Mabel Li

Mabel Li is an Australian actress.

Early life and education

Mabel Li is Chinese Australian.

She trained at National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney.

Career

Li's first role after graduating was a young teacher in The Tailings.

For her performance in New Gold Mountain, she was nominated for the 2022 Logie Award Most Outstanding Supporting Actress. She played Zhang Lei, a wealthy, powerful immigrant.

She played lawyer Jenny Lee in the 2023 SBS drama Safe Home, and as Pieta in Erotic Stories.

She joined the cast for The Handmaid's Tale follow-up series The Testaments, and Bay of Fires series 2.

On 29 January 2026, Li was named in the cast of Stan Australia co-commissioned series Careless.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
TBA Careless Hannah Garton TV series
2026 The Testaments Aunt Vidala TV series
2025 Bay of Fires Cynthia Alice TV series
2025 He Had It Coming Jenny TV series
2023 Erotic Stories Pieta 1 episode (Masc Up)
Safe Home Jenny Lee 4 episodes
2022 Meet the Changs Melanie 10 episodes
Voice Activated Penny Short
2021 New Gold Mountain Zhang Lei 4 episodes
The Tailings Ruby 6 episodes

Theatre

Li has appeared in numerous theatre projects from Delilah by the Hour to Never Closer for Belvoir Theatre. In 2023, Li appeared in the Sydney Theatre Co's run of The Seagull.

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2024 Never Closer Niamh Belvoir
2024 Cost of Living Jess Melbourne Theatre Co
2023 The Seagull Nina Sydney Theatre Co
Miss Peony Sabrina Belvoir
2020 Delilah by the Hour Performer

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref
2024 Logie Awards Best Supporting Actress Safe Home Nominated
2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role New Gold Mountain Won
2022 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Supporting Actress Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Trihn, Katrina (October 2022), "Actress Mabel Li sets the scene for representation on screen", Harpers Bazaar
  2. 1 2 McManus, Bridget (26 March 2021), "The Tailings: tragic murder mystery in historic Tasmanian mining town", The Sydney Morning Herald
  3. ↑ "2022 Logies Winners: Hamish Blake wins the Gold Logie and Bert Newton award, Tony Armstrong wins the Graham Kennedy award", ABC News, 19 June 2022
  4. ↑ Sandford, Shannon (11 May 2023). "At times devastating, always powerful: new SBS drama Safe Home looks at domestic violence with nuance, integrity and care". The Conversation. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  5. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (1 April 2025). "'The Handmaid's Tale' Sequel Series 'The Testaments' Officially Greenlit At Hulu As 9 Round Out Cast". Deadline. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  6. ↑ Knox, David (5 May 2025). "Returning: Bay of Fires | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  7. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (29 January 2026). "Solly McLeod, Robyn Malcolm, Katie Leung & Richard Roxburgh Lead Stan & Channel 4 Thriller 'Careless'". Deadline. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Seagull". www.sydneytheatre.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  9. ↑ Freeland, Anna (29 November 2023). "Sydney Theatre Company apologises after backlash over pro-Palestinian protest". ABC News. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "NEVER CLOSER". Belvoir St Theatre. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  11. ↑ "Cost of Living | Mabel Li and Oli Pizzey Stratford Interview". www.mtc.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  12. ↑ Review, Arts (3 July 2021). "On the Couch with Mabel Li". Australian Arts Review. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  13. ↑ Knox, David (23 June 2024). "Logie Awards 2024: nominations | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  14. ↑ Knox, David (1 October 2022). "Asian Academy Creative Awards 2022: ANZ winners | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  15. ↑ Knox, David (15 May 2022). "Logie Awards 2022: nominees | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2024.