Canadian Actresses

Sarah Gadon was born in a quiet residential area in Toronto, Ontario, to a teacher mother and a psychologist father. She grew up with the support and encouragement of her parents and older brother, James, and with this was inspired to go headlong into acting and dance alike. Sarah spent much of her adolescence training as a performer as a Junior Associate at the National Ballet School of Canada and as a student at the Claude Watson School for the Performing Arts. She also studied cinema at the prestigious University of Toronto.

She is known for her roles in the films A Dangerous Method (2011), Antiviral (2012), Enemy (2013), and Indignation (2016), and the mini-series 11.22.63 (2016).

Paulina's career has evolved on stages and screens, spanning content creation, business affairs, communications, policy, programming, production, post-production and distribution, primarily within Canada's English and French-language creative industries.

As a programming specialist, she has developed, curated and promoted award-winning, projects, programs and events reporting to public and private stakeholders. As an executive director, she has served a range of non-profit organizations.

During her tenure as Programming and Operations Lead of the Encore+ YouTube channel created by the Canada Media Fund in unprecedented collaboration with industry partners from 2017-2022, Paulina oversaw the digitization and promotion of 3000+ classic Canadian films, documentaries, television series and short films. In 2020, she launched and executive produced Encore+ Originals featuring A-list Canadian talent revisiting famed past collaborations, recorded via Zoom during the pandemic and leveraging YouTube Premiere. Encore+ and its French-language sister channel Encore Plus, fostered discoverability for legacy content and talent, stimulating sales, remakes and engagement with global audiences, festivals, streaming platforms and Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Passionate about the preservation of Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual heritage, over 2018-2022 Paulina commissioned and oversaw 2K and 4K restorations of over a dozen endangered classic Canadian feature films for Encore+ in a partnership with Telefilm Canada.

Deepening her knowledge of film preservation practices, she served as Programming Specialist at the Canadian Film Institute's Save As Symposium: The Future of Restoring, Preserving, Distributing, and Exhibiting Heritage Cinema presented at the International Film Festival in Ottawa (IFFO) in 2024, 2023 and in 2022. Here, she programmed and hosted bilingual case studies of recent Canadian legacy film restorations, creating original video interviews with leading talent.

Other national curatorial digital programs under her lead include First Person Digital (National Film Board of Canada / Ada X) and HTMles 2010: Festival of Media Art + Digital Culture (Ada X).

Founder and executive producer of Women in Film and Television International's Short Film Showcase, Paulina curated three editions of the Showcase, presented in twenty cities across three continents. Featuring award-winning short films directed by women from all continents and advocating for gender equity in the global film industry, the Showcase proved highly popular with audiences and at connecting WIFT Chapters across the network.

Active in industry building, Paulina served as Vice-President, Programming and later as President of Montreal Women in Film and Television (Allia - Alliance des femmes des industries créatives) over ten years. Serving as Chair, Global Programming for Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) over two years, she deepened her knowledge of governance practices, fostering impactful international collaborations. She is co-founding board member and past chair of the advisory committee of the English Language Arts Network (ELAN) and past vice president of the Quebec Drama Federation.

Danielle Aarssen is known for Believe in You (2020), Saving Dreams (2016) and Wayne (2022).

Renee Abbott is known for Poor Boy's Game (2007), Down to the Dirt (2008) and A Bug and a Bag of Weed (2006).

Sarah Abbott was born on 22 January 2006. She is an actress, known for Ginny & Georgia (2021), Feel the Beat (2020) and Black Mirror (2011).

Born in Vancouver B.C., Wendy Abbott is an accomplished actress in film, television and on the stage. On television, she has made appearances in Hallmark's A Christmas to Remember (2016) with Mira Sorvino, the Dustin Lance Black mini series When We Rise (2017) starring Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, and Rachel Griffiths and the critically acclaimed Amazon series The Man in the High Castle (2015). On the big screen, Wendy appeared in the Brightlight Pictures feature film Little Pink House (2017) which premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival 2017.

Wendy is a thirty plus years' dancer, choreographer and dance instructor in all levels of dance, primarily jazz and stage disciplines and has danced with three professional companies. She was also a member of the Stratford Festival with three seasons of Shakespeare and principal leads in their musical theatre productions, most notably, a part created for her in The Pirates of Penzance (1985) by the National Ballet of Canada choreographer Brian Macdonald.

Feaven Abera is an Ethio-Canadian actress born in Hamilton Ontario. Feaven started her career modeling for print and runway and now lives in Toronto continuing their work in film and TV. Some films have been featured in festivals around the US and UK, and her career continues to grow with work featured on Global TV, Netflix, and more.

Liyou Abere is an actress from Toronto, Canada and began acting at the age of 9. Soon after appearing in print ads and commercials, Liyou began recording for the character of Sidetable Drawer in the children's animated series Blues Clues & You (Nickelodeon) and has appeared on screen as Red Wood Dr. O in Odd Squad Mobile Unit (PBS), Nyani Colom in Mrs. America (FX), Janine in The Boys (Amazon Prime) and most recently as Jamie in Locke and Key (Netflix). While not acting, Liyou loves to sing, play the piano and the guitar. She is fluent in French.

