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Alberta Watson
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Faith Susan Alberta Watson (March 6, 1955 – March 21, 2015), better known as Alberta Watson, was a Canadian film and television actress.[1]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Watson was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1955.[2] She grew up in Toronto with her mother Grace, a factory worker, and her brother. She began performing with a local Toronto theatre group, T.H.O.G. (Theatre House of God),[3] of the Bathurst Street United Church, at age 15.[4]
Watson took a workshop for the Hair musical.[5] While at the workshop she acted in Hamlet, which was directed by René Bonnière,[6] who later directed her in La Femme Nikita.[7]
Acting career
[edit]Watson got her first role at age 19 in a CBC movie called Honor Thy Father.[3][8] Early in her career she portrayed the role of Mitzi in George Kaczender's[9] In Praise of Older Women (1978), for which she received a Genie nomination. A year later she received the Best Actress award at the Yorkton Film Festival for "Exposure".[4] She moved to Los Angeles, California, and later to New York City.[10]
Watson lived in New Jersey for eight years[11] with her husband until they divorced.[7] She then returned to Toronto and focused on finding roles in independent films. She worked with director Colleen Murphy on the film Shoemaker (1996), for which she received a second Genie nomination for Best Actress.[4]
Among her well-known film roles are the bed-ridden mother Susan Aibelli in the 1994 American independent film Spanking the Monkey, Lauren Murphy (the mother of Jonny Lee Miller's character Dade, also called "Crash Override"/"Zero Cool") in the 1995 cult film Hackers, and Risa in the 1997 Academy Award-nominated Canadian film The Sweet Hereafter, directed by Atom Egoyan.[4]
In Spanking the Monkey, Watson plays her favourite character,[12] a mother who has an incestuous relationship with her son. The role was turned down by several actresses such as Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange and others.[2] Watson said:[7]
I took it because it was a heck of a challenge. And I'm not a name with an image to protect. The subject was incest. It didn't scare me at all. I seized the character and made her something. She was a deeply disturbed woman with a roller coaster of emotions. Her son visits for the summer and she's laid up in a cast with a broken leg and things get out of hand.
She played the role of Madeline in La Femme Nikita for four seasons from 1997 to 2001 (with guest appearances in the short fifth season). During the show's second season (in 1998), Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma, for which she had to undergo chemotherapy treatment which caused her to lose her hair.[12][13] Producers at La Femme Nikita worked around her treatment and limited her appearances.[13] Watson wore wigs in the show when she lost her hair.[13] When her hair started to regrow, she sported the short haircut in her role as Madeline in the show's third season.[13]
Watson's first name inspired the character Alberta Green in the first season of 24.[citation needed] In 2005, Watson joined the cast of 24, playing CTU Director Erin Driscoll for 12 episodes of the show's fourth season.
During 2007 and 2008, Watson played a supporting role in the Canadian television series The Border as the Minister of Public Safety.
In 2010, Watson guest-starred in Heartland, a series on CBC Television, and she won a 2011 Gemini Award for her portrayal of Sarah Craven.
In a nod to her La Femme Nikita role, Alberta played a recurring character Madeline Pierce in Nikita, the CW's 2010–2013 reboot of the film and TV series.
