Episode 301: Andrea Menard

Andrea Menard is one of the stars of Sullivan’s Crossing, the hit CTV show based on the bestselling books by Robyn Carr. The dramatic series follows young neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan as she flees the challenges of her life in the big city and returns to the idyllic Nova Scotia campground owned and operated by her estranged father Sully. In October 2023, when Sullivan’s Crossing was about to hit The CW after making waves north of the border, Cosmopolitan Magazine described Sullivan’s Crossing as the “ultimate fall comfort watch.” If Sullivan’s Crossing is the ultimate comfort watch, then Edna Cranebear, as played by Andrea Menard, is the show’s ultimate source of comfort. Edna and her husband Frank – played by the legendary Tom Jackson (North of 60) –  are Sully’s oldest friends and the best example of a loving, honest, and mutually supportive relationship in Sullivan’s Crossing. Andrea’s filmography includes numerous fan favourite roles, like that of the fierce and feisty Debbie Fraser on Blackstone. Andrea is also a 15-time music award winner for her five albums, and she’s toured her Metis cabaret, Rubaboo, across this land. She’s a TEDx speaker, wellness trainer, founder of the Sacred Feminine Learning Lodge, has used her voice to encourage others to end violence against Indigenous women and girls, and, in 2021, was named ACTRA National’s Woman of the Year. In short, Andrea contains multitudes. In this fascinating conversation, Andrea delves into these multitudes, and discusses how Sullivan’s Crossing producers ensured they got Indigenous representation right, acting opposite Tom Jackson, how APTN changed the game for Indigenous artists, and the inherent joy in playing bad “B” Debbie Fraser on Blackstone. Episode sponsor: UBCP/ACTRA