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Lisa McCune
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Lisa McCune (born 19 February 1971)[1] is an Australian actress, known for her role in TV series Blue Heelers as Senior Constable Maggie Doyle, and in Sea Patrol as Lieutenant Kate McGregor RAN. She has won four Gold Logie Awards.
Key Information
McCune has also featured in many theatre roles.[2]
Early life
[edit]Born in Sydney,[1] McCune grew up in Perth. She first performed on stage at the age of 15 playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz[1] at the Limelight Theatre in Wanneroo, Western Australia.
After attending Carine Senior High School[3] and graduating from Greenwood Senior High School,[4] she was accepted into both the classical singing and musical theatre courses at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). She graduated with a BA in Music Theatre in 1990.
Career
[edit]Early career (1986–1993)
[edit]Upon graduation, McCune secured an agent, Robyn Gardiner Management (RGM Associates), and took on various jobs in Sydney and Melbourne. In February 1991, she won a twelve-month contract with Coles Supermarkets for a series of print and TV advertisements in which she played Lisa, the girl-next-door checkout chick.[5]
McCune performed in a statewide tour of Victorian high schools in the educational John Romeril play about work experience, called Working Out, was in the chorus for a Sydney musical version of Great Expectations starring Philip Gould, and starred as the aspiring ballerina postulant, Sister Mary Leo, in the sequel to the Dan Goggin musical Nunsense.
She had a brief appearance in a re-enactment about a possible UFO-sighting in Bass Strait for the American series Unsolved Mysteries and a role in the 1993 satirical horror movie Body Melt in which her heavily pregnant character was attacked by a ferocious placenta before dying from an exploding stomach. McCune also sang in a couple of bands, including George Kapiniaris' Flares and Choice.
In 1991, she filmed a pilot for a Steve Vizard/Artist Services comedy called Turn it Up (aka Radio Waves). In 1993, McCune won the lead part of Allie Carter in the pilot of Newlyweds before being replaced by Annie Jones for the series.
Blue Heelers (1993–2000)
[edit]McCune shot to fame in September 1993 at age 22 when she debuted as Constable Maggie Doyle in Blue Heelers, playing the role until the seventh season. During this time she won the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Television Personality four times.
Throughout her Blue Heelers run, she occasionally took time off to appear in other productions. In 1996 McCune appeared opposite Brett Climo who played her brother in Blue Heelers, in a friend's film The Inner Sanctuary. In early 1997 she played the role of Anne in the Melbourne Theatre Company's (MTC) production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. In 1998, McCune played Cinderella in another Sondheim musical, Into the Woods. She also did two short seasons of the classic two-hander Love Letters.
In early 1999 she took six weeks off Blue Heelers to play one of the leads, Mary Abacus, in the miniseries adaptation of Bryce Courtenay's The Potato Factory, which earned her a nomination for an AFI award for Best Actress in a TV Drama.[6] In July 1999, a couple of months before finishing on Blue Heelers, she starred alongside John Wood in She Loves Me.
Later career (2000–present)
[edit]Immediately after finishing Blue Heelers, she starred alongside John Waters, Bert Newton, Nikki Webster, Rachel Marley and later Rob Guest in a stage version of The Sound of Music, as Maria von Trapp.[7]
In 2001, while she was pregnant with her first child, her portrait by Shaun Clark was entered in the Archibald Prize.[8][9] She was off screens for a year to be a stay-at-home mother.
In 2002, her next project was a 'comeback' role in the television series Marshall Law with Alison Whyte and former Blue Heelers cast member William McInnes.[10] Although it rated well in the first week,[11] the series was critically panned and its subsequent low ratings ensured it was cancelled after one season.[12]
In 2004, after another year off due to the birth to her second child, McCune slowly began to return to television. She again was the advertising face of Coles Supermarkets.[5] She also hosted Seven Network shows The World Around Us and Forensic Investigators. McCune also appeared as the love interest opposite Matt Day in the ABC telemovie Hell Has Harbour Views.[13]
In September 2005, McCune guest starred in a four-episode storyline on MDA[6] alongside her former Blue Heelers co-star Paul Bishop. Also in 2005 she narrated a second season of Forensic Investigators and appeared in the Australian film Little Fish, starring alongside Cate Blanchett and Sam Neill in the early stages of her third pregnancy. In 2006, she played Annabel in Tripping Over.
