Peter MacNeill Canadian Actor
By Jay Cooper
We are so very fortunate to have yet another talented professional live here in the
Kawarthas. Peter MacNeill is not only an amazing talent in TV, Film and Theatre, but also a very kind, wise and inviting soul and graciously allowed ATOTK into his home, life and, of course, his beautiful garden. He is Canadian Royalty. I asked Peter why he chose the Kawarthas. He said, “Well it started with the cottage by Apsley on Loukes Lake many years ago. I was invited to go stay at a dear friend’s place for the weekend. He picked me up at the marina and we were driving down the lake. I was looking around and thought, Wow this is so beautiful. I took his canoe for a paddle around the shore and there was a cottage for sale. I purchased it and that became our Kawartha connection. I can walk for miles and miles in the woods. We’ve had bears on the porch and deer in the yard. It’s heaven on earth. Coming from Toronto, we never really stopped, except at Leahy’s Farm on Hwy 28 to get some supplies, which is always a fun thing to do”. Peter and his wife now reside in beautiful Millbrook. He says, “When we started looking for a home in the area, we looked at many different places from Lindsay to Warkworth, but fell in love with our place here in Millbrook”. As of this interview, Peter has over 200 acting credits in Film, TV and Theatre. Awards including 2 Gemini awards and a Genie. He said, “Yes, I’ve won 3 awards. It feels nice because your peers vote and you’re in good company. The nomination is almost as good as winning. I was sitting in the audience for an award and I didn’t win. Another actor, Wayne Robson, won. He gets up to walk, looks at me and says HaHa (laughs). I couldn’t believe it. You son of a bitch, let’s keep it professional, Wayne. (laughs) A lot of people are watching”. The Good Witch is our Editor’s favourite show Page 28
Peter at his home in Millbrook
and has been entertaining the audiences for a decade. I also watch it, but mainly to see Catherine Bell. Peter plays George O’Hanarhan. “Catherine Bell (he laughs) I don’t blame you a bit and she’s such a great gal. The show is shot in Toronto and the exterior shots are taken in Dundas (just outside of Hamilton) at the Foxbar residence. We used to use the interior there, but the set designer replicated it in the studio with wider hallways and bigger rooms to accommodate the camera tracks and dollies. It’s an exact replica. Truly amazing, you have to
