Jessica Matten is grateful for the chance to co-star on APTN’s Blackstone, Ron E. Scott’s gritty series spotlighting the issues First Nations people face on a reservation. Though Blackstone is a fictional reservation, stories of alcohol and physical abuse, and land rights are certainly based on fact.
“It was awesome to be a part of a show alongside a lot of people from my childhood,” Matten says of her character, Gina. “It was a full-circle thing. And to talk about issues that really matter to me and are close to my heart was really cool to be a part of.” Blackstone was one of her first major acting roles for the actor and Aboriginal fitness company owner and paved the way to her biggest gig to date in Discovery’s Frontier.
Debuting Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, Matten plays Sokanon, a skilled warrior, hunter and tracker in Declan Harp’s (Jason Momoa) Black Wolf Company, a small fur trade outfit taking business from the faltering Hudson’s Bay Company in 1700s Canada. Co-created by Rob and Peter Blackie, Frontier‘s six-episode first season (it’s since been picked up for a sophomore go-round) is a sprawling, violent adventure outlining the founding of Canada. As Matten describes it, it truly was an ordeal to work next to Momoa as his right-hand. Not.
While her fellow co-star, Shawn Doyle—he plays fur trader Samuel Grant in Frontier—is used to being part of period pieces (he assumed the role of John A. Macdonald in CBC’s 2011 TV-movie John A.: Birth of a Country), Matten never thought she’d perform in a historical project because of what she calls a “contemporary First Nations look,” and recalls the irony in being cast because of her lineage.
Though Donald Trump has very much become a punchline for many, Shawn Doyle is dead serious when he says the presidential hopeful influenced his latest TV character.
“There is something about the guy’s sense of entitlement and narcissism and overwhelming ambition and greed that was fun to play,” Doyle says. “There is an impetuousness and even childishness to him that sort of comes up as the season goes on.” The Newfoundland native is referencing Trump, but also describing Samuel Grant, a rich entrepreneur in Frontier, Discovery’s stunning dramatization of Canada’s history via the fur trade.
Debuting Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Bell Media’s specialty channel, Doyle’s Samuel comes up against Declan Harp (Jason Momoa), a violent, wild fur trader who is gaining control of the land as the Hudson’s Bay Company begins to crumble. The high-profile actors are just two of nearly two-dozen, including Landon Liboiron as Michael Smyth, an Irish lad who stows away in a ship and ends up in the New World; Lord Benton (Alun Armstrong), a high-ranking officer at the HBC; Sokanon (Jessica Matten), a critical member of Declan’s group; Douglas Brown (Allan Hawco) an independent trader; and Cobbs Pond (Greg Bryk), Samuel’s right-hand man. (Check out the key cast via our photo gallery.)
Co-created by Rob and Peter Blackie, Frontier has already been renewed for Season 2 by Discovery ahead of Sunday’s six-episode first season debut; we spoke to Doyle about the role and what viewers can expect from the series.
Congratulations on Season 2 of Frontier being ordered before Season 1 has even aired. I wasn’t surprised, really. There is such a big cast and so many stories to tell, six episodes just aren’t enough.
Shawn Doyle: I’ve also got The Expanse and Bellevue, so I’ve got a pretty full slate at the moment.
(l-r) Shawn Doyle and Greg Bryk
Let’s talk about your Frontier character, Samuel Grant. He’s a powerful man in the fur trade and seems destined for a collision course with Declan Harp. What can you tell me about Samuel?
Samuel Grant is actually loosely based on two figures: John Jacob Astor who was, at the time, the richest American and the richest man in North America and who became connected with the fur trade out of Montreal and ultimately made his first fortune with the fur trade when the trade situation was such that he could capitalize on Canadian-American trade. And then he went ahead and bought up all the real estate in Manhattan.
Samuel is also based on another guy by the name of Simon McTavish who was one of the central figures of the North West Company, which was the Hudson’s Bay Company’s only real rival at the time. Both of these guys are well-documented. For me, John Jacob Astor was the template that I jumped off with an as I started to play it, he kind of morphed into Donald Trump. There is something about the guy’s sense of entitlement and narcissism and overwhelming ambition and greed that was fun to play. There is an impetuousness and even childishness to him that sort of comes up as the season goes on.
Something I noticed about your portrayal of Samuel is his smooth movements, no wasted energy with this guy. Was that a conscious decision as well? Thanks for saying that, because that was a big part of finding that character through the movement. It certainly had a lot to do with the clothes because they fit you in a certain way and restrict movement and there are heels in the shoes, etc., etc. I really wanted to get a sense of danger and for me, that was about stillness and conservation of movement and I hope that, throughout the season, there will be moments that are surprising and that you see another side to him that is in direct contrast to that.
