Native Actress Tantoo Cardinal to Star in ABC’s “Stumptown” This Fall

“Stumptown” premieres September 25, 2019 on ABC.

Published August 11, 2019

LOS ANGELES —  It is not often–hardly ever–indigenous actresses are cast in starring roles on network television. So, the announcement that longtime actress, Tantoo Cardinal (Métis) will star in ABC’s “Stumptown” is big news in Indian Country.

In “Stumptown,” Cardinal plays Sue Lynn Blackbird, a member of a tribe near Portland, Oregon, the setting for the new television show.

“It has been part of my madness that has misconstrued who we are. We are an enigma,” Cardinal says. “Some are surprised we are still alive. We have a world that is separate — off the reservation, you might say. I was kind of astounded to get the script, to see this character and see who she is. It’s exciting to see a whole different idea of who we are and close to the truth of who we are today.”

Tantoo Cardinal

“Stumptown” is an adaptation of Greg Rucka’s novel with the same name. The new show follows Dex Parios, played by Cobie Smulders, a strong, assertive and sharp-witted ex-Marine with a complicated love life, gambling debts and a brother to take care of in Portland, Oregon. Her military intelligence skills make her a great PI, but her unapologetic style puts her in the firing line of hardcore criminals and not quite in alliance with the police.

In addition to Cardinal and Smulders, the series stars Jake Johnson as Grey McConnell, Cole Sibus as Ansel Parios, Adrian Martinez as Tookie with Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Cosgrove and Michael Ealy as Detective Miles Hoffman.

With an extensive resume in film and televison, Cardinal has played roles in many notable films and television series, including Spirit Bay, Dances with Wolves, Black Robe, Legends of the Fall, Smoke Signals, Hold the Dark and North of 60. She was cast in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation mini-series By Way of the Stars with Gordon Tootoosis as The Cree Chief and Eric Schweig as Black Thunder.

“Stumptown” premieres September 25, 2019 (10:00-11:00 p.m. – Eastern Time) on ABC. Check local listings to time in your area.