Tasma Walton

Early life and education

Tasma Walton was born on 19 August 1973 in Geraldton, Western Australia. She is of Boonwurrung descent through her mother, however she only discovered this in her late 30s.

Walton joined local radio station 6GE and trained as a production assistant and copywriter in Geraldton, her home town.

She was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) but dropped out after two years.

Acting career

Walton joined a small Sydney theatre company, and landed a role as the love interest of Ian Moss in the music video for Tucker's Daughter off his 1989 debut album Matchbook.

In 1995, Walton played the recurring role of Rachel Watson in Home and Away.

In 1996, Walton was cast as Dash McKinley in the police drama series Blue Heelers. Her character was introduced halfway through Season 3. She also played another character, Kim Trelor, in the same series. In the same year, she made her film debut in Fistful of Flies. Her last episode of Blue Heelers ("The Full Circle") screened in mid-1999.

In 2009, Walton joined the cast of City Homicide in the semi-regular role of criminal profiler, Claudia Leigh. In July 2013, it was announced that Walton had rejoined the cast of Home and Away in the recurring role of Jade Montgomery. She was on the show for two seasons.

In 2016, Walton appeared on three episodes of Rake. She also had a regular role on Cleverman (in 2016 and 2017). In 2018, she joined the cast of Mystery Road, reprising her role from the 2013 film of the same name. She returned to season two in 2020.

In 2023 Walton appeared in Channel Seven series The Claremont Murders and Walton joined the second season of Foxtel series The Twelve.

Other film and TV appearances include Water Rats, Sea Patrol, The Postcard Bandit, and Perdition. She also won recurring roles in White Collar Blue and BeastMaster.

Writing

Walton has also written two works of fiction:

• Heartless (2009)
• I am Nannertgarrook (2025), an historical novel

Recognition and awards

Acting

• 1997: Winner, Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent, at the 39th Annual TV Week Logie Awards, for her role as "Constable Dash McKinley" on Blue Heelers
• 2014: Nominated, Best Actress at the 3rd AACTA Awards, for her role in Mystery Road

Writing

• Co-winner (with Robbie Arnott), ARA Historical Novel Prize, for I am Nannertgarrook

Personal life

Walton was in a relationship with Danny Roberts for seven and a half years until 2004. She began dating Rove McManus in October 2007. They married in a private ceremony in Broome, Western Australia, on 16 June 2009. In December 2013, Walton and McManus announced the birth of their daughter.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Other appearances

Theatre

Walton has also performed extensively on stage, including the following productions:

References

References

1. "Panscript". Panscript.
2. (7 July 2024). "Why Tasma Walton's Indigenous past was a mystery for years".
3. (19 June 2018). "Mystery Road star Tasma Walton on her hidden family history". Are Media.
4. Browne, Rachel. (27 April 1996). "Cop gives shop a break". [[The Sun-Herald]].
5. Dennehy, Luke. (1 February 2009). "Rove, Tasma in showdown". [[Herald Sun]].
6. Schipp, Debbie. (27 July 2013). "Underbelly: Squizzy and Ripper Street prove yet again that crime pays for free-to-air TV". [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
7. Knox, David. (2023-03-13). "The Claremont Murders: trailer {{!}} TV Tonight".
8. Knox, David. (2023-08-31). "Production underway on The Twelve S2 {{!}} TV Tonight".
9. Knox, David. (2024-07-08). "The Twelve's jury duty, a front row to acting elite. {{!}} TV Tonight".
10. (2025-10-16). "Arnott, Walton, Leal win 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize". Books+Publishing.
11. Story, Hannah. (16 October 2025). "Tasma Walton and Robbie Arnott share $100,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize".
12. Keenan, Catherine. (7 September 2009). "Who's that girl?". [[The Age]].
13. (31 July 2009). "Romancing Rove: Tasma Walton Dishes on Proposing To Rove". [[Pacific Magazines]].
14. Hornery, Andrew. (9 September 2013). "Rove McManus and wife Tasma Walton are expecting their first child". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
15. Casamento, Jo. (21 December 2013). "Early Christmas present for Rove and Tasma as baby Ruby arrives". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
16. (February 2009). "Tasma joins City Homicide | TV Tonight".
17. (17 February 2016). "Cleverman cast attend Berlinale premiere | TV Tonight".
18. Knox, David. (2020-03-10). "Returning: Mystery Road {{!}} TV Tonight".
19. Knox, David. (2019-07-25). "Cameras roll on Mystery Road season two {{!}} TV Tonight".
20. Knox, David. (2024-06-05). "Filming underway on Scrublands: Silver {{!}} TV Tonight".
21. Kalina, Paul. (12 November 2025). "Reckless: Tasma Walton and Hunter Page-Lochard star in crime caper".
22. Knox, David. (2023-07-10). "Airdate: Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro {{!}} TV Tonight".
23. (7 March 2019). "Show Me the Movie: Mar 7 | TV Tonight".
24. "AusStage".