Death
[edit]Watson died on March 21, 2015, due to complications from cancer at Kensington Hospice in Toronto fifteen days after her 60th birthday.[14]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Power Play | Donna | |
| 1978 | In Praise of Older Women | Mitzi | |
| 1979 | Exposure | Barbara | Short film |
| 1979 | Stone Cold Dead | Olivia Page | |
| 1980 | Virus | Litha | AKA, Day of Resurrection |
| 1981 | Dirty Tricks | Tony | |
| 1981 | Black Mirror | Tina | |
| 1982 | The Soldier | Susan Goodman | |
| 1983 | The Keep | Eva Cuza | |
| 1984 | Best Revenge | Dinah | |
| 1987 | White of the Eye | Ann Mason | |
| 1989 | Destiny to Order | Thalia / Marla / Nicole | |
| 1991 | The Hitman | Christine De Vera | |
| 1992 | Zebrahead | Phyliss | |
| 1994 | Spanking the Monkey | Susan Aibelli | |
| 1995 | What's His Face | Woman | Short film |
| 1995 | Hackers | Lauren Murphy | |
| 1996 | Shoemaker | Anna | |
| 1996 | Sweet Angel Mine | Megan | |
| 1997 | The Sweet Hereafter | Risa | |
| 1998 | Seeds of Doubt | Jennifer Kingsley | |
| 1999 | The Life Before This | Nita | |
| 2000 | Desire | Simone | |
| 2000 | Deeply | Fiona | |
| 2001 | Hedwig and the Angry Inch | Hansel's Mom | |
| 2001 | Chasing Cain | Denise McGoogan | |
| 2001 | Tart | Lily Storm | |
| 2001 | The Art of Woo | Caterin | |
| 2002 | The Wild Dogs | Natalie | |
| 2004 | The Prince and Me | Amy Morgan | |
| 2004 | My Brother's Keeper | Helen Woods | |
| 2004 | Vendetta: No Conscience, No Mercy | Anne Phelan | |
| 2004 | Some Things That Stay | Liz Anderson | |
| 2006 | Citizen Duane | Bonnie Balfour | |
| 2006 | Away from Her | Dr. Fischer | |
| 2006 | A Lobster Tale | Martha Brewer | |
| 2007 | The Lookout | Barbara Pratt | |
| 2008 | Growing Op | Marilla | |
| 2009 | Helen | Dr. Sherman | |
| 2009 | The Spine | Mary Rutherford | Short film |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | King of Kensington | Mitzi | Episode: "War and Peace" |
| 1980 | War Brides | Norma | TV film |
| 1983 | I Am a Hotel | Suzanne | TV short |
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Prostitute | Episode: "Fuched Again" |
| 1984 | Deadly Nightmares | Jill Friedlander | Episode: "Remembering Melody" |
| 1985 | Murder in Space | Dominica Mastrelli | TV film |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | Carla Holden | Episode: "The Distant Fire" |
| 1985 | Kane & Abel | Zofia Rosnovski | TV miniseries |
| 1986 | Fortune Dane | Amy Steiner | TV series |
| 1986 | Women of Valor | Lt. Helen Prescott | TV film |
| 1987 | Street Legal | Mercedes Puentes | Episode: "Tango Bellarosa" |
| 1987–1988 | Buck James | Dr. Rebecca Meyer | Main role (19 episodes) |
| 1989 | The Equalizer | Taffy Gould | Episode: "The Caper" |
| 1989 | Shannon's Deal | Terry Lomax | TV film |
| 1989 | Street Legal | Maria Lopez | Episode: "Partners and Other Strangers" |
| 1990 | Island Son | Nina Delaney | Episode: "Separations" |
| 1990 | Grand | Andrea | Episode: "The Return of Yale Pinhaus" |
| 1991 | Law & Order | Miss Hanley | Episode: "His Hour Upon the Stage" |
| 1992 | Law & Order | Angela Brandt | Episode: "Skin Deep" |
| 1993 | Relentless: Mind of a Killer | Ellen Giancola | TV film |
| 1993 | Matrix | Marie Sands | Episode: "Conviction of His Courage" |
