Entertainment

'People are kind of fed up': Tatiana Maslany explains why feminist voices are rising

The star of the clone thriller series Orphan Black, Tatiana Maslany, has been outspoken in interviews about sexism, body image and inequality in the entertainment industry.

Orphan Black star and Emmy-nominated actress speaks out about sexism in entertainment industry

Tatiana Maslany, nominated for Primetime Emmys in 2015 and 2016, sat down with CBC's Peter Mansbridge for an in-depth interview airing in October. (Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/Associated Press)

If you ask Tatiana Maslany why feminist voices seem to be taking flight more now than before, her answer is pretty simple.

"People are kind of fed up with the way things have been," she says.

The star of the clone thriller series Orphan Black has garnered critical acclaim for her multiple roles on the show including a nomination for lead actress in a drama series (for the second year in a row) at this Sunday's Emmy awards. She's also joining a number of high-powered actresses speaking out about sexism, body image and inequality in the entertainment industry.

"It's something I've discovered through experience," Regina-born Maslany told CBC's chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge during an in-depth interview that will air next month. "The more that I've been thrust into this space of being a leader on set and being a voice on set and having more say or wanting more say in the kind of work I do, the sort of stories I'm telling, it's become an important thing to me."

Be sure to watch Peter Mansbridge's interview with Tatiana Maslany in October on The National and Mansbridge One on One.

Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Aniston and Amy Adams are just some of the women who have been candid about their personal experiences in essays and interviews.

Attending the Toronto International Film Festival to promote Two Lovers and a Bear, 30-year-old Maslany will be in the market for new and challenging roles when Orphan Black ends in 2017. And taking a stand is just one of them. She credits other female celebrities with speaking out as well, adding that "it's in fashion right now to be politically active in our industry."

"Beyoncé talks about feminism now and that empowers a bunch of women," said Maslany, "whether her feminism is something I ascribe to or not, it's at least getting that dialogue happening."