# Arlene Duncan

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Canadian actress

Arlene Duncan Born Oakville, Ontario, Canada Other name Kairene Alma mater Sheridan College Occupations Actress, singer Years active 1978–present

**Arlene Duncan** is a Canadian actress and singer.[1] Her father is [African Canadian](/source/African_Canadian), with ancestors from [Nova Scotia](/source/Nova_Scotia). Duncan has appeared in more than 80 film and television roles, in addition to many theatrical productions. She is best known for her television role as Fatima, a diner owner in the [CBC](/source/CBC_Television) situation comedy *[Little Mosque on the Prairie](/source/Little_Mosque_on_the_Prairie)*.[2]

## Early life and education

Duncan was born in [Oakville, Ontario](/source/Oakville%2C_Ontario), to [Alvin Aberdeen Duncan](/source/Alvin_Duncan), a [Royal Canadian Air Force](/source/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force) veteran of [World War II](/source/World_War_II), and a Jamaican mother, Icilda.[3] Her father's side of the family has been living in Canada for five generations.[4] She is the great-granddaughter of Benedict Duncan, a slave who fled Maryland through the [Underground Railroad](/source/Underground_Railroad) and became a sexton in Oakville.[5] Her great-great-grandfather, Samuel Adams, moved to Canada in 1855. Duncan's family has been heavily involved in Oakville's Black community, her great-grandfather Jeremiah Adams was the groundkeeper of [Turner Chapel (Oakville)](/source/Turner_Chapel_(Oakville)) and her father worked as Oakville's resident Black historian until his death in 2009. Additionally, Duncan's mother founded the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton.[6] Canadian Olympic sprinter [Donovan Bailey](/source/Donovan_Bailey) is Duncan's half-brother.[7]

Duncan attended [T. A. Blakelock High School](/source/T._A._Blakelock_High_School) in Oakville. During her time there, she was active in drama and student band.[8] She graduated from Sheridan College's musical theatre program.[9][10] Duncan was a winner of the Du Maurier's *[Search for Stars](https://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/search-stars)* contest and represented Canada at the Pacific Song Contest in 1979.[11][12]

## Career

In 1982, Duncan released her debut single ["I Wanna Grove"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od8tHp7rMfE), which won her the Female Vocalist of the Year Award at the 1983 Canadian Black Music Awards in 1983. Duncan also has performed under the name Kairene,[9] releasing the single ["I Need a Man"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVy1feyzdJQ) under [Radikal Records](/source/Radikal_Records) in 1993. She has additionally sung jingles for [McDonald's](/source/McDonald's), [Pepsi](/source/Pepsi) and [Toyota](/source/Toyota).[13] In 1994, the Black Label Artists Coalition awarded Duncan for Outstanding Achievement in Dance/House Music.[9]

Duncan has been active in musical and dramatic theatre. She has been involved in theatrical productions of *[Sophisticated Ladies](/source/Sophisticated_Ladies)*, *Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang*, *[Once on This Island](/source/Once_on_This_Island), The Mother Club, [A Raisin in the Sun](/source/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun), [Ain't Misbehavin'](/source/Ain't_Misbehavin'_(musical))*, *The Nutmeg Press*, *Recurring John*[14] and *[The Who's Tommy](/source/The_Who's_Tommy)*.[9][15][16] Duncan won a [Dora Mavor Moore Award](/source/Dora_Mavor_Moore_Award) in 2012 for Outstanding Performance by a Female (Musical) for her performance in *[Caroline, or Change](/source/Caroline%2C_or_Change)*.[17] Duncan's performance as Caroline in *Caroline, or Change* earned her a [Dora Mavor Moore Award](/source/Dora_Mavor_Moore_Award) in 2012 for Outstanding Performance by a Female (Musical)[17] and a Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical.[18][19]

Duncan has appeared in many movies and television shows, most notably portraying café owner Fatima Dinssa on the [CBC Television](/source/CBC_Television) series *[Little Mosque on the Prairie](/source/Little_Mosque_on_the_Prairie)*. Duncan played [Harriet Tubman](/source/Harriet_Tubman) in the CBC Television Special *All for One*, for which she received an [ACTRA Award](/source/ACTRA_Award). Duncan later reprised the role of Harriet Tubman in 1995 in CBS's [Gemini Awards](/source/Gemini_Awards)-nominated "Sing Out, Freedom Train".[20][9][21] In recent years, she has also appeared in minor roles on *[Degrassi: The Next Generation](/source/Degrassi%3A_The_Next_Generation), [Suits](/source/Suits_(American_TV_series))*, and [*A Dog's Journey*](/source/A_Dog's_Journey_(film)). Duncan's most notable recent role has been as Velma Diggs in the ongoing CBC Television series *[Diggstown](/source/Diggstown_(TV_series))*.[22]

Duncan has cited [Diana Ross](/source/Diana_Ross), [Salome Bey](/source/Salome_Bey), and [Melba Moore](/source/Melba_Moore) as influences.[10]

