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| name = Wayne Blair
| name = Wayne Blair
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|11|28}}
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Taree]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| birth_place = [[Taree]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| occupation = Television and film director, writer, actor
| occupation = Television and film director, writer, actor
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}}
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'''Wayne Blair''' (born 28 November 1971) is an Australian writer, actor and director. He was on both sides of the camera in ''[[Redfern Now]]''. He is also the director of the feature film ''[[The Sapphires (film)|The Sapphires]]''.
'''Wayne Blair''' is an Australian writer, actor, and director. He was on both sides of the camera in ''[[Redfern Now]]'', and directed the feature film ''[[The Sapphires (film)|The Sapphires]]''. He played a prominent role in the 2021–2024 drama series ''[[Total Control (TV series)|Total Control]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life and education==
Blair was born in [[Taree, New South Wales]], to Julie and Bob Blair and has two older sisters, Janet and Mandy. He is an [[Aboriginal Australian]] and he describes himself as a [[Batjala]], [[Mununjali]], [[Wakka Wakka]] man.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/stories/s3266842.htm|title='In the Frame' Wayne Blair|work=ABC|date=10 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701160235/http://www.abc.net.au:80/tv/messagestick/stories/s3266842.htm|archive-date=1 July 2016}}</ref>
Wayne Blair was born in [[Taree, New South Wales]], to Julie and Bob Blair, and has two older sisters, Janet and Mandy. He is an [[Aboriginal Australian]] man and he describes himself as a [[Batjala]], [[Mununjali]], [[Wakka Wakka]] man.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/stories/s3266842.htm|title='In the Frame' Wayne Blair|work=ABC|date=10 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701160235/http://www.abc.net.au:80/tv/messagestick/stories/s3266842.htm|archive-date=1 July 2016}}</ref>


As Blair's father was a soldier the family moved around. While Blair was still young, his father was posted to [[Woodside, South Australia|Woodside]] in [[South Australia]]. When he was a teenager, Blair's family were sent to [[Rockhampton]]. In Rockhampton he excelled at cricket and rugby, then later became interested in acting and dancing at school. Blair had a job as a tour guide at Rockhampton's [[Dreamtime Cultural Centre]], where he was also one of the dancers. He went on to do a marketing degree at [[Central Queensland University]], though his elective subjects included comic drama and Australian drama. He briefly went to Sydney to play [[rugby league]] for the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury Bulldogs]] under-21s.<ref name="jewels">{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/jewels-in-the-festival-crown-20120802-23gaa.html|title=Jewels in the festival crown|author=Garry Maddox|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 August 2012|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> After a failed audition for [[National Institute of Dramatic Art|NIDA]] in 1992, he eventually did a three-year course at the [[Queensland University of Technology]] in acting.<ref>For most of the information in this paragraph: {{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/stories/s3266842.htm|title='In the Frame' Wayne Blair|work=ABC|date=10 July 2011|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>
As Blair's father was a soldier, the family moved around. While Blair was still young, his father was posted to [[Woodside, South Australia|Woodside]] in [[South Australia]]. When he was a teenager, Blair's family were sent to [[Rockhampton]], [[Queensland]]. In Rockhampton he excelled at cricket and rugby, then later became interested in acting and dancing at school.<ref name="jewels"/>


Blair had a job as a tour guide at Rockhampton's [[Dreamtime Cultural Centre]], where he was also one of the dancers. He went on to do a marketing degree at [[Central Queensland University]], though his elective subjects included comic drama and Australian drama. He briefly went to Sydney to play [[rugby league]] for the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury Bulldogs]] under-21s.<ref name="jewels">{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/jewels-in-the-festival-crown-20120802-23gaa.html|title=Jewels in the festival crown|author=Garry Maddox|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 August 2012|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>
==Career highlights==

After a failed audition for [[National Institute of Dramatic Art|NIDA]] in 1992, he eventually did a three-year course at the [[Queensland University of Technology]] in acting,<ref>For most of the information in this paragraph: {{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/stories/s3266842.htm|title='In the Frame' Wayne Blair|work=ABC|date=10 July 2011|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> at their Academy of the Arts. While a student there in 1997, he said "I' ve played Chinese, Puerto Rican, English, and Russian people, but I haven't played an Aboriginal person yet and I'd love to".<ref>{{cite journal| publisher =[[Queensland University of Technology]]| title= It’s ‘showtime’ for acting graduates| journal= INSIDE QUT: Queensland University of Technology Newspaper| date= 12 October 1997 - 16 February 1998| p= 1| issue =170 |first=Carmen |last=Myler| quote= Two of Mr Stewart’s fellow acting students, Wayne Blair and Rebecca Clarke, said they were realistic about their futures after graduation and were willing to take acting work in whatever form it came...}}</ref>

