Maria del Mar

Maria del Mar del Castillo, known professionally as Maria del Mar, is a prominent Canadian television actress celebrated for her roles in various series, including "Street Legal," "Tek War," "Relativity," "Mercy Point," "Terminal City," and "Blue Murder."

Born in 1964 in Madrid, Spain, she later moved to Ottawa, Ontario, where she spent her formative years. An interesting note is that she is occasionally confused with the lead vocalist of the 1980s Canadian goth rock band National Velvet, which was actually fronted by another artist sharing her name.

Maria's talent has garnered recognition within the industry; she won a Canadian Comedy Award in 2009 for her performance in "A Touch of Grey," which marked her as the best female performer in a feature film at the 13th ceremony. Additionally, she received a nomination for a Gemini Award in 2001 for her outstanding role in "Blue Murder."

In 2024, Maria will be honored with the ACTRA Award of Excellence, acknowledging her significant contributions to the union through volunteer work. She has served as a two-term Councillor for ACTRA Toronto, chaired the ACTRA Awards Committee, and participated as an alternate at the National Council table, reflecting her commitment to the arts community.