Amanda Brugel

Pointe Claire resides in a quiet area of Montreal Island known as West Island. The West Island has a lot of different communities. People who have never been aware of it frequently mistake it for a separate island facing west. The West Island is frequently referred to as the location of birth of Amanda Brugel but while that is true, her stay there was short. Brugel was raised in Courtice located just outside of Oshawa. Her early ambition was to become a dancer, however a rapid growth rate meant that she literally outgrew her dance partners. In an article in The Toronto Star she admitted In heels I'm 6 feet 1 inch. When I grew out of male companions at that point, I gave up. Former dancers often turn to acting and in the case of Brugel, it was a suggestion from her teacher in drama. The teacher who suggested she go after a role in the school's annual production. After trying out her options, she was eventually the leading lady of Anne of Green Gables. The show led her to receive the Fine Arts Talent Scholarship from York University. In 2000 she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at York University. In the past 20 years, Brugel's work has been featured on both the small and large screen. The most notable was her recognition when she landed her character of Rita on the award-winning TV series The Handmaid's Tale. Brugel is the sole Canadian in the Season 1 cast of the show as well as appearing only on occasion, was the only Canadian.