Lisa Chappell

Lisa Irene Chappell (born 18 October 1968) is a New Zealand actress and musician. She is known for her roles as Chelsea Redfern in Gloss (1987–1990), and as Claire McLeod in McLeod's Daughters (2001–2003), a performance which earned her two Logie Awards, for Most Popular New Female Talent and Most Popular Actress.

As one of New Zealand's most prominent theatre performers, Chappell made her stage debut in 1991, having appeared in The Merchant of Venice, which led to numerous roles, including Chicago, Hamlet, Design for Living, and The Thirty-Nine Steps. Following the establishment of her own company, Chappell has made appearances in more contemporary works, in addition to producing and writing.

While maintaining her continued success on screen, Chappell has had also appeared in films, such as Desperate Remedies (1993), Jack Brown Genius (1996), and Coffin Rock (2009), and further television roles, in City Life (1996–1998), The Cult (2009), Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (2025) for which she was the recipient of a Qantas Film and Television Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress – General Television, and most recently as Michelle Beaufort in the soap opera, Shortland Street (2020–2022).

Early life

Lisa Chappell was born in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand and grew up in Mairangi Bay.<ref name="TVNZ" /> She has two older siblings, a brother, Mark, and a sister, Catherine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Chappell studied acting in the 1980s, and was educated at Rangitoto College, where she took drama classes and performed in school musicals, as well as singing and dancing tuition.<ref name="TVNZ" />

Career

Television

Chappell's big break came in the late 1980s when she was a student, and while in Christchurch attending a Fringe Festival, she was lodging with Michelle Hine, who was teaching clown at the time, when Chappell was offered to audition for the upcoming television drama, Gloss. Hine coached her for the part, which she eventually received.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Chappell made her on-screen debut in 1987 when she was cast as Chelsea Redfern in the TV2 series which lasted three seasons, until 1990.<ref name="gloss">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was followed by a short stint in the police procedural series, Shark in the Park,<ref name="sharkinthepark">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and guest roles in shows, such as, soap opera Shortland Street, Mysterious Island, and multiple roles on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. In 1996, she began appearing in a regular role on the short-lived TV2 soap opera, City Life, as Bronwyn Kellett.<ref name="citylife">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1998, Chappell had relocated to Australia and completed "The Journey" program at the Actors Centre Australia in Sydney, Australia, graduating in 2000.<ref name=aca-alumni-news>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After which, she auditioned for the role of Claire McLeod on the Nine Network rural drama series, McLeod's Daughters,<ref name="mcleodsdaughters">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a role which was originally intended for actor Laurie Foell during which Chappell was in the process of establishing a theatre company; she successfully secured the role following her audition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During production of the series, Chappell gained the skills in how to ride a horse and sheering sheep,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and also made the decision to become a vegetarian.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She appeared in the series for three seasons, from 2001 to 2003, before her character was killed off in a car accident.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For her performance, Chappell was nominated for several Logie Awards, receiving two, for Most Popular New Female Talent<ref name="Logies2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Most Popular Actress<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Logies2004">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in 2002 and 2004, respectively, and has gained a cult following among both Australian and international audiences.

Chappell continued in Australian television, and would later appear in a recurring role on the police drama, Stingers, as Constable Megan Walsh for its eighth and final season, the television film, Small Claims: The Reunion,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the serial drama The Cult,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in a role with earned her a Qantas Film and Television Award,<ref name="Awards2010">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and guest appearances in Rescue: Special Ops<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Cops L.A.C..<ref name="copslac">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2020, Chappell returned to Shortland Street, and was cast in the regular role of Michelle Beaufort.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2024, it was announced that Chappell would be appearing in a supporting role in the upcoming television film sequel Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, which is set to premiere on Disney+ and Disney Channel in 2025.<ref name="zombies4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Film

Chappell made her film debut in the 1993 critically acclaimed drama film Desperate Remedies, in a supporting role, alongside Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Kevin Smith.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She also appeared in the Jack Brown Genius in 1996, a film written and produced by Peter Jackson,<ref name="jackbrowngenius">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the 2009 psychological thriller Coffin Rock, with Robert Taylor and Sam Parsonson.<ref name="coffinrock">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Chappell also appeared in the 2017 horror film Out of the Shadows.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Theatre

