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Rukiya Bernard
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Rukiya Bernard is a Canadian actress, producer and interior designer. She is known for The Cabin in the Woods (2012), The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), Stuck (2007) and her role as Doc in Syfy's Van Helsing.[1]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Rukiya Bernard was born in Toronto, Ontario,[2] to Nyakiringa Magugu, a Kenyan art store owner, and Gilbert Bernard, a car wash owner.[citation needed] From a very young age, Rukiya’s parents immersed her in sport and art programming. She took part in basketball and track while studying classical ballet, karate and piano.[citation needed] She was accepted into Ryerson University’s theatre program from which she graduated with honours.[2]
Career
[edit]Rukiya's first job was the supporting role of Sophie Newman in Ernest Dickerson’s award-winning Our America opposite Josh Charles, Irma P. Hall and Mykelti Williamson.[2] Rukiya has appeared in TV shows including SyFy's Van Helsing,[3] The CW’s Supernatural, A&E’s The Returned,[2] USA Network’s Fairly Legal, Hallmark’s The Gourmet Detective, NBC’s Eureka,[2] Showtime’s The L Word,[2] SyFy’s Sanctuary and SGU Stargate Universe, BBC America’s Intruders and Lifetime’s Witches Of The East End.[2] She has also appeared in The Cabin In The Woods, Stuck and That Burning Feeling.
Interior design
[edit]Rukiya is an interior designer [4] and starred on HGTV’s reality TV show The Stagers for two seasons.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Rukiya is married to P. J. Prinsloo, they have two children.[2]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Get Over It | Girl with Tampons in Hair | |
| 2002 | Our America | Sophie Newman | TV movie |
| 2003 | Nigel's Fingerprint | Mona Jenkins | |
| 2005 | Fallen | Woman On Beach | Short Film |
| 2005 | Cantata for the King | Congregation | TV movie |
| 2005 | Playing the Role | LaShaquandiqua Jones | Short Film |
| 2005 | Supervolcano | Soldier | TV movie |
| 2006 | 12 Hours To Live | Deputy Dana Franklyn | TV movie |
| 2007 | My Name Is Sarah | Barista | TV movie |
| 2007 | Stuck | Tanya | |
| 2008 | The Most Wonderful Time of the Year | Denise | TV movie |
| 2008 | The Day the Earth Stood Still | Student | |
| 2009 | The Farm | Ammo | TV movie |
| 2009 | Spectacular! | Receptionist | TV movie |
| 2009 | Christmas in Canaan | Charlene | TV movie |
| 2010 | Tooth Fairy | Amnesia Woman | |
| 2011 | Christmas Lodge | Yolanda | TV movie |
| 2012 | The Cabin in the Woods | Labcoat Girl | |
| 2012 | Big Time Movie | Woman with Dog | TV movie |
| 2012 | The Music Teacher | Sheila | TV movie |
| 2013 | The BFF Club | Shoniqua | Short Film |
| 2013 | That Burning Feeling | Janine Clarke | |
| 2015 | The Unspoken | Portia | |
| 2015 | Breed | Violet | TV movie |
| 2015 | Just the Way You Are | Claire | TV movie |
| 2015 | Accidental Obsession | Lisa | TV movie |
| 2015 | Ungodly Acts | Sgt. King | TV movie |
| 2015 | Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow | Agent Hobbs | TV movie |
| 2016 | Colossal | Marie | |
| 2017 | Christmas in Evergreen | Hannah Turner | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2018 | One Winter Weekend | Megan Marquant | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2018 | Christmas in Evergreen : Letters to Santa | Hannah Turner | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2019 | One Winter Proposal | Megan Marquant | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2019 | Christmas in Evergreen : Tidings of Joy | Hannah Turner | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2020 | Hearts of Winter | Emerson | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2020 | Christmas in Evergreen : Bells are Ringing | Hannah Turner | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2021 | One Winter Wedding | Megan Marquant | Hallmark Channel TV Movie |
| 2023 | Float | Lena |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | Undressed | Talia | |
| 2002 | Relic Hunter | Meg Ryerson | Episode: Warlock of Nu Theta Phi |
| 2002 | Spynet | Liza Carrington | |
| 2002 | Doc | Receptionist | Episode: "Love of the Game" |
| 2004 | This is Wonderland | Aisha | Episode: #1.2 |
| 2004 | Blue Murder | Eva Jordan | Episode: "Blind Eye" |