She has also appeared in a number of musicals and other stage productions around Australia, notably as Sally Bowles in Cabaret,[14] Hope Cladwell in Urinetown, and Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.[15][16] In 2012/13, she performed opposite Teddy Tahu Rhodes in Opera Australia's production of the Bartlett Sher 2008 New York revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific at the Sydney Opera House, the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, and the Brisbane Queensland Performing Arts Centre.[17]
From 2007 until 2011, McCune was in the ensemble cast for the Nine Network drama series, Sea Patrol. Her character is the executive officer (second in command) Lieutenant Kate McGregor, of HMAS Hammersley, a fictional Royal Australian Navy patrol boat. There were five seasons of the show, and it was cancelled due to financial issues resulting from the scheduled loss of pertinent government tax credits.
On 5 April 2008, she began her role of Sarah Brown in the major stage production Guys and Dolls,[18] playing for 20 weeks at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne before being revived for a Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre on 12 March 2009.
In 2010, she appeared as Jean in the MTC production of Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone. McCune also appeared as the celebrity guest in the reasonably-priced ute/car in season 3, episode 1 of Top Gear Australia in August. She appeared alongside Richard Roxburgh in season 1, episode 2 of the television series Rake, which aired in November.
McCune starred Dr. Sam Stewart in Reef Doctors, an Australian television drama series that ran 9 June 2013 to 7 September 2013.[19]
In 2014, she starred as Anna Leonowens in Opera Australia's production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I, playing opposite Teddy Tahu Rhodes in Brisbane and Sydney, and Lou Diamond Phillips in Melbourne.
In 2015, McCune recorded "The Unbearable Price of War", a duet with Lee Kernaghan for his album Spirit of the Anzacs. Later that year, she joined David Hobson, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, and Greta Bradman for a concert tour, From Broadway to La Scala, of the five Australian mainland state capitals.[20]
In 2018, she appeared in the Network Ten comedy How to Stay Married with Peter Helliar. In 2019, McCune appeared in 33 Variations at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, opposite Ellen Burstyn.[21] McCune played Gertrude in Bell Shakespeare's 2020 production of Hamlet at the Sydney Opera House, the Canberra Theatre Centre and the Arts Centre Melbourne.[22] In 2022, she appeared as Elizabeth Laine in Girl from the North Country at the Sydney Festival, and then in Adelaide and Melbourne.[23]
In 2024, McCune appeared in ABC kids show Planet Lulin.[24]
In August 2024, McCune won the twenty-first season of Dancing with the Stars Australia with professional dance partner Ian Waite. The pair won following an in-studio audience vote against fellow finalists Samantha Jade and Ant Middleton. Their two final routines received scores of 40 and 39 out of a possible 40.[25]
In 2025, McCune was one of 5 contestants on season 4 of Taskmaster Australia.[26]
Personal life
[edit]McCune married Tim Disney, a film technician who was part of the Blue Heelers crew, on 18 February 2000. They have three children, born in 2001, 2003 and 2005. McCune confirmed in 2020 that Disney was her ex-husband but they continue to co-habitate and co-parent.[27] In 2021, McCune said she was "happily single", in an interview with The Australian Women's Weekly.[28]
Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Fast Forward | Various | Episode: "4:16" | |
| 1994–2000 | Blue Heelers | Maggie Doyle | Main cast | |
| 2000 | The Potato Factory | Mary Abacus | Television miniseries | |
| 2002 | Marshall Law | Ros Marshall | Main cast | |
| 2005 | MDA | Dr. Liz Gibson | 4 episodes | |
| 2006 | Two Twisted | Fiona Wells | Episode: "Call Back" | |
| Tripping Over | Annabel | Episode: "1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6" | ||
| 2007–2011 | Sea Patrol | Lieutenant 'XO' Kate McGregor, RAN | Main cast | |
| 2010 | Rake | Lucy Marx | Episode 1.2: "R vs. Marx" | |
| 2013 | Reef Doctors | Dr. Sam Stewart | Main cast, also co-producer | [29] |
| 2013–2014 | It's a Date | Em | Episode: "1.1, 1.2" | |
| 2015 | The Divorce | Louise | Main cast | [30] |
| 2017 | The Warriors | Deb Van Exel | Main cast | |
| The Ex-PM | Lorelei Baggins | Episode: "Reckoning" | ||
| 2018–2020 | How to Stay Married | Em Butler | Main cast | |
| 2023 | Big Miracles | Narrator | 7 episodes | [31] |
| The Garden Hustle | Self | Co-host | [32] | |
| 2024 | Planet Lulin (F.A.N.G) | Esme | 10 episodes | |