== Career ==
Blair's first recorded on-screen appearance was in a 1997 Australian TV film called ''The Tower''. The following year he appeared on ''[[All Saints (TV series)|All Saints]]'' and ''[[Wildside (Australian TV series)|Wildside]]''. He has also appeared in ''[[Water Rats (TV series)|Water Rats]]'' and ''[[Fireflies (TV series)|Fireflies]]''. 1998 was also the year he was one of the first four film makers to be mentored under the [[Metro Screen]] Indigenous Mentor Scheme for which he made a short film called ''Fade 2 Black''. Ten years later he was to become a mentor himself under the same scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmink.com.au/features/mentoring-success/|title=Mentoring success|author=Erin Free|work=Film Ink|date=1 June 2008|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>
Blair's first recorded on-screen appearance was in a 1997 Australian TV film called ''The Tower''. The following year he appeared on ''[[All Saints (TV series)|All Saints]]'' and ''[[Wildside (Australian TV series)|Wildside]]''. He has also appeared in ''[[Water Rats (TV series)|Water Rats]]'' and ''[[Fireflies (TV series)|Fireflies]]''. 1998 was also the year he was one of the first four film makers to be mentored under the [[Metro Screen]] Indigenous Mentor Scheme for which he made a short film called ''Fade 2 Black''. Ten years later he was to become a mentor himself under the same scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmink.com.au/features/mentoring-success/|title=Mentoring success|author=Erin Free|work=Film Ink|date=1 June 2008|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>


Blair starred in the original stage production of [[Tony Briggs]]'s play, ''The Sapphires'' in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/the-sapphires-film/from-stage-from-screen/|title=From stage to screen|work=Hopscotch|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> This play was later turned into a filmscript to be directed by Blair.
Blair starred in the original stage production of [[Tony Briggs]]'s play, ''The Sapphires'' in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/the-sapphires-film/from-stage-from-screen/|title=From stage to screen|work=Hopscotch|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> This play was later turned into a filmscript to be directed by Blair.{{cn|date=February 2024}}


In 2007 he starred as Othello for Bell [[Shakespeare]], a show that toured Australia with stops at Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra as well as other cities. He also directed three episodes of ''[[Lockie Leonard (TV series)|Lockie Leonard]]'' with a further four in 2010.
In 2007 he starred as Othello for Bell [[Shakespeare]], a show that toured Australia with stops at Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra as well as other cities. He also directed three episodes of ''[[Lockie Leonard (TV series)|Lockie Leonard]]'' with a further four in 2010.{{cn|date=February 2024}}


In 2008 Blair directed all thirteen episodes of the Australian children's TV series ''[[Double Trouble (Australian TV series)|Double Trouble]]'', about twin Indigenous girls separated at birth. In 2009 he wrote an episode of the second season of ''[[The Circuit (TV series)|The Circuit]]''. 2010 saw Blair direct four episodes of the Australian-British children's supernatural comedy TV series, ''[[Dead Gorgeous]]''. He directed British-Jamaican Debbie Tucker Green's play ''Dirty Butterfly'' and co-directed the biographical play, ''Namatjira'', with [[Scott Rankin]] who also wrote the play, both plays at Sydney's ''[[Belvoir St Theatre]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theyellowagency.com/index.php/wayne-blair/|title=Wayne Blair|work=The Yellow Agency|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> He was also chosen in the same year as one of the stars of the [[Sydney Theatre Company]]'s revival of [[Sam Shepard]]'s ''[[True West (play)|True West]]'', directed by [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/casting-adds-bite-to-feuding-brothers-20101103-17dyl.html|title=Casting adds bite to feuding brothers|author=Jason Blake|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 November 2010|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>
In 2008 Blair directed all thirteen episodes of the Australian children's TV series ''[[Double Trouble (Australian TV series)|Double Trouble]]'', about twin Indigenous girls separated at birth. In 2009 he wrote an episode of the second season of ''[[The Circuit (TV series)|The Circuit]]''. 2010 saw Blair direct four episodes of the Australian-British children's supernatural comedy TV series, ''[[Dead Gorgeous]]''. He directed British-Jamaican Debbie Tucker Green's play ''Dirty Butterfly'' and co-directed the biographical play, ''Namatjira'', with [[Scott Rankin]] who also wrote the play, both plays at Sydney's ''[[Belvoir St Theatre]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theyellowagency.com/index.php/wayne-blair/|title=Wayne Blair|work=The Yellow Agency|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> He was also chosen in the same year as one of the stars of the [[Sydney Theatre Company]]'s revival of [[Sam Shepard]]'s ''[[True West (play)|True West]]'', directed by [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/casting-adds-bite-to-feuding-brothers-20101103-17dyl.html|title=Casting adds bite to feuding brothers|author=Jason Blake|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 November 2010|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>


