Sarah Thomson (born 17 June 1985) is a New Zealand actress, known for playing roles in two series of the Power Rangers franchise, for her role in New Zealand's longest running soap opera, Shortland Street, and for playing a lead role in puppet show The Moe Show.
Sarah Thomson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 June 1985 New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, puppeteer, writer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
Career
Thomson's early roles included playing the "rich bitch" character Tiffany in New Zealand reality show Living the Dream (2004),[1][2] the role of Diane/Hydrax in Power Rangers S.P.D. (2005)[3][4] and a role in the film Meet Me in Miami (released 2005). She has a bachelor of arts from the University of Auckland.[5]
In 2006, Thomson and eleven others were chosen out of 260 applicants to participate in Auckland theatre company Silo Theatre's talent project for new actors, The Ensemble Project.[6] Other participants included Morgana O'Reilly and Bonnie Soper. The company performed in a season of two plays. One of them was an interpretation of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore directed by Michael Hurst, and the other was a company-devised piece called Based On Auckland, led by director Oliver Driver.[7][8] Both works played in the 2008 Auckland Festival.
Thomson appeared as undercover policewoman/nurse Tracey Morrison on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street from 2007 to 2011.[9][10] In a 2008 interview with The Daily Post, she explained that her character would be leaving the police force after a brush with the Ferndale Strangler and returning to a nursing career in the upcoming season.[11] Her character's 2011 wedding to James "Scotty" Scott featured in a Woman's Day list of favourite Shortland Street weddings.[12]
During her time on Shortland Street she also played the role of Fran in the 2008 series Power Rangers Jungle Fury; she noted "it's a hilarious coincidence that I got pyjama pants and croc shoes as my main costume in both Power Rangers and Shorty Street".[11] In 2013 she played a supporting role in a one-month run of Tribes at the Fortune Theatre, Dunedin, directed by Lara McGregor.[13]
Beginning in 2014, Thomson wrote and performed for five seasons of the children's puppet television show, The Moe Show, performing and voicing Fern the Fairy.[14][15][16] She describes The Muppet Show as a major influence and one of her favourite shows as a child.[17] Following the show's final season, she performed in a radio show and live shows, and in 2022 an animated series.[16]
From 2018 to 2021, she was the programme director of New Zealand's largest independent radio station, 95bFM,[18] having initially taken the role on a three month secondment.[19] She hosted an afternoon show each Saturday until September 2022.[20] In 2021, Thomson moved to NZ On Air in Auckland, where she is the music contracts and funding coordinator.[5] She is also a relief newsreader at Radio New Zealand.[21]
Film work
- Meet Me in Miami – Jennifer (2005)
TV work
- The Moe Show – Fern (2014–present)
- Power Rangers Jungle Fury – Fran, Lepus (2008)
- Alt TV's Fresh Produce, The Residents & Lamest Girl Alive – Presenter/Herself (2007–08)
- Shortland Street – Tracey Morrison (17 episodes, 2007, core cast, 2008–2011)
- Power Rangers SPD – Diane/Hydrax (2005)
- Living the Dream – Tiffany (2004)