Woodbridge sisters acting credits span CTV comedy, Paw Patrol, Blue’s Clues and they’re just getting started

You’ve no doubt heard the term “triple threat,” used to refer to performers who can act, dance and sing. It seems appropriate to tweak the meaning of that expression for the SwamiNathan sisters.

Their dance training is recreational and only one has really learned to sing for roles, but all three of them are actors.

If you’ve watched the CTV comedy “Children Ruin Everything,” now airing its second season, you’ve seen Mikayla SwamiNathan, six, as force of nature Viv, middle child of TV parents James (Aaron Abrams) and Astrid (Meaghan Rath).

Oldest sister Tianna, 11, voices Rory Cat in animated kids’ show “Paw Patrol” and appeared in the 2021 “Murdoch Mysteries” Christmas special among other productions.

Middle sister Mia, nine, played Emma in two “Ivy and Bean” movies, and has had roles in “Blue’s Clues & You,” “Kim’s Convenience” and “Stealing the Sky” among other shows.

And the sisters’ list of credits is set to explode in 2023.

On a recent afternoon, the siblings sat down in their Woodbridge home to talk via Zoom about their chosen profession.

It all started with Mia, who did her first commercial when she was three. “I had a blast and I wanted to do acting for the rest of my life,” she said. “I loved the experience.”

“I thought maybe I could try out because I was really good,” added Mikayla.

So what do they love about acting?

Meeting new people, making new friends and “I like to see myself on TV, too,” Mikayla said.

“I like putting myself in the character’s shoes, like, really pretending to be the character,” said Tianna.

Tianna’s Grade 6 class recently watched one of her episodes of “Paw Patrol” together. But the girls say their classmates don’t treat them like celebrities.

“They do say we do a good job,” Mia said.

“They think it’s really cool, too,” added Tianna.

Their mom, Tina SwamiNathan, said ferrying all three sisters to jobs, not to mention school, soccer and gymnastics, makes for a busy life. “But as long as they’re happy it makes us happy and, honestly, watching the three of them on set, they’re totally different from at home. Like, when they’re on set they’re independent, they’re so social.

“I feel relaxed watching them because I know that they’re safe and they’re happy.”

“When I’m on a TV show or anything I don’t like leaving the set . . . because I love acting,” confirmed Mikayla.

Back in January, when “Children Ruin Everything” creator Kurt Smeaton was promoting the show, he praised Mikayla and her TV brother, Logan Nicholson.

“It was really fun to have those kids on set and there was a different energy when they were there,” said Smeaton. “I think everyone grew to really love those kids.”

When Mikayla was told during the interview that she does a good job of playing someone bratty in “Children Ruin Everything,” the whole family laughed.

“That doesn’t veer too far away from her life,” joked her father, Tony.

The sisters, who are represented by Vanderwerff Talent, have not been idle lately, with a raft of new projects coming out in 2023.

Tianna is currently voicing a recurring character in an undisclosed Nelvana project.

Mikayla plays Lily in the new “Paw Patrol” spinoff “Rubble & Crew,” has joined “Blue’s Clues & You” and has a role in the Netflix movie sequel “Code 8: Part II,” alongside her TV dad Abrams.

Mia voices the main character in new Spin Master Entertainment show “Vida the Vet,” and has joined the casts of GBH Kids’ “Work It Out Wombats,” CBC series “Mittens & Pants,” Nelvana’s “Hamsters of Hamsterdale” and the movie “Sight,” which stars Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear.

Do the siblings ever get star-struck?

Tianna mentioned working with famous director Eli Roth on the horror short “Eli Roth’s Haunted House: Trick VR Treat,” which starred Vanessa Hudgens.

And Mia was impressed by former “Modern Family” star Jessie Tyler Ferguson, who played a ballet instructor in “Ivy and Bean: Doomed to Dance.” But she said she’s “dying to work” with The Rock, while Tianna really wants to work with Millie Bobby Brown, who plays her favourite character in her favourite TV show, “Stranger Things.”

“She’s an amazing actor and she’s my idol for acting,” Tianna said.

Mikayla admires her “Children Ruin Everything” co-star Rath and would like to work with Sofia Carson, a star of TV’s “Descendants” movies.

But despite all the talk of movie and TV stars, the sisters seem like well-grounded kids. Their parents, who both work in education, control their social media and supervise their time on set.

“And even the littlest time we’ve got, we’ll still play together and all that stuff,” Tianna said.

Besides, Tony and Tina figure they’re learning skills that will stand them in good stead even if they eventually give up acting.

“I always tell people this industry teaches the kids a lot,” said Tony, 42. “They have to deal with success and failures so they’re resilient.”

“I was telling them the other day, ‘Listen, Mom’s 40 years old and she hasn’t been on half as many job interviews as the three of you have, and that’s an amazing skill to have,’” said Tina.

There’s one other benefit to their acting that isn’t lost on the sisters, despite their young ages.

“I’m a brown person and … I’d love for people to see me and (say), ‘One day I’m going to be just like her,’” Mia said.

They have some advice for other children who want to follow in their footsteps, whether solo or with brothers or sisters:

“I would tell them to keep trying and believe in yourself because that’s the key to becoming an amazing actor,” Tianna said.

“I’d also tell them to be passionate about themselves and not to give up, because their dreams will come true,” added Mia.

“I would say to work hard and to try your best,” said Mikayla.

Debra Yeo is a deputy editor and a contributor to the Star’s Entertainment section. She is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @realityeo

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