Chappell is a well established theatre performer, having appeared in numerous stage productions for more three decades, and has worked extensively in New Zealand, particularly with the Auckland Theatre Company.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Early in her career, she appeared in classical theatre productions, including William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice,<ref name="JL" /> the musical, Chicago,<ref name="JL" /> and Arthur Miller's All My Sons. She has also directed and performed in two plays at Auckland's Rose Theatre – Up the Garden Path and Girl Talk in 1993 and 1994, respectively.<ref name="lmcm" /><ref name="JL" />

Following her graduation from the Actor's Centre Australia, Chappell has performed as the titular character in Educating Rita, which toured Australia in 2007,<ref name="ACA" /> before returning to New Zealand to appear in productions, such as, Design for Living,<ref name="DFL" /> The Thirty-Nine Steps,<ref name="39Steps" /> The Importance of Being Earnest,<ref name="TIOBE" /> The Vagina Monologues,<ref name="TVM" /> The Wizard of Oz,<ref name="TWOO" /> and Much Ado About Nothing.<ref name="BWW" />

Chappell has, more recently, appeared in roles in contemporary works, including Fallen Angels,<ref name="FA" /> The Pink Hammer,<ref name="TPH" /> That Bloody Woman,<ref name="TBW" /> Bright Star,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Shortland Street – The Musical,<ref name="SSTM" /> and three plays which she wrote and produced – On/Off,<ref name="OnOff" /> Fred,<ref name="FRED" /> and Bad Day Insurance.<ref name="BDI" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

She is a member of Equity New Zealand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Singing

Chappell's debut album, When Then Is Now,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was released on 1 May 2006.<ref name=release>When Then Is Now. Lisa Chappell. itunes.apple.com, Retrieved 13 January 2016</ref> She did some minor touring in Australia and New Zealand to support the album's release.

Personal life

Chappell met Chris Taylor in August 2001 when they both attended her McLeod's Daughters co-star, Rachael Carpani's 21st birthday; they married in December 2001, and divorced in 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She currently resides in Puhoi, New Zealand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1993	Desperate Remedies	Anne Cooper		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1995	Dirty Dave	Lucy	Short	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1996	Jack Brown Genius	Sylvia		<ref name="jackbrowngenius" />
2007	Crossbow	Mum	Short	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2008	Beneath The Tides	Jane	Short	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2009	Coffin Rock	Jessie Willis		<ref name="coffinrock" />
2010	Be Careful...	Fi	Short	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2017	Out of the Shadows	Linda Dee		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Template:Abbr
1987–90	Gloss	Chelsea Redfern	Main role: Seasons 1–3 — 55 episodes	<ref name="gloss" />
1990–91	Shark in the Park	Tanya	Recurring role: Seasons 2–3 — 13 episodes	<ref name="sharkinthepark" />
1992	Shortland Street	Deborah Walters	Guest role: Season 1, episodes 5 & 6
1994	Hercules and the Circle of Fire	Daughter #1	TV film
1995	Mysterious Island	Jane Morecombe	Guest role: Season 1, episode 16
1995–99	Hercules: The Legendary Journeys	Various	Guest role: Seasons 1–5 — 7 episodes
1996	Letter to Blanchy	Monica	Guest role: Season 2, episode 5
1996–98	City Life	Bronwyn Kellett	Main role: Season 1 — 26 episodes	<ref name="citylife" />
1999	Template:Sortname	Aunt Linda	Guest role: Season 1, episode 11	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2001–03	McLeod's Daughters	Claire McLeod	Main role: Seasons 1–3 — 73 episodesTemplate:Efn	<ref name="mcleodsdaughters" />
2004	Stingers	Megan Walsh	Recurring role: Season 8 — 9 episodes	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2005	Intrepid Journeys	Herself	Episode: Season 3, episode 7 – "Malaysia"	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2006	Small Claims: The Reunion	Louise Page	TV film	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2009	Template:Sortname	Sophie McIntyre	Main role: Season 1 — 13 episodes	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2010	Rescue: Special Ops	Vivian Walker	Guest role: Season 2, episode 9	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2010	Cops L.A.C.	Justine Taylor	Guest role: Season 1, episode 5	<ref name="copslac" />
2011	Emilie Richards – Der Zauber von Neuseeland	Daisy	TV film
2012	True Crime: Siege	Robyn Diver	TV film	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2013	Agent Anna	Marina	Guest role: Season 1, episode 3	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2014	Auckland Daze	Lisa	Guest role: Season 2, episode 4	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016	Jean	Mrs. Shepherd	TV film	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016	Friday Night Bites	Mum	Guest role: Season 1, episode 7	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016	Roman Empire	Faustina	Guest role: Season 1, episode 1	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2018	James Patterson's Murder is Forever	Dr. Claire Hunter	Guest role: Season 1, episode 4
2018	Tongue Tied	Annie	Main role: Season 1 — 7 episodes	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2020–22	Shortland Street	Michelle Beaufort	Main role: Seasons 29–31 — 194 episodes
2022	The Brokenwood Mysteries<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Polly McAlpine	Guest role: Season 8, episode 5	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2023	Blind Bitter Happiness	Helen	TV series	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2024	My Life is Murder	Christine	Guest role: Season 4, episode 2	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2024	Camp Be Better	Sloan	Guest role: Season 1, episode 2
2025	Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires	Eldress	TV film	<ref name="zombies4" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Theatre

