Harvey Zielinski

Notes

Harvey Zielinski is an actor, writer, director, and producer, working across screen and stage. A two-time Heath Ledger Scholarship finalist, Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre Graduate Ensemble Member and winner of the Casting Guild of Australia’s Rising Star Award, Harvey’s screen acting credits include WHITE FEVER (ABC), DON’T LOOK DEEPER (dir. Catherine Hardwicke), LOVE ME (Warner Bros), MY FIRST SUMMER (Stan), and DEADLOCH (Amazon Prime). Harvey’s debut feature and first screenplay, SWEET MILK LAKE, completed post in 2025 and will premiere in 2026. He wrote, directed, starred in the film as twins, and is one of the producers. As a writer, Harvey’s first co-written TV episode, Episode 5 of WHITE FEVER, earned a nomination for a Best Comedy AWGIE and the prestigious Betty Rowland Prize. Harvey’s first stage play, THUGS, was commissioned by Malthouse Theatre. Harvey is currently adapting THUGS as a feature, with support from Screen Australia. Harvey was Director’s Attachment to Emma Freeman on The Newsreader Season 2 and directed the Victorian Government’s Unsaid Says a Lot campaign. He is attached to direct a Horror Comedy series in 2026. On stage, Harvey’s acting credits include WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF (Red Stitch/Comedy Theatre/Sydney Theatre Company), GENDER EUPHORIA (Arts Centre Melbourne/Seymour Centre/Darlinghurst), CAVEMXN (Anthropocene Theatre Company), BECAUSE THE NIGHT (Malthouse), HIR (Red Stitch), THE ANTIPODES (Red Stitch), and SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER (Red Stitch). “A joy to watch…” – Time Out “The lead actors are all fantastic, especially Zielinski…(His) performance as a betrayed best friend is an exceptional one” – Cinema Australia “Achingly vulnerable…” – The Age “Remarkable work…” – Australian Arts Review “Zielinski hovers quite perfectly between confidence and uncertainty” – In Review “Zielinski and Boesen are a riot” – Time Out “The wattage emanating from the cast is often electrifying…Zielinski nails the slick, colourless swagger of Nick, but he’s also able to convey a sense of wistfulness and self-awareness that isn’t necessarily on the page” – The Guardian “He is especially good – sly, ingratiating and likeable while never wholly trustworthy...” – Australian Book Review “Best on the night…”– Australian Arts Review “Act II’s opening scene between Nick and George is a standout…Zielinski’s subtle naturalism adds a magnetic believability” – Limelight “You forget they are acting; the quartet are that good…Zielinski’s Nick has the cocky pugilism required…it is fascinating to watch the two men go at it.” – Theatre Matters “Stunning performances…Zielinski as Honey’s husband, Nick, is particularly well cast. His very affable appearance allows him to turn his character’s naivety into deceit with the art of a grifter.” – Stage Whispers “Zielinski’s spunky, naive and narcissistic Max is both adorable and relatable.” – Daily Review