Amanda Brugel

Pointe Claire resides in a quiet area of Montreal Island called West Island. This part of the island known as West Island can be confusing to those unfamiliar to its significance. Many people believe that it's an island located west of Montreal However, it's actually the West Island encompasses everything between the two cities in Lachine as well as West. Amanda Brugel is said to have been born on West Island. However, this is not true. Brugel developed on Courtice just outside Oshawa located in Ontario. She aspired to be a professional dancer but because of a huge growth spurt she outgrew every dance partner she met. The Toronto Star article revealed she's six feet tall, with heels. Once I was bigger than any male partner and stopped dancing, I quit. Many ex-dancers switch to acting. In Brugel's case, it was the encouragement from her drama teacher at her high school which pushed her to take the step she required. Her teacher suggested she audition as Anne in their annual school production. She was chosen to play the main role for Anne of Green Gables after she tried out. The show led her to receive an Fine Arts Talent Scholarship from York University. In 2000 she graduated with a Master of Fine Arts at York University. Over the past 20 years since, Brugel has landed roles in more than 60 productions across small and big screens drawing the most interest when she was offered the character of Rita on the award-winning series The Handmaid's Tale (pictured below). Brugel made an appearance on only a handful of occasions in the first season of The Handmaid's Tale. She was the only Canadian actor.