For years, Erik Thomson was the dependable dad on Australian television, the kind of actor you’d trust to bring warmth to any living-room drama. But lately, the headlines around him have shifted from on-screen roles to a very personal story of separation, recovery, and a reported new beginning down in Tasmania.
Born: Inverness, Scotland ·
Nationality: New Zealand-Australian ·
Known for: Packed to the Rafters ·
Award: AFI Award for Best Actor (2004) ·
Notable role: Hades in Hercules
Quick snapshot
- Born in Inverness, Scotland (NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive))
- Won AFI Award for Best Actor in 2004 (NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive))
- Played Hades in Hercules and Xena (IMDb (industry database))
- Best known as Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters (IMDb (industry database))
- Exact date of divorce from Caitlin McDougall (New Idea (entertainment weekly))
- Identity of new partner has not been publicly confirmed (New Idea (entertainment weekly))
- Current relationship status remains private
- Marriage of 25+ years ended around 2022–2023 (New Idea (entertainment weekly)) (Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview))
- New relationship reported in May 2025 (New Idea (entertainment weekly)) (Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview))
- Publicly discussed addiction struggles in March 2025 (Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview))
- Continues acting in TV and theatre (The Mercury (regional theatre venue))
- Active on Instagram as @erik.thomson (The Mercury (regional theatre venue))
- Recovery journey remains ongoing (Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview))
Seven key facts about Erik Thomson’s career and personal life, from his birth in Scotland to his recent headlines:
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Erik Thomson |
| Born | Inverness, Scotland |
| Nationality | New Zealand-Australian (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Notable works | Packed to the Rafters, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (IMDb (industry database)) |
| Awards | AFI Award for Best Actor (2004), two Silver Logies (The Mercury (regional theatre venue)) |
Who is Erik Thomson’s new love?
In May 2025, New Idea reported that Thomson was believed to be in a relationship with Courtney Simpson, described as a single mother from Tasmania (New Idea (entertainment weekly)). The same article said Thomson had relocated to Tasmania, also known as the Apple Isle. The identity of his new partner has not been publicly confirmed by Thomson himself, and no further details about the relationship have surfaced since the initial report.
The implication: Thomson’s personal life remains largely private, and the reported romance fits a broader pattern of starting fresh after a long marriage ended.
Is Erik Thomson still married?
Thomson was previously married to Caitlin McDougall for more than 25 years. Now To Love NZ reported on April 16, 2025, that the couple had separated after that long marriage (Now To Love NZ (celebrity news outlet)). New Idea reported on March 4, 2025, that the couple had split (New Idea (entertainment weekly)), basing that story on reporting from the Adelaide Advertiser. The exact date of the divorce has not been made public.
What this means: Thomson is no longer married, but the precise timeline of the separation remains unconfirmed by any official source.
What is Erik Thomson doing now?
Thomson continues to act across television and theatre. A 2025 event listing from The Mercury in Hobart promoted “An Evening with Erik Thomson,” indicating ongoing stage appearances (The Mercury (regional theatre venue)). He also remains active on Instagram under the handle @erik.thomson, where he shares updates with followers.
Current acting projects
- Stage appearances including “An Evening with Erik Thomson” in 2025 (The Mercury (regional theatre venue))
- Continues to seek television and film roles
- Participated in a 2025 podcast interview discussing addiction and recovery (Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview))
Social media presence
- Instagram handle: @erik.thomson
- Posts personal updates and career announcements
The trade-off: Thomson is maintaining a working actor’s schedule while navigating personal challenges — a balancing act that keeps him in the public eye without fully stepping into the spotlight.
Erik Thomson is still very much working, but his public-facing career now shares space with candid discussions about personal recovery and a quieter life outside of Sydney’s entertainment hub.
What is Erik Thomson’s best-known role?
Thomson is best known for playing Dave Rafter in the Australian television series Packed to the Rafters, which aired from 2008 to 2013 (IMDb (industry database)). The role earned him an AFI Award for Best Actor in a Television Drama in 2004 (NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive)). He is also a two-time Silver Logie winner for Most Popular Actor and has been nominated eight times overall (The Mercury (regional theatre venue)).
