Amanda Brugel
Amanda Brugel | |
---|---|
Born | Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada | March 24, 1978
Alma mater | York University |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1999–present |
Partner | Aidan Shipley |
Children | 2 |
Amanda Brugel (born March 24, 1978) is a Canadian actress. Born and raised in Pointe-Claire (a suburb of Montreal), Quebec, she made her acting debut in the drama film Vendetta (1999). This was followed by roles in the comedy film A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000), the slasher horror film Jason X (2001), the comedy film Sex After Kids (2013), for which she won an ACTRA Award for Best Female Performance, the satirical drama film Maps to the Stars (2014), the independent drama film Room (2015), the superhero film Suicide Squad (2016), the drama film Kodachrome (2017), and the action thriller film Becky (2020).
Brugel starred as Lynnie Jordan in the Showcase soap opera Paradise Falls (2008), Michelle Krasnoff in the Citytv comedy series Seed (2013–2014), Marci Coates in the Space science fiction series Orphan Black (2015), Nina Gomez in the CBC comedy series Kim's Convenience (2016–2021), and Rita Blue in the Hulu dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale (2017–present). In 2021, Brugel joined the judging panel of the second season of the reality competition series Canada's Drag Race.[1]
Throughout her career, Brugel has received several accolades, including two Canadian Screen Awards for her work in Kim's Convenience and Canada's Drag Race,[2][3] and an ACTRA Award win and Canadian Comedy Award nomination for her performance in Sex After Kids.[4][5]
Early life
Brugel was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada.[6][7] Her mother is English, and immigrated to Canada, while her biological father, whom she never met, is African-American. Her mother would later marry a man of South Asian (or Southeast Asian) and of Jewish descent. He would adopt Brugel, and she has stated that she considers him her father.[8][9]
She started out as a dancer but quit when she grew to be taller than her partners.[10] She entered the renowned Theatre Program at York University with a Fine Arts talent scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000.[11]
Career
In 1999, Brugel made her acting debut in the HBO drama film Vendetta, alongside Christopher Walken.[12] In 2000, she had a role in A Diva's Christmas Carol, a Christmas television film starring Vanessa Williams, Rozonda Thomas, and Kathy Griffin.[13] She made her feature film debut as Geko in the slasher horror film Jason X (2001)[14] and starred in the horror television film Kaw (2007).[15]
Brugel appeared in guest or recurring roles in several television series, including Soul Food (2001), Wild Card (2004), Kojak (2005), Kevin Hill (2005), The Newsroom (2005), Paradise Falls (2008), MVP (2008), Saving Hope (2012), Flashpoint (2012), Nikita (2013), and Covert Affairs (2013).[12][15]
In 2013, she earned critical praise for her starring role as Vanessa in the comedy film Sex After Kids.[16] For her performance, she received an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance,[4] and a nomination for a Canadian Comedy Award.[5] From 2013 to 2014, she starred as Michelle Krasnoff in the Citytv comedy series Seed.[12][17]
In 2014, Brugel appeared in David Cronenberg's satirical drama film Maps to the Stars, alongside Julianne Moore,[18] and the crime thriller film The Calling, alongside Susan Sarandon.[19] In 2015, she portrayed Marci Coates in several episodes of the Space science fiction series Orphan Black.[20] That same year, she appeared as Officer Parker in the independent drama film Room, which earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Motion Picture.[18][21]
In 2016, she appeared in the superhero film Suicide Squad.[22] That same year, she began a recurring role as Pastor Nina Gomez in the CBC comedy series Kim's Convenience, for which she received the Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance, Comedy.[2] In 2017, she appeared in the Netflix drama film Kodachrome.[23]
Brugel had recurring roles as Sita Petronelli in the USA Network drama series Eyewitness (2016)[24] and as Sonia in the CBC comedy series Workin' Moms (2018), for which she was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, Comedy.[25]
Since 2017, Brugel has starred as a housekeeper named Rita, in the Hulu dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's acclaimed novel of the same name.[26] As a part of the cast, she has received three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.[27]
From 2019 to 2020, Brugel had a recurring role as Faith Hanlon in the USA Network teen drama series Dare Me.[28] In 2020, she appeared as Eugenia in multiple episodes of the TNT post-apocalyptic drama series Snowpiercer, which is an adaptation of the film of the same name.[29] Also that year, Brugel starred as Kayla in the action thriller film Becky.[25][30]
In 2020, Brugel appeared as a panelist on Canada Reads, advocating for Samra Habib's memoir We Have Always Been Here.[31] She successfully defended the memoir and won the competition.[32]
On June 29, 2021, it was announced that Brugel, along with Brad Goreski, would join the judging panel of Canada's Drag Race for its sophomore season after season one judges Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Stacey McKenzie announced their departures in March and June 2021 respectively. Alongside Goreski and main judge Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brugel served as a rotating judge with Traci Melchor.[1] The group of judges won a Canadian Screen Award for their work on the second season.[3] Before the third season, Brugel was removed from the panel, with no replacement given.
