Kate Hood

Kate Hood
Born1958 or 1959 (age 67–68)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationsActress, writer, director
Years active1981−present
Notable workPrisoner (1986)

Kate Hood (born 1958 or 1959) is an Australian actress, born in Sydney. She studied drama in New Zealand and joined The Mercury Theatre[citation needed]

She is best known to international audiences for her role in the cult television drama Prisoner as the misunderstood Kath Maxwell during the final year of the series.

She also played Jill Fowley on three episodes of Blue Heelers during its sixth season, and is the voice behind many TAC commercials. She had a part in the Jodie Foster film Mesmerized.[citation needed]

In 2003, Hood was diagnosed with HSP (hereditary spastic paraplegia). She is a wheelchair user. Hood said of the diagnosis that she underwent two years of unsuccessful treatment with a chiropractor before seeing a neurologist.

In 2023, Hood was added to an advisory board of the Melbourne Theatre Company.

Other activities

Hood is the director of Raspberry Ripple Productions, a production company that focuses on helping disabled actors work with people like themselves on stage.

Hood is an advocate for disability awareness in the arts sector.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984ConstanceLibrary Assistant
1986MesmerizedMidwifeFeature film
1988TakeoverNurseTelevision film
1993The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children?Mrs. BowmanTelevision film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986PrisonerKath MaxwellSeason 8 (84 episodes)
1999–2000Blue HeelersJill Fowler, Rita HammondSeason 6 (3 episodes)
2016–17NeighboursMaxine CowperSeason 32−33 (4 episodes)
2022 Talking Prisoner Self Podcast series 1 episode

Theatre

Hood has appeared in numerous theatre productions. In 2023, Hood appeared in the play Escape Alone. In 2024, Hood appeared in Cost of Living during the Queensland season of the production.

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2024 Cost of Living Ani Queensland Theatre Co
Peacemongers
2023 Escape Alone Lena Southbank Theatre
Risky Business Director / Geelong Theatre Co

References

  1. 1 2 Rashith, Rahimah (26 March 2018). "Setting the stage for performers with disability". The Straits Times. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. ↑ Ellis, Katie (18 January 2019). Disability and Digital Television Cultures: Representation, Access, and Reception. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-62784-5.
  3. 1 2 Dow, Steve (23 September 2016). "Disability and the 'new normal': why Australia needs to ramp up access to stage and screen". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "Mainstreaming Disability and Appearance Diversity on Screen". ACMI. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "Diversity Casting – Presentation by Kate Hood [Melbourne]". Auslan Stage Left. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "'My legs would just give way': Aussie star's battle after diagnosis". honey.nine.com.au. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  7. ↑ Bergman, Gabi (28 February 2023). "New voices join Melbourne Theatre Company to help realise new vision". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  8. ↑ "About Us". Raspberry Ripple. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  9. ↑ Muscat, Kate Hood Olivia; Collyer, Emilie (9 July 2020). "An opening for change". Witness Performance. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Kate Hood – FCAC Artist-In-Residence". Footscray Community Arts. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  11. ↑ Theatre, Aussie (9 August 2023). "MTC | Caryl Churchill's Masterpieces Unite in Exclusive Double Bill". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  12. ↑ Cross, Chantel Le. "★★★★☆: From Broadway to Sydney, this hit play treats disability with humour and dignity". Time Out Sydney. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  13. ↑ "Theatre review: Cost of Living, Queensland Theatre". artshub.com.au. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  14. ↑ "Theatre review: Peacemongers, Darebin Arts Speakeasy". artshub.com.au. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  15. ↑ Byrne, Tim (13 August 2023). "Escaped Alone and What If If Only review – this Caryl Churchill double bill opens with a masterpiece". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  16. ↑ "Geelong Arts Centre celebrates arts diversity with Risky Business – Geelong Arts Centre". geelongartscentre.org.au. Retrieved 25 February 2025.