Australian acting icon and The Unusual Suspects star Heather Mitchell reveals post-breast cancer life

As one of Australia’s most decorated actors Heather Mitchell has seen it all on and off the screen.

Like many industries, Covid-19 dealt a cruel blow to the arts, but beloved Australian actor, Heather Mitchell, found her silver lining in SBS drama, The Unusual Suspects.

“It was a ball to make and it came during a time when there was not much work, so it was a gift in every way. It’s basically a girl gang movie, set in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.”

The female-led heist caper, which also stars Miranda Otto, was shot in September last year when the world was in lockdown.

“It was such a difficult time and such a serious time for a lot of people. I just didn’t expect something so joyous to come along.”

Heather Mitchell in her favourite chair. Picture: John Appleyard

Heather is quite familiar with the eastern suburbs, where filming took place, having lived in the locale since she was 18 years old.

“We still rent in the area and have lived everywhere from Bondi to Double Bay.”

Heather and her family are now based in a beautiful Art Deco apartment with high ceilings and charming period finishes. Their apartment is filled with art, things that have been gifted and pieces that have come straight off film sets and even the street.

“Most things we own have an emotional connection, but nothing is so precious that I couldn’t do without it. Our life is about living, home is a place we come to and go out again. We all, happily, lead busy lives.”

AT HOME WITH THE UNUSUAL SUSPECT’S HEATHER MITCHELL

Who: The Unusual Suspects actor Heather Mitchell.

Where: Art Deco apartment with her husband, cinematographer Martin McGrath and their sons, Finn, 22 and Seamus, 20.

Favourite Thing: This is the only piece of furniture I have bought, and only because I love the colour. It’s comfortable to meditate in.

Inspiration: I have an aesthetic that is quite eclectic.

Home is: I can make a home anywhere if I have my husband and boys.

Compostable underwear made by Stephanie Devine of "Very Good Bra". Picture: John Appleyard

The very good bra

I feel extremely fortunate to have survived breast cancer. My friend designed these bras for women who have had this type of surgery out of natural materials and with no underwire to inhibit blood flow.

Margo Lee’s necklace

This was left to me by a great actor, whom I adored. Margot said it had belonged to Sarah Bernhardt in the late 1800s and was given to her by Maurice Chevalier. She had given it to Fifi Banvard who gave it to Margo. I will also pass it on to a young actor.

Necklace handed down from actor to actor beginning with Maurice Chevalier and passed on to Heather by actor Margot Lee. Picture: John Appleyard

30 year old shoes

When I first started going out with my husband, we were in Melbourne and saw these handmade shoes in a tiny lane way. He bought them for me and I still wear them a lot.

Shoes made for 30 years of walking. Picture: John Appleyard

Finn’s artwork

My son is an artist, and while he usually uses oil paints, he used a digital medium to create a piece of me. He is so talented. He is also working on developing storyboards for films.

Heather Mitchell with an artwork (right) by her son Finnegan McGrath. Picture: John Appleyard

Grandfather clock

My grandparents did a world tour on a ship in the 1900s. They stopped off in England and bought this. It belongs to the whole family, but we have the least possessions, so it lives here.

Grandfather clock. Picture: John Appleyard

Wooden sculpture

My father was a forester and planted trees all over the world. He loved timber, and his wife gave me this on Mother’s Day. It’s his unfinished piece of art. My son will finish it for me.

A work of sculpture by Heather's sculptor father Red Mitchell. Picture: John Appleyard

Bar area

We are not big drinkers but we created a bar area during lock down. We found the side board on the street and we got a slab of marble cut and plonked it on top.

The bar, and artwork by Lulu Pinkus. John Appleyard

The view

This is my little spot in front of that window. At the end of the day we watch the sunset from here, or if I can’t sleep, I’ll sit here and watch the city lights.

City view. Picture: John Appleyard