Francesca Rudkin: There's no doubt that Robyn Malcolm is in her prime - The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Two things have entertained me this week. We’ve had the falling out of two of the world’s most powerful and wealthy narcissists - all of which played out on their own social media platforms. This breakup must be the most predicted thing to come out of Trump’s presidency so far.  

After the drama of Thursday’s outbursts, there seems to be a de-escalation between President Trump and his former benefactor and DOGE leader Elon Musk. Maybe they each realised they’re unlikely to win outright, with the other having a platform to keep the jabs coming. Or maybe a little more strategic thought is going into next moves, although I’m not sure how much lower the blows could have gone.  

But if you’re looking for alternative entertainment this weekend, I can recommend Netflix’s The Survivors.  

The Aussie series is based on a Jane Harper novel set in Tasmania, and tells the story of how a present-day death in a coastal town brings back difficult memories of a 15-year-old tragedy when 3 young people died at sea. It’s a crime drama filled with small town secrets, buried trauma and grief.

At the heart of this film, giving another acting masterclass, is our very own Kiwi legend Robyn Malcolm.

Every time I see Malcolm in a new role I say it’s her best performance yet - she’s at the very top of her game. It occurred to me this weekend that she’s always been at the top of her game - whether on Shortland St, Outrageous Fortune, Jane Campion’s Top of the Lake or Aussie comedies like Rake or Upper Middle Bogan. 

But there’s no doubt Malcolm just keeps getting better. While many other actors discuss the difficulty of getting work once a woman hits a certain age, Malcolm reminds us the middle years can be the glory years. That a life of experience and hard work can lead to the roles of a lifetime. Recent performances in After the Party, Pike River, and The Survivors are giving writers a reason to write wonderfully layered, messed up characters for women like Malcolm to play.  

If you look at Robyn’s resume you’d think she’s been employed consistently since walking out of drama school in 1987. But I know it hasn’t always been easy. Being an actor is not an easy life no matter how damn good you are. But watching Malcolm, along with Dianne Taylor, pick up a pen and create a project for herself - the Bafta-nominated After the Party - proves you can be middle aged, relevant, celebrated and seen, if you want to be.   

 It's hard to take your eyes off her in The Survivor. But just wait until you see her in Rob Sarkies’ new film Pike River, which is being released in New Zealand in October. Yip, you guessed it. Her best work yet. Seriously, she is spectacular as Sonya Rockhouse. There is no doubt 2025 is going to be a great year for Malcolm, and I’m sure it’s just the beginning of an amazing third act. 

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