| 2025 | Taskmaster Australia | Contestant |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Turn It Up | Lynette | TV film | |
| 1993 | Body Melt | Cheryl Rand | Feature film | |
| 1996 | The Inner Sanctuary | Felicity | Feature film | |
| 2005 | Hell Has Harbour Views | Caroline Ashton | TV film | |
| Little Fish | Laura | Feature film | ||
| 2007 | One of the Lucky Ones | Wendy the Narrator | TV film | |
| 2011 | Blood Brothers | Margaret Kennedy | TV film | [33] |
| 2014 | The Little Death | Maureen | Feature film |
Stage
[edit]Awards and nominations
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Biography – Youth, lisamccune.net Archived 23 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Lisa McCune". Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Leeuwin villain returns as virtuoso" by Amanda Keenan, The West Australian, 6 March 2015
- ^ Thomson, Chris (22 November 2013). "Perth actor now honorary Perth citizen". oneperth.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Lisa's queen of the aisles". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 June 2003. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ a b "MDA Lisa McCune profile". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 September 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
- ^ "The Hills Are Alive". The Australian. Retrieved 25 June 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Lisa's Gift To Her Baby". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 June 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Portrait entered in Archibald Prize". NewsPix. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
- ^ "Lisa Farewells the Goody Goody". Woman's Day. 9 September 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Critics in the cold as Law takes off". The Age. 23 August 2002. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Lawless Lisa". TV Week. 11 January 2023.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Hell's Belle". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 June 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sex, orphans and a lion". The Age. 22 January 2003. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Girl next door moves on". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
- ^ "Putnam Spelling Bee". Sydney Stage Archive. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
- ^ "South Pacific". Opera Australia. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ Gocs, Danny (11 April 2008). "Guys And Dolls is a sure bet". The Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
- ^ "Sea Patrol's Lisa McCune returns to Far North Queensland for new Network Ten family series". Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
- ^ From Broadway to La Scala, Stage Whispers. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Maunder, Patricia (13 March 2019). "33 Variation review". Limelight.
- ^ "Hamlet, 2020 production details". Bell Shakespeare. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Litson, Jo (10 January 2022). "Girl from The North Country (GWB Entertainment, Damien Hewitt, Sydney Festival)". Limelight.
- ^ Knox, David (29 December 2023). "Lisa McCune embraces playing a grandmother in new ABC series | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Dancing With The Stars 2024 grand finale crowns Lisa McCune champion ahead of WA rival Samantha Jade". Perth Now. Seven West Media. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Taskmaster AU: Season 4". TaskMaster.Info. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
- ^ "Lisa McCune's Unique Co-Parenting Relationship with Ex Tim Disney Revealed". The West Australian. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Horsburgh, Susan (20 May 2020). "Exclusive: Lisa McCune opens up about being single and co-parenting with her ex-husband". The Australian Women's Weekly – via nowtolove.com.au (Are Media).
- ^ Knox, David (24 May 2013). "Airdate: Reef Doctors". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (20 June 2015). "ABC set to sing with TV opera, The Divorce". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (25 January 2023). "Airdate: Big Miracles". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Abdullah, Jimmy. "Exclusive: Lisa McCune on her new co-hosting gig with Block royalty". 9now. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (11 February 2011). "Lisa McCune joins Blood Brothers telemovie". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/romantic-lisa-mccune-talks-about-new-love/news-story/a73f9004777f8c9a90be93516a4ce441
- ^ "Lisa delivers Letters from the Heart". 29 March 2017.
- ^ "TSO: Peer Gynt". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 April 2018.
- ^ "Lisa McCune stars in Sweat by Lynn Nottage at Sydney Theatre Company, an insight into de-industrial America - ABC News". ABC News. 13 November 2024.
- ^ "AusStage".
