Polly Shannon (born September 1, 1973) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Margaret Trudeau in the 2002 miniseries Trudeau, a film about the Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau.

Biography Polly Shannon was born September 1, 1973, in Kingston, Ontario, and raised in Aylmer, Quebec. Her father, Michael Shannon, is a doctor who served in various senior posts at Health Canada, including director general for the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control. Her mother, Mary Mackay-Smith, is a screenwriter for children's films and television. At age 13, after acting in theatre as a child, Shannon became a model, with assignments that took her to New York, London, and Tokyo. She attended Philemon Wright High School in Hull, Quebec.

In 1992, Shannon began her television career, landing a part in Catwalk, a YTV series about a struggling rock band. She went on to appear in several television series, including Sirens (1994) as Kelly Van Pelt, Ready or Not (1996) as Angelique, Side Effects (1996) as Lisa Burns, and the Canadian horror series The Hunger (1999) as Jen.

In 2002, Shannon appeared in the popular comedy film Men with Brooms in the role of Joanne. Her most notable role was playing Margaret Trudeau in the 2002 miniseries Trudeau, a film about the late Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau. "Playing Maggie was a really thrilling experience," Shannon noted at the time. "It was a challenge that was different from anything else I've done."

Shannon starred opposite Tom Selleck as his girlfriend Abby Taylor in two Jesse Stone television films, Stone Cold (2005) and Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006).

Filmography Films Love and Human Remains (1993), The Second Victim A Young Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1995), Alisande/Alexandra End of Summer (1995, TV movie), Maid No Contest (1995), Candice 'Candy' Wilson, Miss U.S.A. Fight for Justice: The Nancy Conn Story (1995, TV movie), Carol Snowboard Academy (1996), Tori Devil's Food (1996, TV movie) Frankenstein and Me (1996), Elizabeth The Girl Next Door (1999, TV movie), Fiona Winters My Date with the President's Daughter (1998, TV movie), Cashier (uncredited) Dirty Work (1998), Toni-Ann The Sheldon Kennedy Story (1999, TV movie), Jana Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story (2000, TV movie), Phyllis Nesmith The Stalking of Laurie Show (2000, TV movie), Christine Harvard Man (2001), Juliet The Triangle (2001, TV movie), Julia Lee Men with Brooms (2002), Joanne Trudeau (2002, TV movie), Margaret Trudeau TrueSexLies (2003, short), Jackie Do or Die (2003, TV movie), Ruth Hennessey Hard to Forget (2003, TV movie), Sandra/Nicky Applewhite Ham & Cheese (2004), Lucy Direct Action (2004), Billie Ross Stone Cold (2005, TV movie), Abby Taylor Lie with Me (2005), Victoria Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006, TV movie), Abby Taylor Miranda & Gordon (2006, short), Mother Victor (2008, TV movie), Donna Clavel Hide (2008), Jenny Hydra (2009, TV movie), Dr. Valerie Cammon One Love (2009, short), Olivia Concrete Canyons (2010, TV movie), Det. Susan Kinkaid Defining Moments (2021 film) as Marina

Television series Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1992, "The Tale of the Pinball Wizard"), Sophie Catwalk (1992–1994), Nina Moore The Hidden Room (1993, "Marion & Jean"), Counter Girl Sirens (1994, "The Needle and the Damage Done"), Kelly Van Pelt Forever Knight (1995, "Trophy Girl"), Liselle No Greater Love (1996, TV movie), Helen Horowitz Ready or Not (1996, "Glamour Girl"), Angelique Side Effects (1996, "Behind the Scenes"), Lisa Burns A Young Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1995), Alisande/Alexandra Due South (1997, "Seeing Is Believing"), Judy Cates Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension (1998, "Perfect", 1998), Esthetician Highlander: The Raven (1998, "Passion Play"), Young Lucy Becker Earth: Final Conflict (1999, "Between Heaven and Hell"), Dr. Joyce Belman The Outer Limits (1999, "The Human Operators"), Human Operator of Starfighter-88 Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal (1999, "Sacrifices"), Moira Stratton The Hunger (1999, "Brass"), Jen Code Name: Eternity (2000, "The Long Drop"), Cinda Twice in a Lifetime (1999–2000, 2 episodes), Vicky Sue La Femme Nikita (2001, 3 episodes), Michelle Doc (2001, "You Gotta Have Heart") Leap Years (2001, 5 episodes), Valerie Jeremiah (2002, "Ring of Truth"), Polly Street Time (2002, 5 episodes), Danielle Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (2002–2004, 5 episodes), Darcy D'Angelo Wild Card (2003, "Backstabbed"), Ilana Puppets Who Kill (2004, "Portrait of Buttons"), Rosa The Jane Show (2004, "Pilot"), Susan Cold Case (2006, "The Red and the Blue"), Honey Sugar CSI: Miami (2006, "Double Jeopardy"), Allison Grady Shattered (2010, 2 episodes), Naomi Rookie Blue (2011, "Might Have Been"), Tori Less Than Kind (2012, "I'm Still Me"), Leslie

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Production Result1999Gemini Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesThe Girl Next Door 2000Gemini AwardBest Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesThe Sheldon Kennedy Story2003Canadian Comedy Award Film - Pretty Funny Female PerformanceMen with Brooms2008WorldFest HoustonSpecial Jury AwardMiranda & Gordon (shared with cast)

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