Wayne Blair was awarded the [[Bob Maza Fellowship]] for 2011 by [[Screen Australia]] to provide opportunities for career development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2011/mr_110512_BobMaza.aspx|title=Wayne Blair awarded the 2011 Bob Maza Fellowship|work=Screen Australia|date=12 May 2011|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> 2012 was a big year which saw the making of his hit film, ''The Sapphires'', which brought him recognition around the world with a very positive response at Cannes.<ref name="jewels" /> Later in the year he starred in three episodes of the ABC's TV drama series, ''[[Redfern Now]]'' and directed another of the episodes. To finish the year Blair was included in Variety Magazine's top ten directors to watch in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118063280/?refCatId=4076|title=Variety announces 10 Directors to Watch|author=Peter Debruge|work=Variety Magazine|date=7 Dec 2012|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>
Blair was awarded the [[Bob Maza Fellowship]] for 2011 by [[Screen Australia]] to provide opportunities for career development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2011/mr_110512_BobMaza.aspx|title=Wayne Blair awarded the 2011 Bob Maza Fellowship|work=Screen Australia|date=12 May 2011|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> 2012 was a big year which saw the making of his hit film, ''The Sapphires'', which brought him recognition around the world with a very positive response at Cannes.<ref name="jewels" /> Later in the year he starred in three episodes of the ABC's TV drama series, ''[[Redfern Now]]'' and directed another of the episodes. To finish the year Blair was included in Variety Magazine's top ten directors to watch in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/variety-announces-10-directors-to-watch-1118063280/|title=Variety announces 10 Directors to Watch|author=Peter Debruge|work=Variety Magazine|date=7 Dec 2012|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>


Blair has occasionally worked on projects outside of Australia, including 2015's ''[[Septembers of Shiraz]]''; a US production shot in Bulgaria, and a 2017 [[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|made for television remake]] of the American classic ''[[Dirty Dancing]]''.
He has occasionally worked on projects outside of Australia, including 2015's ''[[Septembers of Shiraz]]''; a US production shot in Bulgaria, and a 2017 [[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|made for television remake]] of the American classic ''[[Dirty Dancing]]''.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

In 2020, Blair was named in the cast for ABC's ''[[Aftertaste (TV series)|Aftertaste]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exciting cast on the menu of ABC comedy series Aftertaste. |url=https://about.abc.net.au/media-room/exciting-cast-on-the-menu-of-abc-comedy-series-aftertaste/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=About the ABC |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2021, he was announced for the second season of ABC political drama ''[[Total Control (TV series)]]'' in the role of Paul Murphy and in 2023 Blair would join the filming for the third and final season. Blair also served as a director in the series directing 9 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morse |first=Callan |title=Cameras roll on final season of Total Control |url=https://nit.com.au/02-06-2023/6215/cameras-roll-on-final-season-of-total-control |website=National Indigenous Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Slatter |first=Sean |date=2024-01-12 |title=Letting go of 'Total Control': The creative team reflect on the ABC drama's final season |url=https://if.com.au/letting-go-of-total-control-the-creative-team-reflect-on-the-abc-dramas-final-season/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2020-11-27 |title=Wayne Blair to direct Total Control {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/11/wayne-blair-to-direct-total-control.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=TV Tonight |language=en-AU}}</ref> Blair also appeared in Netflix's ''[[Irreverent]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2021-09-23 |title=Cast announced for Irreverent drama {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/09/cast-announced-for-irreverent-drama.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=TV Tonight |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2023, he was a director on ABC's ''[[Bay of Fires (TV series)|Bay of Fires]]'' and directed four episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2023-06-14 |title=Airdate: Bay of Fires {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/06/airdate-bay-of-fires.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=TV Tonight |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2024, Blair was announced as part of the directing team for the ABC drama ''Plum''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slatter |first=Sean |date=2024-01-16 |title=ABC to serve up 'Plum' with Brendan Cowell, Asher Keddie leading the cast |url=https://if.com.au/abc-to-serve-up-plum-with-brendan-cowell-asher-keddie-leading-the-cast/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref> Blair was announced as part of the directing team for the second season of ''Mystery Road: Origin.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-25 |title=Mystery Road Origin S2 starts production in WA {{!}} ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data |url=https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/article/mystery-road-origin-s2-starts-production-in-wa-2657153/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=www.screenhub.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
*2005: Winner, [[Crystal Bear]] for short film at the [[Berlin Film Festival]], for ''[[The Djarn Djarns]]''<ref name=street/>
*2005: Nominated for Best Screenplay in a Short Film at the [[Australian Film Institute Awards|AFI Awards]] for his work on ''The Djarn Djarns''<ref name=street>{{cite web | title=The Djarn Djarns | website=Alexander Street, part of Clarivate | date=26 July 2017 | url=https://search.alexanderstreet.com/preview/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C3404342 | access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>
*2011: Recipient of the [[Bob Maza Fellowship]], which recognises emerging acting talent and support professional development for Indigenous actors<ref name=25years>{{cite web | title=Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years | website=[[Screen Australia]]] |date=4 June 2018| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/backgrounders/2018/06-04-indigenous-department-25-years | access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>
*2012: Winner, [[AACTA Award for Best Direction]], for ''The Sapphires''<ref>{{cite web | title=Winners & Nominees | website=AACTA | url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2nd-aacta-awards/ | access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref>
*July 2021: Invited to join the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]<ref >{{cite web | title=Wayne Blair, Rosemary Blight, Kylie du Fresne, Darren Dale among Aussies invited to join Academy | website=[[IF Magazine]] | date=2 July 2021 | url=https://www.if.com.au/blair-blight-du-fresne-dale-among-aussies-invited-to-join-academy/ | access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
===Short film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
|-
|2016
|''3000''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|-
|2014
|''Lie''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|-
| 2009
|''Ralph''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|2005
|''[[The Djarn Djarns]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|-
|2002
|''Black Talk''<ref>{{cite web | title=Black Talk: Boodgie | website=National Film and Sound Archive of Australia | url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/98880-dreaming-motion-black-talk-boodgie | access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref>
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|}