External links
[edit]
Media related to Lisa McCune at Wikimedia Commons- Lisa McCune at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
Lisa McCune
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing and family
Lisa McCune was born on 19 February 1971 in Sydney, Australia.[6] Her family relocated to Perth, Western Australia, at a young age due to her father's posting in the navy.[7] She was primarily raised in the northern suburbs of Perth, where her parents fostered a nurturing home environment rich in music and creativity.[8][7] McCune's father, Malcolm, served in the Royal Australian Navy, while her mother shared a passion for music that filled their household and encouraged artistic expression from an early age.[7][9] She has a younger brother, Brett McCune, who pursued a career as an Australian Football League player.[8] Her parents divorced in 1992, during her late teens.[8] McCune's early exposure to the performing arts came through participation in local community theatre productions in Perth, including her stage debut at age 15 as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Limelight Theatre in Wanneroo in 1986.[1][7] This supportive family backdrop and community involvement helped cultivate her lifelong interest in musical theatre and performance.[7]Education and early training
Lisa McCune grew up in Perth, Western Australia, where she attended local high schools, including Carine Senior High School and Greenwood Senior High School, completing her secondary education around age 16.[10][11] Her early interest in performing arts was nurtured through these years, with family encouragement providing a foundation for her pursuits.[12] At age 15, McCune made her stage debut as Dorothy in a Perth production of The Wizard of Oz at the Limelight Theatre, an experience that marked her initial professional exposure to theatre.[1] Following high school, McCune enrolled in the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 1987, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre at age 19.[7][13] The rigorous three-year program at WAAPA focused on comprehensive training in acting, singing, and dance, equipping her with versatile skills essential for stage and screen work; pivotal elements included intensive voice and movement classes that honed her performance abilities.[12]Career
Early career (1986–1995)
Following her graduation from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 1991 with a degree in music theatre, McCune relocated from Perth to Melbourne in 1991 at age 19 to pursue professional opportunities in the Australian entertainment industry. This move presented challenges, including adapting to Melbourne's more formal cultural environment and cooler climate compared to Perth's laid-back lifestyle and warmer weather, which she later described as a significant culture shock for a young actress starting out.[14][15] Her first major professional break came in early 1991 when she secured a 12-month advertising contract with Coles Supermarkets, appearing in a series of television and print commercials as "Lisa," the relatable checkout girl promoting low prices and everyday deals. These ads, which aired nationally, helped build her visibility and provided financial stability while she auditioned for acting roles, establishing her as a fresh-faced, approachable talent in Australian media.[16] In 1993, McCune made her screen acting debut in the independent horror film Body Melt, directed by Philip Brophy, where she portrayed Cheryl Rand, a pregnant woman whose body begins to dissolve after ingesting an experimental fitness supplement. The low-budget production, known for its grotesque body horror and satire of the health industry, marked her entry into feature films and showcased her ability to handle intense, physical roles despite the film's cult status rather than mainstream success. Later that year, she appeared in a minor guest role as Dr. Jane in the television series R.F.D.S. (Royal Flying Doctor Service), a spin-off of The Flying Doctors, playing a doctor who parachutes from a plane to reach a patient in a remote emergency. These early screen credits, combined with ongoing auditions—including unsuccessful tries for roles in Home and Away and Newlyweds—highlighted her persistence amid the competitive landscape of Melbourne's acting scene, where opportunities for young performers from regional backgrounds were limited.[17][18][19]Blue Heelers (1994–2000)
Lisa McCune joined the cast of the Australian police drama Blue Heelers as Senior Constable Maggie Doyle, debuting in the series premiere on 18 January 1994, though her prominence grew significantly from 1996 onward as the show gained traction. Originally auditioning for a supporting role, McCune was cast in the lead female part after producers recognized her suitability for the feisty, determined constable transferred from Melbourne to the rural station in the fictional town of Mount Thomas. Maggie, portrayed with an Irish-Catholic background and a retired police officer father, quickly became a central figure, integrating into an initially resistant all-male team while showcasing her competence in everyday policing.