Danielle Cormack is a leading light in contemporary New Zealand cinema, having made the transition to the big screen after a successful career in television. Appearances in soap operas in her native country led to her becoming a household name, but Cormack chose to leave behind the security of an ongoing role and instead did a lot of work in theatre, both in her native Auckland and also on tour domestically and abroad. Playing a recurring guest character in "Xena: Warrior Princess," a US TV production filmed in New Zealand, brought Danielle an international fan base at the same time that she was establishing herself in successful independent film productions in her own country, and she has attended the Cannes Film Festival on several occasions to promote her performances in these critically acclaimed works. Danielle has commented on more than one occasion that she is drawn to acting parts that contrast with previous work, indicating that likes the challenge of breaking new ground professionally, and she continues to show considerable range in her chosen roles. She also finds time between her many film and stage commitments (and the responsibilities of being the mother of a young son) to attend fan conventions in the US and other countries, where she is a much-loved guest speaker regarding her "Xena" appearances and evidences real talents for comedy and improvisation in these settings. She has considered relocating to either the UK or the US to further her career opportunities, but for now seems content to remain in New Zealand and continue to exemplify the community of tremendous acting and production talent that resides there. BG:
Ephiny
Of all the Xena recurring characters, Ephiny is one of the best. Her character (played by Danielle Cormack) was introduced in the Season One episode "Hooves And Harlots." She was a brash young Amazon warrior ready to fight the Centaurs to the death to defend her sisters' honor.
She made numerous appearances on Xena (and even a couple of Hercules episodes) as her character Ephiny. After "Hooves And Harlots" she returns in "Is There A Doctor In The House?" the Season One Finale in which her Centaur husband is murdered in a dispute during the Mitoan-Thessalian War. It is this episode that she gives birth to her son whom she names Xenon in honor of Xena. Her next appearances are:
3-"The Quest" (Season Two) Gabrielle is returning Xena's body to Amphipolis after she was killed in "Destiny." While she is traveling, she is stopped by Ephiny who implores her to return to take her place as Amazon Queen to stop the evil Velasca from taking over and returning the honorable Amazons to their old violent ways.
4-"A Necessary Evil" (Season Two) Ephiny continues to show her loyal nature when she fights with Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto to stop the immortal Velasca from killing Gabrielle in revenge for not giving her the crown.
5-"Maternal Instincts"(Season Three) Ephiny must work to save the children from Hope and Callisto's evil plans to kill the children, namely Xena's son Solan.
6-"The Bitter Suite"(Season Three) Ephiny does all in her power to save Gabrielle from a revenge-minded Xena who is determined to kill Gabrielle at Ares' urging to avenge Solon's death. She bravely goes up against Xena, though I think we all know she knew in her heart that she didn't stand a chance of winning. This proves once again how loyal Ephiny can be to a friend.
7-"Endgame" (Season Four) Ephiny's last battle on Earth happens in this episode when she is killed in battle by Brutus while fighting off a Roman invasion and saving Amarice.
8-And lastly "Last Of The Centaurs"-Ephiny returns to save her son Xenon, now a grown man, from Balak (son of Boreas) when the man puts a bounty on Xenon's head for falling in love with Nika, Balaks daughter.
Ephiny was a brave warrior, loving mother and devoted friend to Xena and Gabrielle. She made an impression on the hearts of all Xenites and she will never be forgotten as long as the show is remembered.
-Caina Q. Fuller
Actress - filmography
Price of Milk, The (2000) .... Lucinda
"Cleopatra 2525" (2000) TV Series .... Raina
Amazon High (1999) .... Samsarra
Channelling Baby (1999) .... Bunnie
Siam Sunset (1999) .... Grace
Via Satellite (1998) .... Chrissy/Carol
Topless Women Talk About Their Lives (1997) .... Liz
Game with No Rules, A (1994) .... Vera
Last Tattoo, The (1994) .... Molly
"Shortland Street" (1992) TV Series .... Nurse Alison Rayner Warner (1992-1993)
"Gloss" (1987) TV Series .... Tania
Notable TV Guest Appearances
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "The Last of the Centars" (episode # 6.17) 30 April 2001
"Jack of All Trades" (2000) playing "Catherine the Great" in episode: "A Horse of a Different Color" (episode # 2.1) 7 October 2000
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Samsara" in episode: "Lifeblood" (episode # 5.16) 18 March 2000
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "Endgame" (episode # 4.20) 3 May 1999
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "Sky High" (episode # 5.12) 25 January 1999
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "The Bitter Suite" (episode # 3.12) 2 February 1998
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "Maternal Instincts" (episode # 3.11) 26 January 1998
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "Prodigal Sister" (episode # 4.7) 11 October 1997
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (1995) playing "Lady Marie DeValle" in episode: "Les Contemptibles" (episode # 3.17) 14 April 1997
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "A Necessary Evil" (episode # 2.14) 10 February 1997
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "The Quest" (episode # 2.13) 3 February 1997
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "Is There A Doctor In The House?" (episode # 1.24) 29 July 1996
"Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) playing "Ephiny" in episode: "Hooves and Harlots" (episode # 1.10) 20 November 1995
"High Tide" (1994) playing "Jill McMillan" in episode: "Dead Heat" (episode # 1.22) 6 May 1995
"High Tide" (1994) playing "Meghan Kelly" in episode: "Sitting Ducks" (episode # 1.11) 11 December 1994