| 1994 | Jonathan Stone: Threat of Innocence | Deborah Walsh Bradford | TV film |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits | Lynda Tillman | Episode: "If These Walls Could Talk" |
| 1995 | A Child Is Missing | Agent Lynette Graham | TV film |
| 1996 | Giant Mine | Peggy Witte | TV film |
| 1996 | Gotti | Victoria Gotti | TV film |
| 1997–2001 | La Femme Nikita | Madeline | Main role (89 episodes) Nominated - Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series[15] |
| 1998 | The Girl Next Door | Mary Bradley | TV film |
| 2000 | Soul Food | Judge Olivia Delaney | Episode: "The More Things Stay the Same" |
| 2001 | After the Harvest | Amelia Gare | TV film |
| 2002 | Guilt by Association | Angie | TV film |
| 2002 | Chasing Cain: Face | Det. Denise McGoogan | TV film |
| 2003 | The Risen | Amanda Knowles | TV film |
| 2003 | Penguins Behind Bars | Babs (voice) | TV film |
| 2003 | Missing | Mrs. Mastriani | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2003 | Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story | Chava Rosenfarb-Morgentaler | TV film |
| 2004 | Puppets Who Kill | Judge | Episode: "Bill Sues" |
| 2004 | The Newsroom | Susan | Recurring role (4 episodes) |
| 2004 | Show Me Yours | Toni Bane | Recurring role (8 episodes) |
| 2004–2005 | 24 | Erin Driscoll | Regular role (13 episodes) |
| 2005 | Million Dollar Murder | Ted's Lawyer | TV film |
| 2006 | At the Hotel | Camille | Recurring role (4 episodes) |
| 2006 | Angela's Eyes | Lydia Anderson | Recurring role (6 episodes) |
| 2008 | The Border | Minister Suzanne Fleischer | Recurring role (10 episodes) |
| 2010 | Heartland | Sarah Craven | Episode: "Where the Truth Lies" |
| 2011–2012 | Nikita | Senator Madeline Pierce | Recurring role (9 episodes) |
Bibliography
[edit]- Heyn, Christopher. "A Conversation with Alberta Watson". Inside Section One: Creating and Producing TV's La Femme Nikita. Introduction by Peta Wilson. Los Angeles: Persistence of Vision Press, 2006. pp. 88–93. ISBN 0-9787625-0-9. In-depth conversation with Alberta Watson about her role as Madeline on La Femme Nikita, as well as her more recent acting experiences.
References
[edit]- ^ Alberta Watson profile, filmreference.com; accessed March 23, 2015.
- ^ a b Rita Zekas. "Alberta's Feeling At Home On Deranged", Toronto Star, August 5, 1994.
- ^ a b Neil Morton. "In Praise of Alberta Watson", Elm Street Magazine; accessed March 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Alberta Watson at IMDb
- ^ Bruce Blackadar. "Young Actress Is Behind Bars -- For A Movie", Toronto Star, August 7, 1980.
- ^ Profile of René Bonnière; accessed March 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c Jim Bawden. Toronto Star, Nikita's Iciest Femme Fatale, albertawatson.net, July 18, 1999.
- ^ Liz Braun. "Happy In Her Work", albertawatson.net, December 29, 1995.
- ^ George Kaczender profile, imdb.com; accessed March 23, 2015.
- ^ "Three Hours On A Plane Is All She Can Stand: Great Escapes - Alberta Watson" Archived 2008-07-02 at the Wayback Machine, Interview with Fulton King, February 19, 2000.
- ^ "She Wasn't Afraid of 'Spanking'", San Francisco Examiner, August 23, 1994.
- ^ a b Profile TVGuide/Yahoo Chat, January 7, 1999.
- ^ a b c d Michelle Erica Green. "Alberta Watson: The Toughest Woman on Television", TheLittleReview.com; accessed March 23, 2015.
