Sam Neill honoured with posthumous award for role in The Twelve

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.

Neill played Brett Colby in the series (Yui Mok/PA)

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“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.”

Neill died in July aged 78 (Jacob King/PA)

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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.”

The Twelve, which has seen three series and began in 2022, follows the story of Kate Lawson, who is on trial for the alleged murder of her niece and how the 12 jurors bring their personal lives and prejudices to the courtroom.

The show has been broadcast on ITV in the UK.

Some of Neill’s best known roles include parts in the Jurassic Park film series, Taika Waititi’s breakout hit Hunt For The Wilderpeople and in the Peaky Blinders TV series.