Sonja Smits

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Sonja Smits
Born (1958-09-08) September 8, 1958 (age 66)
Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada
Years active1978–present

Sonja Smits (born September 8, 1958) [1] is a Canadian actress. She was nominated for two Genie Awards: for Videodrome (1983) and That's My Baby! (1984). On television, she starred in Street Legal and Traders .

Contents

Early life and education

Smits was born in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada. She went to Bell High School in Bells Corners, she also attended Woodroffe High School and South Carleton High School in Richmond, a village outside Ottawa. She studied acting at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute until she was invited to join the Centre Stage theatre company in London, Ontario.

Career

Television

Besides her starring roles in Street Legal (1987–1992) and Traders (1996-2000), Smits plays a main role as Megan Redner on The Eleventh Hour (2002–2005), and a recurring role as Cynthia Hodge on Odyssey 5 (2002–2003).

Smits' guest roles in television series, including Falcon Crest (1984), Airwolf (1987), Counterstrike (1993), The Outer Limits (1995), and the miniseries The Best Laid Plans (2014).

Film

On the big-screen, Smits played Bianca O'Blivion in David Cronenberg's horror Videodrome (1983), and was lead actress in the 2021 drama Drifting Snow . [2] She portrayed Mona Louise Parsons in the Heritage Minutes short documentary film by Historica Canada. [3] In 2025, Smits portrayed the Terran Proctor in Star Trek: Section 31 . [4]

Awards and nominations

Smits has been nominated for five Gemini Awards, winning in 1988, and two Genie Awards. She has also received the Toronto Women in Film and Television (TWIFT) Outstanding Achievement Award, and the ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence. [4]

Personal life

Smits is married to Atlantis Films co-founder Seaton McLean with whom she has two children. They live in the Rosedale neighbourhood of Toronto and are the owners of the Closson Chase winery in Prince Edward County. They also own a farm close to the winery. [5]

In 2009, Smits was elected president of the board of directors of the Harbourfront Centre. [6]

Filmography

Film

Sonja Smits film credits
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1978 Tyler Sharon [7]
1981 The Pit Mrs. Lynde [8]
1983 Videodrome Bianca O'BlivionNominated — Genie Award for Best Supporting Actress [8] [4]
1984 That's My Baby! SuzanneNominated — Genie Award for Best Actress [8] [4]
2003 Owning Mahowny Dana Selkirk [8]
2003 How to Deal Carol Warsher [8]
2004 A Different Loyalty Fay Tolland
2006 One Way Linda Birk [8]
2021 Drifting Snow Joanne [7]
2022 Better Days KateNominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance – Gender Non-conforming or Female [7] [4]
2025 Star Trek: Section 31 Terran Proctor [4]

Television

Sonja Smits television credits
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1980 War Brides LisaTV movie
Nominated — ACTRA Award		 [7] [4]
1984 Falcon Crest Lydia BoulangerEpisode: "Suitable for Framing"
1984–1985 The Hitchhiker Nina Russell / Susan CarterEpisodes: "Face to Face", "Murderous Feelings" [7]
1985 The Fall Guy Jessica BeaumontEpisode: "Her Bodyguard" [7]
1985Command 5Chris WinslowTV movie [8]
1986Loose EndsCarlaTV movie [8]
1986 Danger Bay Un­known1 episode [7]
1987 Airwolf Alexandria RostovEpisode: "Stavograd: Parts 1 & 2" [7]
1987–1992 Street Legal Carrington 'Carrie' BarrMain role, 83 episodes
Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (1988)
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (1993)
1988 The Ray Bradbury Theater MaryEpisode: "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl" [7]
1993 The Diviners MoragTV movie
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series 		[8]
1993 Counterstrike Julia DevaneEpisode: "Betrayed"
1994 Spenser: Pale Kings and Princes Carolyn RogersTV movie [8]
1994 TekWar Kate CardiganTV movie [8]
1994 TekLords Kate CardiganTV movie [8]
1995 The Outer Limits Dr. Anne CrainEpisode: "White Light Fever" [7]
1995Nothing SacredUn­knownTV movie [7]
1996–2000 Traders Sally RossMain role, 83 episodes
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (1999-2000)
1998 Dead Husbands Sheila FeinsteinTV movie [8]
2001 Made in Canada Angela WidstromEpisode: "Teamwork"
2001 Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows Kay Thompson TV miniseries [8]
2002 Mom's on Strike First LadyTV movie [8]
2002–2003 Odyssey 5 Cynthia HodgeRecurring role
2002–2005 The Eleventh Hour Megan RednerMain role
2003 The Atwood Stories Mrs. AndersonEpisode: "The Man from Mars"
2004SiblingsMomTV movie [7]
2005 Heritage Minutes Mona Louise Parsons Episode: "Mona Parsons"
2007–2008 Rent-a-Goalie TexasEpisodes: "Texas", "Upstairs"
2012 Cybergeddon Amanda JocelynEpisodes: "Chapter 3", "Chapter 6"
2012Cybergeddon ZipsAmanda JocelynEpisode: "Amanda"
2014 The Best Laid Plans Diane GagnonTV miniseries
2016Flower Shop Mystery: Dearly DepottedGlory OsbourneTV movie [7]
2017 Ransom Gwyneth DavenportEpisode: "The Artist" [7]
2017 American Gods Laura's MotherEpisodes: "The Bone Orchard", "Git Gone", "A Murder of Gods"
2017 Murdoch Mysteries Belinda CarlyleEpisode: "Brackenreid Boudoir"
2017Save MeGlorianaEpisode: "Code 5"
2018 Mary Kills People EstelleEpisode: "The Connection"
2021A Mother's LieJoyceTV movie. AKA Hidden Family Secrets [7]
2022 Pretty Hard Cases Judy Wazowski9 episodes
Nominated — ACTRA Award for Best Series Ensemble		 [7] [4]
2024 Hudson and Rex Minister FulfordEpisode: "Wag the Dog"

References

  1. ↑ "Sonja Smits Biography". Tribute .
  2. ↑ Niazi, Amil (May 11, 2021). "Review: Canadian drama Drifting Snow finds brutal beauty in Prince Edward County". The Globe and Mail– via www.theglobeandmail.com.
  3. ↑ "Heritage Minutes: Mona Parsons". YouTube . 2 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gale, David. "Celebrating the 2024 Outstanding Performance Nominees". Performers Magazine. ACTRA Toronto. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Sonja Smits Talks Country Living, Roles for Older Actresses and Her New Film, 'Drifting Snow'". www.everythingzoomer.com.
  6. ↑ "Sonja Smits". Post City. November 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Sonja Smits". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media / NBCUniversal . Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Sonja Smits: Filmography". Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved 15 August 2025.
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