N.S. actress and stunt double Alexandra MacLean has impressive resume, but ‘still learning’

Meet Nova Scotia's Alexandra MacLean, a writer, actress, and one of the province's very few Black female stunt performers, who is making a real name for herself.

At the age of 23, Nova Scotia’s Alexandra MacLean already has an impressive resume in the Canadian film and television industry. She’s a writer, actress, and one of the province’s very few Black female stunt performers.

She expressed an interest in acting at a young age and tells Global News her parents were supportive from the very beginning of her journey.

“I was 11 when they added me to Hennessey Casting and that happened to be the same year that Mr. D came about. So, I think everyone in their 20s nowadays from Halifax has been on Mr. D at some point,” she said.

MacLean said she worked as a background performer on Mr. D, which became her summer job for eight years.

MacLean began her career in stunts two years ago when a fellow actor, Devon Taylor, called her to see if she was interested.

“He called me about two years ago and said ‘You know, you’re athletic, we need a Black stunt performer, we really don’t have any. Can you be this Black woman’s stunt double?’” MacLean recalled.

She was interested in the offer and from there she began her career as a stunt performer, acting as Jully Black’s stunt double on Diggstown.

MacLean’s interest in writing came at a young age as well. She loved poetry and wrote her own novels when she was younger.