Nicole da Silva is an Australian stage, film and television actress, best known for her roles as Stella Dagostino in the series Rush (2008–2011), and as Franky Doyle in the show Wentworth (2013–2019). She has made appearances in series such as Carla Cametti PD (2009) and Doctor Doctor (2016–2021).
Early life and education Nicole da Silva was born in Sydney and is of Portuguese background.
She obtained her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Sydney's Theatre Nepean, now known as Western Sydney University, in 2003.
Career Da Silva's first on-screen credit came in the Seven Network medical drama show All Saints, in which she played Sasha Fernandez for 11 episodes in 2005. In 2007, she played Erica 'EC' Eulestra in the Fox8 series Dangerous, a role that earned her a Logie Award nomination.
Da Silva gained notable recognition in the Network Ten police drama series Rush, in which she appeared in all 70 episodes in four seasons as Stella Dagostino, in the story based on the real-life Victoria Police Critical Incident Response Team, with the plot exploring both the personal and working lives of the team. Da Silva broke her leg while filming a scene on the show.
She played one of the main roles as Lisa Testro in the show Carla Cametti PD (2009) for six episodes, but the series was cancelled after just one season.
Da Silva is probably best known for her role in the SoHo TV drama series Wentworth, in which she appeared from 2013 to 2018 as Franky Doyle. This role earned Da Silva the ASTRA Award for the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor (Female) in 2014, and several other nominations.
In 2015, da Silva made her big-screen debut as Nana in Sophie Mathisen's romantic comedy Drama, starring Agnès Boury, Julien Bravo, and Jonathan Burteaux. In 2016, while working on Wentworth, da Silva was cast for the role of Charlie Knight in the Nine Network medical drama show Doctor Doctor, in the story of a rising heart surgeon's life and his problems that converted him from a big-city doctor into a small-town doctor. She appeared in all five seasons of the show while also appearing in Wentworth.
In 2023, da Silva appeared in Paramount+ miniseries One Night alongside Yael Stone, Jodie Whittaker, and others. The same year, she appeared in the second season of Foxtel series Love Me.
On 19 August 2024, da Silva was announced as part of Ensemble Theatre's The Lover & The Dumb Waiter for its 2025 season. In 2022, da Silva appeared in Who's Afraid? alongside Danielle Cormack.
On 12 April 2026, Channel 7 confirmed da Silva had joined the cast of Home and Away as Dr Amelia Carlisle. da Silva revealed that she was excited to return to the bay, and said the role was a 'no-brainer' as working in Sydney meant she could be around her family more while filming. She made her first appearance on 11 June 2026, during the show's thirty–ninth season.
On 24 July 2026, da Silva was announced for the Wentworth spinoff titled Wentworth: Halfway Home, she would reprise the role of Franky Doyle more than seven years after her last appearance as Franky.
Production company Da Silva and Wentworth co-star Danielle Cormack started the production company Four One One Productions. They produced the play Who's Afraid? in 2022, which was their first production with their company. In 2023, da Silva and Cormack directed the short film Why We Fight with Four One One.
Other activities In February 2014, she was announced as the first National Champion of UN Women Australia, for which she supported women's empowerment and gender equality at events around the country.
, Da Silva is an ambassador for SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3), a film festival held annually in Sydney.
Personal life In April 2018, da Silva announced that she was expecting her first child, and gave birth to a daughter in July 2018.
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes2006Final CallPharmacistShort film2008The ListSubiaco's Ex-wifeShort film2015DramaNanaFeature film2018The TangleFrancescaAlso associate producer2022CarmenJulieanneMusical drama film2024Why We Fight—Short film. Producer2025Play DirtyGrace Webb (uncredited)Feature film
Television YearTitleRoleNotesRef. 2005 All Saints Sasha Fernandez Season 8, 15 episodes 2006 Home and Away Jane Sims Season 19, episode 26 2007 Dangerous Erica 'EC' Eulestra Miniseries, 8 episodes (main role) East West 101 Lily Season 1, episode 4: "Haunt for the Killer" 2008–2011 Rush Stella Dagostino Seasons 1–4, 70 episodes (main role) 2009 Carla Cametti PD Lisa Testro Miniseries, 6 episodes (main role) 2011 Cop Hard Syvan Season 1, 2 episodes 2012 Stuffed Easter TV short 2013–2019 Wentworth Franky Doyle Seasons 1–6 (main role), season 7 (guest), 57 episodes 2016 Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street Dvora Henwick Season 2, episode 14: "Gortimer and the Jacks of All Trades" 2016–2021 Doctor Doctor Charlie Knight Seasons 1–5, 48 episodes (main role) 2019 Harrow Danica Season 2, episode 7: "Parce Sepulto" 2023 Love Me Amy Miniseries, season 2, 4 episodes One Night Simone 6 episodes (main role) 2024 Bump Jane Season 5, episode 4: "In Records" 2026–Home and Away Amelia Carlisle Season 39– (main role)2026- Wentworth: Halfway HomeFranky DoyleTV series
Other appearances YearTitleRoleNotesRef 2014 Wentworth: A Look Back Herself TV special 2014–2018 Inside Wentworth Behind the Scenes Herself Miniseries, seasons 1–5, 13 episodes2016 An Audience with the Cast of Wentworth Herself TV special Lady Parts TV Presents Herself Podcast series; season 1, episode 4 2017 Have You Been Paying Attention? Guest Quiz Master Season 5, episode 2 2019 Wentworth: Behind the Bars Herself TV special 2022 Hot off the Press Herself Podcast series, season 2, episode 3
Stage YearTitleRoleNotesRef2009 The Hayloft Project Mary STC This Is Our Youth Jessica Goldman Fortyfivedownstairs, Melbourne 2011 A Behanding in Spokane Marilyn MTC 2012 Blood Wedding Wife Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne 2022 Who's Afraid? Cast Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney 2023 The Memory of Water ViEnsemble Theatre, Sydney 2025 The Lover & The Dumb Waiter Wife / Mistress
Source:
Awards Year Award Category TV show Result Ref 2008 Logie Award Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent Dangerous 2014 ASTRA Award Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor (Female) Wentworth 2015 ASTRA Award Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor (Female) Wentworth Logie Award Most Outstanding Actress Wentworth
References
External links