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Janaya Stephens
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 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (March 2013) |
Janaya Stephens is a Canadian film actress prominently featured in the Left Behind series of films as Chloe Steele. She appeared on the TV series Flashpoint, playing the character Sophie Lane.
Key Information
Stephens was born in London, Ontario. In high school at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, Stephens excelled at basketball and soccer. After graduating, she went on to play varsity basketball at Laurentian University for the Laurentian Lady Vee's while studying English and Drama. While at Laurentian, she starred as Juliet in the school's production of Romeo & Juliet. Later she went on to study at George Brown Theatre School in Toronto.
Janaya has appeared in the television shows Twice in a Lifetime, Relic Hunter, and Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. A notable movie role Janaya played was the lead part of Marie Osmond in the 2001 ABC original television movie Inside the Osmonds. It was rebroadcast four years later on VH1. One of her more recent films was the 2008 film Death Race where she played opposite Jason Statham.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Left Behind: The Movie | Chloe Steele | |
| 2000 | Cruel Intentions 2 | Cab Driver | Direct to video |
| 2002 | Left Behind II: Tribulation Force | Chloe Steele | |
| 2005 | Left Behind: World at War | Chloe Steele | |
| 2007 | The Lookout | Alison Pratt | |
| 2008 | Death Race | Suzy | |
| 2014 | Siren | Sarah | Short film |
| 2019 | Strange But True | Pilla |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | Twice in a Lifetime | Mrs. John Paul O'Brien / Young Kat Lopez | Episode: "Sixteen Candles" (as Mrs. John Paul O'Brien) Episode: "Expose" (as Kat Lopez) |
| 2000 | Lexx | Peach | Episode: "Boomtown" |
| 2000 | Relic Hunter | Barmaid | Episode: "Irish Crown Affair" |
| 2001 | Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science | Sandra McLean | Episode: "Away" |
| 2001 | Inside the Osmonds | Marie Osmond (older) | Television film |
| 2001 | Leap Years | Chloe | Episode: "1.6" Episode: "1.7" |
| 2002 | Relic Hunter | Hippolyte | Episode: "Antianeirai" |
| 2003 | Blessings | Young Lydia Blessing | Television film |
| 2004 | Celeste in the City | Lauren Rawley-Simms | Television film |
| 2004 | Mutant X | Diane Taylor | Episode: "Cirque des Merveilles" |
| 2004 | Suburban Madness | Cassie Bascha | Television film |
| 2004 | While I Was Gone | Cass Beckett | Television film |
| 2004 | Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye | Dodger | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Category 6: Day of Destruction | Laura Harkin | Television film |
| 2005 | Missing | Amanda Keener / Elizabeth Harrington | Episode: "Paper Anniversary" |
| 2005 | Kevin Hill | Alison | 6 episodes |
| 2005 | Beach Girls | Francesca Dellio | Television film |
| 2005 | The Hunt for the BTK Killer | Mom with Baby | Television film |
| 2005 | Category 7: The End of the World | Mary Beth Davis | Television film |
| 2006 | Beautiful People | Ms. Newburg | 4 episodes |
| 2008-2012 | Flashpoint | Sophie Lane | 16 episodes |
| 2010 | You Lucky Dog | Katie | Television film |
| 2014 | Hemlock Grove | Michelle | Episode: "Lost Generation" |
| 2015 | Saving Hope | Shona | Episode: "Shine a Light" |
| 2017 | Designated Survivor | Reporter | Episode: "One Hundred Days" |
External links
[edit]- Official Site
- Janaya Stephens at IMDb
- International Society for Excellence in Christian Film & Television
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
 | This article about a Canadian film and television actor is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
Janaya Stephens
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing
Janaya Lynn Stephens was born on March 17, 1974, in London, Ontario, Canada.[6] She was raised in the rural community of Mt. Brydges, a small town in southwestern Ontario known for its agricultural surroundings and close-knit environment.[3][7] During her youth, Stephens worked in a local tree nursery, an experience that immersed her in the rural landscape and contributed to her appreciation for hands-on labor and the natural world.[6]Education and athletics