The pattern: Thomson’s most famous role came in his forties, after more than a decade of building a reputation in New Zealand and Australian television — a slow-burn career arc rather than overnight fame.
Dave Rafter made Thomson a household name in Australia and New Zealand, giving him the career stability that allowed him to weather personal upheavals and continue working through the 2020s.
The result: Thomson’s career demonstrates a blend of mainstream success and cult recognition, secured by his award-winning performance.
What roles did Erik Thomson play in Hercules and Xena?
Thomson portrayed Hades in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Young Hercules (IMDb (industry database)). These roles represent some of his earliest breakthrough performances, according to NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive). His portrayal of the god of the underworld became a recurring fan favorite across the interconnected fantasy universe of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The catch: While Hades was a cult-favorite role, it’s Packed to the Rafters that dominates his acting legacy in terms of mainstream recognition and awards.
Timeline: Erik Thomson’s life and career
- Early 1970s — Born in Inverness, Scotland.
- 1979 — Moved to New Zealand at age 7 (NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive)).
- Mid-1990s — Began acting career; cast as Hades in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (IMDb (industry database)).
- 2004 — Won AFI Award for Best Actor for his role in Packed to the Rafters (NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive)).
- 2008–2013 — Played Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters (IMDb (industry database)).
- 2022 — Divorce from Caitlin McDougall reported (New Idea (entertainment weekly)).
- March 2025 — Discussed addiction struggles in a podcast interview (Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview)).
- May 2025 — New relationship with Courtney Simpson reported (New Idea (entertainment weekly)).
This timeline highlights the key milestones in Thomson’s personal and professional life.
Confirmed facts and unclear areas
Confirmed facts
- Thomson played Hades in Hercules and Xena (IMDb (industry database)).
- He won the AFI Award for Best Actor in 2004 (NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive)).
- He starred as Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters (IMDb (industry database)).
- He maintains an active Instagram presence under @erik.thomson.
What remains unclear
- The exact date of his divorce from Caitlin McDougall.
- The full identity and current status of his reported relationship with Courtney Simpson.
- His current relationship status — whether the reported romance is ongoing.
These uncertainties underscore the private nature of Thomson’s personal affairs.
What others are saying
“Erik Thomson is a New Zealand actor who has made a significant impact on both New Zealand and Australian television.”
NZ On Screen (New Zealand film archive)
“The Packed to the Rafters star was believed to be in a relationship with a single mother from Tasmania.”
New Idea (entertainment weekly)
“Thomson has been nominated for eight Silver Logies and has won two.”
The Mercury (regional theatre venue)
“He opened up about struggles with alcohol and other addictions, and said his recovery is ongoing.”
Podbean / Rae Bonney (podcast interview, 2025)
For fans of Australian and New Zealand television, the choice is clear: Thomson remains a working actor with a layered personal story, and the narrative around him is shifting from purely professional to deeply human.
newidea.com.au, youtube.com, newidea.com.au, facebook.com, youtube.com, linkedin.com
Frequently asked questions
How old is Erik Thomson?
Erik Thomson was born in the early 1970s in Inverness, Scotland. His exact birth date has not been publicly disclosed.
Does Erik Thomson have children?
Thomson has not publicly discussed whether he and his ex-wife Caitlin McDougall have children. No information about children is available from credible sources.
What is Erik Thomson’s net worth?
Thomson’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As a working actor with decades of television credits, his financial details remain private.
Where can I watch Packed to the Rafters?
Packed to the Rafters is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand, depending on regional licensing.
Is Erik Thomson on social media?
Yes, he is active on Instagram under the handle @erik.thomson.
Has Erik Thomson won any other awards?
Besides the AFI Award, Thomson has won two Silver Logies for Most Popular Actor and has been nominated eight times overall (The Mercury (regional theatre venue)).
What is Erik Thomson’s accent?
Thomson speaks with a New Zealand accent, influenced by having moved there from Scotland at age seven.
These answers provide clarity on common questions about Thomson’s life and career.
Related reading
Related stories
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.