Paula Brancati

Paula Brancati is a Canadian actress, producer, and director born on June 6, 1989, in Thornhill, Ontario. Of Italian descent, she trained early through the CharActors Theatre Troupe and attended the regional arts program at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School. Her introduction to on-screen work came through a commercial, after which she pursued acting as a child, appearing in television series including Doc, Radio Free Roscoe, and Dark Oracle. Her work on Dark Oracle earned her a Gemini Award nomination.

Brancati built a substantial television profile through recurring and starring roles on prominent Canadian productions. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Jane Vaughn on Degrassi: The Next Generation, one of the show's central characters, and subsequently starred as Jenny Zalen on the CBC comedy-drama Being Erica. She later appeared in Netflix's horror anthology series Slasher, taking on multiple characters across the series.

Her theatre work includes a 2016 portrayal of Miss Honey in Toronto's production of Matilda the Musical. Brancati also appeared on Broadway in 2015 in Matilda the Musical.

Beyond performing, Brancati co-founded BrancSeater Productions, a company through which she writes, produces, and develops independent Canadian film and television projects. The company's debut feature, People Hold On, premiered at the Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival and was subsequently distributed by Mongrel Media. In 2022, she directed the short film Junior's Giant, and in 2025 she stars in Hell Motel for Shudder.