[20] Throughout her tenure from 1994 to 2000, Maggie's character arc evolved from a newcomer earning respect through routine cases—such as traffic stops and tool thefts—to tackling heavier issues like domestic violence, racism, rape, and incest, often blending professional duties with personal vulnerabilities. Key storylines highlighted her police work alongside deepening relationships, including a slow-burning romance with Senior Detective PJ Hasham (played by Martin Sacks), which culminated in their engagement and became one of the series' most beloved arcs, captivating audiences with its tension and emotional depth. Tragically, in the season seven episode "One More Day" aired on 16 February 2000, Maggie was caught in a drug-related shootout, sustaining five gunshot wounds and dying in PJ's arms, a plot point that drew over 2.5 million viewers and marked one of Australian television's most iconic departures. McCune advocated against killing off the character, viewing Maggie as a symbol of hope, but ultimately accepted the producers' decision to heighten dramatic impact.[21][22] The role catapulted McCune to national stardom, with Blue Heelers peaking at 2.5 million weekly viewers in 1997, and directly tied to her winning four consecutive Gold Logie Awards for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television from 1997 to 2000—the first woman to achieve this feat. These accolades underscored Maggie's cultural resonance as a relatable, empowering female lead in a male-dominated ensemble. Behind the scenes, filming took place across rural Victoria, with the Mount Thomas police station primarily shot at a historic Federation-era home in Williamstown, Melbourne, allowing the production to capture authentic small-town authenticity. McCune's dynamics with co-stars, including a close on-screen and off-screen rapport with Sacks during their romantic storyline and camaraderie with senior cast like John Wood as Sergeant Tom Croydon, contributed to the show's ensemble chemistry and longevity.[20][23][24][25]Mid-career transitions (2001–2012)
Following her departure from Blue Heelers in 2000, McCune transitioned into a lead role in the four-part miniseries The Potato Factory, portraying Mary Abacus, a resilient orphan navigating the criminal underbelly of 19th-century London and the convict settlements of Australia. Adapted from Bryce Courtenay's novel, the series highlighted McCune's versatility in historical drama, earning praise for her depiction of a character's rise from hardship to empowerment. This project served as a pivotal bridge, allowing her to explore period roles while capitalizing on her established television fame.[26] McCune balanced screen work with prominent theatre engagements, including her portrayal of Maria von Trapp in the Australian production of The Sound of Music in 2000, which drew sell-out crowds across major cities. In 2003, she took on the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret, a production that toured Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, where her performance as the enigmatic cabaret singer was nominated for a Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Musical. These stage roles underscored her musical theatre roots and provided a creative outlet amid shifting personal priorities.[27] Family commitments influenced several career pauses during this period; McCune gave birth to her first child, Archer, in 2001, followed by her second son, Oliver, in 2003, and third child, Remy, in 2005, leading to selective projects that accommodated her role as a mother. She returned with supporting roles in film, such as Laura in the critically acclaimed drama Little Fish (2005), directed by Rowan Woods, which explored themes of addiction and redemption in Sydney's underworld. Additionally, she appeared in the UK-Australian co-production miniseries Tripping Over (2006) as Annabel, a character entangled in cross-cultural family dynamics, marking her first significant international collaboration. These choices reflected a deliberate diversification beyond police procedurals.[28][29][30] McCune's mid-career solidified with her starring role as Lieutenant Kate McGregor, the executive officer of a naval patrol vessel, in the action-drama series Sea Patrol from 2007 to 2011. The show, which followed the crew of HMAS Hammersley combating maritime threats, averaged strong viewership ratings and showcased McCune's command of high-stakes ensemble dynamics. She also voiced Wendy in the documentary-style film One of the Lucky Ones (2007) and played Margaret Kennedy in Blood Brothers (2011), a television film about the Jeffrey Gilham murder case. This era highlighted her adaptability across genres while prioritizing work-life balance post-family expansions.[31][32]Recent projects (2013–present)
Following her mid-career transitions, McCune returned to prominent television roles in the mid-2010s, including a lead performance as Deb Van Exel in the ABC miniseries The Warriors (2017), a drama centered on a family navigating gang violence in Melbourne. She further showcased her comedic range in the Network Ten series How to Stay Married (2018–2020), portraying the no-nonsense wife Em Butler alongside Peter Helliar, across two seasons that explored marital dynamics with humor and relatability. These roles highlighted her versatility in contemporary Australian storytelling, blending drama and light-hearted domestic narratives. McCune expanded into children's programming with a recurring lead as Esme in the ABCMe animated series Planet Lulin (2024), voicing a character in a sci-fi adventure aimed at young audiences, which ran for 10 episodes. In 2023, she ventured into lifestyle television as co-host of The Garden Hustle on Channel Nine, a quirky gardening show where she partnered with landscaper Dave Franklin and their dog Robin to guide homeowners through ambitious outdoor transformations, emphasizing DIY creativity and community projects.