Set in Northern Australia’s pastoral landscape, Netflix’s recently released neo-western drama, Territory, deals with a number of topics ranging from land ownership issues, dysfunctional family relationships, the marginalization of indigenous people, and the harrowing effects of commercialization of land at the hands of seedy corporations. The series boasts a stacked cast comprising Australian and New Zealand-based actors, who, assisted with proper characterization, have done a remarkable job in handling the myriad of topics and exploring various narrative themes at the same time, allowing viewers to get in touch with the complex, intriguing emotional conflicts and resolutions.Â
Emily Lawson Played by Anna Torv
Australian actor Anna Torv has been associated with some of the most popular small-screen ventures during her two-decade-long acting career, which includes Fox’s Fringe, Netflix’s Mindhunter, and HBO’s The Last of Us. She portrays the role of Emily Lawson in Territory, the maternal figure in the Lawson family who is right at the front and center of the narrative. Second wife of Graham Lawson, Emily is a conflicted character who is torn between her ambition, her responsibilities towards the Lawson family and her birth family as well, and parental duties towards Susie and Marshall. After Daniel Lawson’s demise, Emily is the only member of the family who has what it takes to operate Marianne Station, but Lawson family patriarch Colin doesn’t trust her at all, due to Emily belonging to the Hodge family, who have a prolonged history of stealing Lawson cattle. In fact, before getting acquainted with Graham, Emily assisted her father with the theft and knows the ins and outs of their family trade. No matter how much she tries, Emily cannot deny or reject her past, and it’s the balance she needs to find between her responsibility and ambition that makes Emily’s arc the most interesting one in the series. Emily holds the key to keeping Marianne Station afloat, which is why Miller and Sandra Kirby approach her first with their intention of grabbing the Lawson land. Living inside an extremely patriarchal circle and controlling the flow of things at the same time is no easy task for a woman, but Emily does it with an emphatic show of strength and grace.
Graham’s alcoholic tendencies and lack of self-esteem result in Emily turning to her old flame, Campbell Miller, and for a moment, she was hopeful that Miller’s plan of overtaking the Marianne Station could align with her own ambition. However, soon enough Emily learns the vicious, territorial nature of Miller and how low he can stoop to gain the things he wanted, which makes Emily turn her back on him. Graham’s reformation allows Emily to once again rekindle their relationship, and she finds the resolve to stay at and defend Marianne Station. There is a thematic significance Emily shares with the raging bull whose attack killed Susie. Like the bull, Emily is quite lonely—exasperated after having to endure the drudgeries of family feuds, conspiracies, and concerns for her daughter—and overall extremely confused after getting dragged into situations beyond her control. In its confusion, the bull ended up getting enraged and unwittingly caused a tragic accident, similar to how, in the heat of the moment, Emily ended up causing Daniel’s death even though it was never her intention to. The bull needed a place to belong to, much like Emily herself, which is why an aggrieved Emily, who initially wanted to put down the bull, decided to spare its life at the end.
Colin Lawson Played by Robert Taylor
Veteran Australian actor Robert Taylor has starred in numerous small screen roles, the lead role of Sheriff Walt in Longmire being the most notable of them, as well as the role of Agent Jones in The Matrix. In Territory, his role as Colin Lawson, the twisted, abusive, toxic patriarchal figure hellbent on maintaining the status quo and holding on to traditional values, was a complex character study that showcased both the virtues and vices of the elderly chief of the Lawson family. Colin is a product of his time—parental neglect and the follies of patriarchy have turned him into a monster who puts his own family in harm’s way time and time again. In fact, it can be argued that all of the Lawson family’s woes can be traced back to Colin Lawson. Despite that, he is shown to be perceptive enough to know the difference between appearance and intention and a great judge of character at the same time. Colin is not completely averse to change either, as he accepts Susie’s relationship with Lachie Kirby, despite having a feud with the Kirbys. Colin could have been a redeemable person if his violent, toxic mentality hadn’t gotten a hold over his mind.Â
Graham Lawson Played by Michael Dorman
New Zealand-based actor Michael Dorman has flaunted his acting chops for over two decades, and anime fans might recognize him for portraying the role of Gold Roger in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece. Dorman’s nuanced, tragic portrayal of a troubled Graham Lawson makes the character quite a memorable one amidst a number of other great performances. Caught up in the vicious cycle of patriarchy and violence, Graham is forced into alcoholism by his father, Colin, whose approval is the one thing he craves the most in his life. Graham’s lack of self-esteem results in his inability to stand up to his father or to claim his rightful position in the family, and as a result, his family—Emily, Susie, and Marshall—suffer as well. Graham’s mental afflictions are the only major hindrance that kept him from realizing his potential, and after knowing that his younger brother, Daniel, who was Colin’s golden boy, was not so noble to begin with, Graham is able to get out of Daniel’s shadow and is finally able to make a statement to his father by asserting himself.Â
Marshall Lawson Played by Sam Corlett
Actor Sam Corlett has an acting resume that primarily comprises roles in Netflix ventures, namely The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Vikings: Valhalla. Sam plays the role of Marshall Lawson, the prodigal son of the Lawson family who remains in a constant state of uncertainty while trying to find a place to belong. Aside from his stepmother Emily and her daughter, Susie, Marshall bears nothing but disdain for the rest of his family members. Leaving the mess that is his family behind, Marshall found a home among his nomadic friends, Rich and Sharnie. Marshall returned to his family to mourn his uncle, Daniel’s demise, and was thrust into the responsibility of becoming the future owner of Marianne Station. However, a series of events resulted in Marshall’s connection with Rich and Sharnie ending in the worst possible way: Susie met her end in a tragic accident, for which Marshall blamed himself—and ended up being completely alone. At the end, Marshall leaves his family for good this time, and it doesn’t seem that he will be able to find solace anytime soon.Â
Nolan Brannock Played by Clarence Ryan
Indigenous Australian actor Clarence Ryan has a long acting career behind him, which includes numerous notable roles in indigenous drama features that showcased the plight of the Aboriginal community in the Australasia region. Clarence plays the role of Nolan Brannock in Territory, a musterer of mixed heritage who finds it difficult to fit in either in the sphere of ‘Whitefellas’ or in the community of his own, amidst ‘Blackfellas’. Caught up between the call of his roots and the dream of obtaining the power that white settlers have snatched from his people, Nolan finds himself in a precarious position and initially gives in to the allure of a better life presented by the cunning Sandra Kirby. Ultimately, Nolan accepts his identity as a member of his community and turns on Sandra, the likes of whom want to plague the land of the natives for their own profit.Â
Susie Lawson Played By Philippa Northeast
Australian actor Philippa Northeast has a prolific career on the small screen, especially in comedic ventures, and in Territory, she plays the role of Susie Lawson, daughter of Emily and Graham. Headstrong, proud, intelligent, and pragmatic, Susie quit his academic career to take the reins of family business, even though her grandfather initially refuses to allow her a spot in the ownership of Marianne Station and chooses a reluctant Marshall as the future owner instead. However, Susie knows how to make way for herself even in such a male-dominated, near-barbaric climate, and through her skills and knowledge as a stockwoman, she manages to convince Colin that she indeed is the future of the largest cattle station in the world. Susie is part of the youngest generation but still adheres to family pride and connection with the land, the nature, and the people, and she isn’t willing to trade that at any cost, which was well reflected during her argument with Lachie Kirby, with whom she fell in love for a brief period of time. Susie became the reason the Lawson family found their strength back, and they could even hope for a better future with her in the lead. Unfortunately, Susie met her tragic end in the penultimate episode of the first season, putting the fate of Marianne Station in question.Â