Miranda Tapsell Chasing My Dreams

She’s feisty, resolute and isn’t afraid to challenge stereotypes. Miranda Tapsell talks to Juliet Rieden about her lucky childhood, reaching for the stars and her husband’s surprise proposal.

- Juliet Rieden

There’s an infectious energy that glows around actor Miranda Tapsell. It’s there as soon as she walks in the room. The megawatt smile, the cheeky laugh, the passion, and the drive. This is a young woman who knows who she is and seizes the day, every day. Miranda goes at a million miles an hour, taking each opportunity that comes her way and giving it her all, even if it breaks scary new ground – which it nearly always does.

It’s one of the reasons she’s already a major star of stage, screen and TV – she has a Helpmann Award and two Logies under her belt – and is also a screenwriter, producer and author, with her memoir, Top End Girl, published last April. Another, of course, is her innate talent and versatility ranging from slapstick comedy to serious drama, singing, and dancing.

She was handpicked by Aussie director Robert Connolly for his compelling new film, The Dry, based on Jane Harper’s best-selling crime thriller. “He rang me on my personal phone, he found my number and said ‘Oh Miranda, I would love for you to play the role of Rita. It’s not a big role but we just need someone like you who wears her heart on her sleeve and has that country outlook’.”

Rita is heavily pregnant in the punishing summer heat and fiercely protective of her traumatized husband who she needs to know will be there to support his family when the baby comes. “She’s a very outspoken character and when my husband watched it he said, ‘Oh God, it’s just like being at home!’ I said, ‘How dare you!’” says Miranda, laughing.