Stephen McHattie tackles new but familiar role on ‘Essex County’
A prolific Maritime character actor continues to add to his impressive resume.
Stephen McHattie has earned more than 200 film and television credits in his more than 50 year acting career.
Now, McHattie wears a new hat in a limited series called “Essex County.”
Audiences may recognize him from shows like “Star Trek” or “Seinfeld.”
“I just remember how precise and demanding that kind of three-camera show is,” McHattie tells CTV Atlantic.
McHattie even won a Gemini award for his role on “Life with Billy,” a movie about a Nova Scotia woman navigating a violently abusive relationship.
“People would come up to me and say, ‘Oh, I hated you,” he recalled.
Born in Antigonish, McHattie enjoyed his formative years in Nova Scotia.
When asked about growing up in the Maritimes, McHattie responded, “Why’d I ever leave?”
“I still have family there and I have a little place there,” he added.
Much like where he grew up, McHattie’s new show “Essex County” is set in a small town.
The five-part limited series explores how loss, betrayal and trauma can transcend generations.
“’Essex County’ is a look at rural life in Ontario and the consequences of our actions,” he hinted.
McHattie plays uncle Lou, who lives with dementia and struggles with the ghosts of his past.
“Lou is a guy who was a good hockey player in his youth and did something that ruined his family, and is trying to make it better,” said McHattie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE | Feds providing $1.5M for increased security at Pride events across Canada
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.

Prince Harry a no-show on first day of court showdown with British tabloid publisher
Prince Harry's phone hacking trial against the publisher of the Daily Mirror kicked off Monday without him present -- and the judge was not happy.
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
What about Kristen, Leslie's rights, asks lawyer for Bernardo victims after transfer
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.
Trudeau and ministers to provide update as wildfires burn in multiple provinces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to provide an update on the wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused widespread property damage in several provinces.
Apple is expected to unveil a sleek, pricey headset. Is it the device VR has been looking for?
Apple appears poised to unveil a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
Depression, living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood may lead to faster aging: study
A new Canadian-led study has found that feeling depressed, along with living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, may lead to premature aging.
Here's how 'code-switching' can hurt Black, Indigenous people in Canada
In a dominant white culture some Black, Indigenous and racialized people are 'code-switching' which could harm their mental health, one expert says.
Watchdog's relations with spy community 'particularly strained' over last year
Newly released documents say the intelligence community's relationship with its key watchdog has been particularly strained over the last year due to a 'level of resistance' to scrutiny.