Personal life
Brugel has two children from her previous marriage to Marcel Lewis.[33][34]
In 2013, Brugel founded Brugs Army, a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of women and children.[35][36]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Vendetta | Red Lantern Lady | TV movie |
2000 | A Diva's Christmas Carol | Olivia | TV movie |
2001 | Jason X | Geko | |
2002 | 10,000 Black Men Named George | Waitress | TV movie |
Jack & Ella | Elizabeth | ||
2003 | This Time Around | Abby | TV movie |
Beautiful Girl | Connie | TV movie | |
2004 | Category 6: Day of Destruction | Leslie Singer | TV movie |
A Question | - | Short | |
2005 | Devil's Perch | Secretary | TV movie |
2007 | Kaw | Emma | |
What If God Were the Sun? | Lupe | TV movie | |
2009 | The Death of Alice Blue | Amanda | |
2013 | Sex After Kids | Vanessa | |
Treading Water | Nurse | ||
2014 | Maps to the Stars | Star! Channel Interviewer | |
The Calling | Officer Vongarner | ||
2015 | Room | Officer Parker | |
Charming Christmas | Nadine | TV movie | |
2016 | Love's Complicated | Kate | TV movie |
Suicide Squad | National Security Council | ||
Sadie's Last Days on Earth | Detention Teacher | ||
2017 | Sometimes the Good Kill | Faith | TV movie [37] |
Kodachrome | Doctor | ||
2018 | Emmy | Emmy | Short |
2019 | Marie Celeste | Marie Celeste | Short |
2020 | Becky | Kayla | |
Flashback | Evelyn | ||
Sugar Daddy | Nancy | ||
2021 | Like a House on Fire | Audrey | |
He Murdered Sleep | Lady Macbeth | Short | |
2022 | Ashgrove | Jennifer | |
2023 | Infinity Pool | Jennifer | |
TBA | Sweetness | Marnie |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Soul Food | Trixie | Episode: "Everything Is Unfolding Perfectly" |
Leap Years | Tamara | Episode: "#1.4" | |
Tracker | Uniformed Officer | Episode: "The Beast" | |
2002 | The 5th Quadrant | Cassandra Morgan | Episode: "Wild Animal King/Divining Miss M" |
2004 | Wild Card | Evelyn | Episode: "Queen Bea" |
Doc | Sheree | Episode: "Wedding Bell Blues" | |
2005 | Kevin Hill | Leanne Wheeden | Episode: "Man's Best Friend" |
The Newsroom | Nurse | Episode: "Latent Homosexual Tendencies" | |
Kojak | Theresa | Episode: "All That Glitters" | |
2006 | This Is Wonderland | Lucy Jamieson | Episode: "#3.9" |
G-Spot | Maureen | Episode: "Payne Killer" | |
Naked Josh | Toula | Episode: "Planned Parenthood" | |
2008 | MVP | Megan Chandler | Main cast |
Paradise Falls | Lynnie Jordan | Recurring cast: season 3 | |
2009 | Da Kink in My Hair | Elize | Episode: "Looks Can Be Revealing" |
2010 | Life Unjarred | Kim | Episode: "Episode #1.4" & "#1.8" |
2011 | InSecurity | Amanda | Episode: "The Spy, the Friend and Her Lover" |
2012 | The Firm | DA Sonia Swain | Recurring cast |
Saving Hope | Lisa Rundel | Episode: "Contact" | |
Flashpoint | Trish | Episode: "Keep the Peace: Part 1" | |
2013 | The Ron James Show | Linda Lanning | Episode: "CCON Evolution" & "Truth, Lies and Spin" |
Warehouse 13 | Amy | Episode: "The Big Snag" | |
Nikita | Janet Malcolm | Episode: "Til Death Do Us Part" | |
Covert Affairs | Olivia | Recurring cast: season 4 | |
2013–14 | Seed | Michelle Krasnoff | Main cast |
2015 | Orphan Black | Marci Coates | Recurring cast: season 3 |
Dark Matter | Keeley | Episode: "Pilot - Part 1 & 2" | |
2016 | Eyewitness | Sita Petronelli | Recurring cast |
You Got Trumped: The First 100 Days | Kelly | Recurring cast | |
