At a glance…
- Deborah Mailman is the first Indigenous person and sixth woman to be inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Hall of Fame.
- The TV WEEK Logie Hall of Fame is one of the highest honours in Australian television. It recognises people who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to Australian television.
- The inductee is decided from a list of nominees by a panel of “industry experts”.
On Sunday 16, August 2026, Deborah Mailman will make history as the first Indigenous person and only sixth woman to be inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Awards Hall of Fame.
The Bidjara and Māori actor is already one of the most awarded actors in Logies history. She has won Most Outstanding Actress four times (a record in itself), Most Popular Actress in 2019, and Best Lead Actress in a Drama in 2024. But this award is something special.
“This means everything,” Deborah said in an interview with ABC Radio National. “For me and for our mob, this isn’t just recognition for me. It’s recognition for everyone who’s gone before me, who changed things for someone like me to be doing the work that I’m doing.”
The first woman ever inducted to the Hall of Fame was Ruth Cracknell in 2001, nearly twenty years after it began. There have been back to back women inductees in recent years. Rebecca Gibney was inducted in 2024 followed by Magda Szubanski in 2025.
“Times are changing, thankfully, but it’s 2026,” Deborah said to the ABC. “To be the first — it’s long overdue. Not just for me, but for anyone in this industry.”
Deborah has worked across theatre, television and film for more than three decades. The trailblazing actress has a career that has gone well beyond simply being a successful actor.
Her breakthrough on screen came with the 1998 film Radiance, in which she played Nona. She became the first Aboriginal woman to win the AFI Award for Best Actress, an award now known as an AACTA.
For many Australians, Deborah became a household name as Kelly Lewis in The Secret Life of Us. It was her first major television role and earned her her first Logie in 2002, followed by another in 2004. She subsequently became synonymous with some of Australia’s most significant Indigenous-led television projects, including Redfern Now, Total Control and Kangaroo.
We sat down with Deborah and Lily Whiteley during NAIDOC Week 2025 ahead of the release of Kangaroo. Deborah shared that she recognised that it wasn’t luck that led to hher successes, it was hard work, determination, but also the people who went before her.
“The path didn’t just appear in front of me,” Deborah modestly said to our deputy editor Tiffany Dunk. “That was already paved by many generations before me. There were a lot of people fighting the most important fight. So I’m an absolute beneficiary of everyone who has gone before. In terms of the bigger picture, I was able to do what I have because of the women – and the men – who came before.”
Her induction comes in a year that has seen one of the strongest showings of Indigenous representation among the Logies nominees. Nine First Nations actors were nominated in 2026 alongside five Indigenous-led or First Nations-focused projects.
“It’s so exciting to have that many of our actors be acknowledged in this way,” Deborah said to te ABC. “Which demonstrates absolutely their excellence in their craft.”
“It’s going to be a real joy to have that energy, to know that everyone else is being celebrated along with me.”
“She brings truth to dark places and Indigenous stories to the world,” said Rob Collins as he inducted her into the Hall of Fame on the night.
“It’s wonderful to be here on Gadigal Country,” Deborah started her acceptance speech.
“This is for my Mum and Dad [who] met my dream with nothing but encouragement and love.”
One of the people included in the video to celebrate her induction was her data teacher, Mrs Murphy, who ended the video with “I told you so.”
Deborah adds that it’s “so beautiful that you found her” through tears.
“I’m overwhelmed with pride to be the first Aboriginal person to receive this honour,” she continued. “As I look around the room, I’m so proud of so many mob here.”
She went on to thank the people at home watching and her family.
“To Matt, who’s been by my side more than anyone and to my boys.”
The TV WEEK Logie Awards 2026 will air at 7pm AEST on Sunday, 16 August on Seven and 7Plus. Vote for your favourite stars and shows here.
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