The film and television industry in Halifax continues to grow, and with that growth comes plenty of locally produced shows and films. Whether it be a dark, twisted thriller or a by-the-numbers sitcom, we all love to relax with our favourite snacks and call something up on the television, or grab a bag of popcorn and sit in the theatre.
While we all connect the stories they tell, actors are what makes our favourite movies and shows what they are—people who are able to shed themselves and become someone else in service to the artistic project they’re working on.
As the Best of Halifax Awards voting period comes to an end this Sunday, Nov. 3, we’re wrapping up our nominee coverage with a few more lists to help you decide your vote. If you’re already feeling ready to cast, visit our voting page to make your selections. This time, we’ll be looking at your favourite actors.
Elliot Page
Page is one of Nova Scotia’s premier actors. Having been nominated for Academy Awards and having won two Emmys and a Golden Globe award amongst many others, Page continues to be one of Halifax’s most recognized stars. You may have seen Page as Treena Lahey in Trailer Park Boys, his breakout role in Juno or his leading role as Viktor in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. He recently wrote and starred in 2023’s Close To You.
Jonathan Torrens
Torrens is a big name to any fan of Trailer Park Boys, known best for playing the widely loved hip-hop sensation J-Roc, but he has had his hands in a vast catalogue of acting roles over the years. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Torrens co-hosted Street Cents, then moved onto his semi-eponymous show Jonovision in 1996. He also writes, directs and stars in his own show, Vollies, and has a recurring role in Shoresy as a French hockey announcer.
Anna Mona-Pia
Halifax’s own Anna Mona-Pia (known offstage as Tyler Craig) has been active in the local drag community for years, but they have even made a name for themselves in television, appearing in the 2023 series Good Grief and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. A mix of camp and comedy makes them a delight to watch, but it’s their performance in more emotionally resonant scenes that truly makes their acting stand out.
Jordan Poole
A newer name than some on our list of nominees, Poole has had experience playing characters such as Tanner on The Trades, Jacob in the 2023 horror flick Thanksgiving, and a one-time role on the series Chapelwaite. While he has numerous other credits to his name, it’s his role as Noah in the mini-series Cam Boy that shows exactly what Poole has going for him, delivering an emotionally cathartic performance behind a webcam.
Mark Critch
While Critch isn’t from Nova Scotia, he received so many votes that it’s clear our readers consider him an honourary Haligonian, potentially due to his 22 Minutes presence. It certainly makes sense as to why he’s here—the Newfoundland-born actor and writer has been getting chuckles across Canada with his show Son of a Critch, let alone all of his hilarious bits from This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Kristyn Green
This comedian and host also has quite a career in film and television, recently having played the role of Zoe on the series O’Don’s amongst several TV hosting gigs. Green will also perform in the upcoming series Car Wash Wars. Though she only has a few credits to her name, it’s obvious that Green’s comedic stylings work as well on the screen as they do on stage.
Brian George
A former standup comedian, George transitioned to television after meeting another of our nominees, Jonathan Torrens. Since then, he’s played Bryson in Vollies, Johnny in the film Hailey Rose, and plays the lead character Brian in the television series Roll With It. Alongside his acting career, George is also an accessibility rights activist.
Make sure you vote for your favourite at vote.thecoast.ca.
This article appears in Oct 1 – Nov 6, 2024.