Amanda Brugel

Pointe Claire in Montreal's West Island is a tiny, quiet town. The West Island can be confusing for those who aren't familiar of its purpose. Many people believe that it's an island located to the west of Montreal however it's actually the West Island encompasses everything between the cities of Lachine and West. Amanda Brugel's birthplace has been frequently referenced, however her brief time in the city wasn't. Brugel grew to be a woman of a certain age living in Courtice Ontario, just outside Oshawa. She initially wanted to be an actor, however, after a rapid expansion, she and her partner could no longer dance with her. She admitted in an article that was published in The Toronto Star that she is 6'1" tall and wears heels. When I surpassed my male counterpart, I stopped. Some former dancers switch to acting, and in Brugel's case it was a nudge from the drama instructor at her high school which led her in the right direction. The teacher encouraged her to take part in an audition in a school production. She auditioned and eventually got the leading role in Anne of Green Gables. It led to her receiving an Fine Arts Talent Scholarship from York University. In 2000 she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at York University. Her career spans 20 years and she has performed in more than 60 shows including big screen productions as well as smaller screens. Her most recognizable role was that of Rita (pictured beneath) in the television show The Handmaid's Tale. Brugel was the sole Canadian actress in Season 1 and was only seen on occasion.