Stephens attended Strathroy District Collegiate Institute for high school, where she demonstrated excellence in basketball and soccer.[4] After graduating, she enrolled at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, to study English and Drama. While there, she played the lead role of Juliet in a production of Romeo and Juliet. During her time at the university, Stephens played varsity basketball for the Laurentian Lady Voyageurs, participating in the 1994-95 season as part of a team that finished third overall in the CIAU women's basketball standings.[8][9][10][3] Following her undergraduate studies, Stephens pursued acting training at George Brown College in Toronto.[6]Acting career
Training and early roles
After completing her studies in English and Drama at Laurentian University, where she also played varsity basketball, Janaya Stephens transitioned to dedicated acting training at George Brown Theatre School in Toronto.[8] This move marked her commitment to pursuing acting professionally, building on her earlier experience starring as Juliet in the university's production of Romeo and Juliet.[8] Her passion for the craft deepened during this period, particularly after discovering her affinity for on-camera work.[11] In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Stephens began securing her first professional television roles as a guest star. She appeared in two episodes of Twice in a Lifetime (1999–2000), portraying Young Kat Lopez in one and Mrs. John Paul O'Brien in another.[12] Additionally, she guest-starred in an episode of Relic Hunter (2000) as the Barmaid.[13] These early appearances provided her with initial exposure in the industry, allowing her to hone her skills in front of the camera shortly after completing her training.[3] Stephens continued her early television work with a lead role as Marie Osmond in the TV movie Inside the Osmonds (2001).[14] She later appeared in the television movie Blessings (2003), directed by Arvin Brown, where she played the role of Young Lydia Blessing.[15] This part represented a significant step in her burgeoning career, coming amid her shift from athletic pursuits to the performing arts.[8] The role highlighted her versatility in dramatic storytelling, setting the stage for further opportunities in film and television.[16]Breakthrough in Left Behind series
Janaya Stephens landed her breakout role as Chloe Steele in Left Behind: The Movie (2000), the initial film adaptation of the bestselling Christian apocalyptic novel series co-authored by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.[17][18] Produced by Cloud Ten Pictures as a low-budget independent project with an estimated $4 million budget, the film depicted the sudden disappearance of millions in the Rapture and the ensuing chaos, positioning Stephens as a central figure in this faith-based thriller.[19][20] In the role, Stephens portrayed Chloe as the 20-year-old daughter of protagonist Rayford Steele, an airline pilot played by Brad Johnson, whose initial skepticism toward her father's newfound faith evolves into a pivotal commitment amid the apocalyptic events.[17][21] Chloe's arc, central to the narrative of spiritual awakening and global tribulation drawn from the novels, highlighted Stephens' ability to convey emotional depth in a character bridging familial tension and redemptive transformation.[18] Stephens reprised the role in the sequels Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002), directed by Bill Corcoran, and Left Behind: World at War (2005), directed by Craig R. Baxley, completing the original trilogy's independent productions.[22][23] These films, also under Cloud Ten Pictures, expanded Chloe's involvement in the Tribulation Force—a group resisting the Antichrist—further embedding Stephens within the Christian cinema landscape.[24] This trilogy established Stephens as a prominent actress in faith-based films, introducing her to dedicated audiences and marking a career pivot from supporting roles to leading performances in genre-specific storytelling tied to evangelical themes.[21][4]Later film and television work