• The Merchant of Venice (Rose Theatre, 1991)<ref name="JL" />
• Chicago (Auckland Operatic, 1992)<ref name="JL" />
• Up the Garden Path (Rose Theatre, 1993)<ref name="lmcm">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="JL" />

• Girl Talk (Rose Theatre, 1994)<ref name="JL" />
• The Lover (The PumpHouse Theatre, 1995)<ref name="JL" />
• All My Sons (Maidment Theatre, 1997)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Herbal Bed (Court Theatre, 1998)<ref name="BWW" />
• Hamlet (Actors Centre Australia, 2000)<ref name="JL" />
• A.R. Gurney's Love Letters (2005)<ref name="JL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Homecoming (Auckland Arts Festival, 2007)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Educating Rita (toured in Australia, 2007)<ref name="ACA">Template:Cite news</ref>
• Design for Living (Maidment Theatre, 2008)<ref name="DFL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Thirty-Nine Steps (Maidment Theatre, 2009)<ref name="39Steps">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Don't Hold Your Breath (Maidment Theatre, 2009)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Importance of Being Earnest (Maidment Theatre, 2010)<ref name="TIOBE">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Vagina Monologues (Basement Theatre, 2010)<ref name="TVM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Mike & Virginia (Herald Theatre, 2011)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Wizard of Oz (Peach Theatre Company, 2011)<ref name="TWOO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Motor Camp (Maidment Theatre, 2012)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Much Ado About Nothing (Court Theatre, 2012)<ref name="BWW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Badjelly the Witch (Bruce Mason Centre, 2013)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• On/Off (Bordello Theatre, 2013)<ref name="OnOff">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Fallen Angels (Q Theatre, 2014)<ref name="FA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Fred (The Basement Theatre, 2014)<ref name="FRED">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Bad Day Insurance (Old 505 Theatre, 2014)<ref name="BDI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Detroit (Darlinghurst Theatre, 2015)<ref name="LC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Social Climbers (The PumpHouse Theatre, 2015)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Polo (Sky City Theatre, 2016)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Pink Hammer (The PumpHouse Theatre, 2016)<ref name="TPH">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Menopause The Musical (2016)<ref name="LC" />
• Peer Gynt (ASB Waterfront Theatre, 2017)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Two (2017)<ref name="JL" />
• That Bloody Woman (Centrepoint Theatre, 2018)<ref name="TBW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Bright Star (Herald Theatre, 2018)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Shortland Street – The Musical (ASB Waterfront Theatre, 2018)<ref name="SSTM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• The Next Step (Warkworth Town Hall, 2019)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Six Degrees of Separation (ASB Waterfront Theatre, 2019)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (ASB Waterfront Theatre, 2019)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Di and Viv and Rose (The Pumphouse Theatre, 2022)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Awards and nominations

Year	Association	Category	Nominated work	Result	Template:Abbr
2002Template:Efn	Logie Awards	Most Popular New Female Talent	McLeod's Daughters	Template:Won	<ref name="Logies2002" />
2003Template:Efn		Most Popular Actress		Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
		Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television		Template:Nom
2004Template:Efn		Most Popular Actress		Template:Won	<ref name="Logies2004" />
		Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television		Template:Nom
2010	Qantas Film and Television Awards	Best Performance by a Supporting Actress – General Television	The Cult	Template:Won	<ref name="Awards2010" />

External links

• Official Lisa Chappell Site
• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 0152615

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