- ^ "'24' actress Alberta Watson dies at 60". Fox News. March 23, 2015. Archived from the original on March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
- ^ "awards database". academy.ca. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
External links
[edit]
Alberta Watson
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early Life
Family and Childhood
Faith Susan Alberta Watson was born on March 6, 1955, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1][4] Watson was raised by her single mother, Grace Watson, who worked as a factory worker, alongside one brother.[5][1] No public details exist regarding her father or extended family, reflecting Watson's preference for privacy in personal matters.[1] Her childhood unfolded in Toronto, where she experienced a modest upbringing shaped by her mother's working-class environment.[5][1] This formative period in the city laid the groundwork for her later interests in the performing arts, though specific childhood events beyond family life remain undocumented.[4]Entry into Acting
At age 15, Watson joined an amateur theatre group at Bathurst Street United Church in Toronto, marking her initial foray into performing arts.[1] This group, known as T.H.O.G. (Theatre House of God), provided her with early opportunities to engage in local stage productions during her teenage years.[6] She dropped out of high school to focus on acting. Watson briefly lived on a communal farm outside Toronto with other actors before returning to the city.[4] By her late teens, Watson's involvement in these amateur endeavors had solidified her passion for acting, leading her to pursue professional opportunities.[1] Her Toronto upbringing, immersed in the city's vibrant arts scene, further nurtured this transition from hobbyist performer to aspiring professional.[1]Acting Career
Early Roles and Breakthrough
Watson's professional acting career began at age 19 with a role in the CBC television movie Honour Thy Father (1974), marking her debut in Canadian broadcasting.[4] This early television appearance, based on the life of mobster Joe Bonanno, showcased her emerging talent in a dramatic narrative centered on family and crime. Building on her teenage theater experience in Toronto, which provided foundational skills in performance, Watson quickly transitioned to more prominent opportunities in film and television.[4] Her first major film role came in 1978 as Mitzi in In Praise of Older Women, a post-World War II drama directed by George Kaczender, where she portrayed a young woman navigating romance and independence.[7] The performance earned her a Genie Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, highlighting her ability to convey emotional depth in supporting roles and establishing her within Canada's burgeoning film scene.[4] This recognition came at a pivotal time, as Watson continued to take on television parts, including appearances in the popular CBC series The King of Kensington, which depicted life in Toronto's multicultural Kensington Market.[7] Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Watson appeared in several Canadian productions, such as the thrillers Stone Cold Dead (1979) and Dirty Tricks (1981), both emblematic of the era's tax-shelter films funded through investor incentives to boost domestic content.[4] These projects, while providing essential experience and visibility, reflected the broader challenges of building a career in Canada during this period, where limited government funding and a small market often confined actors to low-budget endeavors with inconsistent quality and minimal international reach.[7] Her breakthrough into Hollywood arrived with the role of Eva Cuza in Michael Mann's supernatural horror film The Keep (1983), where she played the wife of a historian uncovering dark forces in a Romanian fortress, signaling her expanding range beyond Canadian borders.[7]Major Television and Film Works
Watson's breakthrough in film came during the 1990s with a series of challenging roles that showcased her versatility in independent and mainstream cinema. In David O. Russell's debut feature Spanking the Monkey (1994), she portrayed Susan Aibelli, the bedridden mother entangled in a controversial incestuous relationship with her son, earning critical praise for her bold performance in the black comedy that premiered at Sundance.[2] She followed this with the role of Lauren Murphy, the mother of hacker protagonist Dade Murphy (played by Jonny Lee Miller), in the cyber-thriller Hackers (1995), contributing to the film's cult status amid its exploration of early internet culture.