Gina Holden is busier than ever filming roles in feature films and television series. Her latest film project, ‘Message Deleted’, is a suspenseful thriller that finds her opposite Matthew Lillard (‘Scream’, ‘Scooby Doo’) playing aspiring screenwriter Millie Councel. In this story within a story, Joel Brandt (Lillard), a screenwriter and teacher, is trapped in one of his own terrifying scripts. A killer, one of Joel's former students, goes on a murder spree and implicates Joel in the crimes. Millie is a student of Joel's who joins him in his desperate fight to prevent more killings and uncover the true identity of the killer.
Gina recently landed the role of Shea Allen in the new CBS series, ‘Harper's Island’, a TV murder mystery created by Ari Schlossberg. Set to air in 2009, this horror-drama series is set on a secluded island off the coast of Seattle, infamous for a homicidal maniac's rampage seven years ago. The role is an exciting step into major television drama for Gina.
Following up on the classic space-horror film from the nineties, Gina recently completed filming ‘Screamers 2’, a science fiction thriller based on an acclaimed Philip Dick story. As the beautiful, strong Lieutenant Victoria Bronte, Gina leads a group of humans sent to investigate mysterious happenings on another planet.
Gina was previously the female lead in another big science fiction production, ‘Flash Gordon’, which aired for two seasons on the Sci Fi network. In the starring role, Gina played Dale Arden, a sharp news reporter and the protagonist’s former flame.
Gina’s acting versatility was previously displayed in the well-casted CW hit series, ‘Smallville’. As Patricia Swann, Gina played the daughter of Virgil Swann, played by Christopher Reeves, who last appeared in the series just before his death in 2004. Gina says it was “an honor and a privilege” to be cast a role so intimately connected with the man who’s name is synonymous with Superman on screen.
In addition to memorable roles in big features and television series such as ‘Final Destination 3’, ‘ Alien vs. Predator 2’ and ‘Supernatural’, Gina played Coreen Fennel in twenty-one episodes of ‘Blood Ties’, the popular vampire series that aired for two seasons on Lifetime. Set in Toronto, the show revolved around a private investigator, Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox) who specializes in solving supernatural crimes. The smart, complex Coreen is Vicki’s assistant, hired because of her special knowledge of the occult.
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Gina was born in the small mountain town of Smithers, B.C., Canada, where she developed a love of performance from an early age. Her first performance took place at a figure skating exhibition when she was five. She has been at home on center stage ever since.
Through most of her early years, as she moved around with her mom and older brother, Gina’s first love was dance. She credits her training in classical ballet, tap, modern and musical theatre with developing the work ethic that, as a teenager, helped turn her love of performance into something resembling a career.
At the age of fifteen, Gina was scouted by a modeling agency and shipped to Japan. Embracing the move with both hands, Gina schooled herself on the culture and language and the country quickly became her second home. Professionally, Japan was a major break. Gina became the face of Shiseido cosmetics and appeared on upwards of twenty magazine covers. But modeling was never Gina's passion. While her talent and drive gave her a taste of success, modeling was ultimately a stepping stone to bigger things, in another medium.
On returning to North America, Gina went back to school, where she continued to study Japanese and graduated top of her class. Then, while working two jobs, Gina took acting classes to develop her stage skills. Before long the the roles started coming, getting bigger with each booking. Now, her hectic work schedule demands that she split her time between Los Angeles and Vancouver.
Outside of work, Gina finds fulfillment volunteering with physically and mentally challenged adults. Her latest charitable project involves giving athletes from her home region of northern B.C. the chance to participate in the Special Olympics. My Direction Shine, her company, will a be a corporate sponsor of the 2009 Special Olympics that takes place in Abbotsford, B.C.
With an impressive portfolio that includes leading roles in feature films and TV series, Gina continues to work hard to achieve bigger and better things. Surrounded by loving friends and family, she is always looking ahead. And up!
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