Alison Mary Stuart Routledge (born 29 April 1960) is a New Zealand actress, known for her performance as Joanne in the 1985 cult film The Quiet Earth.[1][2]
Alison Routledge | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 April 1960 United Kingdom |
| Education | Victoria University of Wellington Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School (1982) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980–2004 |
| Known for | The Quiet Earth (1980) Bridge to Nowhere (1986) |
Early life
editBorn to an English army officer, Routledge moved to New Zealand as a teenager. She received a Bachelor of Arts majoring in German from Victoria University in Wellington where she first began acting. Her first role was the lead in a stage production of Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author.[3]
After winning a place at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School on a dare, she graduated in 1982 with a Diploma in Acting.[1][4]
Career
editAfter graduating from drama school, Routledge landed the lead role of Laura in 1983 television film The Garden Party,[1][5] based on Catherine Mansfield’s short story.[3] This led to further television work, a stint in Theatre Corporate’s 'Theatre In Education' program, and a minor role in 1984 feature film Other Halves.[3]
Routledge came to fame as Joanne in 1985 cult sci-fi film The Quiet Earth, alongside Bruno Lawrence,[2][6] for which she was nominated for a Best Actress award.[3] The following year, she appeared opposite Lawrence once more in thriller Bridge to Nowhere,[7] seeing her nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award.[3]
Routledge also had roles in the films The Returning (1990) and Rain (2001). She played deluded mother Heather in 2005 short film Nothing Special.[8][1]
Routledge worked as a presenter on 1980s children's nature series Wildtrack.[1] She has also appeared in television commercials, radio dramas, and has performed as a country, western and blues singer.[1][3]
Awards
edit| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Quiet Earth | GOFTA Film and Television Awards | Best Female Performance in a Leading Role – Film | Nominated | [9] |
| Bridge to Nowhere | Nominated | [9] |
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title[10] | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Don't Rubbish It | Daughter | Short film | [1] |
| 1984 | Other Halves | Paula | [3][1] | |
| 1985 | The Quiet Earth | Joanne | [1][2][6][3] | |
| 1986 | Bridge to Nowhere | Lise | [1][7] | |
| 1990 | The Returning | Jessica | [1][11] | |
| 1992 | The Palm Reader | Shirley | Short film | [1] |
| 2001 | Rain | Heather | [1] | |
| Her Majesty | Victoria Wakefield | [11][1] | ||
| 2005 | Nothing Special | Heather | Short film | [1] |
Television
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "Alison Routledge". NZ On Screen. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- 1 2 3 Mather, Mike (27 March 2020). "The Quiet Earth revisited: Life imitates art of science fiction film partially set in Hamilton". Stuff. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Alison Routledge". www.hermajestythemovie.com. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ "Graduate". toiwhakaari.ac.nz. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- 1 2 "The Garden Party". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- 1 2 "The Quiet Earth". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- 1 2 "Bridge to Nowhere". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ "NOTHING SPECIAL". festival-cannes.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- 1 2 "Alison Routledge: Awards". NZ On Screen. 19 December 2025.
- ↑ Karen, Kay (2002). "Alison Routledge". Karen Kay Mgmt Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 September 2006. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- 1 2 "Alison Routledge". www.arovideo.co.nz. Retrieved 3 June 2021.