| 2005 | Killer Instinct | Eden Cavanaugh | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Falcon Beach | Andrea Walters | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Eureka | IT Technician | Episode: "Primal" |
| 2008 | Sanctuary | Kayla Bradley | Episode: "Warriors" |
| 2009 | The L Word | Babysitter | Episode: "Lactose Intolerant" |
| 2008–2009 | The Stagers | Support Stager | 11 episodes |
| 2010 | Stargate Universe | Airman Richmond | Episode: "Space" |
| 2011 | Fairly Legal | Susan Williams | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2011, 2017 | Supernatural | Camille Thibideaux Mia Vallens |
Episode: "The Mentalists" Episode: "The Big Empty" |
| 2013 | RL Stine's The Haunting Hour | Mrs. Stevenson | Episode: "Terrible Love" |
| 2013 | Primeval: New World | Lisa Merriweather | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Delete | Victoria "Tori" Mendes | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Witches of East End | Mrs. Jacobs | Episode: "Boogie Knight" |
| 2014 | Intruders | Karen | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Sorority Murder | Detective Sanchez | Television film |
| 2015 | The Returned | Pilar | Episode: "Camille" |
| 2015 | Gourmet Detective | Dee Dee | Episode: "The Gourmet Detective" |
| 2015 | Proof | Nurse #1 | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2016–2021 | Van Helsing | Doc | 34 episodes Main role Nominated – Leo Award for Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series (2017)[6] |
| 2017 | Travelers | Dr. Carroll | Episode: "Simon" |
| 2019 | The Magicians | "Ru, Queen of West Loria" | Episode: "The Serpent" |
| 2019 | Molly of Denali | Violetta Lawrence (voice) | Episode: "Visit Qyah" |
| 2021 | Nancy Drew | Val Samuels | 4 episodes |
| 2021–2023 | Yellowjackets | Simone | Recurring |
References
[edit]- ^ "Exclusive Interview with Van Helsing's Rukiya Bernard". TalkNerdyWithUs. 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Furminger, Sabrina. "Rukiya Bernard muses on motherhood, self-doubt, and the trip that changed her career". Westender. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ "Brad and Cort Talk: Rukiya Bernard drops in to talk vamps and an apocalyptic future in 'Van Helsing'". Pure Fandom. 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "'Van Helsing' Actress Rukiya Bernard Talks Syfy's Female Reboot". The Hudsucker. 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "Rukiya Bernard talks SyFy's Van Helsing & more!". BLEEP Magazine. 2016-08-30. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "Leo Awards, Nominees by Name 2017". www.leoawards.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
External links
[edit]Rukiya Bernard
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Family background
Rukiya Bernard was born on January 20, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[5] She holds Canadian nationality and has mixed heritage, with her mother, Nyakiringa Magugu, originating from Kenya and owning an African art store, and her father, Gilbert Bernard, hailing from Jamaica and operating a car wash business.[6][7] Raised in Toronto by these immigrant parents who had moved to Canada for better opportunities, Bernard grew up immersed in a culturally diverse environment shaped by her family's entrepreneurial pursuits.[8] As a shy child, her parents encouraged her involvement in various activities to build confidence, including sports such as basketball and track and field, as well as personal pursuits in classical ballet, karate, and piano, with the latter influenced by her mother's artistic background.[9][10]Formal education
Bernard attended high school in Toronto, where she was actively involved in sports and arts programs, including playing basketball and participating in track events. Her parents supported these pursuits, fostering her early interests in the performing arts from childhood.[10] Following high school, Bernard enrolled in the Theatre Performance program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). She graduated with honors in 2001, having excelled in the rigorous curriculum that emphasized practical training in acting, voice, and movement.[11][2] The theatre studies at Ryerson provided Bernard with a strong foundation in performance techniques, immersing her in university arts programs and stage productions that ignited her passion for acting. This educational experience directly shaped her initial aspirations, preparing her to transition seamlessly into professional opportunities upon graduation.[8]Career
