Glenda Linscott


Glenda Linscott is an Australian actress and director, born in Rhodesia of English descent, she is best known internationally for her performance as tough bikie inmate and top dog Rita "The Beater" Connors in the television drama Prisoner, for which she won a Penguin Award.

Career

Glenda was born in Rhodesia, before briefly immigrating to England, and finally to Adelaide, Australia, as a child. A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Linscott's most notable role is Network Ten prison drama Prisoner, for which she first appeared towards the end of the seventh season in 1985, while the character became immensely popular during the final season in 1986, despite the show's decline in ratings at that time. Prior to appearing on the show, Linscott gained much research on women prisoners and approached the New South Wales Department of Correctional Services and organised to spend some time inside one of their maximum security prisons. She also did extensive research on bikie gangs, spending a lot of time with real-life bikie Ian Doig who played her boyfriend "Slasher" in the series.
She later returned to Britain when she appeared in a stage play version of Prisoner. Guest roles include A Country Practice, All Saints and McLeod's Daughters. She also had a recurring role in the Australian drama, Murder Call as Pathologist, Dr. Imogen Soames between 1997–2000.
In November 2011, it was announced Linscott had joined the cast of Neighbours for three months as Dr. Jessica Girdwood, a surgeon at the Erinsborough Hospital. She made her first on screen appearance that same month.
In 2015 she took up the position of Head of Acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Personal life

Linscott met ABC Radio Australia producer Richard Buckham in 1985 and they married in early 1989.

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1987Howling III: The MarsupialsBahloo
1995Back of BeyondMary Margaret
2001The Man Who Sued GodCo-plaintiff
2002The NuggetBunny
2005Deck DogzExboobs
2006JindabyneDetective

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1984The Cowra BreakoutHeatherMiniseries
1985-86PrisonerRita ConnorsSeasons 7 & 8 – 106 episodes
1990A Country PracticeVera CharlesSeason 10, Episodes 61 & 62 – "Little Big Man"
1991The Miraculous MellopsProfessor MoorcroftSeason 1, Episodes 3, 11 & 13
1993Big IdeasLix DixonTelevision film
1995JanusKathy TainshSeason 2, Episode 9 – "Fit to Plead"
1995Soldier SoldierBetty PalmerSeason 5, Episode 6 – "Ill Wind"
1997-2000Murder CallDr. Imogene 'Tootsie' SoamsesSeasons 1-3 – 31 episodes
2001All SaintsAnna MurchinsonSeason 4, Episode 31 – "Look Into My Eyes"
2003MDAGretle CelesteSeason 2, Episode 1 – "Eternity"
2004Fergus McPhailGabrielleSeason 1, Episode 15 – "The Grass is Greener" & Season 1, Episode 16 – "Cactus"
2004McLeod's DaughtersCelia RiversSeason 4, Episode 13 – "Second Chance"
2006Real StoriesJesse Martin's MotherSeason 1, Episode 3
2011'SandraTelevision film
2013Miss Fisher's Murder MysteriesMrs. BiggsSeason 2, Episode 4 – "Deadweight"
2011-15NeighboursJessica GirdwoodSeasons 27, 28 & 30 – 9 episodes
2011-16Winners & LosersLily PattersonSeasons 1 & 4 – 8 episodes

Short films'