Leah Purcell
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Leah Purcell is a proud Goa, Gunggari, Wakka Wakka Murri woman from Queensland. She is a playwright, actor, director, filmmaker, producer, screenwriter and author. At the heart of her work are female and First Nations themes, characters and issues. In 2021, she received a Member of The Order of Australia
(AM) for her service to performing arts, First Nations youth and culture, and to women. The Drover’s Wife was originally an award-winning play, written by and starring Purcell, based on the Henry Lawson short story. She was the lead actor, writer, director and a producer
of the acclaimed feature film adaptation. Her bestselling and award-winning novel The Drover’s Wife The Legend Of Molly Johnson was released in 2019. In 2026, Leah will direct The Drover’s Wife – The Opera, libretto by Leah Purcell with George Palmer, opening in Brisbane and Sydney. Among her many other film, tv and theatre credits, Leah headlines the recent drama series, High Country.
Books by Leah Purcell
Survival, truth telling and hope . . .
A unique and powerful illustrated book inspired by Leah Purcell’s bestselling novel The Drover’s Wife.
A yarn of bonding and the sharing of stories that celebrates the impact of a good man and a strong role model, and stands as a testament to the hardships and resilience of Australia's First Nations peoples.
IN CINEMAS NOW, from Leah Purcell, named as one of the 100 figures shaping Australia’s creative future.
The Drover's Wife is utterly authentic, brilliantly plotted, thoroughly harrowing and entirely of our times exploring race, gender, violence and inheritance.
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We sat down with Leah Purcell to chat about her new book The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Full of fury and power, Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson is a brave reimagining of the Henry Lawson short story that has become an Australian classic. Brilliantly plotted, it is a compelling thriller of our pioneering past that confronts head-on issues of today: race, gender, violence and inheritance. Learn more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-drovers-wife-9780143791478
Leah Purcell reflects on the tiny story that continues to form part of her contemporary dreaming.
Full of fury and power, Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson is a brave reimagining of the Henry Lawson short story that has become an Australian classic. Brilliantly plotted, it is a compelling thriller of our pioneering past that confronts head-on issues of today: race, gender, violence and inheritance. Learn More: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-drovers-wife-9780143791478
Treat your book club to Leah Purcell's harrowing and timely retelling of Henry Lawson's The Drover's Wife.