The multitalented actress behind “7ven” on the hit show ‘Sort Of’: Get to know Amanda Cordner

BY SELINA MCCALLUM

Amanda Cordner has always been a talented actress, but she has been receiving her flowers now more than ever for the role she plays on CBC and HBOMax’s hit series, Sort Of. She received an ACTRA Nomination for Outstanding Performance – Gender Non-Conforming or Female.

In Sort Of, a proudly shot-and-set-in-Toronto series, Cordner plays one of the main characters named “7ven”, who is best friends with the protagonist, played by Bilal Baig, who also co-created Sort Of. “7ven” is a 20-something, gender-fluid person, and sort of almost art curator whose family comes from money. She’s an unapologetic truth-teller who is determined to eat life up with the biggest spoon she can find. Underneath all of that bravado, there is a vulnerable person who has a genuine concern for the people in her life.

Cordner and Baig were friends before they were acting together.

“My favorite part about playing this role is that I get to play opposite my friend, like my friend in real life. And so, we really infuse a lot of the story scenes are characters with the pure love of our friendship.” said Cornder.

Cordner is also a dancer, singer, theatre creator, clown, playwright and filmmaker who graduated from York University with a BFA in Theatre and has not looked back since. Cordner was named one of Canada’s Rising Screen Stars by NOW Magazine in April 2022 and was one of that publication’s Top Ten Theatre Artists of 2018.

Corder compares acting for television and acting for theatre.

“I haven’t been on stage in two years, almost three years. And so being back in rehearsals, the process is that your energy is demanded day one and every day until you open that show, and then continue to bring that same energy until the show closes. It’s exhilarating being in front of a live audience and breathing with them and hearing it. In film and TV, in like a 14-hour day, maybe you’re acting for an hour, saying the same lines over and over again. But for theatre you’re starting from the beginning, and you work that script over and over until you find flow.” Said Cordner.

The project that Corder is most proud of is a solo show she co-created in high school with her best friend, David Di Giovanni. Body So Fluorescent debuted at Summerworks and won awards for Outstanding Production, Play, and Direction, and Cordner continues to partner with independent theatre companies and performance artists.

“We went to high school together. And then we went to different universities in different cities. So, we were separated for a bit. And when he came back to town to pursue education, he said let’s make a show and that was in 2016. We toured it across Canada, and in the states. And we made it into a short film, and now we’re bringing it back to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in April of 2023. It’s such a beautiful love project between me and my boy. It slays, it’s such a powerful piece. And I’m so glad that it has another life. It’s being published by Playwrights Guild of Canada, and wow, I’m so proud of that,” said Cordner.

Cornder’s biggest influence is Anthony Hopkins, one of Britain’s most recognizable actors. He is known for his role in The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal.

“I love Anthony Hopkins because of his ability to wield darkness and to keep it light. He can be so charming yet can be a psycho. That is pretty chilling, but captivating,” said Cordner.

Cordner shares what she hopes audiences will take away and reflect on from the second season.

“I hope that they take away joy and that the show really focuses on love. I hope people think about who they love and, and why they love and what it means to them. I hope it tests people’s preconceived notions, test their perspectives, you know?” said Cordner.

While American TV series and films now have a multitude of stories that center the gaze on the Black American queer and trans experiences, Canada is still a generation behind. Only a couple of queer Canadian films and TV shows produced in the last 30 years feature a Black queer/trans character. The other 99% of titles are overwhelmingly White character focused.

Corner shares how this show can be relatable for anyone.

“People hear ‘trans’, and they shut down, I see it on their faces. And these are people who I’ve grown up with who always talk about how they want to support me and support my work, and my art. And then when it comes to this show, which is an award winning, international success, they can’t even turn it on, even to support me. I keep going back to the humanity of this story. It’s a story about a human going through the turmoil of relationships and career changes and choices and family, like whose family doesn’t disturb their psyche. But some people hear ‘trans’, and they think ‘not human’.” said Cornder.

The actress has also received positive feedback from supporters of the show and how it has been impactful.

“A student emailed me saying they did a Gender Studies project on this show. Because of the show, they’re claiming their own nonbinary and coming out to their parents and I’m like, whoa, that’s huge. That’s the good stuff when the youth feel seen and heard,” said Cordner.