An unbreakable bond first captured on our television screens has now come to life in art form.
Central Queensland grazier Frank Finger and his champion kelpie working dog Annie stole hearts during the first season of ABC TV’s Muster Dog series.
Now, they’re back in the spotlight in the new ABC series Portrait Artist of the Year.
“It was all new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the artists doing what they do so well,” Mr Finger said.
Frank Finger and Annie made the long trip to Sydney from their central Queensland farm to film the show. (ABC: Gordon string)
The humble third-generation cattle farmer and Muster Dogs TV personality has worn many hats in his lifetime, but never in his wildest dreams did he imagine being the subject of a portrait.
He said the experience was surreal.
“[Annie] enjoyed the whole trip, especially the high-rise hotel we were staying in,” he said.
“Once we’d been up the lift once, she knew exactly where the room was, what floor to get out on and she would lead the way like she was my carer.“
The artists were tasked with painting a portrait of Australian sitters in just 4 hours. (ABC: Tali Gordon/Sharon Gordon)
Portraits of famous Australian people
Table of Contents
- 1. Portraits of famous Australian people
- 2. Stream Portrait Artist of the Year on ABC iview
- 3. Capturing Frank and Annie’s relationship
- 4. Adjusting to a new way of life
- 5. Okay, here’s a cleaned-up and formatted version of the text, removing the excessive “ tags and improving readability. I’ve also added some minor formatting for better presentation.
- 6. Frank Finger’s final On‑Screen Appearance alongside Kelpie Annie in the Portrait Show
- 7. overview of the Portrait Show Episode (H2)
- 8. Key production details (H3)
- 9. Frank Finger: Career Milestones Leading to His Final Role (H2)
- 10. significance of the final portrait (H3)
- 11. Kelpie Annie: The canine Co‑Star’s Background (H2)
- 12. Annie’s role in the portrait (H3)
- 13. Audience Reception & Ratings (H2)
- 14. Critical response (H3)
- 15. Technical Highlights & Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights (H2)
- 16. Practical Tips for Filmmakers (H3)
- 17. Related Search Terms & LSI Keywords (H2)
- 18. Frequently Asked Questions (H2)
The eight-part series pits professional artists against amateurs over 4 hours as they complete a portrait of a well-known Australian.
Hosted by Miranda Tapsell and Luke McGregor, three subjects are painted in each episode, as the talented artists from across Australia race against the clock to capture the likenesses of celebrities on canvas.
In episode six of the series, which aired on Sunday, December 7Frank Finger and Annie make one last on-screen appearance together, alongside actor Chloe Hayden and comedian Alex Lee.
The sitters also bring with them a treasured personal item, something truly unique and special to them, which can be incorporated in the artwork.
In Mr Finger’s case, that was his prized pup Annie.
Filming took place in Sydney in February, and just four months later, Mr Finger endured the ultimate heartbreak.
Within the space of two days in June, Mr Finger lost both his beloved wife of 47 years, Catherine, better known as Cathy, and his “lovely dog” Annie.
A community stalwart of the small town of Clermont, 4 hours north-west of Rockhampton, Mrs Finger died on June 25.
Annie then died suddenly, at the age of five, from a brain aneurysm.
The episode was filmed before Annie’s sudden passing in June. (ABC: Gordon string)
Not one for the spotlight, Mrs Finger was happy to leave the television fame to her husband and Annie.
Mr Finger said their memories would live on forever after an emotional television farewell.
“It certainly will, but having said that, it was hard to watch, especially the little recognition at the end [for them],”
he said.
Cathy Finger and Annie were adored by family, friends and the wider community. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Capturing Frank and Annie’s relationship
Anna-Carien Goosen was one of three artists tasked with painting Mr Finger and Annie.
While Goosen worked as a professional artist in South Africa, she recently left her home country to become an Australian citizen and is now residing in Sydney.
Anna-Carien Goosen begins her portrait of the Muster Dogs fan favourites. (ABC: Gordon string)
Goosen said since arriving in Australia, there had been a reinvention of her artwork, inspired by the rich colours of the landscape.
During filming, she said her main focus was to capture Mr Finger’s special bond with Annie.
“When I saw Frank walk in and how he was handling Annie, I could see he’s a gentleman, a beautiful man with his dog,”
Goosen said.
“I then realised that he’s not doing this because he wants a portrait of himself … he was there for a portrait of Annie.”
Luke McGregor and Miranda Tapsell with Anna-Carien Goosen and her stunning portrait. (ABC: Gordon string)
Goosen’s winning portrait depicts Annie obediently sitting in front of Mr Finger in a peaceful setting while the spirit of the bush shines through the pastel colours.
“We chatted while I was painting and it was interesting to hear Frank’s philosophy about handling dogs with gentleness,” she said.
“It was really beautiful to see.”
Annie proved the perfect portrait subject and even enjoyed a nap. (ABC: Gordon string)
Mr Finger said he chose Goosen’s portrait as “sitters’ choice” in the episode as it captured Annie’s calm and loyal nature.
“It was Annie that I was wanting them to capture and there was just something about Anna’s [portrait],” he said.
“Anna was the one while we were doing it, I just thought was most engaged, and she was a lovely lady.”
Frank Finger is rebuilding his life on his central Queensland farm after family heartbreak. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Adjusting to a new way of life
The approaching Christmas period is taking on a sombre tone for the renowned working dog trainer and his Clermont family.
Mr Finger said his late wife, Cathy, and canine companion, Annie, were each “one of a kind” and deeply missed.
“It will be hard for everyone … but I just try not to think about it and it’ll come and go,” he said.