## Work

### Film

Year Film Role 1979 An American Christmas Carol Jennie Reeves 1987 The Liberators Amanada[23] 1988 All for One Harriet Tubman[15] 1995 Sing Out Freedom Train Harriet Tubman[15] 1996 Extreme Measures E.R. Nurse 2000 Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble Harriet 2001 Drop the Beat Mrs. Brown[13] 2001 Don't Say a Word Aide 2002 The Scream Team Sherriff[24] 2003 Eloise at Christmastime Lily 2005 Get Rich or Die Tryin' Judge[25] 2009 Chloe Party Guest[26] 2012 Silent Hill: Revelation Teacher[27] 2014 A Fighting Man Mary[28] 2017 Flint Claire McClinton[29] 2019 Easy Land Mrs. Fraser 2019 A Dog's Journey Hilda[30]

### Television

Year Series Role Notes 1997–2004 Franklin Officer Rabbit[9] 2005–2008 Degrassi: The Next Generation Mrs. Van Zandt[24][15] 4 Episodes 2007–2012 Little Mosque on the Prairie Fatima Dinssa[1] 91 Episodes 2013 Covert Affairs Patricia[7] 2013–2017 But I'm Chris Jericho! Ms. Lawrence[24] 12 Episodes 2014–2017 Teenagers Sandra 7 Episodes 2015 Suits Emma Powell 2 Episodes 2018 The Rick Mercer Report Announcer[24] 2019–2020 Diggstown Velma Diggs[31] 6 Episodes 2024 The Spiderwick Chronicles Melvina 1 Episode

### Theatre

Year(s) Production Role Notes 1987 Sophisticated Ladies N/A[32] 1997 Ain't Misbehavin' N/A Played the role introduced by Armelia McQueen[33] 1999 The Nutmeg Princess Nutmeg Princess[34] Based on the book of same name 2011–2012 Caroline, or Change Caroline[10] Won Dora Mavor Moore Award for Performance 2014 Recurring John The Park Dweller[14] 2014 The Mother Club Marge[35] 2014 Once on This Island Mama Euralie[36] 2024 Mistletoe Murders Vera Van Dorne