Interior design
This background fostered a deep passion for creating visually compelling spaces that reflect personal narratives, as Bernard has described design as a form of storytelling akin to her work in acting. She launched her professional career in the field by establishing Bernard Design, a Vancouver-based firm dedicated to transforming residential spaces into authentic reflections of clients' lifestyles.[6] A pivotal moment in her design career came with her role as a support stager on HGTV's reality series The Stagers, where she appeared in 11 episodes across two seasons from 2008 to 2009. On the show, Bernard assisted in high-pressure home staging projects, collaborating with lead stagers to overhaul dated properties—such as updating 1970s-style kitchens or concealing unsightly features like wood paneling—to appeal to potential buyers. These transformations highlighted her ability to blend practical functionality with artistic flair, often incorporating eclectic elements inspired by global aesthetics to create inviting, marketable environments.[12][13] Beyond television, Bernard's design philosophy emphasizes personalization over trends, drawing from her artistic roots to infuse spaces with cultural depth and emotional resonance. Through Bernard Design, she has undertaken residential projects that prioritize client-driven aesthetics, such as integrating bold patterns and textures to evoke warmth and individuality while ensuring usability. This pursuit serves as a complementary creative outlet to her performing arts endeavors, allowing her to channel visual storytelling into tangible, lived-in worlds that enhance everyday experiences.[14][15]Acting
Rukiya Bernard began her acting career in the early 2000s with minor film roles, including an uncredited appearance as Girl with Tampons in Hair in the teen comedy Get Over It (2001) and her first paid role as Sophie Newman in the award-winning television film Our America (2002), directed by Ernest Dickerson.[16][17] These early parts provided foundational experience in dramatic storytelling, setting the stage for her progression in the industry. Bernard achieved breakthrough recognition in science fiction cinema with supporting roles such as a student in the remake The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), starring Keanu Reeves, and Labcoat Girl in the horror-tinged meta-film The Cabin in the Woods (2012), directed by Drew Goddard. These performances highlighted her versatility in genre work, blending tension and ensemble dynamics, and marked her transition from background characters to more visible contributions in high-profile productions. A pivotal advancement occurred with her lead role as Doc (real name Sarah Carol), a resourceful medical examiner and scientist aiding the fight against a vampire apocalypse, in the Syfy series Van Helsing (2016–2021), her first major series regular position spanning 28 episodes across five seasons.[18][19] This portrayal showcased her ability to anchor a long-running narrative, evolving the character from a pragmatic survivor to a deeply human figure grappling with moral complexities in a post-apocalyptic world. Building on this momentum, Bernard secured prominent television appearances, including dual guest roles as Camille Thibideaux in season 7's "The Mentalists" (2011) and grief counselor Mia Vallens in season 13's "The Big Empty" (2017) on Supernatural, investigative reporter Valentina Samuels across four episodes of Nancy Drew (2019), detective Anna in two episodes of Alaska Daily (2022), comparative literature professor Simone Abara as a recurring character in Yellowjackets (2021–present), and competitive cooking show host Sabrina Skye in the limited series The Chicken Sisters (2024).[20] In recent film work, she played the pregnant bar owner Lena in the coming-of-age drama Float (2024), directed by Sherren Lee, further demonstrating her range in intimate, character-driven stories.[21] Throughout her trajectory, Bernard has shifted from uncredited supporting parts to recurring and lead positions, excelling in diverse genres including sci-fi (Van Helsing, The Day the Earth Stood Still), horror (The Cabin in the Woods, Yellowjackets), and contemporary drama (Alaska Daily, Float).[18] This evolution reflects her growing prominence in ensemble casts and her adeptness at portraying resilient, multifaceted women. A key milestone has been navigating the demands of motherhood alongside her career, where she emphasizes prioritization, efficient scheduling via tools like iCalendar, and adapting to unpredictable work locations while viewing her role as a positive model for her children.[22]Producing
