Penande Esteem
36 years old
Nominated in the category Best Actress in a Leading Role: Drama Series (After the flood)
Penande, how do you feel about this first nomination for the Gémeaux?
I’m a little stressed! [Rires] It’s like science fiction. I immigrated here when I was young. The fact that a little Haitian girl who arrived here at 6 years old realizes her dream of acting, and that my peers give me this nomination, it’s incredible! And I’m in the same category as Karine Vanasse, who inspires me so much! She sent me a message to congratulate me, she was happy that I was in the same category as her. I would be happy to win, but if Karine wins, I will be so happy for her!
Tell me about your career. You were a stuntwoman before being revealed to the public last year…
I’ve done a lot of stuff! At 8 or 10 years old, I knew I was going to do television. Everything I did as a teenager, dance classes, acting classes, was leading me in that direction. I took several theater classes, I trained in New York. From 2013 to 2016, I made a lot of short films, I played in the film Death Wishwith Bruce Willis. And I did stunt work from 2016 to 2021. Once in a while, I still do it, when I’m available.
After the flood is a bold, tough series that puts cultural diversity forward. Your character trains young delinquents in mixed martial arts. Are you proud of the resonance of this project?
I’m really happy. A lot of people are sending me messages. Black men and women, but also from all communities. I hope there will be other series like this, because we need more Black, Asian or First Nations women on TV. We need them from all backgrounds, because in Montreal, we are of all colours and all cultures! I myself saw things, when I was younger, similar to the situations described in After the flood. And Maxime [Salomon, son personnage] is everything I want to be! She acts on her convictions and wants to help young people…
The first season ofAfter the floodpresented on Noovo in the fall of 2023, is broadcast on Crave. The second, already filmed, should be released next year. The actress will soon be in The Raccoon Academy: Who pushed Melody?on Télé-Québec, and in Crowson Club illico (soon illico+).