“I am a huge fan of taking my work seriously, and myself not at all.
After attending way too many funerals, I have become even more passionate about spreading as much love as possible — both for myself and others.
I deeply feel the brevity of life and want to use my work as a way of encouraging life to the full and acknowledging the fact that searing grief and resplendent joy can be (and often are) felt at the exact same time.
I love to tell comedic stories that inspire empathy, hope, and silly goosery with quirky female leads and a mental health-focus.
Life is way too short and precious – let’s laugh at frivolity, love our people as aggressively as possible, and live with audacious hope.”
— Madeleine Wighton
Madeleine is an actor / writer / filmmaker based on Gadigal and Wangal land in Sydney.
Madeleine’s award-winning wholesome rom com short film, Bernice which she wrote, directed and produced, is currently making its way around the world on the festival circuit, leaving all viewers with the warmest juiciest metaphorical hug (something we all need right now!). Madeleine stars as Bernice alongside Tai Hara (Colin From Accounts, Home and Away, Austin) and Ava Cannon (Bump). Madeleine co-directed with cinematographer, Tony Gardiner ACS (Home and Away, Neighbours, The PM’s Daughter S2, Heat).
Madeleine can be seen in Season 2 of The PM’s Daughter for ABC/Fremantle, playing the vibrant role of Meadow. Other screen credits include breaking Superwog’s heart as his gf, Vikki, in their most recent web series (with over 3 million views) and Elaine Hodge in the mockumentary, The Detention Diaries, now in long form development of whoch she is also a writer. Madeleine played an alien, the Stardancer, in Declan Arrighi’s upcoming film Sunny Jim which was shot out amongst the red dirt of Broken Hill. She also played washed-up rockstar, Squid in the short film, Off Kilter. She also appeared in Ladies in Black, Australian feature film directed by Bruce Beresford.
Madeleine produced and starred in the short film Cadence with award-winning writer/director Stephanie Troost (Birdeater) and DOP Roger Stonehouse (Birdeater).
On stage, Madeleine played English convict, Martha, in the new play, Forgotten, at Riverside Theatre and Hobart’s Playhouse Theatre (dir. Maddie Diggins). She was a “standout” (Theatre Thoughts) as the overlooked Wing Defence, Allegra, in Nails Must Be Kept Short to sold out audiences at Factory Theatre. For critically acclaimed production company, Little Triangle, she played the loveable and comedic Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Sally in The Wild Party. Madeleine played Queen Duncan in Beth, a sparkly, camp, and bloody reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth (dir. Maddie Diggins). In 2020, moments before lockdown, Madeleine performed in Les Miserables at Riverside Theatre as the Cosette understudy and Innkeeper’s Wife.
Madeleine wrote, directed and starred in her sold out one-woman show A Life Half Lived: The Natalie Wood Story.
Madeleine studies regularly with acting coach Les Chantery, and has received a BA (Music Theatre) with Distinction, a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Brent Street, and a Graduate Certificate of Psychology from UNSW.
Madeleine is a proud member of Equity.