Glenda Linscott

Glenda Linscott
Born1958 (age 65–66)
NationalityEnglish Australian
EducationNational Institute of Dramatic Art (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, director
Notable workPrisoner (1985–86)
Murder Call (1997–2000)
SpouseRichard Buckham (m.1989)[1]

Glenda Linscott (born 1958) is an Australian actress and director, born in Rhodesia (now Zambia) of English descent, best known internationally for her performance in cult drama series Prisoner as tough bikie inmate and top dog Rita "The Beater" Connors and series Murder Call

Career

Glenda was born in Rhodesia, before briefly immigrating to England, and finally to Adelaide, Australia, as a child. A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Linscott's most notable role is Network Ten prison drama Prisoner, for which she first appeared towards the end of the seventh season in 1985. Her character (Rita "The Beater" Conners) became immensely popular during the final season in 1986, despite the show's decline in ratings at that time. Before appearing on the show, Linscott gained much research on women prisoners and approached the New South Wales Department of Correctional Services and organised to spend some time inside one of their maximum security prisons. She also did extensive research on bikie gangs, spending a lot of time with real-life bikie Ian Doig who played her boyfriend "Slasher" in the series.[2]

She later returned to Britain when she appeared in a stage play version of Prisoner. Guest roles include A Country Practice, All Saints and McLeod's Daughters. She also had a recurring role in the Australian drama, Murder Call as Pathologist, Dr. Imogen Soames between 1997 and 2000.

In November 2011, it was announced Linscott had joined the cast of Neighbours for three months as Dr. Jessica Girdwood, a surgeon at the Erinsborough Hospital. She made her first on screen appearance that same month.[3]

In 2015 she took up the position of Head of Acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).[4]

In 2022 Linscott gave a rare interview with Prisoner podcast Talking Prisoner where she talked extensively about her time on the show. [5]

Personal life

Linscott met ABC Radio Australia producer Richard Buckham in 1985 and they married in early 1989.[1]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Howling III: The Marsupials Bahloo Feature film
1993 Big Ideas Lix Dixon TV movie
1995 Back of Beyond Mary Margaret Feature film
2001 The Man Who Sued God Co-plaintiff Feature film
2002 The Nugget Bunny Feature film
2005 Deck Dogz Exboobs Feature film
2006 Jindabyne Detective Feature film
2009 Transformation Amanda Short film
2011 Underbelly Files: Infiltration Sandra TV movie
2011 Game (Not acting) Short film – writer & director

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1984 The Cowra Breakout Heather Miniseries
1985-1986 Prisoner Rita Connors Seasons 7–8, 106 episodes
1986 Kids 21st Birthday Channel Ten Telethon Guest - Herself with Prisoner cast: Colette Mann, Elspeth Ballantyne, Jane Clifton & Val Lehman taped appearance TV special
1987 Rafferty's Rules P.C. Waterman Season 1, episode 13
1990 A Country Practice Vera Charles Season 10, episodes 61 & 62
1991 The Miraculous Mellops Professor Moorcroft Season 1, episodes 3, 11 & 13
1995 Janus Kathy Tainsh Season 2, episode 9
1995 Soldier Soldier Betty Palmer Season 5, episode 6
1997–2000 Murder Call Dr. Imogene 'Tootsie' Soamses Seasons 1–3, 31 episodes
2001 All Saints Anna Murchinson Season 4, episode 31
2003 MDA Gretle Celeste Season 2, episode 1
2004 Fergus McPhail Gabrielle Season 1, episodes 15 & 16
2004 McLeod's Daughters Celia Rivers Season 4, episode 13
2006 Real Stories Jesse Martin's Mother Season 1, episode 3
2013 Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Mrs. Biggs Season 2, episode 4
2011–15 Neighbours Jessica Girdwood Seasons 27–28 & 30
2011–16 Winners & Losers Lily Patterson Seasons 1 & 4 (guest, 8 episodes)
2020 The Heights Eva Season 2, episode 8
2022 Talking Prisoner Self Podcast, 1 episode

References

  1. ^ a b "The Beater turns bride", by Amanda Zachariah – TV Week, issue published 6 December 1988, p.29.
  2. ^ "Prisoner's Tall Story"TV Week, issue published 24 August 1985, p.81.
  3. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (10 November 2011). "'Neighbours' casts 'Prisoner' actress Glenda Linscott as new surgeon". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Ms Glenda Linscott". 27 March 2015.
  5. ^ Talking Prisoner Cell Block H EP 41 Interview with Glenda Linscott Top Dog Rita Connors, retrieved 5 February 2024