Sigrid Thornton’s new role: fashion model

Sigrid Thornton steps out in luxe layering for a fashion shoot as she talks fierce female roles and being part of the “Eve-olution” of Australian TV.

Australian acting royalty Sigrid Thornton plays fashion model for Stellar magazine.

IT seems impolite to mention that 34 years have passed since Aussie audiences fell for Sigrid Thornton in her breakthrough role as the woman who wooed The Man From Snowy River.

Back then, it wasn’t just her tumbling curls and chemistry with co-star Tom Burlinson that romanced a nation, but Thornton’s self-assurance on-screen as Jessica Harrison, the spirited farmer’s daughter who bridled against the notion that women were there to simply keep the homestead fires burning.

Sandro Paris camisole, $350, and shirt, $420, [phone]; Calvin Klein White Label pants, $170, 1300 131 701; Dinosaur Designs bangle, $420, dinosaurdesigns.com.au; Gianvito Rossi shoes, $1195, misslouise.com.au. Photography: Cameron Grayson; Styling: Marina Afonina; Hair: Kim Tavares; Make-up: Amy Kenny

It set the tone for a career that has been marked by characters who show how women can thrive in a man’s world.

Magistrate Laura Gibson in SeaChange.

Power-suited detective Gerry Lloyd in Underbelly: The Golden Mile.

Stealing the show as Judy Garland in telemovie Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door.

If you put a woman in a man’s role in a film or TV series, you wouldn’t have to alter much.

Her latest role, as ruthless cyber security agent Lara Dixon, continues the theme in season 2 of electrifying ABC drama series The Code; written by a woman (Shelley Birse) in a genre which remains, “for better or worse”, says Thornton, still dominated by men.

Scanlan Theodore dress, $500, scanlantheodore.com; Christopher Esber shirt, $480, [phone]; Sportmax pants, $835, sportmax.com; Dinosaur Designs long earring (worn throughout), $230 (for pair) shorter earring (worn throughout), $190 (for pair), bangle, $420, and ring, $70, dinosaurdesigns.com.au; Gianvito Rossi shoes, $1195, misslouise.com.au

Jacquemus top, $447, net-a-porter.com; Country Road T-shirt, $79.95, countryroad.com.au; Acler dress, $650, acler.com.au; Sandro Paris jeans, $420, [phone], Tiffany & Co. necklace, POA, 1800 731 131

“You could almost have transposed a man into Lara’s shoes, although perhaps they wouldn’t have fit quite so well,” the 57-year-old laughs. “But I often think about the possibilities that would arise if you did the opposite; if you put a woman in a man’s role in a film or TV series, you wouldn’t have to alter much. It’s just about changing people’s perceptions.”

Currently filming her returning role as villainous socialite Sonia Stevens in female-driven drama Wentworth, the actress is “tremendously grateful” to be a part of the “Eve-olution” of TV.

“The wheels for more representation of women across the board are turning slowly, but they are turning in the right direction and that’s very encouraging,” she says. “It opens up the world of film, TV and theatre in all sorts of ways, which is going to be very exciting.”

The Code, 8.30pm, Thursdays, on ABC.

Beaufille top, $430, net-a-porter.com; Jac+Jack dress, $399, jacandjack.com; Calvin Klein White Label jeans, $170, 1300 131 701; Tiffany & Co. necklace, POA, 1800 731 131

Originally published as Sigrid Thornton’s new role: fashion model