Amanda Diana Bishop (born 10 December 1979) is an Australian actress and comedian, known for her comedy portrayals of Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia, in the television comedy At Home with Julia. Bishop had previously portrayed Gillard in the series Double Take, when Gillard was Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.
Early life and education Raised in Bunnan in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Bishop gained a degree in music from the University of New England,Playing not so 'real' Julia, Newcastle Herald, 8 September 2010. and then trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.Applause: Just a few of the ongoing achievements of WAAPA alumni , Inside WAAPA, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, September 2011.
Career Bishop has collaborated with producer Michael Bourchier on two children's television series: The Upside Down Show, on which she played the role of Mrs. Foil in every episode, and Penelope K, by the way, on which she played the title role.
Bishop first impersonated Julia Gillard as part of Waiting for Garnaut, the 2008 Wharf Revue by the Sydney Theatre Company's Jonathan Biggins, Phillip Scott and Drew Forsythe.Byrnes, Holly: Meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard's comic double Amanda Bishop, The Daily Telegraph, 2 July 2010. She reprised the role for the short-lived sketch comedy Double Take. A clip filmed for Double Take of Bishop performing "9 to 9", a parody of "9 to 5" mocking Kevin Rudd's reputation for working his staff hard, was a hit on YouTube after Gillard became Prime Minister and the skit was mentioned on Q&A by Magda Szubanski. In 2011 Bishop co-wrote, and portrayed Gillard in, the four-part sitcom, At Home with Julia, on ABC1 lampooning the relationship between Gillard and her real partner Tim Mathieson (played by Bishop's Myles Barlow co-star, Phil Lloyd).Amanda Bishop in At Home with Julia, ABC News, 8 September 2011. Bishop reprised the Gillard character once again, among other roles, in the comedy series Wednesday Night Fever.
In 2017, she appeared in the children's television series Drop Dead Weird.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1996GunsmokeShort film1998Big SkyPerilous Date 11999Fresh AirCandy2001The New CrusadersShort filmThe Big Check OutTempeShort film2003Survival of the FittestPenelope BramblesShort film2005Amorality TaleAmandaShort film2008When the Eye Winks at the HandBethShort film2010Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'HooleAdditional VoicesDes: The Reality of a Digital StuntmanSallyShort film2012Prudence PeckerPrudence PeckerShort film2013The Outlaw Michael HoweSusanTelevision film2017The RipVoice roleNext Is the OneAliceShort film2018The Way It GoesTrudyShort film2021CanvasJackie RohanVoice roleLadies FirstShort filmOdetteOdetteShort film2023FightingXavier's motherShort filmTBABlack CanvasWoman in BarShort film
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1996Heartbreak HighCult Girl 11 episode1997Big SkyFemale Officer1 episode1999BackBerner1 episode1999-2004Blue Heelers1 episode2002-2006All SaintsTheresa Pye/Ms. Alexander2006The Upside Down ShowMrs. Foil2008-2010Review with Myles BarlowCatherine Barlow2009Double TakeVarious CharactersMy PlaceJanice2010Penelope K, by the WayPenelope Rescue: Special OpsAnna Jacoby1 episodeRakeScarlet's Lawyer1 episode2011At Home with JuliaJulia GillardSome Say LoveVarious Characters1 episode2013Wednesday Night FeverVarious Characters2015Maximum ChoppageAngela Newdice1 episodePypo1 episode2016Law & Order: Special Victims UnitHeidi Aronson1 episode2017-2019Drop Dead WeirdMum2022Remember My NameAunt Janine2024-2025Home and AwayDr. Liz Shaw
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