Photo: Jack Rowand/The CW
If you hadn’t figured it out yet, No. 6 is Calgary’s own Erica Durance. Here’s why…
By Nadia Costa
Special to Canadian of the Week
Erica Durance has been playing the iconic Lois Lane on “Smallville” for the past six years, and her growth has been clear to see. Over the years, Durance has earned praise for her professionalism and the great understanding she has for the character she is portraying. Lois has been on an amazing journey and Erica has done a great job playing her.
Previous choices:
10. Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother”)
9. Graham Yost (“Justified” and “The Pacific”)
8. Pamela Anderson (“Dancing with the Stars”)
7. Howie Mandel (“America’s Got Talent”)
Last season, for the first time, Erica had the most screen time on the show (second only to star Tom Welling’s Clark Kent). Lois finally got a chance to shine and, boy, did she deliver. Lois Lane was linked to every major storyline, from the materialization of Zod’s evil plans to the emergence of Checkmate. Having Lois at the forefront gave “Smallville” a new lease of life. The Lois-centric episode, “Idol” was an instant fan favorite, achieving higher ratings than the season premiere. Not many shows have the ability to keep things fresh for its fans but in its ninth season, “Smallville” pulled it off.
Portraying a character as complex as Lois Lane isn’t an easy task. One minute she’s the Army brat fighting bad guys and the next she’s the woman with a crush on Clark Kent’s alter ego, “The Blur.” Erica has truly shown her versatility, which is why this girl from Calgary, Alberta, can easily be regarded as one of TV’s Top Canadians.
Nadia Costa runs Durance Magazine. You can follow her on Twitter @ericadurancetv.
It makes me so happy to see others celebrating Erica Durance. This sweet and talented Alberta girl is such an inspiration to me. Her fearlessness, intelligence, passion, and commitment make her not only an amazing actress, but a beautiful human being.
I’ve watched Smallville since the beginning, yet it wasn’t until Erica Durance stepped onto the screen in Season 4 that I became a self-identified fan of the show. It was rough for a few years watching Erica play a Lois who was often in the background, but every small step towards the future was a joy to watch.
Although Erica Durance has always impressed me with her performances, this past season was just an incredible showcase for her. Episodes like Idol, Pandora, Persuasion, Charade, and Salvation, for example, illustrate how effectively she can carry a story.
The great thing about being an Erica Durance fan who first met her through Smallville is discovering her work in other projects. Through Erica, I’ve been exposed to a myriad of Canadian productions and have witnessed just how versatile Durance is as an actress.
I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us this year and for many years to come!
Thanks
Completely agree with Nadia. Erica has been an inspiration in her portrayal of Lois Lane. Each scene she was in made the episode so much more interesting to watch. The more I read about her the more I adore her.
She deserves this & more
Erica was amazing in season 9. It was nice to finally have her play a big role in the shows central storyline. Excited to see more of her in season 10.
If this was my list, she would be number 1
I don’t think there will be enough words to praise how fresh, natural and lovable Erica Durance’s take on Lois Lane is. She has given a new look and a new face to this iconic heroine and not only that, she has made Lois her own. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone else as Lois Lane but Erica Durance now. She’s an amazing actor and a wonderful person. God bless her always and may she have a great and successful career and life!
I completely agree. Erica is an amazing actress and deserves great success.
Erica is definitely one of the top Canadians on TV this year
Erica Durance is the best Lois Lane ever..She’s a great actress with a great personality.Smallville shines because of her.Shes absolutely one of the best though shes on the sixth place still for me Erica is the best..
I really sorry for the others characters because for Lois shine the writers took Chloe’s place on the DP and gave it to Lois. It’s really unfair.
I agree Erica Durance is a great actress. Taking on the role of Lois Lane, she had some pretty big shoes to fill. It’s universally agreed that she has made the role her own; so much so that I can’t imagine anyone but her playing Lois on the big screen.
Let’s not kid ourselves; Lois is a complex character to get right. The fact that Erica has such a strong fan-base amongst both men and women, indicates that’s she’s doing an excellent job.
I love how Erica is up for anything, from wearing a multitude zany of costumes to kick-ass action scenes. But what really leaves me in awe is how she manages to portray Lois vulnerability. In her hands Lois is someone you would want to share a beer with and call a friend.
I love how Erica takes the time to talk to her fans and despite the success she’s still humble. I’m looking forward to seeing her in a variety of post-Smallville projects.
As the previous poster stated, if this were my list, she would be number one.
Remi (thecrownsmine)
Erica Durance as an individual and as an actress has already earned my praise and admiration, so I am delighted to see her recognized as among the top Canadians. Her performance as Lois Lane on Smallville is full of vibrant colors and kinetic energy, bringing fun, life, and depth to the show and her iconic character. However, what I most admire about her is how much she cares about her family, her co-stars, and her responsibility to the character she plays.
Much like a gardener attends to her plants, Erica’s tender diligence has cultivated a Lois Lane who is utterly captivating. Erica’s unique touch has taken a legendary character and made it her own, and through her genuine performance she has succeeded in drawing viewers like me in with her passion, vulnerability, and extraordinary depth. Whether it is through her delicate, touching, and humorous portrait of a budding romance or through her fierce, intelligent, and heartfelt depiction of a young woman trying to discover who she is and to stand up for herself, her loved ones, and the world, Erica Durance succeeded in making me believe her Lois had earned her place as the Daily Planet’s upcoming star reporter and Clark Kent’s true love while simultaneously earning my affection and gratitude; because it is through Erica’s work that I have been able to believe in myself and believe that anything is possible.
Like my gratitude for Erica Durance’s lyrical portrayal of Lois Lane, my appreciation for her outside of her role as Lois Lane is equally profound. Her rise from her humble beginnings in the prairies of Alberta to where she is now is truly remarkable and inspiring. Having seen Erica’s other work—often in Canadian projects—I believe even more greatness lies ahead for her. Yet Erica’s true greatness is revealed in stories of how she has warmly welcomed newcomers to the set, charitably given of herself to be there for friends like Jeph Loeb, and respectfully and compassionately interacted with journalists and fans. Her generous spirit is an invaluable gift which undoubtedly enriches the lives of others.
Erica really doesn’t get much praise and is by far one of the most underrated actresses out there, but she definitely deserves to be recognized! Without her, I probably wouldn’t be watching Smallville, and because of her it is now my favorite show.
I hope some A list stars make this list. We know Canada has them so I don’t understand the focus on D listers.
Erica should be number one in my book. No amount of negativity can take away from what she has brought to Smallville. She is a breath of fresh air and lights up the screen anytime she’s on it. The future is bright for this woman, no doubt about it.
Erica is amazing… She’s definitely on her way to Sandra Bullock’s league…
Though, aside from her character Lois, I do prefer her other roles as well…
I love Erica Durance. She is the best Lois Lane ever period!!!
Erica is such a loveable person, she is bubbly, sweet and I adore her passion for Lois Lane. She is one of the most beautiful actresses I’ve seen and like many have said she is a huge inspiration to me and if it wasn’t for her then I wouldn’t be watching Smallville. Erica just brings such an affable energy to every episode she is in. In my opinion she would be number 1 on the list