ANASTASIA PHILLIPS

Rhian Finley-Cullen in “Moonshine”

 

Anastasia Phillips stars as Rhian Finley-Cullen in The CW’s new series “Moonshine.” Fists permanently clenched and knives out, Rhian is the kind of woman who’s always waiting for the other shoe to drop. When we meet her, Lidia’s return is that shoe. Rhian has always believed Lidia (Jennifer Finnigan) and Nora (Emma Hunter) were the favored siblings, while she and her twin Ryan (Tom Stevens) were the gnarly, step-sibling crumbs. Lidia’s return only intensifies Rhian’s quest for recognition -- with unexpected results: a new love. But that isn’t as important as her beloved Moonshine. Now that Lidia owns 43% share in the resort, Rhian is determined to prove to everyone that she’s the Queen of Summer fun, or there will be hell to pay.

 

Phillips was born and raised in Toronto. She received a B.F.A in Acting from the University of British Columbia, where she also studied Philosophy. Her professional acting career began with the title role in the Vancouver Art’s Club production of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” for which she received a Dora nomination for Best Actress. From there, Phillips worked across the country in regional theatres, including the Citadel’s production of “Equus” and the Vancouver premiere of “Morwyn Brebner’s The Optimists.” She also toured with the Electric Theatre Company’s award-winning production of “Studies in Motion.”

 

Phillips moved back to Toronto when she landed a lead role on the CBC series “M.V.P.” A number of television and film projects followed, including the notable feature “Nonsense Revolution,” which premiered at the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax. Recently, on the big screen, Phillips starred as a traumatized sister and daughter in the dramatic thriller “Incident in a Ghostland” for director Pascal Laugier; and as an over-protective young mother in “Don’t Talk to Irene,” for director Pat Mills.

 

She has studied and performed improv at the Groundlings in LA, and has also trained in a circus, as well as with a Brazilian theater troupe. She was the voice of ‘Lo’ on the Fresh TV animated series “Stoked.” Phillips also played a lead role in Mary Walsh’s comedy pilot “Rise Up.” Phillips gained further notoriety when she starred in an episode of CBC’s “Murdoch Mysteries,” which garnered her a Gemini nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role. She later reprised that role on the series, at the request of the show’s creator.

 

Additionally, one of Phillips’s favorite roles was that of ‘Vera Burr,’ the empowered lead on Global’s “Bomb Girls,” both the TV movie and the series, opposite Meg Tilly. On the small screen, Phillips had a lead role on “Skins USA” for MTV; and in the Steven Spielberg produced series “Lucky 7.”

 

The long-time voice of IKEA, Phillips has guest starred on “The Mentalist,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Hudson & Rex” and “Frankie Drake.” Phillips also had fantastic, scene-stealing recurring roles on the final seasons of The CW’s “Reign” and “Killjoys.”

 

In 2019 TIFF audiences were given the opportunity to marvel at Phillips’ talent when she starred in the darkly comedic film “Tammy’s Always Dying” opposite Felicity Huffman. She can currently be seen in the Lifetime/Showcase trilogy, “Madison,” and is starring in the new CBC series “Feudal” from creator Sheri Elwood.

 

May 2023