2016–21 | Kim's Convenience | Pastor Nina Gomez | Recurring cast |
2017–present | The Handmaid's Tale | Rita Blue | Recurring cast: season 1, main cast: season 2- |
2018 | Workin' Moms | Sonia | Recurring cast: season 2 |
2019–20 | Dare Me | Faith Hanlon | Recurring cast |
2020–21 | Snowpiercer | Eugenia | Recurring cast: season 1-2 |
Canada's Drag Race | Herself/Judge | Guest: season 1, main cast: season 2 | |
2021–22 | Pretty Hard Cases | Det. Karina Duff | Recurring cast |
2022 | Sort Of | Gaia | guest star 3 episodes |
2024 | Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent | Lee Sloane | season 1 episode 3 "The Real Eve" |
2024 | Parish | Sister Anne | Recurring cast |
2024 | Dark Matter | Blaire | Recurring role, upcoming series |
Awards and nominations
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | ACTRA Award | Outstanding Performance – Female | Sex After Kids | Won | [4] |
Canadian Comedy Award | Best Performance by a Female – Film | Nominated | [5] | ||
2018 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | The Handmaid's Tale | Nominated | [38] |
2019 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | [39] | |
Canadian Screen Award | Best Supporting Actress, Comedy | Workin' Moms | Nominated | [40] | |
2020 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | The Handmaid's Tale | Nominated | [41] |
Canadian Screen Award | Best Guest Performance, Comedy | Kim's Convenience | Won | [2] | |
2022 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | The Handmaid's Tale | Nominated | [42] |
Canadian Screen Award | Best Guest Performance, Comedy | Pretty Hard Cases | Nominated | [3] | |
Best Host or Presenter, Factual or Reality/Competition (Shared with Brooke Lynn Hytes, Traci Melchor, and Brad Goreski) |
Canada's Drag Race | Won | |||
Best Host in a Web Program or Series (Shared with Steven McCarthy) |
2021 CAFTCAD Awards | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b Joey Nolfi, "Canada's Drag Race season 2 adds new head judges amid panel shake-up" Archived 2021-06-29 at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment Weekly, June 29, 2021.
- ^ a b c Debra Yeo, "‘Cardinal’ and ‘Schitt's Creek’ get multiple going-away gifts from the Canadian Screen Awards" Archived 2020-07-10 at the Wayback Machine. Toronto Star, May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c Brent Furdyk, "2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees Announced, ‘Sort Of’ & ‘Scarborough’ Lead The Pack" Archived 2022-03-08 at the Wayback Machine. ET Canada, February 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Winners Announced: ACTRA Awards in Toronto 2014". Newswire. February 22, 2014. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c "NOMINATIONS & AWARDS ARCHIVES". Canadian Comedy Awards. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian actress, Amanda Brugel, becomes series regular on The Handmaid's Tale". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Actress Amanda Brugel of Pointe Claire has major role in Handmaid's Tale". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian actress Amanda Brugel on culture, cinema and success". Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ^ Amanda Brugel, "Amanda Brugel of The Handmaid's Tale and Room Talks Race and Identity" Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine. Fashion, August 2, 2018.
