Tasma Walton

Tasma Walton
Walton at the 2012 Samsung AACTA Awards
Born (1973-08-19) 19 August 1973 (age 53)
Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia
OccupationsActress, writer
Years active1992–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2009)​
Children1

Tasma Walton (born 19 August 1973) is an Aboriginal Australian stage, television, and film actress and writer. She became known for her role as Rachel Watson in Home and Away from 1995, and has since appeared in many films and television series, including Blue Heelers (as Constable Dash McKinley), The Secret Life of Us, Cleverman, Mystery Road, The Twelve, and, most recently, Reckless, which she created and wrote. She has also written two novels, and as of September 2026 is working on an original screenplay for a new TV series. Her 2025 historical novel I am Nannertgarrook is the co-winner of the 2026 ARA Historical Novel Prize.

Early life and education

Tasma Walton was born on 19 August 1973 in Geraldton, a small city in Western Australia on the coast 400 km (250 mi) north of Perth. She grew up living in public housing with a single mother, the second youngest of four sisters. Her mother read to the girls every night.

Two experiences while in high school sparked her interest in acting: an inspiring drama teacher, who cast Walton in Euripides' Medea for a school production, and a school trip to a performance of Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman at the The Hole in the Wall Theatre in Subiaco, Perth.

Walton first joined home-town radio station 6GE and trained as a production assistant and copywriter.

She moved across the country to Sydney around 1991, aged 18, to forge her own path. She trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) for two years (1992–3), but dropped out before graduating.

In her late 30s she discovered she is of Boonwurrung (Bunurong) descent on her mother's side. The Boonwurrung people are an Aboriginal saltwater people of the Melbourne area.

Career

Acting

Stage

Walton started her acting career on stage. During her time studying at NIDA, Walton acted in several productions at the NIDA Parade Theatre 1 in 1992 and 1993.

She has subsequently continued to perform on stage, in between her film and television commitments.

Screen

In 1995, Walton played the recurring role of Rachel Watson in Home and Away.

In 1996, Walton was cast as Dash McKinley in the police drama series Blue Heelers. Her character was introduced halfway through Season 3. She also played another character, Kim Trelor, in the same series. In the same year, she made her film debut in Fistful of Flies. Her last episode of Blue Heelers ("The Full Circle") screened in 1999.

In 2009, Walton joined the cast of City Homicide in the semi-regular role of criminal profiler, Claudia Leigh. In July 2013, it was announced that Walton had rejoined the cast of Home and Away in the recurring role of Jade Montgomery. She was on the show for two seasons.

In 2016, Walton appeared in three episodes of Rake. After discovering her Aboriginal ancestry she also had a regular role on Cleverman (2016–2017). In 2018, she joined the cast of another Indigenous themed show, Mystery Road, reprising her role from the 2013 film of the same name. She returned for the second season in 2020.

In 2023 Walton appeared in the Seven Network series The Claremont Murders, and she joined the second season of Foxtel series The Twelve in July 2024.

She played a lead role in the 2025 comedy drama series Reckless, which she had also created and written.

Other film and TV appearances include Water Rats, Sea Patrol, The Postcard Bandit, and the 2005 short Perdition.

Writing

Walton has also written novels and has worked in many writers' rooms and workshops during the development of film, television and theatre productions.

Her novel Heartless was published in 2009, and was nominated for an ABIA Award for General Fiction.

Walton has also written a series of children's books entitled Nerra: Deep Time Traveller, the first book of which (The Broken Rainbow) was longlisted for the DANZ Children's Book Award.

I am Nannertgarrook, published in 2025, is a semi-fictional historical novel based on the experiences of her great-great-great grandmother, a Bunurong woman named Nannertgarrook, who was abducted by sealers and sold into slavery in the 1830s. When Walton was a child, she was told through her family that Nannertgarrook had fallen in love with a merchant seaman and eloped with him, and Walton wanted to expose some of the true history of the period. On being longlisted for the Stella Prize, the judges wrote: "A page-turner that is also deeply researched; beautifully written and very accessible; an embodiment of Walton's First Nations heritage and culture that welcomes all readers into its rich emotional landscape". The book was shortlisted for the Nib Literary Award and the People's Choice Prize, as well as being the joint winner (with Robbie Arnott for his 2024 novel Dusk) of the ARA Historical Novel Prize.

