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Rarriwuy Hick
Rarriwuy Hick in Sydney, Australia, 2018-03-16.jpg
Born 1990/1991
Occupation Actress, dancer
Years active 2012-present
Known for
  • Redfern Now
  • Wentworth
  • True Colours

Rarriwuy Hick (born 1990/1991) is an Aboriginal Australian award-winning actress, known for her roles in the television series Redfern Now, Cleverman, Wentworth and True Colours.

Early life and education

Hick was born around 1991 in Sydney, Australia. She grew up in both the suburb of Lilyfield, and in Dhalinybuy, an Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. She was raised speaking Yolŋu Matha and other Aboriginal Australian languages before learning English, and speaks seven dialects. Her mother, Janet Munyarryun, a Yolngu woman, was a founding member of Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Throughout her education, Hick was inspired by her mother to pursue dance and the arts. She attended a Catholic girls high school and showed sufficient interest in dance to establish a troupe. In 2009, she commenced studies at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College,. She was asked to audition for the Aboriginal-produced play Wrong Skin, and was successful, performing on the tour while studying.

Acting career

Hick starred in two episodes of the television series Redfern Now (2012–2013), and as ongoing character of Ruby Mitchell in Wentworth making her first appearance for series 6, Hick would reprise the role of Ruby Mitchell when the show was renewed for its eighth and final season.

In 2022 she played the lead role as detective Toni Alma, returning to her home town in Central Australia after living most of her life away from it, in the television miniseries True Colours. One reviewer called her performance "career-best".

Dance and theatre

She established the dance group Yapa Mala and led its choreography. In 2011, she starred in the theatre play Bloodland.

In 2016, Hick starred in a revival of the Louis Nowra play The Golden Age by the Sydney Theatre Company and her performance and dance received praise.

Other activities

In May 2013, Hick and other actors from theatre production The Shadow King in Melbourne were refused taxi rides by several drivers who reportedly drove off after observing that the group members were of Indigenous appearance.

In 2018, Hick started a social media campaign using the hashtag #ourkidsbelongwithfamilies, which became a "rallying cry" of Indigenous Australians fighting to maintain their families together against removals and resettlement of children by authorities.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2012 She Say Short film
Scar Short film
2013 The Hunter Short film
2014 One Short Day Woman Short film
2015 Wurinyan Short film
2022 Seriously Red Nurse Directed by Gracie Otto

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Move It Mob Style Herself Episode 4
2012–2013 Redfern Now Robyn Davis 2 episodes
2013 The Broken Shore Suzie Pascoe TV movie
The Outlaw Michael Howe Mary TV movie
2014 The Gods of Wheat Street Electra Freeburn 6 episodes
2015 Redfern Now: Promise Me Robyn Davis TV movie
2016–17 Cleverman Latani 12 episodes
2018–21 Wentworth Ruby Mitchell Seasons 6–8 (main role, 42 episodes)
2018 Black Comedy Various Characters 6 episodes
2019 Molly and Cara Cara
2021 Wentworth Unlocked Self TV special
2022 True Colours Detective Toni Alma Miniseries (4 episodes)
Significant Others Deb Munroe 5 episodes
Darby and Joan Tegan 1 episode
2023 Home and Away Elandra Hudson 2 episodes
... Stories Kiarra 1 episode (Powerful Owl)

Theatre

Year Production Role Notes
2010 Wrong Skin Ngurrumilmaramiriwu
2012 Bloodland
2013 The Shadow King Cordelia
2014 Brothers Wreck Adele
2016 The Golden Age Betsheb

Nominations

Year Award Category Film Result
2011 Deadly Awards Female Actor of the Year Wrong Skin Nominated
2012 Deadly Awards Female Actor of the Year Bloodland Nominated
2015 AACTA Awards Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama Redfern Now Nominated
2016 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Supporting Actress "Promise Me", Redfern Now Nominated
2016 Equity Ensemble Awards Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Movie or Miniseries The Outlaw Michael Howe Nominated
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