Following her breakthrough in the faith-based Left Behind series, Stephens transitioned into mainstream cinema with supporting roles in action and thriller films. In 2007, she portrayed Alison Pratt in The Lookout, a crime drama directed by Scott Frank, where she played a key figure in the protagonist's circle of friends. The following year, Stephens appeared as Suzy, the wife of protagonist Jensen Ames, in the action film Death Race, starring Jason Statham and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, marking her entry into high-profile genre fare.[25] These roles demonstrated her versatility beyond religious themes, showcasing her in ensemble casts of commercial productions.[3] On television, Stephens secured a recurring role as Sophie Lane, the wife of team leader Ed Lane, in the Canadian police drama Flashpoint, appearing in multiple episodes from 2008 to 2012.[26] The series, which focused on a tactical unit handling crisis negotiations, highlighted her ability to convey emotional depth in high-stakes scenarios. More recently, she has taken on the role of Rose in the CBC comedy series Run the Burbs, a family-oriented sitcom that premiered in 2022 and continues into subsequent seasons, allowing her to explore humorous, relatable domestic dynamics. This part represents her ongoing presence in contemporary Canadian television, blending lighthearted storytelling with cultural representation.[2] Stephens continued to build her film resume with diverse projects in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In the 2018 psychological thriller Strange But True, directed by Rowan Athale, she played Pilla, a supporting character in a story of mystery and family secrets starring Connor Jessup and Margaret Qualley.[27] She followed this with romantic dramas in the Hallmark style, including Meet Me in New York (2022), where she portrayed Carol in a tale of love and event planning led by Brooke Nevin, and Fall Into Winter (2023), in which she appeared as Erin Smythe in a holiday romance narrative.[28] These films underscore her involvement in feel-good, character-driven stories that appeal to broader audiences. In 2025, Stephens starred as Faye Byrne, a 911 operator facing a mysterious killer, in the Lifetime thriller The Killer Is Calling.[29] She is also set to appear as Grace's Mom in the horror film Whistle (2026), directed by Corin Hardy and featuring a cursed artifact plot with Sophie Nélisse.[5] These works further illustrate her range across thriller and horror genres. Throughout this phase of her career, Stephens has diversified from her early faith-based origins into action-packed blockbusters, intense dramas, comedic series, and uplifting romances, including several Hallmark-inspired productions that emphasize emotional connections and seasonal themes.[13] Her selections reflect a sustained commitment to varied storytelling in both film and television, contributing to her longevity in the industry up to 2025.Filmography
Film
- 2000: Cruel Intentions 2 as Cab Driver (direct-to-video).
- 2000: Left Behind as Chloe Steele (direct-to-video).[17]
- 2002: Left Behind II: Tribulation Force as Chloe Steele (direct-to-video).
- 2005: Left Behind: World at War as Chloe Steele (direct-to-video).
- 2007: The Lookout as Alison Pratt.[30]
- 2008: Death Race as Suzy.[25]
- 2014: Siren as Sarah (short film).[31]
- 2019: Strange But True as Pilla.[27]
- 2021: The Apprentice as Delores.[32]
- 2025: Whistle as Grace's Mom (upcoming).[5]
Television
Stephens began her television career with guest appearances in Canadian series during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[3]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | Twice in a Lifetime | Mrs. John Paul O'Brien / Young Kat Lopez | 2 episodes: "Sixteen Candles" (1999), "Expose" (2000)[12] |
| 2000 | Relic Hunter | Barmaid | Episode: "Irish Crown Affair" |
| 2001 | Inside the Osmonds | Marie Osmond | TV movie[14] |
| 2002 | Relic Hunter | Hippolyte | Episode: "Antianeirai"[33] |
| 2003 | Blessings | Young Lydia Blessing | TV movie[34] |
| 2004 | Celeste in the City | Lauren Rawley-Simms | TV movie[35] |
| 2004 | Sue Thomas F.B.Eye | Dodger | 2 episodes |
| 2008–2012 | Flashpoint | Sophie Lane | 16 episodes[26] |
| 2010 | You Lucky Dog | Katie | TV movie[36] |
| 2014 | Hemlock Grove | Michelle | Episode: "Lost Generation"[37] |
| 2015 | Saving Hope | Shona | Episode: "Shine a Light"[38] |
| 2015–2016 | Quantico | Amanda | 4 episodes: "Inside," "Turn," "Yes," "Right" |
| 2016 | The Strain | Dr. Amanda Edmondson | Episode: "Bad White" |
| 2017 | Designated Survivor | Amy Blakestone | Episode: "One Hundred Days"[39] |
| 2019 | Murdoch Mysteries | Agnes Cunningham | Episode: "Troublemakers"[40] |
| 2019 | Suits | Loretta | Episode: "Everything's Changed"[41] |
| 2022 | Meet Me in New York | Carol | TV movie[28] |
| 2022 | Hudson & Rex | Georgia Hale | Episode: "Den of Snakes"[42] |
| 2022– | Run the Burbs | Rose | Recurring role |
| 2023 | Fall Into Winter | Erin Smythe | TV movie[43] |
| 2025 | The Killer Is Calling | Faye Byrne | TV movie[29] |