Salme Geransar is an Iranian-Australian actress and artist. She is known for her roles in the 2019 sci-fi thriller The Mandela Effect; Neighbours (2020); Clickbait (2021); and as Anousha in the ABC series Mystery Road: Origin (2022). She appeared in the 2024 Melbourne Theatre Company's production of English.
Early life and education
Salme Geransar was born in Tehran, Iran. She moved to Australia with her family at the age of four, and grew up on the Central Coast of New South Wales. She played the piano as a child, and enjoyed the arts and mathematics at school.
She studied biotechnology at the University of Newcastle, before taking time out to try acting. She did a three-year full-time acting course at the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art (AADA) in Sydney, graduating in 2006.
Since then she has also done various other courses in acting and the dramatic arts in Australia and the United States, including at the 16th Street Actors Studio in Melbourne, the Upright Citizens Brigade (2016) and Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop (2018), both in Los Angeles.
Career
Screen
Geransar moved to Melbourne, and featured in the lead guest roles first in the Network 10 police drama series Rush, and then in the TV drama series Winners & Losers. She won accolades for her portrayal of an Iranian woman who finds herself in a bad situation after fleeing as a refugee, in the 2013 short film Wish. She has since appeared in many roles on the big screen as well as television.
In 2014, she moved to the U.S. to pursue her acting career, and lived in Los Angeles for almost five years.
After playing a number of dramatic roles, she was cast in the comedy feature Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town alongside Mackenzie Davis. Directed by Christian Papierniak, the film premiered at the 2017 LA Film Festival, and the 2019 sci-fi thriller The Mandela Effect.
She played Detective Majano in the Netflix series Clickbait (2021) and Anousha in the ABC series Mystery Road: Origin (2022) for which she along with the rest of the cast received the 2023 Equity Ensemble Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Stage
While studying at AADA, Geransar performed on stage many times at the Pilgrim Theatre, and has had a few roles on stage since, including in Steven Berkoff's Decadence (2008, 2009) and Neil Simon's California Suite in 2018.
She starred in the 2024 Melbourne Theatre Company's production of English, which met with excellent reviews when it played in Melbourne and Canberra.
Personal life
Geransar is fluent in English, Persian, and Spanish.
Since late 2023, she has been pursuing her passion for art, with her work featured in the Melbourne Eclectic Art Show and Fitzroy Art Collective in 2024.
Salme Geransar is a rising martial artist. She has trained in Muay Thai and Aikido. She has demonstrated skills in weapon fighting such as the use of bo staff, jo and bokken. Salme Geransar is a black belt master in Aikido. She is a direct student of Michael Shaw, Soke of Iwama Ryu Aikido Australia. Iwama Ryu Aikido is a martial art "that was intended by the founder to be martially effective. Iwama Ryu Aikido is not to be confused with other Aikido which due to the soft, casual nature of practice would be better called health or exercise systems."
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | We Bury the Dead | Private Clarkson | |
| 2019 | The Mandela Effect | Nasim Terhani | |
| 2017 | Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town | The Gypsy | |
| 2008 | The Plex | Misty |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Swift Street | Vivienne | Episode: "Rental" |
| 2022 | Mystery Road: Origin | Anousha | Main cast (6 episodes) |
| 2021 | Spreadsheet | Tash | Episode: "Lipstick and Nits" |
| 2021 | Clickbait | Detective Majano | Recurring (6 episodes) |
| 2020 | Neighbours | Kayla Gold | Episode: "1.8428" |
| 2013 | Winners & Losers | Amita Chaves | Episode: "You Can Run" |
| 2010 | Rush | Ara | Episode: "3.14" |
References
- ^ Bailey, John (19 July 2024). "Australia didn't want actresses like her. But then things changed". The Age. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Actress profile: Salme Geransar". Writers Cafe. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Salme Geransar". Casting Networks. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- Wish at IMDb
- Heath, Nicola (15 August 2024). "Sanaz Toossi's play English won a Pulitzer — and now Melbourne Theatre Company brings it to Australia". ABC News. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- Robbins, Caryn. "Salme Geransar Gets Comedic in New Film IZZY GETS THE F*CK OUT OF TOWN". Broadway World. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- "Salme Geransar Finds her Niche Indie Comedy 'Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town'". SoReckless. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- Knox, David (8 May 2023). "Equity Ensemble Awards 2023: winners". Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- Byrne, Tim (4 August 2024). "English review – this Pulitzer-winning play is smart, subtle and deceptively feelgood". Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- Musa, Helen (6 September 2024). "English, but not always as it is spoken". Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- "Actress and inspiration Salme Geransar". Around the globe entertainment. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- "Tiger by Salme Geransar". Bluethumb Online Art Gallery. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- Sal G (7 December 2019). Action Reel. Retrieved 1 December 2024 – via YouTube.
- Sal G (7 February 2019). Awakening. Retrieved 1 December 2024 – via YouTube.
- "About Iwama Ryu Aikido". Iwama Ryu Aikido. Retrieved 23 November 2024.