. Web site: Wenley. James. REVIEW: The Wizard of Oz (Peach Theatre Company). theatrescenes.co.nz. 12 September 2011. 30 July 2022.
  78. Web site: The Motor Camp. 30 July 2022.
  79. Web site: Court Theatre's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Stars Lisa Chappell & Roy Snow, Now thru June 9. broadwayworld.com. 19 May 2012. 30 July 2022.
  80. Web site: Badjelly the Witch. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  81. Web site: Lisa. Thatcher. ON/OFF – LISA CHAPPELL AND THE TORCH(UROUS) MASKS OF CABARET. (THEATRE REVIEW). lisathatcher.com.au. 3 December 2013. 30 July 2022.
  82. Web site: Fallen Angels. 30 July 2022.
  83. Web site: Christian. Dionne. Theatre review: A tasty touch of the absurd. The New Zealand Herald. 6 April 2014. 30 July 2022.
  84. Web site: Meller. Emily. Five Minutes With Lisa Chappell, Writer/Actor in Bad Day Insurance. thenrag.com. 5 August 2014. 30 July 2022.
  85. Web site: Lisa Chappell. lisachappell.net. 31 July 2022.
  86. Web site: Gorman. James. 'I had to drink a lot to research the part': Logie-winner Lisa Chappell parties hard for new role as a drunk. The Daily Telegraph. 10 July 2015. 27 August 2024.
  87. Web site: Review: Social Climbers - LOLs and Fuzzies. paperjets.co.nz. 16 October 2015. 18 February 2025.
  88. Web site: Polo. 30 July 2022.
  89. Web site: Moger. Laine. Lisa Chappell is joined by 'stellar' female cast on The PumpHouse stage. Stuff. 10 October 2016. 31 July 2022.
  90. Web site: Peer Gynt [recycled]]. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  91. Web site: Thomas. Carly. That Bloody Woman: Kate Sheppard takes a bow. Stuff. 4 May 2018. 30 July 2022.
  92. Web site: Bright Star. aucklandlive.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  93. Web site: Shortland Street – The Musical. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  94. Web site: Variety show to share stories and offer support. localmatters.co.nz. 17 June 2019. 22 June 2024.
  95. Web site: Six Degrees of Separation. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  96. Web site: New Zealand Premiere of Sizzling New York Dramedy. Scoop. 10 June 2019. 1 August 2022.
  97. Web site: Musical Chair: Lisa Chappell. Radio New Zealand. 11 August 2019. 1 August 2022.
  98. Web site: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. atc.co.nz. 30 July 2022.
  99. Web site: Barnett. Hayley. Kiwi acting greats Lisa Chappell and Jodie Dorday are hitting the stage together. nowtolove.co.nz. 5 November 2022. 22 June 2024.
  100. Web site: Logie Awards 2003. australiantelevision.net. 29 July 2022.

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