Sara Wiseman is a New Zealand actress, best known for her roles as Dr. Nicky Somerville in the television series Mercy Peak (2001–2004), Annabelle Willis in The Cult (2009), and Carolyn Bligh in A Place to Call Home (2013–2018).
Career Wiseman has worked on both stage and screen, and has also worked as a presenter and voiceover artist.
Beginning her career with low-profile TV roles in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1996 and 1999), Xena: Warrior Princess (1995) and Jackson's Wharf (2000). In 2001, Wiseman was cast in the role of Dr. Nicky Sommerville in the New Zealand TV series Mercy Peak. Wiseman starred in Mercy Peak until 2002.
Wiseman also appeared in the movie Jinx Sister in 2008, for which she garnered her third New Zealand Film and Television Awards nomination under the category of "Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role".
Following this she went had recurring roles in television series such as Outrageous Fortune (2007–2008), Shortland Street (2011) and Crownies (2011).
During 2013, Wiseman appeared for the first time as recurring character Carolyn Bligh, in the Australian romantic drama series A Place to Call Home. Following a successful first season, the show was renewed for a second season, in which Wiseman's character was upgraded to a main character. Wiseman's storylines whilst on the show have included relevant world issues such as sexual assault, which the show explored during its third season when Wiseman's character was sexually assaulted by someone she had trusted, on the subject Wiseman has stated that the storyline was a "poignant and challenging subject matter to tackle". When the fourth season was due to air in 2016, Wiseman stated that there was "a darker edge" to the upcoming series. The fifth series of the show aired in 2017, and the sixth, and final series, aired in 2018.
Wiseman later appeared on Bevan Lee's Seven Network series Between Two Worlds with Hermione Norris, Aaron Jeffery and Alex Cubis. She joined the cast of CBBC drama Mystic in 2021. She also played Tanya Reed in series 3 of Harrow (2021).
In August 2022, Wiseman was cast in a role in the film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Wes Ball for 20th Century Studios.
In 2024 she had parts in two Australian drama series: the Foxtel/Binge series High Country, and the Netflix series Territory, set on a cattle station in the Northern Territory of Australia. In January 2026, Wiseman was announced as a returning member of the cast for the second series of High Country.
Accolades Wiseman has been nominated for film and television awards multiple times and in 2011 she won Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film at the Aotearoa Film and Television awards for her role in Matariki. That year she was also a finalist for Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film for her role in The Insatiable Moon.
For her role in Mercy Peak, Wiseman garnered several nominations at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards under the category "Best Actress" in 2002
In 2005 Wiseman was nominated for the "Television - Best Performance By an Actress" award at the New Zealand Screen Award.
Personal life Wiseman was married to actor Craig Hall for sixteen years, before splitting in 2023.Spy: Kiwi acting duo Sara Wiseman and Craig Hall split after 16 years of marriage The New Zealand Herald. 29 July 2023High Country’s Sara Wiseman: 'It takes 20 years to become an actor' Sydney Morning Herald. 24 March 2024 She publicly came out as bisexual in 2021.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 Luella Miller Lydia 2006 Sione's Wedding Yes Yes Girl 2008 Jinx Sister Laura2010 Matariki Megan Margaret2011 Love Birds Mum #2 Rest for the Wicked Susan 2013 Nerve Jennifer 2017 Human Traces Tanya 2022 Dark Noise Senior Sergeant Joanne Kerr 2024 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Dar Motion-capture role
Television Year Title RoleNotesRef 1995, 2001 Xena: Warrior Princess Young Woman / Amazon #1 Episodes: "Prometheus" & "Dangerous Prey" 1995 Shortland Street Wendy Diamond Guest Role: 4 Episodes 1996, 1999 Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Hephates / Mab Episodes: "Heedless Hearts" & "Once Upon a Future King"2000 Jackson's Wharf Rebecca Priest TV series Street Legal Louise Jarvis TV series 2001–2004 Mercy Peak Dr. Nicky Somerville Main role2002 Atomic Twister Lisa Gilmore TV film Mataku Petra Episode: "The Heirloom" 2004 Serial Killers Skye Episode: "Control, Alt, Delete"2006 Maddigan's Quest Morag Episode: "Tunnellers" Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America Susan Wood TV film 2007–2008 Outrageous Fortune Danielle Recurring role 2008 Dr. Helen Episode: "Mad Mike Molloy" 2009 Annabelle Wills Main role 2010–2011 Shortland Street Jennifer Mason Recurring role: 53 Episodes 2011 Crownies Lisa Simpson Recurring role 2011–2012 Helen Recurring role 2012 Fatal Honeymoon Anchor Person TV film 2013–2018 Carolyn Bligh Main role: 59 Episodes 2014 Auckland Daze Sara 2 episodes2015 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Olivia Goldsmith Episode: "This Time and This Place" Venus and Mars Sue Stewart TV film 2016–2018 Rake Caitlin Recurring role 2017 Auckward Love Olivia 7 episodes 2019 The Sounds Annette McGregor 7 episodes2020 One Lane Bridge Jackie Ryder Recurring role Between Two Worlds Sophia Grey 10 episodes Inside Jean Episode #1.6 The Sounds Annette McGregor 7 episodes 2021–2022 Shortland Street Francesca Telford Recurring role: 42 Episodes2021 Harrow Tanya Reed 4 episodes The Gulf Valerie Wells 5 episodes Creamerie Hunter 5 episodes The Brokenwood Mysteries Anne Robinson Episode: "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" My Life Is Murder Eleanor 1 episode Mystic Lauren 1 episode Power Rangers Dino Fury Arla Episode: "Phoning Home" 2021–2022 One of Us Is Lying Mayor Kelleher 3 episodes 2021–2023 Under the Vines Simone 7 episodes2024–present High Country Helen Hartley 8 episodes2024 Territory Sandra Kirby 6 episodes2025–2026Home and AwayKerrie MathesonGuest Role: 10 Episodes 2026Blue Murder MotelDetective Annette GraingerGuest Role2026CrackheadAna Abrams Recurring role
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