Samora Smallwood, an award-winning actress, has made significant strides on screen and in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the film and television industry.
As a Canadian Screen Award winner for “Best Lead Actress,” her accolades only scratch the surface of her expansive and influential career.
Fluent in French and proficient in action sequences, including weapons and archery, Smallwood’s versatility shines through in her performances. Her real impact, however, extends beyond her on-screen roles. As an elected union leader at ACTRA, she is deeply committed to fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the industry. She has played a critical role in creating opportunities for marginalized and historically excluded groups, advocating for broader representation across the media landscape.
Smallwood’s influence also permeates her work as a producer and writer. Her company, Hold One Entertainment, is actively developing various character-driven television and film projects. Her first feature film script is fully financed and set for production this year. Additionally, she received a grant from the Canada Council of the Arts to develop a groundbreaking female Mystery Crime Thriller series with Afro-surrealist elements, underscoring her commitment to resonant storytelling through an intersectional lens.
Her acting prowess was showcased across several prominent roles in 2024, including Apple TV’s “The Big Cigar” directed by Don Cheadle and Hallmark’s top-rated series “The Way Home.” Furthermore, Smallwood starred in an Emmy-Award-winning episode of Apple TV’s “Circuit Breakers” and appeared as a recurring guest star in OWN’s “The Kings of Napa,” directed by Oscar-winner Matthew Cherry.
Off the screen, Smallwood is a vocal advocate for change in the industry. She authored an Op-Ed for the Toronto Star on achieving nuanced diversity in TV and film, and her voice has been featured in various media outlets discussing her work and vision for a more inclusive industry.
Her upcoming drama series, “Disrepair,” scheduled for 2024/2025, is highly anticipated as it promises to delve into complex themes through a compelling narrative. Peers in the industry laud Smallwood for her ability to bring fresh perspectives to her roles. Olatunde Osunsanmi, an Emmy-nominated director, commends her for capturing the vision of projects and taking her characters in new directions.
In 2022, Smallwood was recognized as one of “Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch,” a testament to her influential role as a leader in cultural sectors. This honour reflects her relentless pursuit of excellence and advocacy for transformative change, setting a standard for future generations in the creative industries.
As the call for genuine representation and authentic storytelling grows louder, Smallwood stands as a beacon of hope and progress. Her contributions go beyond personal achievements, paving the way for a more equitable and dynamic entertainment industry. Her journey is not only inspiring for aspiring actors, writers, and producers but also for anyone committed to making a difference through art. Samora Smallwood is not just making movies; she is shaping history, one role, one story at a time, ensuring her legacy as a trailblazer in the truest sense.
