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KatherineKennard

  • Actor
Katherine-Kennard-profile-image.jpg

English-born Katherine Kennard modelled in Asia, before moving to New Zealand to study acting at Unitec. Soon after she landed a role on Shortland Street in 1997 as the villainous Lucina Reeves. Kennard went on to four years co-starring as lawyer Joni Collins in Street Legal, earning her an NZ Television Award in 2003. Her other roles include a heroin addict in Underbelly, a vindictive ex-wife in Nothing Trivial, and a mystical guardian in The New Legends of Monkey. In 2021 she returned to Shortland Street, as Chris Warner’s flirtatious divorcee neighbour Viviene Ewell. Aside from her on-screen work, Kennard also works as a voice actor. 

Screenography

Artificial Existence
2021 As: A.I. (voice) Short film
Under the Vines
2021 - 2024 As: Fiona Series
The Bard's Tale
2018 As: Chelle (voice) Series
The New Legends of Monkey
2018 - 2020 As: Mycelia Series
Baby Mama's Club
2017 - 2018 As: Lou Series

Awards

2003 New Zealand Television Awards
Best Actress: for Street Legal

“I liked the fact that she was more heart, even though Joni got portrayed as quite strong . . . It still was very much in the beginning of my career. I grew a lot within those four years.”

Katherine Kennard on her award-winning role as Joni Collins on Street Legal, in a 2012 ScreenTalk interview for NZ On Screen