3 minute read
From Tweed to TV Screens Everywhere
By Janet Jarrell
Above: Tricia Black Photo: Kristina Ruddick Photography
If you feel like you've been seeing Tricia Black everywhere lately—you’re not wrong. Whether it’s popping up in TD or Walmart commercials, stealing a scene on TV, or making magic onstage, Black has become one of those instantly recognizable Canadian talents you can’t help but cheer for.
One of our favourite moments? Their cameo on the hit show Ghosts. As Channelle, Black brought just the right mix of charm and quirk that made us grin long after the episode ended. But that’s just one stop on a growing list of appearances: you may have also spotted them in Pretty Hard Cases, Kim’s Convenience, Baroness von Sketch Show, What We Do in the Shadows, or even the film The Broken Hearts Gallery.
What makes Black’s success even sweeter is their strong connection to our region. As part of Tweed & Company Theatre, Black has helped create and perform in original Canadian musicals that celebrate local voices and stories. That community spirit and dedication to live performance is still at the heart of their work, even as their star continues to rise on screen. “Growing up in and around small towns, I felt right at home in Tweed and it has taught me so much about community and about how important telling local and Canadian stories are. They can resonate far beyond a small town because they are stories of human connection, struggle and joy.”
This past June, Black took home a Canadian Screen Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television for Best Supporting Performance in a Web Program or Series—a huge win that shines a spotlight on their breakout role in Stories from My Gay Grandparents. It’s a well-deserved recognition for someone who’s been building a career with equal parts hustle, humour, and heart. “It’s surreal. To be recognized for a project that means so much personally—to my identity, to queer joy—it’s something I’ll cherish forever. And from my peers no less, who are all hustling and working hard to bring their stories to life is a true honour!
It was a truly magical experience, the entire cast and crew, which is predominantly Canadian, were so wonderful to work with, and that big set was made to feel like a small town so I felt right at home,” they laugh.
Looking ahead, fans won’t have to wait long for the next big thing. Black appears in the upcoming Netflix mini-series Wayward, sharing the screen with big names like Mae Martin and Toni Collette. It’s another exciting step for an artist who’s never stopped stretching their creative muscles. “Go watch all Canadian content from film to tv to the stage to music! Watch it, stream it, see it live!! Support homegrown talent!”