'''Actor'''
===Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Credit !! Role !! Notes
! Year !! Title !! Role
|-
|-
|2021
|2023 || ''[[The New Boy]]'' || || George ||
|''Jarli''
|Pop
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2019
|2020 || ''[[Extraction (2020 film)|Extraction]]'' || || KoeKoen ||
|''Martha the Monster''
|The Director
|-
|-
|''Closed Doors''
|2020 || ''Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra'' || Director || ||
|Man
|-
|-
|2016
|2020 || ''[[Rams (2020 film)|Rams]]'' || || Lionel ||
|''Eaglehawk''
|Frank
|-
|-
|2015
|2019 || ''[[Top End Wedding]]'' || Director || ||
|''Nulla Nulla''
|Black Cop
|-
|-
|2009
|2018 || ''[[Emu Runner]]'' || || Jay Jay ||
|''Brother Boys''
|Father
|-
|-
|2005
| rowspan="2"|2015 || ''[[Septembers of Shiraz]]'' || Director || ||
|''[[The Djarn Djarns]]''
| Wayne the Compare
|}

===Feature film===
'''Director'''
* ''Firestarter'' (2020)
* ''[[Top End Wedding]]'' (2019)
* ''Septembers of Shiraz'' (2015)
* ''The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting'' (2013)
* ''[[The Sapphires (film)|The Sapphires]]'' (2012)
'''Executive producer'''
* ''Brando With The Glass Eye'' (2024)

'''Actor'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role
| ''Nulla Nulla'' || || Black Cop || Short film
|-
|-
|2023
| rowspan="2"|2013 || ''Notes'' || || Thanks || Short film
|''[[The New Boy]]''
|George
|-
|-
|2022
| ''[[The Turning (2013 film)|The Turning]]'' || || Max ||
|''Seriously Red''
|Lionel
|-
|-
|rowspan=3|2020
| rowspan="2"|2012 || ''[[The Sapphires (film)|The Sapphires]]'' || Director || ||
|''June Again''
|Dr Michael Lawton
|-
|-
| ''[[Wish You Were Here (2012 film)|Wish You Were Here]]'' || || Willis ||
|''[[Extraction (2020 film)|Extraction]]''
| KoeKoen
|-
|-
|''[[Rams (2020 film)|Rams]]''
| rowspan="2"|2011 || ''[[X: Night of Vengeance]]'' || || Bob ||
|Lionel
|-
|-
|2019
| ''The Last Time I Saw Michael Gregg'' || || ||
|''[[Top End Wedding]]''
|Tow Truck Passenger
|-
|-
|2018
| rowspan="2"|2009 || ''[[Blessed (2009 film)|Blessed]]'' || || James Parker ||
|''[[Emu Runner]]''
|Jay Jay
|-
|-
|2013
| ''Ralph'' || Writer || || rowspan="3"|Short film
|''[[The Turning (2013 film)|The Turning]]''
|Max
|-
|-
|2012
| 2005 || ''The Djarn Djarns'' || Director and Writer || Wayne the Compare
|''[[Wish You Were Here (2012 film)|Wish You Were Here]]''
| Willis
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2011
| 2002 || ''Black Talk'' || Director ||
| ''[[X: Night of Vengeance]]''
| Bob
|-
|-
| ''The Last Time I Saw Michael Gregg''
| 2001 || ''[[Mullet (film)|Mullet]]'' || || James ||
| Smash
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Blessed (2009 film)|Blessed]]''
| James Parker
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Mullet (film)|Mullet]]''
| James
|}
|}


