No stranger to the stage, actress Shiva Negar has been in the spotlight for most of her life; but in the last five years her profile as an actress has skyrocketed beyond her wildest dreams.
From 2011-2012 alone the actress was cast in the Canadian Cinema Editor’s Award winning series Combat Hospital, SyFy’s Leo Award nominated series Alphas, USA Network’s Golden Globe nominated series Covert Affairs, and the Disney Channel’s hit series My Babysitter’s a Vampire.
Her talent began with music back home in Tehran, Iran. At an early age, she excelled in singing, as well as playing both the piano and guitar, but acting was, and has remained, her strongest passion. The picture of dedication, Shiva Negar managed to balance her busy audition and shooting schedule, while also attending York University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as a master’s in Event Management & PR.
Shiva has demonstrated the strength of her work ethic not only in her education, but also in her incredibly successful career as both an actress and model. With a wide range of experience in television, film and commercial acting, she has developed a considerable body of work.
One of her first films, Ant Horasanli’s Lost Journey, was an internationally released feature film that tells a story that is ironically similar to her own.
Lost Journey follows 19-year-old boy named Pedram, who seems to be assimilating well despite the culture shock of migrating from Iran to Toronto, Canada; however, after making friends with a group of bad seeds Pedram’s future takes a turn for the worse.
Like Pedram, Shiva was born in Iran and moved to Canada when she was a young girl. Fortunately, she did not run into the same problems in her life as the fictitious Pedram, having continually proven over the course of her career that she isn’t messing around. Acting is her passion, and she means in business. In the film, Shiva’s character actually comes to the rescue of Pedram, helping him out of the downward spiral he finds himself in.
After making her debut on the big screen, Shiva Negar’s prowess was quickly recognized throughout the entertainment industry and the actress began receiving a long list of roles for mega-hit television shows thereafter.
Some of her more recent television projects include the Canadian Screen Award nominated series 24 Hour Rental, the two-time Primetime Emmy Nominated series Hemlock Grove and Murdoch Mysteries, which has been running for more than 9 seasons and shows no signs of stopping.
In the Murdoch Mysteries episode “High Voltage”, Shiva stands out in the starring role of Anna Rico, a beautiful, alluring woman who is involved with a man who has invented a chair designed to send a mild, rejuvenating electrical current through the user. When he is found dead in his chair, however, everyone – including Anna Rico – is a suspect.
Having been nominated for more than 36 awards by prestigious groups like the Directors Guild of Canada and the Canadian Screen and Cinema Editors Awards, Murdoch Mysteries is known for presenting an unparalleled cast of actors. So far, the hit series has received two Gemini Awards, a Young Artist Award, a Director’s Guild of Canada Award, and a Canadian Screen Award.
Currently, Shiva is working on a new production entitled Day Players, a comedy about a group of artists trying to make a name and forge their own path in this cut-throat show business. The story revolves around ordinary people in extra ordinary situations and although some are painfully true, you can’t help but crack a laugh or two at the absurdity of some of these events. Shiva will star alongside Ramona Milano, known for her roles in Degrassi.