Kat Stewart

Katherine Louise Stewart (born 30 November 1972) is an AACTA and Logie Award-winning Australian actress who has made numerous appearances in television series, movies and on-stage.

Kat Stewart is the daughter of Tony and Kitty Stewart and was born and raised in Bairnsdale, Victoria.

When she was eight years old she, her parents and two older brothers lived and travelled in Europe for a year and Stewart said that time "opened my eyes to the world and gave me a lot of confidence."

Stewart began acting in primary school and remembers: "Since Year 2 I had been getting a thrill out of doing school drama. I was on the quiet side, but I felt light in my bones when I was onstage. At university I studied marketing and arts, and joined the theatre society, which quickly became my passion. After graduation, I worked in publicity, but I couldn't shake my love of acting, so I enrolled at the National Theatre, hoping I'd outgrow it. Now I understand you need to do what you love to be happy."

Stewart decided to leave PR behind to pursue acting full-time and recalled: "After I finished drama school, I had a couple of acting gigs straightaway, but then I was unemployed fairly consistently over a couple of years. I don't take anything for granted now though, so it wasn't such a bad thing. But I wouldn't want to go back there if I can avoid it."

Stewart is best known for her role as Roberta Williams (wife of the late Melbourne gangland figure Carl Williams) in the first series of the Channel 9 TV production Underbelly and as Billie Proudman in the popular comedy/drama, Offspring on Network Ten.

It was her award-winning performance in Underbelly in 2008 that first made Stewart a household name.

The portrayal of Roberta Williams drew praise from critics including Marcus Casey of 'The Daily Telegraph', who described it as 'one of the most compelling performances by an Australian actress in memory.' Casey expanded that it was 'a brutally brave, ugly and compelling performance...She held nothing back, and was an emotional but controlled and screeching tornado who dominated the screen whenever the camera peered her way.' The authenticity of Stewart's performance was praised by Michael Lallo in 'The Age', 'By any measure, it's the role of a lifetime.

Stewart has ensured it's the standout performance of the series.

Despite quality performances by all, critics say she owns every frame she's in.

It's not that she delivers a superb depiction of a suburban gangster moll; it's that you really believe she is a suburban gangster moll.' Although her performance was popular with critics and audiences, the real life Roberta was not a fan but Stewart was sympathetic, "Obviously, I would have preferred her to like it," she said.

"But I can't control that. And if someone was playing me, I couldn't imagine I'd be happy…I have a lot of empathy for Roberta and what she's been through".

Stewart acknowledges the show was a key moment in her career, "Underbelly opened a lot of doors and gave me access to better opportunities and more opportunities. I am very grateful for it".

After the success of Underbelly Stewart next appeared in the critically acclaimed relationship drama, Tangle (2009–2012) on Showcase.

In the series Stewart played the loveable but flawed, Nat Manning alongside Justine Clarke, Ben Mendelsohn, Matt Day and Catherine McClements.

Showing she has long been adroit at both drama and comedy, in 2009 Stewart appeared in the Andrew Denton produced, advertising industry satire 30 Seconds on Comedy Channel.

Stewart won many new fans in her role as Billie Proudman on Offspring, as part of an ensemble cast led by Asher Keddie and including John Waters, Eddie Perfect, Deborah Mailman, Richard Davies, Garry McDonald, Lachy Hulme and Linda Cropper.

One of the show's strengths is the dynamic relationship between the sisters Billie and Nina Proudman (played by Keddie).

Both actresses have spoken of their admiration for each other, with Stewart saying "I've admired Asher ever since Love My Way. She is an actress of extraordinary ability and depth. We have a lovely shorthand and support for each other on set, not unlike Nina and Billie. There's a trust there that allows real spontaneity and joy."

Keddie spoke of Kat, saying "It's exhilarating to perform with her; I feel genuinely excited by it. That's a great feeling to have as an actor - when you really want to be working opposite someone and with someone. It doesn't get much more rewarding than that."

Stewart admits to being fond of her character, Billie, despite some heartaches, "I’m really fond of her, though she’s really frustrating sometimes. Though she cheated on Mick [in season four], it’s my job to see the world through her eyes. You see what happened in the lead-up and it was the ultimate act of self-destruction. It broke my heart."

Offspring aired for 5 seasons from 2010 to 14 before returning to TV screens for a sixth season in 2016.

With production of the new series underway Stewart spoke to Colin Vickery of News Corp, "I really didn’t think it would happen", Stewart said.

"It was the best experience I’ve had in a show. You form such deep relationships with the people and also the characters. I feel really confident we’ll be able to deliver something great. I don’t think we’re going to coast on some sort of legacy. We’re really aware of that and all want it to be as fantastic and awesome as it can be. To get to walk around in Billie’s shoes again is fantastic".

Stewart teamed with Shaun Micallef in the murder mystery drama/comedy, Mr & Mrs Murder on Network Ten in 2013.

The pair played Charlie and Nicola Buchanan, a husband and wife duo of industrial cleaners with an amateur interest in solving crimes.

The two previously worked together on the satirical SBS newscast show Newstopia and both have spoken positively of their on-screen chemistry and rapport with Micallef saying "I wouldn't have considered doing this if Kat wasn't involved."

Stewart also shared an Associate Producer credit on the show.

Despite her positive experience in Underbelly, Kat Stewart chose not to reprise the role in Fat Tony & Co in 2014.

Stewart told David Knox of 'TV Tonight': “..Seven years ago when I did it we didn’t know much about Roberta Williams.

So I did as much research as I could...Now we know how she walks and talks and so much more about her...I don’t like turning down work.

It goes against every actor instinct.

But it just didn’t feel right".

The seventh season of the show, including Stewart and other key cast members, screened in 2017.

Writing in 'The Daily Telegraph', Colin Vickery reflected on season 7 with 'this year...Billie, played by Kat Stewart, has had to endure a heartbreaking split with husband Mick (Eddie Perfect).

Billie's rollercoaster life has showcased Stewart's comedic and dramatic talents like never before.

No wonder many critics believe she is the best actor on Australian television.'

In 2019 Kat Stewart appeared in the Network Ten housemates' drama Five Bedrooms co-starring with Stephen Peacocke, Hugh Sheridan, Kate Jenkinson, Doris Younane and Roy Joseph.

In an interview with Debi Enker of The Sydney Morning Herald, Kat Stewart said of her character in Five Bedrooms, "Liz is brave, but also fragile. I find her heart-breaking, but she can come off as a bit cold. I don’t think people will necessarily warm to her quickly. She’s complicated and I think that the older we get and the more that we’ve marched in the world with our armour, we don’t throw it off in a hurry. Liz’s got a lot of armour".

Reflecting on the show itself Stewart commented, "It’s a challenge to make TV that’s fresh and of the time, because we’re competing with such brilliant overseas content. Going off the intelligence of the scripts, the heart and the humility and the humour, I feel like this is very much of the time. It feels fresh to me: it’s something I wanted to be a part of and something I would want to watch".