[2] Watson's collaboration with acclaimed director Atom Egoyan in The Sweet Hereafter (1997) saw her as Risa Walker, a motel proprietor grappling with grief in the Oscar-nominated drama about a tragic school bus accident in a small Canadian town.[2] Earlier in the decade, her lead performance in Shoemaker (1996), directed by Colleen Murphy as part of the Canadian Film Centre's Feature Film Project, earned her a Genie Award nomination for Best Actress, highlighting her command of introspective character studies.[4] Watson's most iconic television role was as Madeline, the ruthless and Machiavellian second-in-command of the covert anti-terrorism organization Section One, in the USA Network series La Femme Nikita (1997–2001). Appearing in 89 episodes across four full seasons and a guest spot in the fifth, her portrayal of the cold, calculating strategist—who often manipulated operatives through psychological tactics—became a defining element of the show's tense espionage narrative, drawing from producer Joel Surnow's vision of high-stakes intrigue inspired by the original French film.[2] The character's impact extended to influencing fan discussions on complex female antagonists in spy genres, with Watson's nuanced depiction of hidden vulnerabilities adding depth to Madeline's otherwise impenetrable facade during production, which emphasized layered interpersonal dynamics within the secretive agency.[2] In the 2000s, Watson continued to secure prominent roles across genres, spanning thrillers, dramas, and family-oriented series. She played Erin Driscoll, the no-nonsense director of the Counter Terrorist Unit in Los Angeles, for 12 episodes in season four of Fox's real-time drama 24 (2005), where her character clashed with Jack Bauer while overseeing crisis responses to nuclear threats.[2] In film, she appeared as Helen Woods, a supportive yet conflicted family figure, in the Canadian drama My Brother's Keeper (2004), which examined themes of sibling rivalry and personal sacrifice through a rowing competition storyline.[8] Later, Watson took on a recurring role as the reclusive Sarah Craven in the CBC family series Heartland (2010), portraying a town outsider whose bond with animals underscored the show's themes of rural resilience and healing.[9] These works exemplified her career's breadth, from intense action-oriented television to intimate character-driven films, solidifying her international presence over three decades.[2]Awards and Nominations
Throughout her career, Alberta Watson received recognition primarily from Canadian awards bodies, earning three wins and several nominations that highlighted her versatility in film and television roles. These accolades, totaling around nine across major ceremonies, underscored her impact on Canadian cinema despite limited major U.S. honors for her international work, such as in the series 24.[10] Watson's earliest notable nomination came in 1978 for the Canadian Film Award (later known as the Genie Award) for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mitzi in In Praise of Older Women, marking an early breakthrough in her film career.[7] The following year, she won Best Actress at the Yorkton Film Festival for the short film Exposure.[11] In 1996, she earned another Genie Award nomination for Best Actress in Shoemaker, directed by Colleen Murphy, further establishing her as a leading performer in independent Canadian features.[11] On television, Watson's performances garnered multiple Gemini Award nominations, including one in 1998 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series for her portrayal of Madeline in La Femme Nikita.[12] She also received a 2001 nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Mini-Series for After the Harvest. Her most prominent television honor was a 2011 Gemini Award win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role, Dramatic Series, for her role as Sarah Craven in the CBC series Heartland.[11] Additionally, in 1997, she shared in the National Board of Review Award for Best Ensemble Cast for The Sweet Hereafter.[11] In 2008, Watson was honored with the Chlotrudis Awards' Career So Far Award, recognizing her sustained contributions to independent film.[11]Personal Life and Health
Marriage and Residence
Alberta Watson resided in the New York–New Jersey area for approximately eight years to access American television and film opportunities. She was previously married during this period; the marriage ended in divorce, after which she returned to Toronto in the mid-1990s.[13][7] In 1997, Watson married cinematographer Ken Sedgwick, with whom she shared a residence in Toronto for the remainder of her life.[14] She and Sedgwick had no children, and Watson was known for her preference for privacy in personal matters, with no other relationships publicly documented.[1][14]Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