Rukiya Bernard emerged as a producer alongside her acting career, beginning with independent short films where she took on multifaceted roles to shape narratives from inception. Her debut producing credit came with the 2013 short film The BFF Club, which she also wrote, directed, and starred in, exploring themes of female friendship and empowerment. This project marked her transition into production, allowing her to leverage her on-set experience for greater creative oversight in storytelling and visual aesthetics.[23] Building on this foundation, Bernard produced, wrote, and directed The Blactor in 2021, a satirical short examining racial dynamics in the film industry through the lens of a Black actor navigating auditions. As executive producer, she collaborated with a small team to secure funding via the Crazy8s program, emphasizing authentic representation drawn from her own acting encounters with typecasting. The film premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival and earned her a 2022 Leo Award for Best Direction in a Short Drama, highlighting her ability to blend production logistics with personal insight for impactful indie content.[4][24][25] In 2023, Bernard expanded her producing role with Meditation 4 Black Women, a short drama she wrote, directed, and co-produced, focusing on four Black women's meditations on race and resilience amid personal crises. Serving as both producer and executive producer, she coordinated a diverse ensemble and crew through the Crazy8s initiative, integrating her interior design background to craft intimate, meditative set environments that enhanced the film's emotional depth. Producing has enabled Bernard to exert fuller creative control, merging her acting intuition with design sensibilities to develop stories that resonate beyond performance.[26][27]Personal life
Marriage
Rukiya Bernard is married to South African-born actor P.J. Prinsloo.[28] The couple wed in a private ceremony, with few details about the event made publicly available.[22] As fellow actors based in Vancouver's entertainment industry, Bernard and Prinsloo's professional paths in film and television likely facilitated their relationship. They continue to support each other's careers while building a shared family life.Family
Rukiya Bernard and her husband P.J. Prinsloo have two children together.[5] In interviews, Bernard has shared insights into her experiences as a mother, highlighting the joys and challenges of balancing parenthood with her acting career. Early in her motherhood journey, around 2011, she described managing life in Vancouver with her 18-month-old daughter alongside a demanding schedule that included roles on shows like Supernatural and Eureka, without the support of nearby grandparents or a babysitter, which required meticulous planning and adaptability.[22] By 2014, with the addition of a second child—an 11-month-old at the time—she noted how her young children, including a 4.5-year-old who enjoyed watching The Lion King, filled her days and helped mitigate professional self-doubt by keeping her focused on being a positive role model, particularly for her daughter.[8] During her five-season run on Van Helsing from 2016 to 2021, Bernard continued to navigate motherhood alongside her on-set commitments, crediting her ability to juggle acting, writing, interior design, and parenting two children to simply "not sleeping much."[29] The family has made their home in Vancouver, where Bernard relocated from Toronto over a decade earlier initially for a romantic relationship but chose to stay for the abundance of film and television opportunities that aligned with her career growth.[8][22] This base has allowed her to maintain a stable family life amid periodic travel for work, such as shoots in Los Angeles.[30]Filmography
Film
Rukiya Bernard's feature film credits span a range of genres, from teen comedy to science fiction and horror.| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Get Over It | Girl with Tampons in Hair[16] |
| 2002 | Our America | Sophie Newman[17] |
| 2007 | Stuck | Tanya |
| 2008 | The Day the Earth Stood Still | Student |
| 2012 | The Cabin in the Woods | Labcoat Girl |
| 2023 | Float | Lena[21] |