It’s all about those contrasts. It’s what makes these characters worth playing.
For me, I always try to look at—and I’m not always successful at it—to try and find the danger in a character. Danger doesn’t necessarily mean physical danger. It can mean an unpredictability in emotion or movement or tone … it can be anything. I know I’m successful when I surprise myself. Then I know other people will be surprised. That’s what the goal is, and with Samuel Grant, it’s about finding this very rooted place to go from that can send me in all sorts of different directions.
How did you get involved in Frontier? Did Allan Hawco and the Take the Shot guys get in touch because you were on Republic of Doyle and because you’re from Newfoundland?
They contacted me and asked me to do it. I’ve known them from Republic of Doyle and I’m originally from Newfoundland and I’ve done a number of projects there both producing and acting. They were wanting to get me on the show in one way or another, which I was very appreciative of. At the time, I couldn’t really commit to a role that was going to take a lot of time because I was optioned to The Expanse and Samuel Grant was one of a couple of roles they approached me about originally. I don’t even know that I can tell you why, in particular, this one was the one I gravitated towards.
I’m really interested in any project that tries to show a much more balanced and nuanced version of the relations between the various First Nations and Europeans.
As a Canadian, I’m excited to see these stories told and many in Frontier are based on fact.Â
For me, a guy who recently got his First Nations status as Mi’kmaq, that all happened after I played John A. Macdonald—one of the most horrendous people against First Nations people in the history of Canada—I’m really interested in any project that tries to show a much more balanced and nuanced version of the relations between the various First Nations and Europeans. It’s one of the things that really excites me about this.
This cast has something like 20 players in it and yet the writing doesn’t feel cluttered or rushed at all. What can you say about the writing that Rob and Peter Blackie have done?
I think they accomplish something that not a lot of people are able to accomplish, and that’s being able to take such a comprehensive view of the world and put it all together in a seamless way. That’s an amazing feat, I think, particularly when you’re trying to honour the truth and the subtleties of so many different factions and how they interplay with each other. I know they did a lot of consulting with various First Nations groups and that has made a big difference in the writing. I wouldn’t be able to make it as compelling as possible. I think the danger with a show like this is that it can often come off as dry. Their genius and the reason why this show will, hopefully, be a tremendous success is because they have dramatized it and made it really, really exciting.
This week on Mohawk Girls, reality is not all it is cracked up to be for our fab four. Caitlin (Heather White) realizes all of her past relationships have been dysfunctional, Bailey (Jenny Pudavick) feels Watio (Jimmy Blais) is forcing her to compromise her wedding dreams, Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne) feels she needs to dumb down her election platform in order to be elected, and Anna (Maika Harper) may not be ready to fit in at Kahnawa:ke after all. And that, folks is just the way it is. Sometimes life is not how we envision it to be.
This week, Caitlin and Luscious Leon (Dwain Murphy) went on their first dates and Leon was not sparing any romantic detail. Fancy restaurant, champagne, presents and he COOKS too—where do I sign up? Leon is definitely out to woo and Caitlin—having only dated Mohawk men like Butterhead (Meegwun Fairbrother)—is completely off balance as Leon treats her like the princess she deserves to be. Bailey and Anna seem happy for her. However, Zoe lashes out, worried Caitlin’s reputation will suffer and—dare I suggest—her own reputation by association? Despite these little hurdles, Caitlin continues on her path of self-improvement and starts her own home business with Leon’s support.
Meanwhile, Bailey and Watio are planning their wedding. Now we all know relationships are all about compromise, but given these two and their differences, are these compromises going to prove too much? Watio wants a simple wedding with a barbeque so they can include everyone, but Bailey has always dreamed of the huge fairy tale celebration. Auntie Velma (Ashley Michaels) steps in to pay for Bailey’s dream, but that causes some consternation. Watio’s pride is hurt. Eventually, he relents and Bailey gets the perfect wedding gown. After all, as Bailey’s dad Sose (Glen Gould) says: “Happy wife, happy life!” But how long can that type of happiness last?
Since Anna dropped out of school, she has found a job waitressing at the local bar. This provides an opportunity to make new friends at Kahnawa:ke, and a perfect place to start hunting for a replacement for Thunder (Kyle Nobess). But who should appear as her new BFF? Butterhead. I definitely smell trouble ahead for Anna now that she is taking advice from Butterhead; not to mention, how is Caitlin going to react to this news?
