In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes explores the prominent career of Canadian actress, comedian, writer, and director Mary Walsh. From her early days with the Newfoundland Travelling Theatre Company to co-founding CODCO, Mary has left an unforgettable mark on Canadian comedy. Her sharp wit and memorable characters, including Marg Delahunty on "This Hour Has 22 Minutes," have established her status as a comedic force, seamlessly blending humour with sharp political commentary.

Beyond entertainment, Mary Walsh is a dedicated advocate for social causes, lending her voice to campaigns supporting human rights and poverty eradication through organizations like Oxfam-Canada. As a director, she has overseen acclaimed films such as "Young Triffie" and showcased her acting talents in “Happy Days”, "Mambo Italiano", and "The Grand Seduction”. Mary will next be seen in Sam McGlynn’s “Deaner ‘89”, the sequel to the cult classic “FUBAR”.

Join Marriska Fernandes as she speaks to Mary Walsh about how a haircut led to her character Marg Delahunty, her time as Princess Warrior, using comedy to deliver hard truths, changing the country's perception of Newfoundland and much more!

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

 

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch the video of this episode

 

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes explores the fascinating career of Canadian actor and director Mark O'Brien. From his memorable roles in "Republic of Doyle," “Ready or Not,” and "Halt and Catch Fire" to his award-winning portrayal as Terry Sawchuk in the biopic "Goalie," which earned him the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor, Mark has consistently demonstrated his versatility as a performer. However, his talents extend beyond acting; he has also proven his skill behind the camera, notably in projects like "The Righteous," where he took on the roles of writer, director, and star.   Join Marriska as she explores Mark's creative journey in this conversation, where he talks about embracing inspiration from the classics, how being an actor made him a better director, and his enduring passion for captivating storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide.   A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch the video of this episode

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes uncovers the story of Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, celebrated for his diverse contributions to cinema. With internationally acclaimed films like "Exotica," "The Sweet Hereafter," and the upcoming film, "Seven Veils," Egoyan has consistently pushed cinematic boundaries, focusing on themes such as memory, isolation, identity, and more. His work has earned accolades at Cannes, TIFF, and the Oscars, solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller.    Beyond filmmaking, Egoyan has also directed several operas, including Salome, Così fan tutte, and Jenůfa, for the Canadian Opera, Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, and elsewhere.    Join Marriska in conversation with Atom Egoyan, where they discuss his creative process and recall when Atom and Bruce McDonald screened their short films on a wall during TIFF. They also talk about the best ending he’s ever written, and more insights into his incredible journey.   ***TW: Atom Egoyan's films often explore the universality of trauma, and in discussing his work, there are mentions of sexual assault, child abuse and violence. Listener discretion is advised.   A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch the video of this episode

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes explores the dynamic career of Cree actor and filmmaker Cody Lightning. Originating from Edmonton, Alberta, Cody gained recognition with standout performances in "Smoke Signals," "Four Sheets to the Wind,” “Brick,” and “Manic.”

“Hey, Viktor!,” his 2023 directorial debut showcased his talents as writer, director, and star, earning him nominations for Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film and Best Original Screenplay, at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards.

Recently, he was seen as Cousin Biscuits, one of the leads of the Marvel Studios series “Echo” for Hulu/Disney+. Aside from filmmaking, Lighting is a competitive skateboarder and snowboarder.

Join Cody Lightning and host Marriska Fernandes they discuss how losing a short film pitch led him to “Hey, Viktor!,” the art of meta joke writing, finding inspiration from kids and elders, and more!

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch the video of this episode

In this episode, Canadian Screen Award-nominated actor, singer, and performer Karen LeBlanc joins host Marriska Fernandes to talk about her multifaceted career.

Karen's passion for performing led her to the renowned musical theatre program at Sheridan College. After graduating, she sang with several bands such as Glass Tiger and her own R&B band, Midnight Hour. On stage, she’s performed in shows such as "Rent" and "Outrageous," and toured the world with the Legends In Concert series channelling Tina Turner. Her career spans film and television, with standout roles in "Nurse.Fighter.Boy," and series like "Trailer Park Boys," "Producing Parker" and "The Playboy Club." Recently, she starred as Vanessa King in Oprah Winfrey’s TV Series "The Kings of Napa," took on the role of Dr. Lilly Crawford, in CBS's "Fire Country," and plays Lynette Miller in "Ginny & Georgia."

Karen and Marriska chat about chasing craft rather than fame, feeling seen by Charles Officer when filming "Nurse.Fighter.Boy," and how sometimes being your best self means saying no.

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch the video of this episode

Welcome to Season 3 of Maple Popcorn! In this season's inaugural episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with filmmaker and showrunner Kari Skogland, known for her Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning directorial work on "The Handmaid's Tale".

Originally from Ottawa, Kari's journey in the industry has been nothing short of remarkable. Transitioning from editing to directing, her portfolio includes an array of projects such as television commercials, music videos, films such as “Fifty Dead Men Walking” and acclaimed TV series including "The Walking Dead", “Boardwalk Empire”, “The Americans”, Marvel's “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and more. Beyond her on-screen contributions, Kari is also the founder and CEO of Mad Rabbit, a film and television production company.

Kari talks to Marriska about what she learned from her days editing commercials, her leadership approach on set, and her continued commitment to elevating women in the industry.

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch the video of this episode

Lights, camera, action! Welcome to the Maple Popcorn Podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, where we take you behind the scenes of Canada's vibrant entertainment industry. This new season will bring you exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes scoops, and unforgettable moments with your favourite Canadian stars and emerging talents. From blockbuster hits to indie gems, we're turning up the excitement meter and sharing candid moments, untold anecdotes, and insider secrets that will leave you wanting more. Proudly powered by Telefilm Canada, the Maple Popcorn Podcast is your ultimate destination for all things Canadian entertainment. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and subscribe now on your favourite podcast app. Don't miss a single episode packed with exclusive content you won't find anywhere else!

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

Follow Telefilm Canada on Instagram

Follow The Brand is Female on Instagram

Watch Season 3 on video

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with Joshua Jackson. You may have first discovered Joshua in his iconic role as Pacey Witter in the 90’s sitcom series Dawson’s Creek, but today, he is Chairman at Liquid Media Group, a business solutions company that offers end-to-end solution for film, TV, and video creators. He is also currently portraying Dr. Christopher Duntsch on the TV series Dr. Death, a chilling dramatization of the real-life story of former neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch. In this pod episode, we travel back to Joshua’s early acting days, chat about the future of the film industry, and talk about perhaps his most important role to date — father to his two-year-old daughter.

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with Hamza Haq. You likely know Hamza from CTV’s hit medical drama Transplant, now in its second season, where Hamza plays the lead role of Bash, a doctor who comes to Canada as a Syrian refugee during the ongoing Syrian civil war. The role earned him a Canadian Screen Award for ‘Best Lead Actor’ in 2021. At the age of nine, Hamza himself immigrated to Canada from Saudi Arabia with his Pakistani family. Today, he shares with us his continued journey towards authenticity, his message to all immigrants and the importance of staying true to yourself. 

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.

 

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with Karen Robinson. Famously known for her role of Ronnie Lee in the award-winning smash hit comedy and global phenomenon Schitt’s Creek, Karen is currently starring in the budding female cop series Pretty Hard Cases, and in a leading role in Echoes, the Netflix mystery thriller miniseries from 13 Reasons Why showrunner Brian Yorkey. Join us for this conversation as we chat about Karen’s contrasting teenage years growing up in Jamaica and then small town Alberta, her love of performance from a young age and what it’s like being able to work close to home in Toronto. 

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.