A Look Back At Rachael Carpani’s Career: ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ ‘McLeod’s Daughters’ and ‘The Way Back’
"Explore Rachael Carpani's impactful career and her unforgettable roles
The world is mourning Australian actress Rachael Carpani, who has died unexpectedly at age 45 after a long battle with a chronic illness. Her sister, Georgia, shared the news via Instagram earlier this morning, requesting privacy for her and her family.
Carpani was known for her starring role in the Australian drama series, McLeod’s Daughters, as well as several other smaller roles. Take a look back at the actress’ career as we remember Rachael Carpani.
Rachael Carpani stars in a drama
Carpani’s professional acting career began in 2000, with her first major role coming in 2001 in the form of McLeod’s Daughters. The series followed estranged half sisters Claire and Tess, who reunite after the passing of their father to run their family’s ranch. Carpani starred as Jodi Fountain McLeod, one of the other women running the ranch.
The actress was a lead on the series until halfway through the 7th season in 2007 and made one final appearance in the season 8 finale in 2009.
Carpani spoke to Australia’s morning show Sunrise about how beloved the series was just last year. “Every time I think I’ve got a grip on its [McLeod’s Daughters] place in Australian television history, it still surprises me how loved and almost obsessed people are with it.”
Carpani appears on other hit series
In 2009, shortly after McLeod’s Daughters came to an end, Carpani booked a minor role on the hit series NCIS: Los Angeles, the first spinoff of the successful NCIS. Carpani played Amy, a waitress at a rooftop club.
Two years later, the actress had another shot at the leading lady role in the short-lived series Against the Wall. Carpani starred as Abby Kowalski, a policewoman in Chicago whose new promotion at the Internal Affairs division causes a rift within her tight-knit family of cops.
The series also starred Blue Bloods actress Marisa Ramirez and Hallmark star Andrew Walker. It aired for only one season, a total of 13 episodes, on Lifetime. It was not ordered for a second season due to its modest ratings.
In the years that followed, Carpani had more small appearances on TV shows including The Glades (2010), Stalker (2014) and V.C. Andrews’ Dollanganger Saga (2015).
Carpani’s most recent work
In 2020, Carpani snagged a role in The Way Back, a sports drama film following a high school basketball star, which also starred Ben Affleck. That same year, Carpani appeared in The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.
Just last year, Carpani returned to the very popular, long-running Australian soap opera, Home and Away. In 2001, she had a minor role in two episodes as a server in the diner but in 2024, she booked a bigger part as Claudia Salini.
“It was one of the most enjoyable times I’ve ever had on set and it’s one of the first jobs back here in Australia that I’ve done, so it was really lovely to re-enter the industry here,” Carpani said of the show.
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