===Television===
=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Director
!Writer
!Notes
|-
|-
|2025
! Year !! Role !! Title !! Notes!! Credit
|[[Mystery Road (TV series)|''Mystery Road: Origin'']]
|Yes
|No
|TBA
|-
|-
|2024
|
|''[[Plum (TV series)|Plum]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|{{no}}
|
|3 episodes
|
|-
|-
|2021-22
|2021-24
|''[[Total Control (TV series)|Total Control]]''
|Brett
|{{yes}}
|''[[Aftertaste (TV series)|Aftertaste]]''
|{{no}}
| TV series
|9 episodes
|
|-
|-
|2023
|
|''[[Bay of Fires (TV series)|Bay of Fires ]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|{{no}}
|
|4 episodes
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |2021
|
|''Bangarra's World''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|{{no}}
|
|Miniseries
|
|-
|-
|''Dubbo-Life of a Strongman''
| 2020 || || ''[[Mystery Road (TV series)|Mystery Road]]''|| TV series, season 2, episodes 2-4|| Also served as Director
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|TV Movie
|-
|-
| 2000
| 2019 || Riley Bolt || ''[[SeaChange]]''|| TV series|| Also served as Director
|''[[Mystery Road (TV series)|Mystery Road]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|3 episodes
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2018 || Larry Dime || ''[[Mystery Road (TV series)|Mystery Road]]''|| TV series, season 1||
|''[[SeaChange]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|2018
| 2018-19 || Gary || ''[[Squinters]]''|| TV series||
|''[[Bite Club (TV series)|Bite Club]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|2016-17
| rowspan="2&quot;" |2017 || Father Whyman || ''[[The Letdown]]''|| TV series||
|''[[Cleverman (TV series)|Cleverman ]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|7 directed;<br>Also executive producer
|-
|-
|rowspan="2|2017
| ''[[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|Dirty Dancing]]''|| TV film|| Director
|''[[Love Child (TV series)|Love Child]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|''Dirty Dancing''
| 2016-17 || || ''[[Cleverman (TV series)|Cleverman]]''|| TV series<br>Directed 7 episodes|| Director and Writer
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|TV movie
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|2014
| 2014 || || ''[[Black Comedy (TV series)|Black Comedy]]''|| TV series||
|''[[Offspring (TV series)|Offspring ]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|''[[The Gods of Wheat Street]]''
| rowspan="3" |2013 || Bobby Walshe || ''[[The Broken Shore (2014 film)|The Broken Shore]]''|| TV movie||
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|2012-13
|
|''[[Redfern Now]]''
| ''[[The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting]]'' || TV series, 3 episodes|| rowspan="2" |Also served as Director
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|3 episodes
|-
|-
|2007-10
|
|''[[Lockie Leonard (TV series)|Lockie Leonard]]''
| ''[[The Gods of Wheat Street]]'' || TV miniseries, 2 episodes
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|Directed 8 episodes, wrote 1 episode
|-
|-
|2010
| 2012–13 || Aaron Davis || ''[[Redfern Now]]''|| TV series<br>Directed 2 episodes<br>Wrote 1 episode<br>Acted in 5 episodes|| Director and Writer
|''[[Dead Gorgeous]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|4 episodes
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2010 || || ''[[Dead Gorgeous]]''|| TV series, 4 episodes|| Also served as Director
|''The Circuit''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|1 episode
|-
|-
|2008
| 2009 || || ''[[The Circuit (TV series)|The Circuit]]''|| TV miniseries, 1 episode|| Writer
|''Double Trouble''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|13 episodes
|}

