Sam Neill Wins Posthumous Logie for ‘The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer’

Sam Neill has been posthumously honoured at the 2026 TV Week Logie Awards, winning Best Lead Actor in a Drama for his performance in The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer.

The acclaimed actor, who died in July, was recognised for his portrayal of defence barrister Brett Colby in the Binge and Foxtel legal drama, a role he played across all three seasons of the Australian series.

Neill’s close friend and fellow actor Heather Mitchell accepted the award on his behalf during Sunday night’s ceremony at The Star Sydney.

“I know how much it would mean to him,” Mitchell told the audience, adding that Neill’s “heart would be so full” seeing the Australian television industry gathered in the room.

Mitchell said The Twelve had meant a great deal to Neill and that he particularly relished playing Colby, describing the character as an intelligent figure with something of a “007” quality.

The win continues Neill’s considerable history with the Logies and The Twelve. He previously received the Most Popular Actor award for the series in 2023 before winning Best Lead Actor in a Drama in 2025.

Adapted from the Belgian series De Twaalf, The Twelve centres on the jurors involved in complex criminal trials while exploring the personal lives and circumstances they bring into the courtroom.

The third instalment, The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer, again saw Neill lead the drama as Colby and ultimately delivered the actor another major recognition from the Australian television industry.

Neill’s career stretched across more than five decades and made him one of the most internationally recognisable actors to emerge from this part of the world.

Alongside globally recognised films including Jurassic Park, The Piano and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Neill maintained a strong connection to Australian screen production throughout his career, appearing in projects including The Dish, Little Fish, Ride Like a Girl and Rams.

He was also remembered during the Logies’ In Memoriam segment earlier in the ceremony.

The posthumous award was one of several major acting honours presented on Sunday night. Brooke Satchwell won Best Lead Actress in a Drama for Stan’s Dear Life, while Simon Baker and Claudia Karvan claimed the supporting drama categories.

For Neill, however, the award provides a final recognition from an Australian television industry to which he repeatedly returned throughout his career — and for a role Mitchell said he was particularly proud to play.