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["A Pillar in the Community - Arlene Duncan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110826151133/http://www.ccah.ca/Default.asp?id=6&l=1&a=article&cid=116). *Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton*. May 25, 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.ccah.ca/Default.asp?id=6&l=1&a=article&cid=116) on August 26, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Brioux, Bill (January 9, 2007). ["Little Mosque On The Prairie: CBC's 'Mosque' needs a miracle"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160916100734/http://jam.canoe.com/Television/TV_Shows/L/Little_Mosque_On_The_Prairie/2007/01/09/3255655.html). *Toronto Sun*. Archived from [the original](http://jam.canoe.com/Television/TV_Shows/L/Little_Mosque_On_The_Prairie/2007/01/09/3255655.html) on September 16, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Levy, Genelle. ["Ontarians should know more about the Black history of Oakville"](https://www.tvo.org/article/ontarians-should-know-more-about-the-black-history-of-oakville). *TVO.org*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Zekas, Rita (May 30, 2009). ["A little shopping, not on the Prairie"](https://www.thestar.com/life/2009/05/30/a_little_shopping_not_on_the_prairie.html). *thestar.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160313074701/http://www.thestar.com/life/2009/05/30/a_little_shopping_not_on_the_prairie.html) from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Well-known actor/singer returns to help church celebrate its 169th anniversary"](http://images.halinet.on.ca/OakvilleImages/Images/OI0110587034pf.pdf) (PDF). *[The Oakville Beaver](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Oakville_Beaver&action=edit&redlink=1)*. September 14, 2001. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220410024800/http://images.halinet.on.ca/OakvilleImages/Images/OI0110587034pf.pdf) (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Levy, Genelle (December 1, 2020). ["Ontarians should know more about the Black history of Oakville"](https://www.tvo.org/article/ontarians-should-know-more-about-the-black-history-of-oakville). *TVO.org*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:8_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:8_7-1) ["Arlene Duncan | TVSA"](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=14554). *www.tvsa.co.za*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210118232921/https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=14554) from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Thomas A. Blakelock High School - Arlene Duncan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210519032036/https://tab.hdsb.ca/school-info/hall-of-fame/arlene-duncan). *tab.hdsb.ca*. Archived from [the original](https://tab.hdsb.ca/school-info/hall-of-fame/arlene-duncan) on May 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:1_9-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:1_9-5) Williams, Paul (July 11, 2013). ["Arlene Duncan"](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/arlene-duncan). *www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca*. Retrieved February 18, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_10-2) MacLean, Bill (December 15, 2011). ["Arlene leaves the prairie for Caroline, or Change"](https://www.beachmetro.com/2011/12/15/arlene-leaves-prairie-caroline-change/). *Beach Metro Community News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221204120601/https://beachmetro.com/2011/12/15/arlene-leaves-prairie-caroline-change/) from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Canadian Singer to Visit New Zealand"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OaMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zu4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2990,774610&dq=arlene-duncan&hl=en). *Ottawa Citizen*. September 1, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved August 13, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Bessey, Melissa (January 16, 2012). ["Woman of the Week: Arlene Duncan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120510033802/http://womenspost.ca/womanoftheweek/2012-01-16/woman-week-arlene-duncan). *womenspost.ca*. Archived from [the original](http://www.womenspost.ca/womanoftheweek/2012-01-16/woman-week-arlene-duncan) on May 10, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_13-1) ["Arlene Duncan | Black In Canada"](http://www.blackincanada.com/2010/12/04/arlene-duncan/). *www.blackincanada.com*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:6_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:6_14-1) ["Cast"](http://recurringjohn.weebly.com/cast.html). *Recurring John*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241127003310/http://recurringjohn.weebly.com/cast.html) from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:5_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:5_15-3) Staff (February 23, 2017). ["Arlene Duncan - Biography"](https://www.northernstars.ca/arlene-duncan-biography/). *Northernstars.ca*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210205162410/https://www.northernstars.ca/arlene-duncan-biography/) from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Breon, Robin (June 6, 1988). ["View of The Growth and Development of Black Theatre in Canada: A Starting Point | Theatre Research in Canada / Recherches théâtrales au Canada"](https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7342/8401). *Theatre Research in Canada / Recherches Théâtrales Au Canada*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:7_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:7_17-1) "'Crash,' 'Caroline, or Change' big winners at Dora Mavor Moore theatre awards". [Canadian Press](/source/Canadian_Press), June 25, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["The 2nd Annual Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards"](https://jazz.fm/the-2nd-annual-toronto-theatre-critics-awards/). *JAZZ.FM91*. May 31, 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220406233850/https://jazz.fm/the-2nd-annual-toronto-theatre-critics-awards/) from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Kim's Convenience gets five thumbs up at Toronto Theatre Critics Awards"](https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/kims-convenience-gets-five-thumbs-up-at-toronto-theatre-critics-awards). *nationalpost*. May 31, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2021.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Quill, Greg (February 1994). "Freedom Train packed too full". *[The Toronto Star](/source/The_Toronto_Star)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["The 1995 Gemini nominees"](https://playbackonline.ca/1995/01/30/4086-19950130/). January 30, 1995. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210914034054/https://playbackonline.ca/1995/01/30/4086-19950130/) from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Cowie, Del (March 4, 2020). ["Surf's up: Vinessa Antoine is back in Diggstown and the stakes couldn't be higher | CBC Television"](https://www.cbc.ca/television/surf-s-up-vinessa-antoine-is-back-in-diggstown-and-the-stakes-couldn-t-be-higher-1.5483492). *CBC*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211106182308/https://www.cbc.ca/television/surf-s-up-vinessa-antoine-is-back-in-diggstown-and-the-stakes-couldn-t-be-higher-1.5483492) from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["The Liberators"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201018080808/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/465780/the-liberators). *Turner Classic Movies*. Archived from [the original](https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/465780/the-liberators) on October 18, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_24-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_24-3) ["Arlene Duncan"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0241903/). *IMDb*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Little Mosque is big hit for Arlene Duncan"](https://www.insidehalton.com/whatson-story/2954110-little-mosque-is-big-hit-for-arlene-duncan/). *InsideHalton.com*. October 5, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["CHLOE | a film by Atom Egoyan"](https://www.sonyclassics.com/chloe/). *www.sonyclassics.com*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Arlene Duncan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241127010442/https://spicyonion.com/person/arlene-duncan-movies-list/). *Spicyonion.com*. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Sumi, Glenn (April 24, 2014). ["A Fighting Man"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201201120407/https://nowtoronto.com/a-fighting-man). *NOW Magazine*. Archived from [the original](https://nowtoronto.com/a-fighting-man) on December 1, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** [*Flint (2017)*](https://letterboxd.com/film/flint/), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221012132623/https://letterboxd.com/film/flint/) from the original on October 12, 2022, retrieved February 19, 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** [*A Dog's Journey (2019)*](https://letterboxd.com/film/a-dogs-journey/), retrieved February 19, 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Karimjee, Abbas (April 16, 2019). ["Interview With Arlene Duncan From CBC's Diggstown and Little Mosque on the Prairie-Exclusive In Depth"](https://abbaskarimjee.wordpress.com/tag/acting/). *Abbas Karimjee's Weblog*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200514072423/https://abbaskarimjee.wordpress.com/tag/acting/) from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Rochon, Lisa (June 15, 1987). "Ladies fitting tribute for the Duke". *[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** "Arlene Duncan: 'a little more sexual'". *[The Hamilton Spectator](/source/The_Hamilton_Spectator)*. March 15, 1997.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Wagner, Vit (March 13, 1999). "Music saves Princess". *[The Toronto Star](/source/The_Toronto_Star)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Barnard, Elissa (March 5, 2014). "Playwright pushes boundaries; Peters tackles difficult subject of rape in black community in The Mother Club". *[The Chronicle Herald](/source/The_Chronicle_Herald)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Sumi, Glenn (January 30, 2014). ["Once On This Island"](https://nowtoronto.com/once-on-this-island). *NOW Magazine*. Retrieved February 19, 2021.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

## External links

- [Arlene Duncan](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0241903/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States Other SNAC

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arlene Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Duncan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Duncan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.