Rebecca Gibney’s acting career has spanned more than four decades, and as she approaches her 60th birthday next month, the New Zealand-born, Australian-claimed actress continues to nab TV’s most coveted roles.
Back in August, she was inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame – but instead of calling it a day, Gibney returned to work on her latest project, A Remarkable Place to Die.
In the new series set in New Zealand’s Queenstown, she plays Veronica, a widow whose youngest daughter, Lynne, is killed in a terrible accident, while her eldest, Anais, a detective, returns to their hometown to investigate a string of homicides. Anais is also convinced Lynne’s accident was anything but.
Gibney is known for playing gripping characters in local crime dramas – the genre has become synonymous with the 59-year-old, who is proud of her catalogue of work, her drive and her accolades.
“I’ve always been extremely grateful for my career and I pride myself on making sure I have a strong work ethic,” Gibney tells WHO, admitting that her induction into the Logie Hall of Fame only ignited more ambition.
“Looking back on everything I have been fortunate enough to achieve made me realise there is still so much left in the tank,” she says. “I really want to keep challenging myself to do things that will make me grow.”
Gibney’s love for acting is on par with her zest for life and its ever-changing seasons, which is infectious. “Change is as inevitable as aging but it doesn’t mean you can’t have the best time doing it,” she insists.
Playing characters completely different to herself is part of the fun. As Veronica, she’s portraying a complex woman with secrets she’s desperate to keep hidden.
“On the surface, Veronica appears to be quite cold and brittle, but she harbours some deep secrets that in her mind she keeps to protect her remaining daughter,” the actress tells WHO.
“Veronica also loves the finer things in life and her standing in the community where she lives, so is worried that with Anais’ return and her determination to dig up the past, Veronica’s perfectly curated life could be threatened.”
Being a mother off-screen isn’t as complex for the adopted Aussie. It’s the role she’s most proud of, too.
At this year’s Logies, Gibney – and the rest of us – were moved to tears when her son, Zac Bell, took to the stage to pay tribute to his famous mother. “I feel so lucky to have been raised by someone with so much love to give and be guided through life watching her show so much kindness to everyone that she meets,” he said on the night.
Being reminded of his beautiful words took Gibney back to that momentous evening in Sydney. “Oh gosh, it was such an incredible night and to witness Zac and the beautiful things he said was utterly overwhelming,” she admits, before turning the attention to her pride and joy.
“I think even Zac was surprised at the reception he got from people afterwards. So many people reached out with messages.”
Bell really is a lucky guy. His mother’s wealth of experience and wisdom will be invaluable for the aspiring actor in the near future.
“I told Zac he has to move back to Australia to make the most of it,” she says, referring to the attention his speech garnered from the entertainment industry. “He graduates from drama school in a few weeks so I’m sure he will be thinking about it.”
(A Remarkable Place to Die premieres Sun., Nov. 17 at 8pm on the Nine Network)
