Margaret Cecilia Louise Downey (born 5 May 1961) is an Australian comedian and actress, best known for her roles in The D Generation, Fast Forward and Full Frontal.

Early life and education Downey grew up in a middle-class Catholic family in the Melbourne suburb of East Malvern in an eight-child family. Her father worked as a chartered accountant. She attended Sacré Cœur School (with fellow comedian Jane Turner) in Glen Iris, and then studied Arts/Law at the University of Melbourne, where she resided at Newman College. At university, she began to perform in university revues, and auditioned for performing arts courses at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne, but was not successful in gaining entry to any of them.

Career Downey first rose to prominence in the sketch comedy program The D-Generation on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in the late 1980s. She subsequently appeared in later sketch comedy series with other members of The D-Generation, including Fast Forward, Full Frontal and Something Stupid. In these, she was known for her portrayals of a news anchor, a stern SBS presenter and for her spot-on impression of current affairs host Jana Wendt. Her spoof of "The What's On SBS Presenter" satirised the eccentricity of SBS programming, displaying grim masochistic determination to "not miss a moment of this scintillating entertainment".

Downey starred in the 2001 Network 10 comedy series Sit Down, Shut Up, playing the role of Principal Sue which was played by American comedian Kenan Thompson in the 2009 American Fox television re-make of the original Australian series. The animated American version was produced and written by Mitch Hurwitz, of Arrested Development fame.

In 2005, Downey was cast as a regular player in Seven's live comedy sketch show Let Loose Live, but the show was cancelled after just two episodes due to low ratings. The following year, she appeared in the sketch show Magda's Funny Bits alongside Magda Szubanski. In this show, she recreated her role as infomercial host Janelle, first developed on Fast Forward.

In 2018, she voiced Stanley "Stan" Stinkleton and the narrator in the kids TV series, Kitty Is Not a Cat.

In 2021 Downey joined the cast of ABC Drama The Newsreader in the role of Evelyn Walters, Downey reprised the role for the second and third seasons of the show.

Comedy style Downey's television roles are often authority figures or professional women with slightly eccentric personalities, such as Principal Sue in Sit Down, Shut Up and the "relationship-counselor" Marion seen in comedy series Kath & Kim. On Fast Forward, Marg Downey appeared in a lot of sketches with Steve Vizard, such as Eyeball News, The Midday Show, Candid Camera, The Cosby Show and Get Smart. Downey also played Clancy in the Skippy send-up, and appeared in send-ups of I Dream Of Jeannie, Mr Ed and Bewitched.

Filmography

Film appearances +YearTitleRoleNotesRef2023Jones Family Christmas Sandra2017The BirthMidwifeShort2012Kath & KimderellaMarionChristmas ClayKateShort2010UsNellShortOranges and SunshineMiss HutchinsonMatching JackNurse Celia2009The WakeEllenShort2004Under the RadarMaxine2002The Merchant of FairnessMrs RoweThe Real ThingPsychologistGuru WayneMrs Marsh2002Queen of the DamnedTalamascan2000The Magic PuddingVarious (voice)2000Beware of Greeks....Bearing GunsPolicewoman1996Zone 39Computer (voice)

Television appearances +YearTitleRoleNotesRef2026Ground UpCatherine la Fontaine6 episodes2021–25The Newsreader Evelyn Walters18 episodes2021–22Fisk Lindy2 episodes2018–19Kitty Is Not a Cat Narrator/Stanley82 episodes (voice)2018Back In Very Small Business Yvonne Giradoux5 episodes2017Get Krack!nMcCartney's Mum1 episodeThe Other GuyWilma1 episodeTop of the LakeIsadore3 episodesNewton's LawMelinda Whitley1 episode2016Dogstar: Christmas in Space Alice / Daina / Greta Clark (voice) TV Movie2015Open Slather Various20 episodes2014–15The Doctor Blake MysteriesEvelyn Toohey2 episodes2014The Flamin' ThongsCrystal Woman (voice)1 episode2012Exchange Student Zero Happy Peach Flower / Peg (voice)TV MovieHouse HusbandsPrincipal Moon1 episode2010–12WakkavilleVarious (voice)25 episodes2010City HomicideJane Clegg1 episode2008Very Small BusinessYvonne1 episode2007–11Dogstar Great / Alice / Daina52 episodes2007The Starter WifeProper Lady1 episode2006Nightmares and DreamscapesJudy Diment1 episode2005Let Loose LiveVarious2 episodes2002–04Kath & KimMarion6 episodes2001Horace and TinaMrs Belevedere1 episodeThe Bob Downe ShowJanelle1 episode2000The New Adventures of Ocean GirlElgar/ Various10 episodesSit Down, Shut UpSue Dirkin13 episodesGloria's HouseVarious (voice)TV Series1999The Late ReportVariousTV Series1998The Silver BrumbyMrs. Dingo/Eee1 episodeSomething StupidVarious6 episodesThe GamesRadio Newsreader1 episodeGood Guys Bad GuysGlynnis Filch1 episode1997–98Li'l Elvis and the TruckstoppersJanet Rig / Eileen 26 episodes1997Get a LifeThe NannyTV series1995–02Blue HeelersKaye / Kanga / Karen3 episodes1994Economy ClassSue AthertonTV Movie1993–94Full Frontal (Australian TV series)Guest7 episodes1993The Making of NothingDiane FeustTV MovieA Royal Commission into the Australian EconomyDame Victoria MarketTV Movie1992BlighYvette / Frances2 episodes1991Turn it UpAggieTV Movie1989–92Fast ForwardVarious90 episodes1988–89The D-Generation Goes CommercialVarious4 episodes1986–87The D-GenerationVarious16 episodes1986The Fast LaneNadene1 episode

Accolades +YearFormatAwardCategoryResult2021TelevisionAACTA AwardBest Supporting Actress in a DramaNominated2024Nominated

References

External links