[33] Additional media appearances during this period included narration for the documentary series Big Miracles (2023), focusing on extraordinary animal rescues, underscoring her growing presence in non-scripted formats.[34] On stage, McCune took on a dramatic lead role as factory worker Tracy in the Australian premiere of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat at the Sydney Theatre Company in 2024, directed by Zindzi Okenyo, portraying the tensions of de-industrialization and racial divides in a Pennsylvania steel town from November to December.[35] The production, staged immersively at Wharf 1 Theatre, earned critical acclaim for its raw ensemble performances and exploration of working-class struggles.[36] In 2025, McCune embraced reality television as a contestant on season 4 of Taskmaster Australia, competing alongside Dave Hughes, Emma Holland, Takashi Wakasugi, and Tommy Little in absurd challenges hosted by Tom Gleeson, with episodes airing from March on 10Play.[37] Her participation brought a mix of acting prowess and quick wit to the format, as noted by host Gleeson for her surprising skills in physical and creative tasks.[38] McCune also entered production in 2024 by co-founding the independent company Broad Story with director Fiona Banks and screenwriter Greg Haddrick, focusing on scripted projects for film and television that amplify diverse Australian voices.[39] Through Broad Story, she has teased potential revivals of iconic series, including hints at a Blue Heelers return, leveraging her industry experience to develop stories centered on contemporary social issues.[40] The company's early slate includes a film based on the true story of Australian WiFi inventor Dr. Paul Fitzpatrick, reflecting McCune's commitment to highlighting overlooked narratives.[41]Personal life
Relationships and marriage
Lisa McCune met her future husband, Tim Disney, a production technician, on the set of the television series Blue Heelers in 1994, where they began a relationship that lasted several years before their marriage.[42] The couple married on February 18, 2000, in a private ceremony, marking a significant personal milestone amid McCune's rising fame from her role on Blue Heelers.[28] McCune and Disney separated privately around 2012, though they did not publicly announce the split at the time; the separation gained attention following photographs of McCune with opera singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes.[43][44] In 2020, McCune confirmed that she and Disney had divorced, emphasizing their amicable arrangement despite the end of their romantic partnership.[45] Following the separation, media reported a high-profile romance between McCune and Rhodes in 2012 based on photographs of them kissing, which drew tabloid scrutiny due to the timing; however, McCune has described their bond as a close platonic friendship from the beginning, which she reaffirmed in September 2025 on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show as ongoing, with daily interactions and referring to him as her "dearest friend."[46][43] McCune has stated that she is content being single and not actively seeking a new partner, citing her demanding career and personal fulfillment, though she described herself as a romantic open to future love.[28][46] This period of personal transition briefly influenced her career, leading to a temporary retreat from the public eye in the early 2010s.[45]Family and co-parenting
McCune and her then-husband Tim Disney welcomed their first child, son Archer, in May 2001, during their marriage.[47] Their second son, Oliver, arrived in November 2003.[47] The couple's third child, daughter Remy, was born in 2005.[48] Following their separation around 2012, McCune and Disney established an amicable co-parenting arrangement, sharing custody of their three children while maintaining close support for their family unit.[49] The ex-couple resides on the same property to facilitate dual parenting amid their unpredictable schedules, with McCune emphasizing the importance of collaborative involvement: "Tim and I are very much dual parenting. We are all over them as parents."[28] This setup allows both parents to prioritize the children's well-being without formal separation barriers. Motherhood significantly shaped McCune's career decisions in the 2000s, leading her to take extended breaks from television after leaving Blue Heelers in 2000 and to select roles that accommodated family life, such as stage productions that offered more flexibility.[50] In a 2020 interview with The Australian Women's Weekly, she discussed the challenges and joys of single parenting during the COVID-19 period, noting her focus on keeping the family grounded while balancing work: "I don’t know how to be a parent… I just want you to be happy, but let’s try and navigate it the best we can."[49] By 2025, as her children reached their early 20s, McCune shared in Stellar magazine how their independence enabled greater professional freedom, stating, "I have more of the ability to just jump up and delve into some things."[28]Filmography
Television roles
McCune's television roles span a range of genres, from police dramas to comedies and historical miniseries, with her portrayal of Senior Constable Maggie Doyle in Blue Heelers serving as her signature role.[51]- Blue Heelers (1994–2000): Played Senior Constable Maggie Doyle, a principled rural police officer balancing duty and personal life, across 250 episodes.[51]
- The Potato Factory (2000): Portrayed Mary Abacus, a determined convict navigating survival in colonial Australia, in this 4-episode historical miniseries.