Walton created, wrote, and took a lead role in the 2025 TV series Reckless. On 24 February 2026 the ABC commissioned a new six-part crime drama series created by her, titled Pilli Sisters PI. As of September 2026 Walton is working on the new series, her first work set entirely in Western Australia. At the centre are Marlee and May, two middle-aged Aboriginal who work as private investigators. As yet the cast is unknown.

Recognition and awards

Acting

Writing

Heartless

I am Nannertgarrook

Personal life

Walton was in a relationship with fellow actor Danny Roberts for seven and a half years until 2004. She began dating Rove McManus in October 2007. They married in a private ceremony in Broome, Western Australia, on 16 June 2009. In December 2013, Walton and McManus announced the birth of their daughter, Ruby. They remain together as of 2025.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Fistful of Flies Maria "Mars" Lupi Feature film
1998 Cody: The Wrong Stuff TV film
1999 Airtight Virg TV film
2000 Virtual Nightmare Wendy TV film
2003 Subterano Stone Feature film
The Postcard Bandit Frankie TV film
2004 Roll Emma TV film
2005 Perdition Jo Short film
Little Oberon Georgie Green TV film
2006 Safety in Numbers Caroline
BlackJack: At the Gates Sylvia TV film
2009 Dreamland April Freeman
Blessed Gail Feature film
Together Alone Trish Short film
2013 Mystery Road Mary Swan Feature film
2015 Looking for Grace Sandra Feature film
2017 The Half Dead Julie Masden Post-production
2021 How to Please a Woman Monique Feature film
2022 Sweet As Mitch Feature film

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref
1995 Home and Away Rachel Watson TV series, season 8 (recurring role)
Echo Point Gina TV series
Blue Heelers Kim Treloar TV series, episode: "Salutary Lessons"
1996–99 Blue Heelers Const. Deirdre E. "Dash" McKinley TV series, 129 episodes
2000 Water Rats Belinda Harvey TV series, episode: "Able to Leap Tall Buildings"
2000–02 BeastMaster Caro TV series (recurring role)
2001 The Secret Life of Us Leah TV series (recurring role)
2003 White Collar Blue Gemma Mancuzzo TV series, episodes: 2.10, 2.11
2004 McLeod's Daughters Tracey Morrison TV series, season 4, episode 8: "Show of Love"
2006 Stupid, Stupid Man Janine Russell TV series, episode: "A Very, Very Private Function"
2009 Sea Patrol Jila TV series, season 3, episode: "Secret Cargo"
2009–10 City Homicide Claudia Leigh TV series (regular role)
2013–14 Home and Away Jade Montgomery TV series, seasons 26-27 (recurring role)
2014 It's a Date Paulina TV series, episode: "Should You Date Outside Your Comfort Zone?"
2016 Rake Jack TV series, episodes: 4.6, 4.7, 4.8
2016–17 Cleverman Araluen TV series (regular role)
2018–2020 Mystery Road Mary Swan TV series, episodes: 2, 3 & 4
2023 The Claremont Murders Karin Margolius TV series, 2 episodes
2024 The Twelve Thelma Connell TV series: 8 episodes
2025 Scrublands: Silver Josie Jones TV series: 2 episodes
Deadloch Detective Greene TV series
Reckless June TV series
TBA Pilli Sisters PI Creator TV series

Other appearances

Year Title Type Notes Ref
2019 Show Me the Movie! Panel show 1 episode
2020 Whovians 1 episode
2023 Great Australian Walks Documentary/one-on-one chat show Point Nepean walk

Theatre

Walton has also performed extensively on stage, including the following productions:

