Sonja Smits


Sonja Smits is a Canadian actress. She was nominated for two Genie Awards: for Videodrome and That's My Baby!. On television, she starred in Street Legal and Traders.

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 and Traders, Smits plays a main role as Megan Redner on The [Eleventh Hour (Canadian TV series)|The Eleventh Hour], and a recurring role as Cynthia Hodge on Odyssey 5.
Smits' guest roles in television series, including Falcon Crest, Airwolf, Counterstrike, The Outer Limits, and the miniseries The [Best Laid Plans (TV series)|The Best Laid Plans].
;Film
On the big-screen, Smits played Bianca O'Blivion in David Cronenberg's horror Videodrome, and was lead actress in the 2021 drama Drifting Snow. She portrayed Mona Louise Parsons in the Heritage Minutes short documentary film by Historica Canada. In 2025, Smits portrayed the Terran Proctor in Star Trek: Section 31.

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 Outstanding Achievement Award, and the ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence.

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

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978TylerSharon
1981'Mrs. Lynde
1983VideodromeBianca O'BlivionNominated — Genie Award for Best Supporting Actress
1984That's My Baby!SuzanneNominated — Genie Award for Best Actress
2003Owning MahownyDana Selkirk
2003How to DealCarol Warsher
2004'Fay Tolland
2006One WayLinda Birk
2021Drifting SnowJoanne
2022Better DaysKateNominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance – Gender Non-conforming or Female
2025Star Trek: Section 31Terran Proctor

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1980War BridesLisaTV movieNominated — ACTRA Award
1984Falcon CrestLydia BoulangerEpisode: "Suitable for Framing"
1984–1985'Nina Russell / Susan CarterEpisodes: "Face to Face", "Murderous Feelings"
1985'Jessica BeaumontEpisode: "Her Bodyguard"
1985Command 5Chris WinslowTV movie
1986Loose EndsCarlaTV movie
1986Danger Bay1 episode
1987AirwolfAlexandria RostovEpisode: "Stavograd: Parts 1 & 2"
1987–1992Street LegalCarrington 'Carrie' BarrMain role, 83 episodesCanadian [Screen Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role|Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role] Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
1988'MaryEpisode: "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl"
1993'MoragTV movieNominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
1993CounterstrikeJulia DevaneEpisode: "Counterstrike (1990 TV series) episodes#ep57|Betrayed]"
1994Spenser: Pale Kings and PrincesCarolyn RogersTV movie
1994TekWarKate CardiganTV movie
1994TekLordsKate CardiganTV movie
1995'Dr. Anne CrainEpisode: "White Light Fever"
1995Nothing SacredTV movie
1996–2000TradersSally RossMain role, 83 episodesNominated — Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
1998Dead HusbandsSheila FeinsteinTV movie
2001Made in CanadaAngela WidstromEpisode: "Teamwork"
2001Life with Judy Garland: Me and My ShadowsKay ThompsonTV miniseries
2002Mom's on StrikeFirst LadyTV movie
2002–2003Odyssey 5Cynthia HodgeRecurring role
2002–2005'Megan RednerMain role
2003'Mrs. AndersonEpisode: "The Man from Mars"
2004SiblingsMomTV movie
2005Heritage MinutesMona Louise ParsonsEpisode: "Mona Parsons"
2007–2008Rent-a-GoalieTexasEpisodes: "Texas", "Upstairs"
2012CybergeddonAmanda JocelynEpisodes: "Chapter 3", "Chapter 6"
2012Cybergeddon ZipsAmanda JocelynEpisode: "Amanda"
2014'Diane GagnonTV miniseries
2016Flower Shop Mystery: Dearly DepottedGlory OsbourneTV movie
2017RansomGwyneth DavenportEpisode: "The Artist"
2017American GodsLaura's MotherEpisodes: "The Bone Orchard", "Git Gone", "A Murder of Gods"
2017Murdoch MysteriesBelinda CarlyleEpisode: "Brackenreid Boudoir"
2017Save MeGlorianaEpisode: "Code 5"
2018Mary Kills PeopleEstelleEpisode: "The Connection"
2021A Mother's LieJoyceTV movie. AKA Hidden Family Secrets
2022Pretty Hard CasesJudy Wazowski9 episodesNominated — ACTRA Award for Best Series Ensemble
2024Hudson and RexMinister FulfordEpisode: "Wag the Dog"