- MDA (2005): Appeared as Dr. Liz Gibson, a medical professional, in 4 episodes of the legal-medical drama.[52]
- Forensic Investigators (2004–2006): Hosted the true crime documentary series, narrating real Australian cases over 30 episodes.
- Hell Has Harbour Views (2005): Played Samantha in this TV movie.
- Tripping Over (2006): Depicted Beth, a family member entangled in international mishaps, in the 6-episode comedy-drama miniseries.
- One of the Lucky Ones (2007): Provided voice narration as Wendy in this made-for-TV movie dramatizing a real-life sexual assault survivor's journey.[53]
- Sea Patrol (2007–2011): Starred as Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Commander) Kate McGregor, the no-nonsense commanding officer of a naval patrol boat, in 58 episodes.[54]
- Rake (2010): Cameo as Melissa, a brief romantic interest, in one episode of the legal comedy.
- Blood Brothers (2011): Played Margaret Kennedy, a grieving mother, in this TV movie recounting the 1993 Gilham family murders.[32]
- Reef Doctors (2013): Led as Dr. Sam Stewart, a single mother and general practitioner managing a remote island clinic, across 13 episodes.
- The Ex-PM (2017): Guest-starred as Lorelei Baggins in one episode of the satirical series.[52]
- The Warriors (2017): Portrayed Deb, the club's media manager, in 8 episodes of the sports drama miniseries.[55]
- How to Stay Married (2018–2020): Starred as Em Butler, a woman confronting infidelity and family dynamics in her marriage, in 16 episodes of the comedy series.[56]
- Dancing with the Stars Australia (2024): Competed as a contestant and winner in season 21.
- Planet Lulin (2024): Played Esme, a key figure in the sci-fi adventure series, appearing in 10 episodes.[57]
- Big Miracles (2025): Narrated season 3 of the documentary series.[58]
- Taskmaster Australia (2025): Competed as herself, tackling absurd challenges as a contestant in season 4 of the comedy game show.
Film roles
McCune's film career has been selective, with a focus on quality roles rather than prolific output, contrasting her extensive television work. She has appeared in a handful of feature films, often portraying complex supporting characters in Australian productions that highlight social issues or personal dramas.[52] Her screen debut came in the 1993 horror-comedy Body Melt, directed by Philip Brophy, where she played Cheryl Rand, a pregnant woman affected by a experimental drug causing bizarre bodily mutations in a suburban community. The film satirized health fads and body culture, marking an early, unconventional entry for McCune into cinema.[17] In 2005, McCune starred as Laura in Little Fish, a drama directed by Rowan Woods, alongside Cate Blanchett. She portrayed a recovering drug addict's supportive partner navigating family tensions and redemption in Sydney's underbelly, earning praise for her nuanced performance in this character-driven story of resilience.[59] McCune's most recent feature film appearance was in 2014's The Little Death, a sex comedy anthology directed by and starring Josh Lawson. She played Maureen, a woman in a segment exploring unconventional desires in suburban relationships, contributing to the film's witty examination of intimacy and awkwardness.[60]Stage work
Early theatre (1980s–1990s)
Lisa McCune began her performing career in musical theatre as a teenager, making her stage debut at age 15 in 1986 as Dorothy Gale in a production of The Wizard of Oz at the Limelight Theatre in Wanneroo, Perth.[27][7] This role in the classic musical, which combined acting, singing, and dance, marked her initial foray into live performance and highlighted her early aptitude for ensemble-driven song-and-dance formats.[7] Inspired by this experience, McCune enrolled at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at age 16, completing a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre in 1991.[27][7] The rigorous curriculum at WAAPA emphasized comprehensive training in vocal performance, choreography, and dramatic interpretation, fostering her versatility across musical and straight play elements essential to theatre production.[27] These formative years in the 1980s and early 1990s laid the groundwork for McCune's musical theatre roots, equipping her with the technical proficiency in song-and-dance routines that would define her approach to stage work.[7]Major productions (2000s–present)
