Polly Shannon


Polly Shannon is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Margaret Trudeau in the 2002 miniseries Trudeau, a film about the Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau.

Biography

Polly Shannon was born September 1, 1973, in Kingston, Ontario, and raised in Aylmer, Quebec. Her father, Michael Shannon, is a doctor who served in various senior posts at Health Canada, including director general for the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control. Her mother, Mary Mackay-Smith, is a screenwriter for children's films and television. At the age of 13, after acting in theatre as a child, Shannon became a model, with assignments that took her to New York, London, and Tokyo. She attended Philemon Wright High School in Hull, Quebec.
In 1992, Shannon began her television career, landing a part in Catwalk, a YTV series about a struggling rock band. She went on to appear in several television series, including Sirens as Kelly Van Pelt, Ready or Not as Angelique, Side Effects as Lisa Burns, and the Canadian horror series The Hunger as Jen.
In 2002, Shannon appeared in the popular comedy film Men with Brooms in the role of Joanne. Her most notable role was playing Margaret Trudeau in the 2002 miniseries Trudeau, a film about the late Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau. "Playing Maggie was a really thrilling experience," Shannon noted at the time. "It was a challenge that was different from anything else I've done."
Shannon starred opposite Tom Selleck as his girlfriend Abby Taylor in two Jesse Stone television films, Stone Cold and Jesse Stone: Night Passage.

Filmography

Films

Love and Human Remains, The Second Victim

Television series

Are You Afraid of the Dark?, SophieCatwalk, Nina MooreThe [Hidden Room (TV series)|The Hidden Room], Counter GirlSirens, Kelly Van PeltForever Knight, LiselleNo Greater Love, Helen HorowitzReady or Not, AngeliqueSide Effects, Lisa BurnsA Young Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Alisande/AlexandraDue South, Judy CatesEerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension, EstheticianHighlander: The Raven, Young Lucy BeckerEarth: Final Conflict, Dr. Joyce BelmanThe [Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits], Human Operator of Starfighter-88Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, Moira StrattonThe Hunger, JenCode Name: Eternity, CindaTwice [in a Lifetime (TV series)|Twice in a Lifetime], Vicky SueLa Femme Nikita, MichelleDoc Leap Years, ValerieJeremiah, PollyStreet Time, DanielleSue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Darcy D'AngeloWild Card, IlanaPuppets Who Kill, RosaThe Jane Show, SusanCold Case, Honey SugarCSI: Miami, Allison GradyShattered, NaomiRookie Blue, ToriLess Than Kind, Leslie

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryProductionResult
1999Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesThe [Girl Next Door (1999 TV movie)|The Girl Next Door]Nomitated
2000Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesThe Sheldon Kennedy StoryNomitated
2003Canadian Comedy AwardFilm - Pretty Funny Female PerformanceMen with BroomsNomitated
2008WorldFest HoustonSpecial Jury AwardMiranda & Gordon Won