Barrett Porter as Anonda Haskell
South Shore Nova Scotia native Barrett Porter plays nine-year-old Anonda Haskell on Black Harbour, the LA-born daughter of Katherine and Nick.

Although she's growing up in a small community much like the fictional Black Harbour, Barrett has no problem playing an LA girl who has to adjust to life in a South Shore village. "Barrett has always wanted to act," says her mother. Following a week-end theatre camp in the summer of 1995, the young actress took part in three productions staged by a local children's theatre group. On a whim, her mother took her to audition for the series that was to be filmed--almost literally--in their backyard.

Black Harbour's producers were impressed by Barrett's natural talent. "She was amazingly comfortable in front of the camera," says Executive Producer Barbara Samuels of Barrett's screen test. "We auditioned girls locally and nationally. It's pure coincidence that Barrett lives just up the road from where we're shooting. She was clearly the perfect person for the role of Anonda."

Anonda has a refreshing honesty and a wonderful curiousity that draws her to the woman who becomes her best friend in Black Harbour--the eccentric, somewhat mystical character, Aggie (Mary Colin Chisholm). The two have a special connection; it's her friendship with Aggie that helps make Anonda's transition to Black Harbour much easier.

Before she accepted the role, Barrett and her family very carefully considered the sacrifices that would have to be made. She had to give up Girl Guides, but has been able to continue piano lessons and goes to school whenever possible--even if only for a few minutes--to keep in touch with her friends. Luckily her mother is a teacher, so she acts as Barrett's tutor on the days she has to be on set.

Barrett finds acting for television quite different than acting on the stage: "You don't have to memorize the whole show at once, so in that way it's much easier." She admits that it's also a lot of hard work, but she enjoys working with her television family: "Everyone is really nice and fun to be around." They feel the same way about her.