7 movies/TV shows with alumni you have to watch

Ryerson University is known for its creative programs such as Film Studies, Performance Acting and Media Production, which is why it’s no surprise that Ryerson alumni are all over the entertainment industry and in popular television shows and movies. I have highlighted seven notable Ryerson alumni and productions that they worked on that you should check out below – enjoy!

If you like westerns and shows about the supernatural you need to check out Wynonna Earp! (external link, opens in new window)  The series is set in the Canadian Rockies and follows Wynonna as she returns to her hometown and fights demons. This show was created by Emily Andras who majored in Radio and Television Arts (now Media Production) at the RTA School of Media.

In 2014 Mena Massoud graduated from Ryerson’s School of Performance and did a variety of small roles in television shows, but became a household name after being cast in the 2019 live-action Aladdin (external link, opens in new window)  film. This Ryerson alumnus worked closely with the seasoned Will Smith and Naomi Scott, and the remake of the classic animated film is one not to be missed!

Kate Kelton majored in film at Ryerson University and went on to have a recurring role as Jordan McKee in the television show Haven (external link, opens in new window) . This show is also great for supernatural lovers. It follows FBI agent Audrey Parker as she navigates a town that is populated with people who have a dormant curse that can be triggered at any time. The show had five seasons between 2010 to 2015 so it is great for binge-watching!

Will & Grace (external link, opens in new window)  stars Eric McCormack, who attended the Ryerson University School of Performance in the 1980s. He rose to fame when the show first premiered in 1998, and continued to be in production until 2005. The show returned in 2017 and had its last season just last year. This fun sitcom follows the friendship of Eric’s character Will Truman and Debra Messing’s character Grace Adler.

Orphan Black (external link, opens in new window)  is one of my favourite television shows, which makes it that much more exciting that the show was shot in Toronto, and has a recurring character that went to Ryerson. Ari Millen graduated from the Ryerson University School of Performance in 2007 and had a variety of small roles in television shows before being given the chance to play multiple different characters in Orphan Black in 2017. Orphan Black is the type of show that is hard to explain without spoiling the plot, and so if you enjoy science fiction thrillers I highly encourage you to give this one a chance.

Jeremy Podeswa is a Ryerson University Film Studies alumnus who has directed episodes of a variety of notable television shows and films. Some of these shows include American Horror Story, True Blood, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Walking Dead, Weeds, Dexter and Game of Thrones. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for his work on Game of Thrones (external link, opens in new window) . The entirety of Game of Thrones is eight seasons, and this fantasy drama is known for easily getting hooked!

GLOW (external link, opens in new window)  (aka the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) is a Netflix show that is a work of fiction, but it revolves around the women’s professional wrestling experience in the 1980s. One of the recurring characters in this show is Jenny Chey, and she is played by Ellen Wong, a Ryerson University alumna who studied radio and television art (now Media Production).