During her final years on the television series Blue Heelers, McCune took on prominent stage roles, beginning with the lead as Maria von Trapp in the Australian national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music (1999–2000). The production ran across major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, earning acclaim for her fresh interpretation of the novice nun turned governess. The tour was a commercial success, drawing large audiences and highlighting McCune's vocal and dramatic range in musical theatre.[50] In 2002–2003, McCune took on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in a Sam Mendes-directed production of Cabaret, which toured nationally and played extended seasons in Sydney and Melbourne. Her performance as the hedonistic cabaret singer in the Kit Kat Klub was praised for its vulnerability and intensity, earning her a Green Room Award for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role in Music Theatre. Critics noted her ability to balance the character's fragility with the show's darker Weimar-era themes, marking a significant step in her post-television career.[61][62] McCune continued to excel in major musical revivals throughout the decade, including Nellie Forbush in Opera Australia's South Pacific (2009–2010), which toured Sydney and Melbourne to critical and box-office acclaim for its lush production and her spirited portrayal of the optimistic navy nurse. She later starred as Anna Leonowens in The King and I (2014), opposite Teddy Tahu Rhodes in the Sydney and Brisbane seasons and Jason Scott Lee in Melbourne, in a national tour that included seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane; her nuanced depiction of the English schoolteacher navigating cultural clashes was lauded for its emotional depth and strong vocals. These roles solidified her status as a versatile leading lady in Australian musical theatre.[63][64][65] In recent years, McCune has diversified into dramatic theatre, notably starring as Tracy in the Australian premiere of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat at the Sydney Theatre Company in 2024. Directed by Zindzi Okenyo, the production at Wharf 1 Theatre explored de-industrialization and racial tensions in a Pennsylvania steel town, with McCune's performance as the struggling factory worker earning praise for its raw authenticity and emotional power amid the ensemble's tense dynamics. In 2025, she performed multiple roles in Patrick Barlow's comedic adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, a four-actor tour that opened at the Sydney Opera House in August and traveled to Newcastle, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This high-energy farce, co-starring Ian Stenlake and The Umbilical Brothers, underscores her ongoing commitment to innovative stage work.[35][36][5][66]Awards and nominations
Logie Awards
Lisa McCune is one of Australia's most awarded television actresses, having received a total of ten Logie Awards from the TV Week Logie Awards, the premier recognition for Australian television talent.[30] Her accolades are predominantly linked to her role as Senior Constable Maggie Doyle in the long-running police drama Blue Heelers, which aired on the Seven Network from 1994 to 2006.[67] McCune's breakthrough came early in her career with a Silver Logie for Most Popular New Talent in 1995, recognizing her emerging presence on Australian screens.[27] She followed this with five consecutive Silver Logies for Most Popular Actress from 1996 to 2000, solidifying her status as a viewer favorite during the peak years of Blue Heelers.[27] These wins highlighted her portrayal of the tough yet compassionate Doyle, a character that resonated deeply with audiences and contributed to the series' high ratings.[68] Her most notable achievements are the four consecutive Gold Logie Awards for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, won from 1997 to 2000, making her the first woman to achieve this feat.[69] All four were attributed to her performance in Blue Heelers, with the 2000 win marking her fourth in a row at the 42nd annual ceremony held at Melbourne's Crown Palladium.[68] In her acceptance speech that year, McCune urged viewers to move on from her character, reflecting on the intense fan attachment that had propelled her success.[20] Later in her career, McCune earned nominations for her role as Lieutenant Kate McGregor in the naval drama Sea Patrol (2007–2011). She was nominated for a Gold Logie in 2008 and a Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress in the same year, though she did not win.[70] These recognitions underscored her continued appeal in ensemble action series following her Blue Heelers tenure.[71]| Year | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Silver Logie | Most Popular New Talent | Blue Heelers |
| 1996 | Silver Logie | Most Popular Actress | Blue Heelers |
| 1997 | Silver Logie | Most Popular Actress | Blue Heelers |
| 1997 | Gold Logie | Most Popular Personality | Blue Heelers |
| 1998 | Silver Logie | Most Popular Actress | Blue Heelers |
| 1998 | Gold Logie | Most Popular Personality | Blue Heelers |
| 1999 | Silver Logie | Most Popular Actress | Blue Heelers |
| 1999 | Gold Logie | Most Popular Personality | Blue Heelers |
| 2000 | Silver Logie | Most Popular Actress | Blue Heelers |
| 2000 | Gold Logie | Most Popular Personality | Blue Heelers |