In 1998, during the filming of the second season of the television series La Femme Nikita, Alberta Watson was diagnosed with lymphoma.[15] Producers accommodated her condition by adjusting the shooting schedule to align with her medical needs.[16] Watson underwent chemotherapy as part of her initial treatment, which resulted in hair loss and required her to wear wigs for subsequent roles.[17] Following treatment, she entered remission, enabling her to resume and sustain an active career through the 2000s and into the 2010s, including a recurring role on the series Heartland from 2007 to 2012.[18] The illness later recurred, contributing to escalating health complications by 2014 and 2015 amid her ongoing professional endeavors.[19] Throughout her battle, Watson demonstrated resilience by maintaining a low public profile on her condition while prioritizing her work.[9]Death and Legacy
Circumstances of Death
Alberta Watson died on March 21, 2015, at the age of 60, from complications arising from a recurrence of her cancer.[19][18] She passed away at Kensington Hospice in Toronto, Ontario, surrounded by family, including her husband Ken, who was by her side at the time.[20][2] In the years leading up to her death, Watson had significantly reduced her acting commitments following her final role as Senator Madeline Pierce on the CW series Nikita in 2011–2012, shifting her focus toward managing her health.[20] She maintained privacy regarding the progression of her illness, with no public announcements about the cancer's recurrence, consistent with her approach during her initial diagnosis in 1998.[1]Posthumous Recognition
Following her death on March 21, 2015, Alberta Watson was the subject of numerous obituaries in major entertainment publications that celebrated her contributions to television, particularly her roles as Erin Driscoll in 24 and Madeline in La Femme Nikita. The Hollywood Reporter's coverage on March 23, 2015, highlighted her four-decade career and these standout performances in high-profile dramas.[19] Similar tributes appeared in Variety, which praised her as a star of La Femme Nikita and 24, and in Deadline, which noted her enduring impact across nearly 40 years in the industry.[2][20] Watson was featured in posthumously updated retrospectives on Canadian actors, including an entry in The Canadian Encyclopedia published on July 7, 2015, which portrayed her as a consistent and professional performer renowned for taking on challenging roles in projects like La Femme Nikita and The Sweet Hereafter.[21] This entry emphasized her advocacy for increased production opportunities in Canada and her status as a respected character actor who avoided the conventional star system. A Britannica biography, last updated on November 8, 2025, similarly recognized her legacy in Canadian film and television, noting her 2011 Gemini Award win for Heartland as a highlight of her commitment to domestic storytelling.[7] Her portrayal of Madeline in La Femme Nikita has sustained appreciation among fans of the series, with ongoing discussions in dedicated communities reflecting on her nuanced depiction of the character. References to Watson's work appear in production histories like Christopher Heyn's Inside Section One: Creating and Producing TV's La Femme Nikita (2006), which includes interviews with her and has not seen posthumous editions but continues to serve as a key resource on the show's creation. As of 2025, Watson has not received major posthumous awards or formal honors, though her roles remain influential in discussions of Canadian television exports and genre storytelling.Filmography
Film
Alberta Watson appeared in approximately 30 feature films throughout her career, spanning from 1978 to 2012.[14] The following table lists her theatrical film credits chronologically, including roles and directors where documented in primary sources.[22][23]| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | In Praise of Older Women | Mitzi | George Kaczender |
| 1979 | Stone Cold Dead | Olivia Page | George Mendeluk |
| 1980 | Virus | Litha | Kinji Fukasaku |
| 1981 | Dirty Tricks | Tony | Alvin Rakoff |
| 1981 | Black Mirror | Tina | Peter Werner |
| 1982 | The Soldier | Susan Goodman | James Giles |
| 1983 | The Keep | Eva Cuza | Michael Mann |
| 1984 | Best Revenge | Ellen | John Trent |
| 1987 | The Gate | Alex's Mom | Tibor Takács |
| 1987 | White of the Eye | Ann Coyle | Donald Cammell |
