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New Zealand actor Sam Neill has been honoured with a posthumous award for his role in Australian TV series The Twelve.
The actor, who died aged 78 in July, months after announcing he was cancer-free following treatment for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, won an Australian Logie Award for best lead actor in a drama for his role as Brett Colby in the series.
Accepting the award on his behalf, Neill’s fellow actor and friend Heather Mitchell said: “I’m so sorry I’m not Sam, I know how much this would mean to Sam, and to Sam… this is an indication of his connection, the connection he has with people, with his audience.
“The Twelve meant a great deal to Sam, he was incredibly proud of this show, of each season of it, he really relished the character of Brett Colby.
“He talked about it a lot, and he thought he was a very clever man, and also a sort of a 007 kind of person, and that was Sam as well.
“Not only does he have that gentle command and espionage techniques, but he also had a warmth and a generosity.
“Sam, I know, would want to thank his audience for the many, many years of loyalty and love, and support they have shown him.
“Above all, I think he would want to thank his fellow actors.
“His fellow actors meant everything to him, and every actor he ever worked with, he loved actors, he supported actors, and I know that he found their company the most fulfilling company.
“He loved being on set, and I know he would want to thank every single crew member, every single person who worked on The Twelve and made The Twelve such a special, special show.”
She went on to say that Neill would be “so thrilled” to see his castmates and family at the awards ceremony.
Mitchell added: “I’m not here to speak about Sam, but I just know how much this would mean.
“Looking out here at all of you and thinking of all the viewers at home, I know his heart would be so full, and he’d want to pour you all wine, and embrace you all.”
