Michelle Thrush
Michelle Thrush is a Canadian actress and First Nations activist. Thrush is best known for her leading role as Gail Stonee in Blackstone, for which she won the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role in 2011,[1] and her recurring roles as Sylvia LeBret in North of 60 and Deanna Martin in Arctic Air.
Thrush starred in the Palme d'Or and Cesar award nominated film Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian.
Early Life
Thrush, who is Cree, was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta,[1]
Career
Thrush has had a very prolific career since starting her career in the 1980s, she portrayed numerous recurring and guest roles in the television series Madison, Northern Exposure, North of 60, Highlander, Forever Knight, Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy, Moccasin Flats and Mixed Blessings.
She has starred in many notable films throughout her career, particularly in films that deal with issues about Indigenous peoples of the Americas whether they be Canadian Aboriginals to Native Americans/American Indians (U.S.), some of which are Isaac Littlefeathers, Unnatural & Accidental, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Skins, Dead Man, Dreamkeeper and Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Dark Wind | Shirley Topaha | |
| 1993 | Madison | Charlene | Recurring Role: 4 episodes |
| 1993-1997 | North of 60 | Sylvia LeBret | Recurring role: 10 episodes |
| 1994 | Northern Exposure | Pilot | Episode: Shofar, So Good |
| 1994 | Highlander | Sara Lightfoot/Little Deer | Recurring: 2 episodes, Two separate roles |
| 1995 | Children of the Dust | Rainbow woman | TV miniseries |
| 1995 | Forever Knight | Marian Blackwing | Episode: Blackwing |
| 1997 | Unwed Father | Holly | Made-for-TV movie |
| 1997 | Viper | Grey Hawk | Episode: Wilderness Run |
| 1998 | Ebenezer | Ghost of Christmas Past | Made-for-TV movie |
| 1998 | The Crow: Stairway to Heaven | Jane Cogo | Episode: Before I Wake |
| 1999 | Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy | Esther's Sister | Episode: Sex Lies and Narrow Escapes |
| 2000 | North of 60:Trial by Fire | Sylvia LeBret | Made-for-TV movie |
| 2003 | Dreamkeeper | Morning House | Made-for-TV movie |
| 2003-2005 | Moccasin Flats | Laura | Recurring role: 14 episodes |
| 2007 | Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee | Four Robes | HBO Made-for-TV movie |
| 2008-2010 | Mixed Blessings | Kate | Recurring role: 15 episodes |
| 2011-present | Blackstone | Gail Stonee | Main cast |
| 2012 | Christmas Rescue | Rhonda | Made-for-TV movie |
| 2012-2014 | Arctic Air | Deanna Martin | Recurring role: 8 episodes |
| 2014 | Fargo | Sue Roundtree | |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Isaac Littlefeathers | Sally Littlefeathers | First Media role |
| 1986 | The Wake | N/A | |
| 1991 | Showdown at Williams Creek | Olivia D'Lonais | |
| 1995 | Dead Man | Nobody's Girlfriend | First Major Film role |
| 2002 | Skins | Stella | |
| 2005 | Fugitives Run | N/A | |
| 2006 | Unnatural & Accidental | Pink Girl | |
| 2007 | Pathfinder | Indian Mother | |
| 2013 | Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian | Gayle Picard | |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Gemini Award | Best Actress in a Drama series | Blackstone | Won |
| 2014 | Canadian Screen Award | Shaw Media Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role | Blackstone | Nominated |
References
- 1 2 "Cree Actress Michelle Thrush Wins Gemini Award for Rez Drama ‘Blackstone’". Indian Country Today, September 15, 2011.