| 1991 | The Hitman | Christine De Vera | Aaron Norris |
| 1992 | Zebrahead | Phyliss | Michael Goldberg |
| 1993 | I Love a Man in Uniform | Lucy | David Wellington |
| 1994 | Spanking the Monkey | Susan Aibelli | David O. Russell |
| 1995 | Hackers | Lauren Murphy | Iain Softley |
| 1996 | Shoemaker | Anna | Colleen Murphy |
| 1996 | Sweet Angel Mine | Megan McAllister | Curtis Weisfeld |
| 1997 | The Sweet Hereafter | Risa Walker | Atom Egoyan |
| 1999 | The Life Before This | Nita | Jerry Ciccoritti |
| 2000 | Deeply | Fiona McKay | Sherrie Elwood |
| 2001 | The Art of Woo | Cate | Helen Lee |
| 2001 | Hedwig and the Angry Inch | Hansel's Mother | John Cameron Mitchell |
| 2002 | The Wild Dogs | Sally | Thom Fitzgerald |
| 2004 | The Prince & Me | Amy Morgan | Martha Coolidge |
| 2004 | Some Things That Stay | Liz Anderson | Daniel J. Clark |
| 2006 | Away from Her | Dr. Fischer | Sarah Polley |
| 2006 | A Lobster Tale | Martha Brewer | Adam Massey |
| 2006 | Citizen Duane | Bonnie Balfour | Michael Mabbott |
| 2009 | Helen | Dr. Sherman | Ellen Perry |
| 2012 | Antiviral | Mira | Brandon Cronenberg |
Television
Alberta Watson amassed over 50 television credits across her four-decade career, featuring regular series roles, recurring parts, guest spots, and made-for-TV films, often in dramatic and thriller formats.[14] Her television debut came in 1973 with the CBC made-for-TV movie Honor Thy Father, marking her entry into acting at age 19.[7] She continued with Canadian productions in the late 1970s and 1980s, building a foundation through guest roles on series like King of Kensington (1978) and The Littlest Hobo (1979), before gaining wider recognition in U.S. and international shows.[23] Watson's breakthrough in television arrived with her portrayal of Madeline in La Femme Nikita (1997–2001), where she appeared in all 96 episodes as the enigmatic operations director of Section One.[24] She followed this with a recurring role as CTU director Erin Driscoll in season 4 of 24 (2004–2005), contributing to 12 episodes amid the series' high-stakes counterterrorism narrative.[25] Later highlights included guest appearances on procedurals such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2005) and Flashpoint (2008), as well as Canadian series like The Border (2007–2008).[26] Her final television role was as Dr. Naomi Drew in Saving Hope (2012), appearing in several episodes before her illness curtailed further work.[22]Chronological Television Credits
- 1973: Honor Thy Father (made-for-TV movie) – Aspasia[7]
- 1978: King of Kensington (series, 1 episode)[23]
- 1979: The Littlest Hobo (series, guest role)[23]
- 1980: The Great Detective (series, guest role)[23]
- 1981: The July Group (made-for-TV movie)[23]
- 1984: The Equalizer (series, 1 episode)[26]
- 1985: Night Heat (series, recurring)[23]; Hill Street Blues (series, guest role)[26]
- 1986: Adderly (series, guest role); Deadly Nightmares (series, 1 episode); Women of Valor (made-for-TV movie)[14][26]
- 1987: Street Legal (series, guest role)[23]
- 1989: E.N.G. (series, recurring)[23]
- 1990: Counterstrike (series, guest role); Law & Order (series, 1 episode)[23][26]
- 1991: Top Cops (series, 1 episode)[23]
- 1992: Beyond Reality (series, guest role)[23]
- 1993: Matrix (series, guest role)[23]
- 1994: RoboCop: The Series (series, guest role)[23]
- 1995: The Outer Limits (series, 1 episode)[26]
- 1996: The Newsroom (series, recurring)[14]
- 1996: Gotti (made-for-TV movie) – Victoria Gotti[27]
- 1997–2001: La Femme Nikita (series, 96 episodes) – Madeline[24]
- 1997: PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal (series, guest role)[23]
- 1999: Twice in a Lifetime (series, guest role)[23]
- 2000: Soul Food (series, recurring)[26]
- 2001: After the Harvest (made-for-TV movie)[14]
- 2002: Chasing Cain II: Face (made-for-TV movie); Doc (series, guest role)[14][23]
- 2003: Missing (series, recurring)[23]
- 2004: Show Me Yours (series, lead, 8 episodes); The West Wing (series, 1 episode)[14][23]
- 2005: Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story (made-for-TV movie); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (series, 1 episode)[14][23]
- 2006: At the Hotel (series, recurring); Angela's Eyes (series, recurring)[14][26]
- 2007–2008: The Border (series, recurring, 6 episodes)[14]
- 2008: Flashpoint (series, guest role)[23]
- 2009: Being Erica (series, guest role)[23]
- 2010: Republic of Doyle (series, guest role); Heartland (series, guest role)[23][26]
- 2011: Covert Affairs (series, 1 episode)[23]
- 2011–2012: Nikita (series, 10 episodes) – Senator Madeline Pierce[28]
- 2012: Saving Hope (series, 5 episodes) – Dr. Naomi Drew[22]