# Erica Durance

Erica Durance (/dəˈræns/; born June 21, 1978) is a Canadian actress known for her roles as Lois Lane in the superhero television series Smallville (2004–2011) and as Dr. Alex Reid in the medical drama series Saving Hope (2012–2017). She has also appeared in films such as The Untold (2002), The Butterfly Effect 2 (2006), Final Verdict (2009) and Painkillers (2015).

## Early life

Durance was born in Calgary to parents Gail and Joel Durance and grew up on a turkey farm with her older brother and sister in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. Durance moved to Vancouver in 1999 to pursue her interest in acting professionally and study at the Yaletown Actors Lab.

## Career

Durance began her career with background work. She appeared in commercials for Kokanee Beer. She has guest-starred in television series, including Andromeda, Stargate SG-1, Charlie's Angels, Harry's Law and Private Eyes.
In 2004, Durance was cast in her breakout role as Lois Lane on the television series Smallville. Durance was acting part-time and working as an agent for background actors and booking photo doubles for TV series and had considered quitting acting. "I was at a point in my life where I was a bit frustrated with the business," Durance said. "[my manager] had to talk me into going out for it." Producer Kelly Souders said they knew Durance was Lois for the series after seeing her casting tape, "there were a lot of wonderful actresses who came in for the role but I remember the entire writing staff watching her tape and just saying, that's her. She had everything. She had attitude but she was loveable and brought all of it in her audition tape." Durance played a sassy, teenage Lois in season four in a recurring role. She was promoted to series regular in season five and became part of the Smallville cast. She played the character for seven seasons. "Everyone has their specific idea of who Lois Lane is for them, and you have your overall blueprint, but then you have to try to make it your own. That's the only way to try to stay truthful to what you're doing," Durance on playing Lois Lane.
In 2012, Durance began starring in the lead role in the CTV medical drama television series Saving Hope, as Chief Surgical Dr. Alex Reid. She was also a producer on the series and directed the season four episode "Torn and Frayed". In season 3, Durance's real-life pregnancy was worked into her character Alex Reid and the series. Saving Hope ended its run in 2017.
Durance appeared in the television series Supergirl in a recurring role as Kara's Kryptonian mother, Alura Zor-El. In 2019, Durance and her Smallville co-star Tom Welling reprised their roles as Lois and Clark in the Batwoman episode of the Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths".
Durance has appeared in several Lifetime and Hallmark films, including I Me Wed (2007), Wedding Planner Mystery (2014), Color My World with Love (2022) and A Scottish Love Scheme (2024).

## Personal life

Durance was previously married to Wesley Parker. In 2001, she began dating Canadian actor David Palffy and married him in 2005. The couple amicably separated in April 2023. Durance and Palffy have two sons. She also has a stepson from her husband's previous relationship.
Durance is a supporter of World Vision Canada. In August 2006, she co-hosted the Superman/Batman #26 art auction with Jeph Loeb at the Wizard World Chicago convention. The auction raised $70,000. The event honored Loeb's son, Sam Loeb, who died at age 17 after a long battle with bone cancer, and all of its proceeds went to the Sam Loeb College Scholarship Fund.

## Accolades

Durance was ranked No. 38 on FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2006 and #20 in 2007, #15 in 2008, and #14 in 2009. She has also appeared on the cover of FHM and Maxim magazine. In 2009, Durance was on Entertainment Weekly's Sci-fi Hotties Women. BuddyTV ranked her #26 on its TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2009, and #16 on its 2010 list. In 2012, BuddyTV ranked Durance #9 on their list of Summer 2012's Sexiest Stars. Hello! magazine listed her as one of Canada's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2012.

## Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2002 | The Untold | Tara Knowles | |
| 2003 | House of the Dead | Johanna | credit as Erica Parker |
| 2004 | The Bridge | Amy | Short film |
| 2006 | The Butterfly Effect 2 | Julie Miller | |
| 2010 | Sophie and Sheba | Natalia | |
| 2012 | Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie | Paris Waitress | |
| 2015 | Painkillers | Trudy | |

## Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2001 | The Lone Gunmen | Dancer | Episode: "Maximum Buyers" |
| 2003 | Devil Winds | Kara Jensen | Television film, credit as Erica Parker |
| 2003 | 111 Gramercy Park | Maddy O'Donnell | Television film |
| 2004 | The Chris Isaak Show | Ashley | Episode: "Let the Games Begin", credit as Erica Parker |
| 2004 | Tru Calling | Angela Todd | Episode: "Drop Dead Gorgeous" |
| 2004 | Andromeda | Amira | Episode: "Time Out of Mind" |
| 2004 | Stargate SG-1 | Krista James | Episode: "Affinity" |
| 2004 | The Collector | Rachel Slate | Episode: "Another Collector" |
| 2004–2011 | Smallville | Lois Lane | Recurring role (season 4) Main role (seasons 5–10) 141 episodes |
| 2006 | Island Heat: Stranded | Carina | Television film |
| 2007 | I Me Wed | Isabelle Darden | Television film |
| 2009 | The Building | Jules Wilde | Television film |
| 2009 | Final Verdict | Megan Washington | Television film |
| 2009 | Beyond Sherwood Forest | Maid Marian | Television film |
| 2011 | Charlie's Angels | Samantha Masters | Episode: "Angels in Chains" |
| 2012 | Harry's Law | Annie Bilson | Episode: "Gorilla My Dreams" |
| 2012 | 6 passi nel giallo | Angela/Christine | Episode: "Gemelle" |
| 2012–2017 | Saving Hope | Dr. Alex Reid | Main role, 85 episodes |
| 2014 | Wedding Planner Mystery | Carnegie Kincaid | Television film |
| 2017–2019 | Supergirl | Alura Zor-El Agent Noel Neill | Recurring role, 10 episodes Episode: "Midvale" |
| 2019 | Batwoman | Lois Lane | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 2" |
| The Christmas Chalet | Grace | Television film | |
| Christmas Stars | Layla | Television film | |
| 2020 | Private Eyes | Lauren Campbell | Episode: "Family Plot" |
| 2021 | The Enchanted Christmas Cake | Gwen | Television film |
| Open by Christmas | Simone | Television film | |
| 2022 | North to Home | Hannan | Television film |
| Girl in the Shed: The Kidnapping of Abby Hernandez | Zenya | Television film | |
| Color My World with Love | Emma | Television film | |
| We Need a Little Christmas | Julie | Television film | |
| 2023 | Unexpected Grace | Noelle | Television film |
| Ms. Christmas Comes to Town | Amanda/Ms. Holiday | Television film | |
| 2024 | A Scottish Love Scheme | Lily | Television film |
| Murder in a Small Town | Emma O'Brea | Episode: "Prized Possessions" | |
| Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane | Penny | Television film | |
| Private Princess Christmas | Queen of Wingravia | Television film | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2004 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress on Television | Smallville | Nominated |
| 2005 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress on Television | Smallville | Nominated |
| 2008 | Gemini Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series | I Me Wed | Nominated |
| 2010 | Saturn Award | Best Actress on Television | Smallville | Nominated |
| 2011 | Teen Choice Award | Choice TV Actress – Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Smallville | Nominated |
| 2012 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Actress in a Dramatic Role | Saving Hope | Nominated |
| 2016 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Actress in a Dramatic Role | Saving Hope | Nominated |