Two rising stars with Halifax roots are making waves in the television world, showcasing not only their talent but the growing influence of Nova Scotia’s film and television industry. Yenuki Hordagoda and Noah Gillard—both emerging actors—have landed roles in high-profile productions filmed in the region.
Hordagoda is featured in the show We Were Liars, bringing both representation and authenticity to the screen. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Halifax for the past 17 years, Hordagoda credits the city for shaping her into the person she is today.
“Halifax will and always has been my home,” she said. “Growing up here at a young age naturally made me more Canadian than Sri Lankan, however, I feel honoured every day to represent my roots as a minority group.”
For Hordagoda, her path into the industry started with modelling, “three years ago when I joined an agency I intended to follow the film industry route, but it took me on the modelling and runway path which opened up whole new worlds and opportunities for me which I’m thankful for every day,” she shared. “As you can imagine, getting this role felt so fulfilling.”
Her role, she says, was especially meaningful as it allowed her to represent South Asian characters on screen. “To be represented in a South Asian role was so refreshing and truly exciting. It meant the world to me to be seen.”
Hordagoda sees her participation in local productions as part of a larger movement. “It humbly feels so empowering,” she said. “I want girls and guys my age, younger or older, to see my social media platforms and feel comfortable knowing nobody is perfect yet we still try our best every day. I try to show that by being raw and honest in what I post.”
Gillard, who appears in The Trades and The Institute, also represents a new wave of Haligonian talent. Originally from Whitehorse, Yukon, Gillard moved to Halifax seeking more opportunities, and found them.
“I grew up in a rural environment, there was not much opportunity out there,” he said. “The closest thing you could get was theatre. When I came to Halifax I was happy to be given these opportunities.”
For Gillard, being cast in major productions is both a personal milestone and a statement about diversity in the industry.“It feels good to be represented. It is an opportunity to hopefully showcase me to the next generation.” At five-feet-eight-inches tall, Gillard said most actors or models are a minimum of six feet, which can curb a lot of dreams. “Allowing more diverse talent highlights more diverse stories,” Gillard said.
He also emphasized the charm of working in Nova Scotia. “Nova Scotia is a fantastic place,” he said. “The Maritime charm is something that is unique about the region.”
The decision to film more productions in Nova Scotia is not just helping put faces like Hordagoda and Gillard on screen—it’s helping build an entire creative ecosystem. With skilled crews, unique locations, and now, a growing pool of local actors ready to shine, Halifax is quickly becoming a vital part of Canada’s television landscape.
The proximity to the states is another reason that Haligonian talent has been growing. Ahmed Bojal, a talent scout from the region said, “while I keep a low profile on social media, we check the talent’s page. We are living in a digital age, so as much as we look for talent we also look for presence.”
Bojal also added, “for shows being shot in Noca Scotia it makes more sense financially to cast local talent. Because we have so many universities, we also have diverse individuals to choose from to fill roles.”
As more TV shows cast Haligonians in major roles, the local industry gains momentum, and stories from the East Coast, shaped by the region’s culture and people, are reaching wider audiences than ever before.
This article appears in Jun 1-30, 2025.