Amanda Brugel

Amanda Brugel was born on March 24, 1978, in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada. She developed an early interest in performing, initially pursuing dance before transitioning to acting due to her height. In the mid-1990s, she enrolled in the Theatre Program at York University on a Fine Arts talent scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000. Her acting career commenced with a role in the 1999 HBO drama film “Vendetta,” alongside Christopher Walken, even while she was still attending theatre school. This early exposure set the foundation for her subsequent work across various genres.

Following her graduation, Brugel quickly accumulated roles in both film and television. Notable early film appearances include “Jason X” (2001) and “Jack & Ella” (2002), establishing her presence in the industry. Her television career saw her in guest and recurring roles in series such as “Soul Food” (2001), “Wild Card” (2004), and “Kojak” (2005). A significant milestone came with her starring role as Lynnie Jordan in the Showcase soap opera “Paradise Falls” (2008). In 2013, she received critical acclaim for her performance as Vanessa in the comedy film “Sex After Kids,” earning an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination.

Brugel’s career progressed with substantial roles in prominent productions. From 2013 to 2014, she was a main cast member as Michelle Krasnoff in the Citytv comedy series “Seed.” In 2015, she appeared as Marci Coates in the science fiction series “Orphan Black” and as Officer Parker in the Academy Award-nominated film “Room.” Her profile further rose with a role in the superhero film “Suicide Squad” (2016) and a recurring part as Pastor Nina Gomez in the CBC comedy series “Kim’s Convenience” (2016–2021), for which she won a Canadian Screen Award. Since 2017, she has gained widespread recognition for her role as Rita Blue in the Hulu dystopian drama series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” for which she has received multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. In 2021, she joined “Canada’s Drag Race” as a judge, earning another Canadian Screen Award. Her recent work includes “Dark Matter” (2024), “Parish” (2024), and “Infinity Pool” (2023).