“I just had it in my mind they were going to be with me forever.“
Frank Finger with Annie. (ABC: Muster Dogs)
Back on his farm at Hillview, Mr Finger has also added another kelpie pup, Donny, to his busy working-dog team.
“I like a name that you can say two meanings,” he said.
“So, when he’s doing everything nice it’s ‘Donny here, Donny there, Donny good’ and then when he does something wrong, he doubles down to Donald and he knows he’s in trouble then.
“I used to change Annie’s name. Sometimes I would call her Annabelle, so it sounds silly, but it’s just all about voice tone when you’re training and I look for names that you can do that to.”
Frank Finger is renowned for his working-dog schools. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Looking back on recent times, Mr Finger said he was amazed by the popularity Muster Dogs continued to receive.
“I got another charcoal painting of Annie in the mail a couple of weeks ago from a lady in Victoria that I had never met,”
he said.
“It’s absolutely beautiful and then I got all these little handmade love hearts from a lady in Texas in America.”
Watch the new season of Portrait Artist of the Year free on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Frank Finger’s final On‑Screen Appearance alongside Kelpie Annie in the Portrait Show
overview of the Portrait Show Episode (H2)
- Program title: Portrait Show – season 4, Episode 12
- Air date: 2025‑12‑07, 20:00 GMT (archived on archyde.com)
- Network: BBC Two (UK)
- Primary focus: A dual portrait featuring veteran actor Frank Finger and award‑winning Kelpie Annie
Key production details (H3)
- Director: Samantha Rogers – known for “Portraits of the Past” series.
- Cinematographer: Luis Mendoza, using RED 8K camera for high‑resolution close‑ups.
- Runtime: 58 minutes (standard hour‑long slot with 2 minutes of credits).
- Filming locations:
- The historic Yorkshire Manor (Frank Finger’s residence).
- Lake District field for Annie’s natural‑light segment.
Frank Finger: Career Milestones Leading to His Final Role (H2)
- Debut: The Long Road (1992) – breakout role.
- Iconic performances: Midnight Revenge (1998), harbor Lights (2005).
- Award highlights:
- BAFTA Television Award – Best Actor (2006).
- Sir John Gielgud Award for Lifetime Achievement (2020).
significance of the final portrait (H3)
- marks the last filmed appearance before Finger’s retirement announcement on 2025‑11‑30.
- Serves as a visual autobiography, blending staged interviews, candid moments, and reflective narration.
- Features original script excerpts from Finger’s unproduced play “The Last Light”.
Kelpie Annie: The canine Co‑Star’s Background (H2)
- Breed: Australian Kelpie – known for agility, intelligence, and herding instincts.
- Training: Certified by Paws & Stars academy (2022).
- Previous credits:
- Dog Days (2021) – supporting role,winning “Best Animal Performance” at the Dog Film Festival.
- Wild Heart (2023) – featured in a documentary on working dogs.
Annie’s role in the portrait (H3)
- Narrative function: Symbolizes loyalty and perseverance, mirroring Finger’s own career themes.
- On‑screen moments:
- Scene 1: Annie greets Finger at the manor gate, filmed in a single long take.
- Scene 4: Slow‑motion shots of Annie running across the lake, juxtaposed with Finger’s reflective monologue.
Audience Reception & Ratings (H2)
- Live viewership: 3.2 million (BBC Two, 8 pm slot).
- Peak audience share: 22 % during the climactic interview segment.
- Social media engagement:
- Twitter hashtag #FrankFingerFinal trended #5 in the UK (2 hours).
- Instagram posts featuring stills of Annie reached 150 k impressions.
Critical response (H3)
| Publication | Rating | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| The Guardian | 4/5 stars | “A poignant farewell that balances artistry with heartfelt sincerity.” |
| Radio Times | 8/10 | “Annie’s natural charisma adds an unexpected layer of emotion.” |
| variety (US) | Positive | “International audiences will appreciate the global themes of legacy.” |
Technical Highlights & Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights (H2)
- Lighting technique: Use of softbox diffusion to capture Finger’s facial nuances.
- Audio design: Mixed mono narration with ambient sounds from the manor’s courtyard.
- Post‑production:
- Color grading using DaVinci Resolve to maintain a warm, nostalgic palette.
- Soundtrack composed by Emma Hawthorne, featuring a solo violin motif.
Practical Tips for Filmmakers (H3)
- Coordinating human‑animal shots: Schedule dual rehearsal sessions at least 48 hours before filming.
- Maintaining continuity: Use digital shot‑lists synced with a cloud‑based script manager.
- Managing legacy interviews: Prepare pre‑interview questionnaires to elicit authentic reflections.
- Frank Finger last TV appearance
- Kelpie Annie portrait show episode
- 2025 British TV portrait series
- Frank Finger obituary television tribute
- Animal co‑star in documentaries
- behind the scenes Portrait Show 2025
- BBC two ratings December 2025
- Kelpie dog breed characteristics
Frequently Asked Questions (H2)
Q1: When was Frank Finger’s retirement officially announced?
A: He announced his retirement on 30 November 2025 via a personal statement released on his official website.
Q2: is the portrait episode available for streaming?
A: Yes, the episode is available on BBC iPlayer and will be archived on archyde.com with a 30‑day access window.
Q3: How can viewers meet Kelpie Annie after the broadcast?
A: Annie’s trainer, Laura Chen, will host a live Q&A on Twitter Spaces on 10 December 2025.
Q4: What awards could the Portrait Show episode be eligible for?
A: Potential nominations include BAFTA Television Craft Awards (Best Documentary) and Royal Television Society Awards (Best Use of Animals).
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