'''Actor'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
| 2008 || || ''[[Double Trouble (Australian TV series)|Double Trouble]]''|| TV series, 13 episodes|| Also served as Director
|-
|-
|2021-24
| 2007–10 || || ''[[Lockie Leonard (TV series)|Lockie Leonard]]''|| TV series<br>Directed 8 episodes<br>Wrote 1 episode|| Director and Writer
|''[[Total Control (TV series)|Total Control]]''
|Paul Murphy
|12 episodes
|-
|-
|2022
| 2007 || Koori Salesman || ''Jackie Jackie''|| rowspan="3" |TV movie||
|''[[Irreverent]]''
|Peter
|10 episodes
|-
|-
|2021-22
| 2006 || Det. Lacey || ''[[Small Claims (telemovie)|Small Claims: The Reunion]]''||
|''[[Aftertaste (TV series)|Aftertaste]]''
|Brett
|12 episodes
|-
|-
|2021
| rowspan="2" |2004 || Det. Snr. Const. Lacey || ''[[Small Claims (telemovie)#Small Claims: The Reunion|Small Claims]]''||
|[[Wakefield (TV series)|''Wakefield'']]
|Vince
|2 episodes
|-
|-
| 2019 || ''[[SeaChange]]''|| Riley Bolt ||8 episodes
| Wayne Patterson
| ''[[Fireflies (TV series)|Fireflies]]'' || TV series, season 1, episode 5||
|-
|-
| 2000 || Ridley Winter || ''[[Water Rats (TV series)|Water Rats]]''|| TV series, season 5, episode 25||
| 2018 || ''[[Mystery Road (TV series)|Mystery Road]]''|| Larry Dime || 6 episodes
|-
|-
| 2018-19 || ''[[Squinters]]''|| Gary ||9 episodes
| rowspan="2" |1998 || Wes || ''[[Wildside (Australian TV series)|Wildside]]''|| TV series, season 1, episode 34||
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|2017 || ''[[The Letdown]]''|| Father Whyman ||2 episodes
| Kenny Baxter
| ''[[All Saints (TV series)|All Saints]]'' || TV series, season 1, episode 21||
|-
|-
| 1997 || DJ Dan || ''The Tower'' || TV movie||
| ''[[Dirty Dancing (2017 film)|Dirty Dancing]]''|| Director ||rowspan=2|TV movie
|-
|2015
|''Redfern Now: Promise Me''
|Aaron Davis
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Black Comedy (TV series)|Black Comedy]]''|| Guest Cast||7 episodes
|-
|2013 || ''[[The Broken Shore (2014 film)|The Broken Shore]]''|| Bobby Walshe || TV movie
|-
| 2012–13 || ''[[Redfern Now]]''|| Aaron Davis || 5 episodes
|-
| 2007–10 || ''[[Lockie Leonard (TV series)|Lockie Leonard]]''|| Arnold|| 1 episode
|-
| 2007 || ''Jackie Jackie''|| Koori Salesman || rowspan="3" |TV movie
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Small Claims (telemovie)|Small Claims: The Reunion]]''|| Det. Lacey
|-
| rowspan="2" |2004 || ''[[Small Claims (telemovie)#Small Claims: The Reunion|Small Claims]]''|| Det. Snr. Const. Lacey
|-
| ''[[Fireflies (TV series)|Fireflies]]''
| Wayne Patterson || 1 episode
|-
| 2000 || ''[[Water Rats (TV series)|Water Rats]]''|| Ridley Winter || 1 episode
|-
| rowspan="2" |1998 || ''[[Wildside (Australian TV series)|Wildside]]''|| Wes || 1 episode
|-
| ''[[All Saints (TV series)|All Saints]]''
| Kenny Baxter || 1 episode
|-
| 1997 || ''The Tower''|| DJ Dan || TV movie
|}
|}

==Awards and recognition==
*2005: Nominated for Best Screenplay in a Short Film at the [[Australian Film Institute Awards|AFI Awards]] for his work on ''The Djarn Djarns''{{cn|date=November 2021}}
*2011: Recipient of the [[Bob Maza Fellowship]], which recognises emerging acting talent and support professional development for Indigenous actors<ref name=25years>{{cite web | title=Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years | website=[[Screen Australia]]] |date=4 June 2018| url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/backgrounders/2018/06-04-indigenous-department-25-years | access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>
*2012: Nominated for [[AACTA Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] for ''The Sapphires''{{cn|date=November 2021}}
*July 2021: Invited to join the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]<ref >{{cite web | title=Wayne Blair, Rosemary Blight, Kylie du Fresne, Darren Dale among Aussies invited to join Academy | website=[[IF Magazine]] | date=2 July 2021 | url=https://www.if.com.au/blair-blight-du-fresne-dale-among-aussies-invited-to-join-academy/ | access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian male actors]]

Latest revision as of 13:41, 25 November 2024

Wayne Blair
Born
Taree, New South Wales, Australia
Alma materCQ University
Occupation(s)Television and film director, writer, actor
Websitewayneblair.com

Wayne Blair is an Australian writer, actor, and director. He was on both sides of the camera in Redfern Now, and directed the feature film The Sapphires. He played a prominent role in the 2021–2024 drama series Total Control.

