Emily Hampshire, Lyriq Bent named inaugural nominees for Golden Maple Awards
The awards will be handed out in a ceremony on July 1 in Los Angeles
The newly formed Academy of Canadians in Sports & Entertainment - Los Angeles (ACISE-LA) announced its first batch of nominees for the inaugural Golden Maple Awards.
The awards honour Canadian talent in television series that broadcast in the U.S., as well as Canadian athletes.
On Tuesday, the academy revealed the nominees for best actor, best actress and newcomer of the year in a TV series.
Emily Hampshire 'honoured'
Canadian actress Emily Hampshire received a nomination in the newcomer category for her role on the sci-fi series 12 Monkeys, and the CBC comedy Schitt's Creek.
The 33-year-old says many Canadian actors can be seen on popular American TV shows, but the fact they are Canadian is often unknown to the audience.
The Montreal-born actress moved to Los Angeles seven years ago, but says she always finds her way back to Canada to work on productions here.
"I noticed its a trend amongst a lot of Canadians. You go down to L.A. to get your big break and you end up working in Canada more, in things that show in the states," Hampshire said.
Many of these shows also go on to build strong audiences stateside.
"The states take ownership of it, but really Canada has always supported you," said Hampshire.
- Schitt's Creek gets greenlight for second season
- Dan Levy promises a 'dramatic conclusion' to Schitt's Creek finale
Hampshire, who plays the sarcastic front desk clerk, Stevie Budd, in Schitt's Creek, says the CBC sitcom is an example of how Canadian content can find popularity on both sides of the border.
"I thought I would only get recognized in Canada for it. But in the states it has been huge," she said.
Also up for Golden Maples are Rookie Blue's Missy Peregrym, and Katheryn Winnick, Alexander Ludwig and Jessalyn Gilsig from the History Channel show Vikings.
- Book of Negroes tops ratings for its time slot
- Lawrence Hill's new novel to hit bookstores in September
The nominees are decided on by ACISE-LA members, who will also cast their ballots on the final winners.
ACISE-LA, a privately funded, not-for-profit organization, created the Golden Maple Awards to boost the profile of Canadian talent.
The awards will be handed out in a ceremony on July 1 in Los Angeles, to coincide with Canada Day.
A list of presenters, and the venue will be announced at a later date.
Full list of nominees for the inaugural Golden Maple Awards:
Best actor in a TV series broadcast in the U.S.
- Adam Copeland - Haven
- Alexander Ludwig - Vikings
- Brandon Jay McLaren - Graceland
- Greyston Holt - Bitten
- Jonathan Keltz - Reign
- Lyriq Bent - The Book of Negroes
- Torrance Coombs - Reign
Best actress in a TV series broadcast in the U.S.
- Amanda Crew - Silicon Valley
- Anna Silk - Lost Girl
- Caroline Dhavernas - Hannibal
- Jessalyn Gilsig - Vikings
- Katheryn Winnick - Vikings
- Kathleen Robertson - Murder in the First
- Missy Peregrym - Rookie Blue
Newcomer of the year in a TV series broadcast in the U.S.
- Brooke Wexler - Richie Rich
- Emily Hampshire - 12 Monkeys and Schitt's Creek
- Italia Ricci - Chasing Life
- Meaghan Rath - New Girl
- Shailyn Pierre Dixon - The Book of Negroes