Weatherall: The Rise of a Versatile Actor and Playwright
From the early days of drama school and retail work to international stardom on streaming platforms, Weatherall has rapidly established himself as a multifaceted talent in the Australian entertainment industry. His career is marked by a seamless transition between television, film, and the stage, blending raw performance with a deep commitment to writing.
Key Facts
- Breakthrough Role: Gained global recognition in the Netflix series Heartbreak High.
- Playwriting: Wrote and performed in the dramatic monologue Blue.
- Early Work: Started with the ABC miniseries Deadlock and the Seven Network's RFDS.
- Upcoming Projects: Cast in The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Last Days of the Space Age.
Early Career and Foundations (2018–2021)
Weatherall entered the acting world with a role in the award-winning ABC miniseries Deadlock. While still attending drama school and working in a shoe shop, he secured a position in the Seven Network's medical drama RFDS. His motivation for joining the series was primarily the opportunity to play the son of the character Rob Collins.
The series has seen continued growth, with a third season announced on August 18, 2024. Due to upgrades at the actual Broken Hill base, production for the new season shifted to South Australia, with Weatherall confirmed to return to the cast.
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International Breakthrough and Television Success
Weatherall's career reached a turning point in 2022 with the release of Heartbreak High on Netflix. The series achieved massive global success, becoming one of the platform's most-watched English-spoken shows and ranking in the Top 10 in Australia and 45 other countries during September 2022.
Beyond his Netflix success, he has expanded his television portfolio with roles in the ABC series All My Friends Are Racist and Troppo.
Venturing into Playwriting: The Story of Blue
In addition to acting, Weatherall has found success as a writer. He began writing his debut play, Blue, in 2019. The project started as a form of "self-prescribed therapy," utilizing old high school diary entries as a foundation. After receiving a Balnaves Fellowship to complete the work, he further fictionalized the narrative.
Blue is written as a dramatic monologue—a theatrical piece where a single character speaks to the audience. Weatherall performed in the 2023 production at the Belvoir Theatre in Sydney. The play's success led to further productions, including a March 2024 presentation by the State Theatre Company South Australia at the Adelaide Festival, starring Callan Purcell, and a May 2024 production at Brisbane's La Boite Theatre starring Weatherall once again.
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Future Projects and Expanding Horizons
Weatherall continues to take on high-profile roles. He stars opposite Jacob Elordi in the 2025 Prime Video series adaptation of Richard Flanagan's novel, The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Additionally, he has been announced as part of the cast for the Disney+ series Last Days of the Space Age.
His trajectory into prestige drama continues with his casting in the SBS drama The Airport Chaplain, announced on February 2, 2026.
Career Summary
| Category | Project/Achievement | Year/Period |
|---|---|---|
| Television | Deadlock (ABC) | 2018–2021 |
| Television | Heartbreak High (Netflix) | 2022 |
| Theatre | Blue (Playwriting/Acting) | 2023–2024 |
| Television | The Narrow Road to the Deep North | 2025 |
| Television | The Airport Chaplain (SBS) | 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which project brought Weatherall international fame?
Weatherall gained international prominence through the 2022 Netflix series Heartbreak High, which ranked in the Top 10 in 46 different countries.
What is the play Blue about and how was it created?
Blue is a dramatic monologue that Weatherall began writing in 2019 as a form of self-therapy, based on his own high school diary entries.
What are some of Weatherall's upcoming television roles?
He is set to appear in The Narrow Road to the Deep North for Prime Video, Last Days of the Space Age for Disney+, and The Airport Chaplain for SBS.
Where was the production of RFDS Season 3 moved?
Production moved from Broken Hill to South Australia due to upgrades being performed at the real Broken Hill base.