Nimet Kanji

Nimet Kanji
PerformerRDMCaprica
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Portrays:	Candace Myson (Battlestar Galactica) Natalie Stark (Caprica)
Date of Birth:	1963
Date of Death:	Missing required parameter 1=month! ,
Nationality:
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Nimet Kanji is a Kenyan-Canadian actress who portrayed Candace Myson, a member of the tribunal investigating a Cylon bombing in the Re-imagined Series' "Litmus", and Natalie Stark, mother of Ben Stark, in Caprica's "Rebirth".

Early Life and Career

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Kanji began her acting career on stage with the local theatre company before emigrating to Vancouver, Canada in 1989, where she continued working in theatre.

A pivotal moment in Kanji's early career came in 1985 when she performed in Ruth and Augustus Goetz's The Heiress with Takhto Arts in Nairobi, playing Catherine, the daughter of a wealthy but cruel man in 1850s New York City. The director of that production, James Falkland, was the artistic director of Phoenix Players, the largest and oldest repertory theatre company in Central and East Africa at the time. He subsequently offered Kanji a position with Phoenix Players, where she worked not only as an actor but also as a crew member handling lighting, props, and sound, and performed secretarial work for the company.

After immigrating to Vancouver around age 26, Kanji found her way back to acting through the encouragement of friends. A friend submitted her name to an acting school booth at a mall, which led to her attending New Image College. Her cousin later submitted her name to North Van Community Players, where she initially worked front-of-house operations before eventually performing onstage. She began her career in film and television in 2001.

Kanji has no formal theatre school training, instead building her skills through acting classes, private one-on-one sessions with teachers, and casting director workshops. She did not turn professional until her 30s, describing herself as proud of this unconventional path into the industry and crediting determination and tenacity with her success.

Film and Television

Throughout her career, Kanji has worked with notable actors including Edward James Olmos on Battlestar Galactica, Kevin Sorbo on Paradox, and John Cusack on Martian Child. Her extensive television credits include guest appearances on Da Vinci's Inquest, The 4400, Andromeda, and Stargate Atlantis.

Kanji's film work includes roles in Scary Movie, Scary Movie 4, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Martian Child, and The Possession (2012), in which she portrayed Nurse Patty. Her more recent television work includes appearances in Fringe, Sanctuary, V, Continuum, The Good Doctor, The Midnight Club, Resident Alien, and Under the Bridge.

Kanji has noted the different demands of film and television compared to theatre, explaining that the time constraints and pressure to complete scenes quickly require actors to be thoroughly prepared with their lines and work. In contrast, she values theatre for its palpable energy and immediacy, with no opportunity for second takes.

Theatre

Kanji has maintained a robust theatrical career alongside her screen work. She was awarded the Peoples Choice Award for her performance in the one-woman show The Yellow Wallpaper. She received a Sterling Award nomination for Best Ensemble Cast in Heather Raffo's 9 Parts of Desire and a Jessie Award nomination for Best Actor in Anusree Roy's Sultans of the Street.

In 2016, Kanji performed in Anusree Roy's Sultans of the Street at Carousel Theatre on Granville Island, Vancouver. The production told the story of four children from different backgrounds trapped in a world of begging on the streets of Kolkata, India, dressed as gods while seeking to escape servitude.

Kanji's performance in Anosh Irani's Bombay Black earned particular critical acclaim. She portrayed Padma, a bitter mother who sells private dances with her daughter Apsara from their seaside Bombay apartment. The production, directed and produced by Rohit Chokhani, premiered at the Vancouver Fringe Festival before transferring to the Firehall Arts Centre in December 2018. Janet Smith of The Georgia Straight wrote that Kanji reprised her role from the Fringe production and "nails her character's acid-strength sarcasm," describing Padma as "a money-hungry, embittered woman who essentially pimps her own daughter." Andrea Warner of The Georgia Straight reviewed the production, writing that "the performances are all stellar, but Kanji is unforgettable as the diabolical Padma, who belongs in the hall of fame of horrifying fictional mothers."

In 2024, Kanji appeared in Zahida Rahemtulla's The Wrong Bashir at Crow's Theatre in Toronto, playing Najma, the mother of the title character. The production, directed by Paolo Santalucia, explored intergenerational dynamics within Toronto's Ismaili Muslim community through a comedy of mistaken identity. Kanji brought personal connection to the role, as she is herself Ismaili and drew on her own experiences of generational differences in religious practice. The play received critical attention for its nuanced portrayal of family dynamics, with reviewer noting Kanji's "energetic performance" and ability to capture maternal enthusiasm. The production ran from May through June 2024, marking Crow's Theatre's 40th season finale.

Kanji also appeared in Munish Sharma's Mrs. Singh and Me, which premiered at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2015. Sharma wrote the dark comedy specifically with Kanji in mind after they had worked together in the South Asian Arts Society production Bollywood Wedding, where she played his character's mother. In Mrs. Singh and Me, Kanji portrayed Mrs. Singh, a Sikh mother who is kidnapped by her daughter's Hindu boyfriend in his attempt to prove his love despite their cultural differences.

In July 2025, the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts presented Momentum: Nimet Kanji, a salon series in which Kanji read excerpts from three plays that had particularly moved her throughout her career: The Heiress, Bombay Black, and Mrs. Singh and Me. The event, held at The Cultch's Historic Theatre in Vancouver, featured directors Arthi Chandra, Adele Noronha, and Gavan Cheema, along with fellow actors Chirag Naik, Janavi Chawla, Balkaran Singh, and Andy Kalirai.

Personal Life

Kanji splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Edmonton, Alberta, where her husband is based. She is represented by Lucas Talent in Vancouver and Dagaz Talent in Alberta. When asked if she regretted giving up her day job for acting, she replied "Nope."

References

References