Sophie Bloom (née Hensser) is an Australian actress, known for her roles as Megan in The Saddle Club, Freya Duric in Home and Away, and Vivian Maguire in Love Child.
Early life and education Sophie Hensser is the daughter of Wendy Strehlow, a Jewish actress.(14 December 2018) Summer showtime Australian Jewish News. Retrieved on 14 December 2018 While growing up, Hensser was on sets and tours with her parents. Strehlow agreed to Hensser having an agent on the condition that she did not take rejection after auditions personally. Hensser had credited her mother as helping her to stay "grounded" as an actress.
Hensser attended high school at Kambala Girls' School from 2001 to 2006. She went on to train at the Australian Theatre for Young People, and also participated in an open course from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). She then studied a BA in media communications, media, arts and production from University of Technology Sydney, from 2008 to 2012.
Career From 2001 to 2002, Hensser played Megan in Australian-Canadian children's series The Saddle Club, based on the book series of the same name.
In 2009, she began appearing in a recurring guest role on Seven Network soap opera Home and Away, during the 22nd season, as Freya Duric, the girlfriend of Xavier Austin (David Jones-Roberts). She is perhaps best remembered on the show for a scene which involved her kissing Nicole Franklin (Tessa James). The following year, Hensser appeared in a recurring role as Monica in Underbelly: The Golden Mile, the third season of Underbelly.
In 2011, Hensser began playing Tamara in the stage production of Lachlan Philpott's Silent Disco. Hensser told Elissa Blake from The Sydney Morning Herald that her character was the "epitome of teenage angst". The play received critical acclaim, but was a failure at the box office. In December that year, it was announced that Hensser had begun filming a regular role in the Nine Network drama series Tricky Business, playing Lily Christie. Hensser took part in the 2012 Dungog Film Festival and read for Diving for Poland at the Cockatoo Theatre.
In 2013, Hensser joined the main cast of Nine Network drama series Love Child, as Vivian Maguire. She appeared in every season until its cancellation in December 2017, after four seasons.
In 2022, Hensser again appeared in a recurring role in Home and Away, this time as Neve Spicer in Season 35. The same year, she appeared in another season of Underbelly – Underbelly: Vanishing Act, based on the story of financial advisor Melissa Caddick's disappearance.
Personal life Hensser married her partner of eight years, Danny Bloom, in a Reform Jewish ceremony in Byron Bay in 2016, that was officiated by Jeffrey Kamins, senior rabbi at Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney.Sophie & Danny Van Middleton photography. Retrieved on 30 September 2024 She gave birth to their first child, a son, in October 2018. She later had a second child.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2011DriverLaraShort film2014The Little Death(Voice)Feature film2015Second HandTessaShort film2019The SnipCameron FarrugiaShort film Bonnie Sweet Robin Short film The Playground Short film
Television Year Title Role Notes 2001–2002 The Saddle Club Megan Season 1, main role2009 Home and Away Freya Duric Season 22, recurring role All Saints Isabelle Episode: "In Trust"2010Underbelly: The Golden Mile Monica Recurring roleCops L.A.C. Karen Episode: "Illegal Dumping" 2011 Crownies Nadia Tesla Episodes: "1.13", "1.14" 2012 Tricky Business Lily Christie Main role 2013 Serangoon Road Gina Kershaw Episode: "1.8" 2014–2017 Love Child Vivian Maguire Main role 2015 Australia: The Story of Us Elizabeth Perry Episode: "Worlds Collide" 2016 The Bench Anthology series 2019 Reef Break Sheila Clerk Season 1, episode 12: "Prison Break" 2021 Amazing Grace Emily Season 1, episode 52022 Home and Away Neve Spicer Season 35, recurring role Underbelly: Vanishing Act Wendy Miniseries, 2 episodes 2022–2024 Colin From Accounts Phoebe 2 episodes, guest role The Good Hustle Riley
Theatre Year Title Role Notes The Sound of Music Elsa Kambala Girls School Problem Child Writer Young Dramatists Page to Stage with Ensemble Theatre, Sydney Cleansed Young Girl NIDA, Sydney It's a Small World Angelica Young Dramatists Page to Stage with Ensemble Theatre, Sydney Summerfolk Sonja Bob Presents 2009 The Distance from Here Girl Stables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company 2011 Silent Disco Tamara Stables Theatre, Sydney, Butter Factory Theatre, Wodonga with HotHouse Theatre, Griffin Theatre Company & ATYP 2012 Diving for Poland (reading) Rosy Cockatoo Theatre, Sydney 2013–2014 The Removalists Fiona Carter Bondi Pavilion, Sydney, Brisbane Powerhouse with Tamarama Rock Surfers 2014 Ugly Mugs Footy girl Stables Theatre, Sydney with Malthouse Theatre & Griffin Theatre Company 2016 A History of Falling Things Ensemble Theatre, Sydney
Awards and nominations Year Work Award Category Result 2004–2006 Sophie Hessner Kambala Girls School Drama Scholarship Sophie Hessner Tim Winton Award for Young Writers 2005 Page to Stage Young Dramatists Playwriting Award 2011 Silent Disco Sydney Theatre Awards Best Newcomer
References
External links