Meredith MacNeill (born 1975) is a Canadian actress and comedian.[2] She appeared in both Canadian and British productions, notable starring in the BBC sketch show Man Stroke Woman (2005–07) and the comedy films Confetti (2006) and Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009). She co-created, produced and starred in the CBC sketch show Baroness von Sketch Show (2016–2021), winning eight Canadian Screen Awards and one Canadian Comedy Awards.[3][4] MacNeill later starred as Det. Sam Wazowski in the CBC police comedy-drama series, Pretty Hard Cases (2021–2023), for which she was nominated for a four Canadian Screen Awards.
Meredith MacNeill | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 June 1975 |
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian |
| Children | 1[1] |
Career
editMacNeill began her career appearing in British television and film.[1] She made her debut guest-starring in an episode of crime drama The Vice and later that year had a minor role in the comedy film, Blackball. In 2005, MacNeill appeared in series 3, episode 2 of Peep Show, playing the character of Mark and Jez's old friend from university, "Canadian" Merry. She promises Jez and Super Hans the disused pub she owns, and has a manic episode shortly afterwards.[5][6] From 2005 to 2007 she starred in the BBC sketch show Man Stroke Woman. She appears in the 2009 film Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel as a time traveller called Millie.[5] In 2009 she also appeared in production of Mary Stuart which played at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and Linz in Austria.[7]
In 2010s, MacNeill, after becoming a newly single mother, returned to Canada and began writing screenplays.[1] After writing episodes of This Hour Has 22 Minutes,[8] MacNeill starred in the films Big News from Grand Rock (2014), North Mountain (2015), and Your Money or Your Wife (2015). She was awarded best actress at the 2015 Atlantic Film Festival for her role in Your Money or Your Wife.[9] In 2016 she co-created and went to star in the CBC Television comedy series Baroness von Sketch Show,[10] At the 5th Canadian Screen Awards in 2017, MacNeill and her Baroness von Sketch Show castmates Aurora Browne, Carolyn Taylor and Jennifer Whalen were nominated for Best Ensemble Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Series, and won the award for Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Series; at the 6th Canadian Screen Awards in 2018, the troupe won the awards in both of the same categories.[11]
In 2021 MacNeill was cast as a police detective Sam Wazowski in the CBC comedy-drama series, Pretty Hard Cases opposite Adrienne C. Moore.[12] The series ended in 2023.
Personal life
editMacNeill is originally from Amherst, Nova Scotia.[2] She is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Blackball | Suzi | |
| 2005 | Festival | Mary | |
| 2006 | Confetti | Isabelle | |
| 2007 | The Good Night | Tica | |
| Pass It on: Coaching Skills for Managers | Angie | Video short | |
| 2009 | Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel | Millie | |
| 2014 | Big News from Grand Rock | Lucy | |
| 2015 | North Mountain | Mona | |
| Your Money or Your Wife | Annie | Atlantic International Film Festival for Outstanding Performance by an Actress |
Television
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Onstad, Katrina (July 28, 2017). "The Baronesses Are Coming! And Filling a Comedy Gender Gap" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b "NS comedian looks to expand topical writing amid #MeToo, #TimesUp campaigns". Chronicle Herald, February 1, 2018.
- ^ https://www.cbc.ca/prettyhardcases/cast/meredith-macneill [bare URL]
- ^ "Meredith MacNeill - Awards". IMDb.
- ^ a b "Meredith MacNeill". IMDb. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
- ^ Cooke, Stephen. "Pictou County's Meredith MacNeill is comedy's double dipper | The News". www.ngnews.ca. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
- ^ "Meredith MacNeill | TVmaze".
- ^ a b "Meredith MacNeill". This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ Nemetz, Andrea (September 20, 2015). "Undone Wins Best Atlantic Feature at Atlantic Film Festival Awards". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ Dry, Jude (September 27, 2016). "'Baroness Von Sketch Show': The Best Comedy You've Never Seen | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ "Maudie leads the way at Canadian Screen Awards". Victoria Times-Colonist, March 13, 2018.
- ^ "CBC announces new buddy cop drama series Pretty Hard Cases". CBC News, February 11, 2020.