Early life and education

[edit]

Wayne Blair was born in Taree, New South Wales, to Julie and Bob Blair, and has two older sisters, Janet and Mandy. He is an Aboriginal Australian man and he describes himself as a Batjala, Mununjali, Wakka Wakka man.[1]

As Blair's father was a soldier, the family moved around. While Blair was still young, his father was posted to Woodside in South Australia. When he was a teenager, Blair's family were sent to Rockhampton, Queensland. In Rockhampton he excelled at cricket and rugby, then later became interested in acting and dancing at school.[2]

Blair had a job as a tour guide at Rockhampton's Dreamtime Cultural Centre, where he was also one of the dancers. He went on to do a marketing degree at Central Queensland University, though his elective subjects included comic drama and Australian drama. He briefly went to Sydney to play rugby league for the Canterbury Bulldogs under-21s.[2]

After a failed audition for NIDA in 1992, he eventually did a three-year course at the Queensland University of Technology in acting,[3] at their Academy of the Arts. While a student there in 1997, he said "I' ve played Chinese, Puerto Rican, English, and Russian people, but I haven't played an Aboriginal person yet and I'd love to".[4]

Career

[edit]

Blair's first recorded on-screen appearance was in a 1997 Australian TV film called The Tower. The following year he appeared on All Saints and Wildside. He has also appeared in Water Rats and Fireflies. 1998 was also the year he was one of the first four film makers to be mentored under the Metro Screen Indigenous Mentor Scheme for which he made a short film called Fade 2 Black. Ten years later he was to become a mentor himself under the same scheme.[5]

Blair starred in the original stage production of Tony Briggs's play, The Sapphires in 2005.[6] This play was later turned into a filmscript to be directed by Blair.[citation needed]

In 2007 he starred as Othello for Bell Shakespeare, a show that toured Australia with stops at Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra as well as other cities. He also directed three episodes of Lockie Leonard with a further four in 2010.[citation needed]

In 2008 Blair directed all thirteen episodes of the Australian children's TV series Double Trouble, about twin Indigenous girls separated at birth. In 2009 he wrote an episode of the second season of The Circuit. 2010 saw Blair direct four episodes of the Australian-British children's supernatural comedy TV series, Dead Gorgeous. He directed British-Jamaican Debbie Tucker Green's play Dirty Butterfly and co-directed the biographical play, Namatjira, with Scott Rankin who also wrote the play, both plays at Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre.[7] He was also chosen in the same year as one of the stars of the Sydney Theatre Company's revival of Sam Shepard's True West, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman.[8]

Blair was awarded the Bob Maza Fellowship for 2011 by Screen Australia to provide opportunities for career development.[9] 2012 was a big year which saw the making of his hit film, The Sapphires, which brought him recognition around the world with a very positive response at Cannes.[2] Later in the year he starred in three episodes of the ABC's TV drama series, Redfern Now and directed another of the episodes. To finish the year Blair was included in Variety Magazine's top ten directors to watch in 2013.[10]

He has occasionally worked on projects outside of Australia, including 2015's Septembers of Shiraz; a US production shot in Bulgaria, and a 2017 made for television remake of the American classic Dirty Dancing.[citation needed]

In 2020, Blair was named in the cast for ABC's Aftertaste.[11]

In 2021, he was announced for the second season of ABC political drama Total Control (TV series) in the role of Paul Murphy and in 2023 Blair would join the filming for the third and final season. Blair also served as a director in the series directing 9 episodes.[12][13][14] Blair also appeared in Netflix's Irreverent.[15]

In 2023, he was a director on ABC's Bay of Fires and directed four episodes.[16]

In 2024, Blair was announced as part of the directing team for the ABC drama Plum.[17] Blair was announced as part of the directing team for the second season of Mystery Road: Origin.[18]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Short film

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer
2016 3000 Yes No
2014 Lie No Yes
2009 Ralph No Yes
2005 The Djarn Djarns Yes Yes
2002 Black Talk[23] Yes Yes

Actor

Year Title Role
2021 Jarli Pop
2019 Martha the Monster The Director
Closed Doors Man
2016 Eaglehawk Frank
2015 Nulla Nulla Black Cop
2009 Brother Boys Father
2005 The Djarn Djarns Wayne the Compare

Feature film

[edit]

Director

  • Firestarter (2020)
  • Top End Wedding (2019)
  • Septembers of Shiraz (2015)
  • The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting (2013)
  • The Sapphires (2012)

Executive producer

  • Brando With The Glass Eye (2024)

Actor

Year Title Role
2023 The New Boy George
2022 Seriously Red Lionel
2020 June Again Dr Michael Lawton
Extraction KoeKoen
Rams Lionel
2019 Top End Wedding Tow Truck Passenger
2018 Emu Runner Jay Jay
2013 The Turning Max
2012 Wish You Were Here Willis
2011 X: Night of Vengeance Bob
The Last Time I Saw Michael Gregg Smash
2009 Blessed James Parker
2001 Mullet James