Year Title Role Notes
1992Summer of the AliensMrs Irvin / Japanese WomanUNSW NIDA Parade Theatre
1993The Skin of Our TeethNIDA Parade Theatre
1993The Grace of Mary TraverseMary Traverse / HangmanNIDA Parade Theatre
1993All's Well That Ends WellNIDA Parade Theatre
1993A House is BuiltKatieNIDA Parade Theatre
1994JigsawsNew Theatre, Sydney
2001The Vagina MonologuesEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
2001Men of HonourEnsemble Theatre
2004Live Acts on StagePlayhouse Theatre, Perth
2015DinnerHeath Ledger Theatre, Perth
2019Winyanboga YurringaBelvoir Street Theatre, Sydney

References

  1. ↑ "Tasma Walton Movies & TV Shows List". Rotten Tomatoes. 19 August 1973. Archived from the original on 27 April 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Dow, Steve (7 July 2024). "Why Tasma Walton's Indigenous past was a mystery for years". Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024. Accessed again 4 September 2026
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Brennan, Rosamund (18 September 2026). "Tasma Walton: 'I understand what it's like to be powerless'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 September 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cohen, Nadine J. (8 November 2025). "Actor and author Tasma Walton". The Saturday Paper. Archived from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Schipp, Debbie (27 July 2013). "Underbelly: Squizzy and Ripper Street prove yet again that crime pays for free-to-air TV". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Tasma Walton". AusStage. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  7. 1 2 Byrnes, Holly (15 October 2013). "Tasma Walton returns to Home & Away in guest role". news.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "Mystery Road star Tasma Walton on her hidden family history". Are Media. 19 June 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Tasma Walton". Scholastic Australia. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Browne, Rachel (27 April 1996). "Cop gives shop a break". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Tasma Walton". CinefestOZ. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  12. ↑ Dennehy, Luke (1 February 2009). "Rove, Tasma in showdown". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  13. ↑ Knox, David (13 March 2023). "The Claremont Murders: trailer". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Knox, David (31 August 2023). "Production underway on The Twelve S2". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  15. ↑ Knox, David (8 July 2024). "The Twelve's jury duty, a front row to acting elite". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 Laidlaw, Kyle (23 February 2026). "ABC orders Tasma Walton's WA crime drama Pilli Sisters PI to series". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "Water Rats Season 5 Episode Eight". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "Hidden Cargo - Sea Patrol (Season 3, Episode 11)". Apple TV. Retrieved 4 September 2026
  19. ↑ "Postcard Bandit". Screen Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  20. ↑ "Perdition". Screen Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tasma Walton – I Am Nannertgarrook". The Stella Prize. 12 February 2026. Archived from the original on 18 March 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Arnott, Walton, Leal win 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize". Books+Publishing. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  23. ↑ Story, Hannah (16 October 2025). "Tasma Walton and Robbie Arnott share $100,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize". ABC News. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  24. ↑ "WA Premier's Book Awards 2026 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 8 July 2026. Retrieved 10 September 2026.
  25. ↑ "Stella Prize 2026 longlist announced". Books+Publishing. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  26. ↑ Keenan, Catherine (7 September 2009). "Who's that girl?". The Age. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  27. ↑ "Romancing Rove: Tasma Walton Dishes on Proposing To Rove". Who. Pacific Magazines. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  28. ↑ Hornery, Andrew (9 September 2013). "Rove McManus and wife Tasma Walton are expecting their first child". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  29. ↑ Casamento, Jo (21 December 2013). "Early Christmas present for Rove and Tasma as baby Ruby arrives". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "Tasma joins City Homicide". February 2009.
  31. ↑ "Cleverman cast attend Berlinale premiere". 17 February 2016.
  32. ↑ Knox, David (10 March 2020). "Returning: Mystery Road". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  33. ↑ Knox, David (25 July 2019). "Cameras roll on Mystery Road season two". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  34. ↑ Knox, David (5 June 2024). "Filming underway on Scrublands: Silver". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  35. ↑ Kalina, Paul (12 November 2025). "Reckless: Tasma Walton and Hunter Page-Lochard star in crime caper". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  36. ↑ "Show Me the Movie: Mar 7". 7 March 2019.
  37. ↑ Knox, David (10 July 2023). "Airdate: Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 8 July 2024.