What I’ve Been Watching: Bridie Carter

Bridie Carter, who features in the arts docu-drama The Exhibitionists on ABC is a fan of Mare of Easttown and Outlander.

Here’s what else is on her viewing list.

What shows are on your must-see TV list lately?
BC: I recently watched Mare of Easttown with Kate Winslet and absolutely loved it. She is wonderful – a full, rich and beautifully flawed heroine. The performances form all the actors including Jean Smart, Evan Peters, Angourie Rice and more were truly inspiring – real, gritty, engaging for a viewer – it is a great ride. Character and plot driven family crime drama. And now I am awaiting Outlander Series 6! Oh, and my husband and I watch Grand Designs UK, NZ and Australia addictively – I am from a family of architects, so I love this show!

How has lockdown affected your viewing?
BC: To be frank, I have been reading more during Lockdown than watching. And because I live on a farm, the work didn’t stop. I was also working away in a TV bubble quite a bit.

Which guilty pleasure show are you reluctant to admit watching?
BC: Nashville – best ever ever ever.

When you settle down for a night on the couch what are your ‘must-haves?’
BC:  Cup of tea, my glasses (sad but true) and my husband. Friday night in front of TV is the best

What show you would secretly love to appear on?
BC: Anything written by UK writer/director Sally Wainwright – she is incredible. Something on the ABC again would be good – this is the first job I have had with our national broadcaster since I did GP just after I graduated from NIDA in the 90’s – it has been a long time between drinks!

The Exhibitionists takes a novel approach to showcasing work by Australian female artists. What can viewers look forward to and what was the biggest revelation for you?
BC: The lack of representation of female artists in our National and State galleries – the gender pay gap. Really, and most sadly though, none of this is a surprise to me. I suffer the same in my artistic field – always more roles for men. I am a child of the 70’s though, I grew up in the forefront and literal womb of women’s art in the George Paton gallery in Melbourne where my mother Kiffy Rubbo was curator. Women and people were talking about this then, and we are still talking about this now. I know many of the women featured in this exhibition #knowmyname, they were in my home. This is my upbringing so it is wonderfully familiar to me. The combining of our entertaining (hopefully!) comedy-drama balances well with the artists and academic and curatorial interviews and visuals we see – I loved the final product. It is inspiring as well as incredibly informative.

The Exhibitionists premieres 8:30pm tonight on ABC.