Alison Routledge

Alison Routledge
Born (1960-04-29) 29 April 1960 (age 66)
United Kingdom
EducationVictoria University of Wellington
Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (1982)
OccupationActress
Years active1980–2004
Known forThe Quiet Earth (1980)
Bridge to Nowhere (1986)

Alison Mary Stuart Routledge (born 29 April 1960) is a New Zealand actress, known for her performance as Joanne in the 1985 cult film The Quiet Earth.

Early life

Born to an English army officer, Routledge moved to New Zealand as a teenager. She received a Bachelor of Arts majoring in German from Victoria University in Wellington where she first began acting. Her first role was the lead in a stage production of Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author.

After winning a place at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School on a dare, she graduated in 1982 with a Diploma in Acting.

Career

After graduating from drama school, Routledge landed the lead role of Laura in 1983 television film The Garden Party, based on Katherine Mansfield’s short story. This led to further television work, a stint in Theatre Corporate’s 'Theatre In Education' program, and a minor role in 1984 feature film Other Halves.

Routledge came to fame as Joanne in 1985 cult sci-fi film The Quiet Earth, alongside Bruno Lawrence, for which she was nominated for a Best Actress award. The following year, she appeared opposite Lawrence once more in thriller Bridge to Nowhere, seeing her nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award.

Routledge also had roles in the films The Returning (1990) and Rain (2001). She played deluded mother Heather in 2005 short film Nothing Special.

Routledge worked as a presenter on 1980s children's nature series Wildtrack. She has also appeared in television commercials, radio dramas, and has performed as a country, western and blues singer.

Awards

Year Work Award Category Result Ref.
1987The Quiet EarthGOFTA Film and Television AwardsBest Female Performance in a Leading Role – FilmNominated
Bridge to NowhereNominated

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1980 Don't Rubbish It Daughter Short film
1984 Other Halves Paula
1985 The Quiet Earth Joanne
1986 Bridge to Nowhere Lise
1990 The Returning Jessica
1992 The Palm Reader Shirley Short film
2001 Rain Heather
Her Majesty Victoria Wakefield
2005 Nothing Special Heather Short film

Television

Year Title Role Note Ref.
1980–1984 Mortimer's Patch Various characters
1981–1991 Wildtrack Presenter
1983 The Garden Party Laura
1987–1990 Gloss Leah
1989–1990 Laugh INZ Various characters
1992 Homeward Bound Charlie
2000–2001 The Life & Times of Te Tutu Mrs Vole

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "Alison Routledge". NZ On Screen. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Mather, Mike (27 March 2020). "The Quiet Earth revisited: Life imitates art of science fiction film partially set in Hamilton". Stuff. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Alison Routledge". www.hermajestythemovie.com. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "Graduate". toiwhakaari.ac.nz. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  5. 1 2 "The Garden Party". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  6. 1 2 "The Quiet Earth". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Bridge to Nowhere". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "NOTHING SPECIAL". festival-cannes.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Alison Routledge: Awards". NZ On Screen. 19 December 2025.
  10. ↑ Karen, Kay (2002). "Alison Routledge". Karen Kay Mgmt Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 September 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Alison Routledge". www.arovideo.co.nz. Retrieved 3 June 2021.