- ^ Zekas, Rita; "She shoots, she scores . . ." Archived 2017-05-20 at the Wayback Machine, Toronto Star, 12 January 2008 (retrieved 15 February 2015).
- ^ "Amanda Brugel Resume" Archived 2015-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, AmandaBrugel.tv (retrieved 15 February 2015).
- ^ a b c "ENTERTAINMENT - The Guest List talks to Seed, Covert Affairs actor Amanda Brugel". Toronto.com. June 26, 2013. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Grove, Rashad (November 27, 2019). "12 Best Black Holiday Movies Of All Time". BET. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Amanda Brugel on Instagram: ""Geko". Jason X. Friday the 13th part 10. My very first film (I was still in theatre school when this was shot). Happy Friday the Thirteenth everyone!! xxoo"". November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Amanda Brugel List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Barnard, Linda (February 6, 2014). "Sex After Kids: No sex please, we're parents: Review". The Star. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Most Beautiful 'Seed' star Amanda Brugel talks pregnancy on the red carpet". Hello Magazine. May 27, 2014. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Ruta, Mike (February 5, 2017). "Whitby actor Amanda Brugel off to L.A. seeking more roles". Durham Region. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "The Calling - Colorado Springs Independent". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Yacovelle, Jess; "Amanda Brugel Joins the Cast of Orphan Black" Archived 2015-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, OrphanBlackFan.com, 9 November 2014 (retrieved 15 February 2015).
- ^ "Amanda Brugel on The Handmaid's Tale, fighting for good roles and rejecting stereotypes". CBC. August 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "The Host: Amanda Brugel - Erenstines". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Stanhope, Kate (August 17, 2017). "'The Handmaid's Tale' Promotes Amanda Brugel to Series Regular (Exclusive)". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 12, 2016). "'Mistresses' Casts Micky Shiloah; Amanda Brugel Joins 'Eyewitness'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Amanda Brugel CBC Books". CBC. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "The Handmaid's Tale: Amanda Brugel Books Recurring Role on Hulu Series". TV Series Finale. 2016-09-30. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
- ^ Giliberti, Lucas (December 21, 2019). "Can 'The Handmaid's Tale' finally nab its maiden ensemble win at the SAG Awards?". Gold Derby. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 7, 2019). "'Dare Me': Adrian Walters & Amanda Brugel To Recur In USA Network Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Allen, Corrina (April 3, 2020). "Yes, that's Canada's Amanda Brugel blowing up your TV screen". The Loop. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 27, 2019). "Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel & Robert Maillet Join Kevin James In 'Becky' Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Meet the Canada Reads 2020 contenders" Archived 2020-02-09 at the Wayback Machine. CBC Books, January 22, 2020.
- ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (July 23, 2020). "The winner of Canada Reads 2020 is..." CBC. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ Trumbley, Sarah (April 26, 2018). "'The Handmaid's Tale' star Amanda Brugel on finding success in her 40s: "It doesn't end, it only begins"". Hello Magazine. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Cardoza, Riley (August 4, 2019). "How Handmaid's Tale's Amanda Brugel Balances Her Sons' 'Different' Interests". Us Magazine. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Brugs Army" Archived 2015-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, BrugsArmy.com (retrieved 15 February 2015).
- ^ Dowling, Dar; "Brugs Army – Creating Change for Women and Kids Using Social Media" Archived 2015-02-20 at the Wayback Machine, The Huffington Post, 9 September 2013 (retrieved 19 February 2015).
- ^ "Sometimes the Good Kill". mylifetime.com. Lifetime. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ^ "SAG Awards Winners: Complete List". Variety. January 21, 2018. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ McNary, Dave (January 27, 2019). "SAG Awards: 'Black Panther,' 'Mrs. Maisel,' 'This Is Us' Take Ensemble Prizes". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "The Winners: Canadian Screen Awards Presented For Creative Fiction Storytelling" Archived 2019-05-30 at the Wayback Machine. ET Canada, March 28, 2019.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 11, 2019). "SAG Awards Nominations: 'Bombshell', 'The Irishman', 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Top Film List, 'Maisel,' 'Fleabag' Score In TV – Complete List Of Noms". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "SAG Awards: Winners List" by Kimberly Nordyke at www.hollywoodreporter.com