And finally, Zoe has refined her election platform for Chief but the girls find it too highbrow for Kahnawa:ke. Determined, Zoe heads out into the community to get some input. Left feeling defeated, Ohserase (Shawn Youngchief) rallies around her, and I think I even saw a brief glimmer of a spark. But Zoe is still taunted by her sex addictions. Can she pull off this election without stumbling back into her old naughty “good girl” habits?
As a side note, in what I like to call “our cultural lesson of the night,” this episode touched on what is commonly referred to as “white guilt.” Â Ironically, it occurs in the Caitlin/Leon storyline as Caitlin suspects Leon’s kindness comes from some need to “save the Indian.” This type of over reaction or compensation is common in mainstream society. When those of the settler populations come to learn of past horrors perpetrated on Indigenous populations they oftentimes overstep and try to take over in a need to quell their guilt. In tonight’s episode, it becomes clear Leon is not at all committing this but rather is just trying to demonstrate to Caitlin how much he cares.
What do you think is going to happen next? What is going on with Butterhead and Anna? Let me know in the comments below!
Mohawk Girls can be seen Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on APTN.
If you are looking for more Mohawk Girls content, you can slide on over to their website and pick up some tips from “Butterhead’s Guide to the Galaxy,” along with other quizzes, pictures and news.
After weeks on the emotional Bachelorette Canada roller coaster, Jasmine made a big step toward her final choice of bachelor when she made her two-man pick out of the three-man race.
Unfortunately, Mike was too slow and methodical in professing his love for Jasmine, and he departed heartbroken after she awarded Mikhel and Kevin the two roses available. Watching the episode, her decision wasn’t all that surprising, no matter how tough Kevin’s mom, Jill, was in her questioning. And it just proves how much of an emotional connection Jasmine and Kevin have if she chose to keep him rather than run screaming in the other direction.
And though I’m sad Mike and his abs were eliminated from the competition, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s chosen as the next Bachelor Canada. Not only is he good-looking, but his father—someone Mike respects immensely—would probably be behind it. He didn’t mince words when he told his son to loosen up and let fate take control once in awhile.
Mikhel, meanwhile, could have the inside track to Jasmine’s heart. He’s shown incredible emotional growth every week, culminating with a stellar hometown date where he laid his heart out there, professing love for Jasmine and being super-sensitive about it. The kicker—and I’m betting what sold Jasmine on Mikhel—was that motorcycle. It showed he can be dangerous, and we know Jasmine likes a little danger in her life. A fun family dinner with Mikhel’s family was the capper on a perfect date.
Kevin, who has been a contender for Jasmine’s heart since Day 1, continued to win her over by admitting he loved her, talking about his lack of confidence and giving her his last military medal. And though Jill proved to be a tough customer, Jasmine refused to back down and—I thought—stood up to Jill rather well.
Next week is Part 1 of the season finale, followed by the Men Tell All special and Jasmine’s final pick revealed on Nov. 22. Who do you think she’ll choose?
Who will Jasmine choose in the finale?
Mikhel (63%, 778 Votes)
Kevin (37%, 465 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,243
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Part 1 of The Bachelorette Canada finale airs next Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on W Network.
First, I apologize for a lost week as I was attending a conference in New England. But I am ready to jump back in with a summary of Jenifer and Jacob’s adventures on Wild Archaeology as we explored the central coast of British Columbia.
The thrust of this episode focused on the Kelp Highway Hypothesis, which builds on the Pacific Coast Migration Model. This theory is based on the abundance of food contained within the kelp forests, including shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds and seaweed. By tracking these forests along the Pacific Rim, located along the coastal perimeters of Beringia (which we explored in Episodes 1 and 2), it would suggest a migratory route for populations in this region. Jenifer gets to explore with the sea otters that are indicative of a kelp forest.
Jacob goes diving again to explore the various kinds of kelp that populate a kelp forest and gets a first-hand look at the other creatures that populate this underwater ecosystem.
Then we moved inland to check out the remains of an old and remote Heiltsuk potlatch house once used by the communities that lived in this region at the time when potlatch was outlawed by the Canadian government. Like the one seen in this episode, these potlatch houses were located in an area that could be accessed quickly but still hidden deep within the coastal forests.
Finally, we visited Namu, an abandoned salmon cannery town that also housed one of the largest archaeological sites in existence. Microblades that carbon date back to 8250 BCE have been found in this region of coastal B.C. We also find some stone carvings deep in the inner tributaries in these territories.
A really picturesque episode exploring the B.C. coast. Can’t wait to see where we visit next week!
Wild Archaeology airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on APTN.
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