Television

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Notes
2025 Mystery Road: Origin Yes No TBA
2024 Plum Yes No 3 episodes
2021-24 Total Control Yes No 9 episodes
2023 Bay of Fires Yes No 4 episodes
2021 Bangarra's World Yes No Miniseries
Dubbo-Life of a Strongman Yes No TV Movie
2000 Mystery Road Yes No 3 episodes
2019 SeaChange Yes No 2 episodes
2018 Bite Club Yes No 2 episodes
2016-17 Cleverman Yes No 7 directed;
Also executive producer
2017 Love Child Yes No 2 episodes
Dirty Dancing Yes No TV movie
2014 Offspring Yes No 2 episodes
The Gods of Wheat Street Yes No 2 episodes
2012-13 Redfern Now Yes Yes 3 episodes
2007-10 Lockie Leonard Yes Yes Directed 8 episodes, wrote 1 episode
2010 Dead Gorgeous Yes No 4 episodes
2009 The Circuit No Yes 1 episode
2008 Double Trouble Yes No 13 episodes

Actor

Year Title Role Notes
2021-24 Total Control Paul Murphy 12 episodes
2022 Irreverent Peter 10 episodes
2021-22 Aftertaste Brett 12 episodes
2021 Wakefield Vince 2 episodes
2019 SeaChange Riley Bolt 8 episodes
2018 Mystery Road Larry Dime 6 episodes
2018-19 Squinters Gary 9 episodes
2017 The Letdown Father Whyman 2 episodes
Dirty Dancing Director TV movie
2015 Redfern Now: Promise Me Aaron Davis
2014 Black Comedy Guest Cast 7 episodes
2013 The Broken Shore Bobby Walshe TV movie
2012–13 Redfern Now Aaron Davis 5 episodes
2007–10 Lockie Leonard Arnold 1 episode
2007 Jackie Jackie Koori Salesman TV movie
2006 Small Claims: The Reunion Det. Lacey
2004 Small Claims Det. Snr. Const. Lacey
Fireflies Wayne Patterson 1 episode
2000 Water Rats Ridley Winter 1 episode
1998 Wildside Wes 1 episode
All Saints Kenny Baxter 1 episode
1997 The Tower DJ Dan TV movie

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "'In the Frame' Wayne Blair". ABC. 10 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Garry Maddox (3 August 2012). "Jewels in the festival crown". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  3. ^ For most of the information in this paragraph: "'In the Frame' Wayne Blair". ABC. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  4. ^ Myler, Carmen (12 October 1997 – 16 February 1998). "It's 'showtime' for acting graduates". INSIDE QUT: Queensland University of Technology Newspaper (170). Queensland University of Technology: 1. Two of Mr Stewart's fellow acting students, Wayne Blair and Rebecca Clarke, said they were realistic about their futures after graduation and were willing to take acting work in whatever form it came...
  5. ^ Erin Free (1 June 2008). "Mentoring success". Film Ink. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  6. ^ "From stage to screen". Hopscotch. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Wayne Blair". The Yellow Agency. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  8. ^ Jason Blake (4 November 2010). "Casting adds bite to feuding brothers". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Wayne Blair awarded the 2011 Bob Maza Fellowship". Screen Australia. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  10. ^ Peter Debruge (7 December 2012). "Variety announces 10 Directors to Watch". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Exciting cast on the menu of ABC comedy series Aftertaste". About the ABC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  12. ^ Morse, Callan. "Cameras roll on final season of Total Control". National Indigenous Times.
  13. ^ Slatter, Sean (12 January 2024). "Letting go of 'Total Control': The creative team reflect on the ABC drama's final season". IF Magazine. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  14. ^ Knox, David (27 November 2020). "Wayne Blair to direct Total Control | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  15. ^ Knox, David (23 September 2021). "Cast announced for Irreverent drama | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  16. ^ Knox, David (14 June 2023). "Airdate: Bay of Fires | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  17. ^ Slatter, Sean (16 January 2024). "ABC to serve up 'Plum' with Brendan Cowell, Asher Keddie leading the cast". IF Magazine. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Mystery Road Origin S2 starts production in WA | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data". www.screenhub.com.au. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  19. ^ a b "The Djarn Djarns". Alexander Street, part of Clarivate. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years". Screen Australia]. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Winners & Nominees". AACTA. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Wayne Blair, Rosemary Blight, Kylie du Fresne, Darren Dale among Aussies invited to join Academy". IF Magazine. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  23. ^ "Black Talk: Boodgie". National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
[edit]
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