Yasmin received her M.F.A. from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois and began working professionally as an actor immediately following graduation in 2004.

She considers herself lucky to have had the privilege of meeting and learning from some of the greats, including the late Uta Hagen, the late playwright Edward Albee, as well as Anne Bogart & Ellen Lauren from The SITI Company in New York City.

She has performed throughout Canada, the U.S.A., Europe and Scandinavia. She now calls North Vancouver, BC her home and works primarily in Film & Television.

Yasmin is a proud member of CAEA & UBCP/ACTRA.

Rebecca Ablack is known for Awake (2021), Luckiest Girl Alive (2022) and Let It Snow (2019).

Viola Abley is a versatile performer experienced in feature and short films, commercials, voice overs, TV, and new media projects. She worked alongside acclaimed actors such as Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, and Shirley MacLaine in the studio film "Noelle" (2019), directed by Marc Lawerence and streaming on Disney+. She also appeared in the Apple TV+ musical original series "Schmigadoon!" (2021), collaborating with Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose and Tony Award-winning choreographer Chris Gattelli. Additionally, Viola has recurring roles on the Netflix series "Scaredy Cats" (2021), the Apple TV+ series "Pinecone & Pony" (2022/2023) and the Peacock series "Press Start!" (2024). She has two new projects coming out in 2025.

Viola, of Asian and European descent, is not only dedicated to her acting career but also excels as a high school student. Alongside her studies, she actively participates in the school drama productions, student council, and various school events. In her free time, Viola enjoys skiing, baking, singing, playing video games, dancing and spending time with friends.

Isabelle Aboagye also known as Isy is an energetic and driven young artist with a passion for singing and acting. A talented mezzo-soprano who is always a crowd favourite, Isabelle has pursued her passion with intensive vocal training since the age of 8 and training in dance with KW Glee since the age of 10.

Isy's hard work has earned her lead vocal opportunities on many stages and she was also honoured to be selected to play the Principal role of Young Karen in the Lifetime Movie "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel."

Isy can also be seen on the new CBC Kids TV show "Ukulele U," where she lights up the screen as she sings and dances her way into the hearts of kids all over Canada.

Isy excels at performing in front of crowds large and small, and highlights include performing at the Kitchener Blues Festival, Centre in the Square , University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre and other smaller venues. Isabelle's strength is in her unique and powerful, evocative voice, her professionalism and her ability to learn lines quickly. Her ability to connect with audiences has made her an audience favourite for performances on-stage and on-screen.

Laura Abramsen is known for Die Alone (2024), Schitt's Creek (2015) and #VanLife.

Nayeli Abrego is known for Skymed (2022).

Jessica Abruzzese is known for The Handmaid's Tale (2017), Alert: Missing Persons Unit (2023) and In Cold Light (2025).

Nenna Abuwa is known for Antiviral (2012), Lost Girl (2010) and Three Shades of Black (2003).

Lauren Acala is known for Longlegs (2024), Motherland: Fort Salem (2020) and Sacred Lies (2018).

Christina Aceto is known for Without Warning (2024), Tapped Out (2014) and American Dynasties: The Kennedys (2018).

Georgia Acken was born on 29 May 2007 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Georgia is an actor and director, known for The Sacrifice Game (2023), Under the Bridge (2024) and Circuit Breakers (2022).

Claire Acott is known for A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet (2013) and B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye (2008).

Carolyn is of Irish and Czech descent A graduate of the Vancouver Film School, Master Class/Acting for Film & Television, Carolyn studied under acclaimed Actor and Acting coach A.C. Peterson. Theatre performer and Improv. training with the Second City Comedy Club. Studies include William Davis Actors Study with William Davis, Sid Kozak audition class, Anne Anderson and Ann Forry acting for commercials. Audition workshop and scene study with Richard Keats.

Carolyn presently works on Features and Television Series as well as Commercials and Print Work.

Rose Adam is known for Slut in a Good Way (2018), 1987 (2014) and Noémie (2008).

Laura Adamo is a Toronto based actor, and a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York. Her first project was the short film "Drama Queen", which she created the concept for, produced, and stared in. The film screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the bronze medallion award at the Houston International Film Festival. She went on to produce and star in "Last Call", a feature film that screened at The Big Apple Film Festival and won the audience choice award at The San Diego Film Festival, which led to a distribution deal with Moving Pictures in the USA. Adamo then turned her attention to television. She created 5 scripted series and one lifestyle documentary food series. Her lifestyle show "Family Secrets" was in development with Paperny films and the pilot was shot by Douglas Arrowsmith. Her first scripted series "Cattle Call", a half hour comedy, went into development with City TV where she shot a pilot directed by Ron Murphy. Her second series, "Bait", went into development with Buck Productions and had a pilot script ordered by Much Music. Laura's most recent project is the feature film "The Wishing Tree", which she wrote, directed, and starred in. The film won the audience choice award at Filmocracy Fest.

Beverly Adams was born on 7 November 1945 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is an actress, known for The Silencers (1966), How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) and The Ambushers (1967).

Claire Adams is known for Skinny Fat Girl (2016), Slice the Musical (2015) and Last Life (2016).