Joel Oulette

Early life and background

Joel Oulette was born on 7 December 2001 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. He identifies as a member of the Red River Métis Nation and has ties to the Cumberland House Cree Nation, also described as Swampy Cree. His introduction to performance arts came at a very young age, encouraged by his mother who had a background in dance and his sister, Shayla Stonechild, who acted before him. Oulette started acting at the age of five, with his first experience being an extra role. He attended Strathmore High School in Alberta, where he was also a player on the school's Spartan's Football team, balancing athletic pursuits with his early artistic interests. This foundation in both community and family support shaped his initial path toward a career in storytelling and performance.

Career beginnings and early roles

Oulette's professional acting career began in childhood with background work. His first film credit was as an extra in the 2007 HBO television film Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. He landed his first lead role at age seven in a short film titled Perseverance. In the following years, he took on small roles to gain experience, appearing in the 2018 prehistoric adventure film Alpha and the television film Chateau Laurier that same year. A significant step forward came with a larger role in the 2020 drama film Monkey Beach, an adaptation of Eden Robinson's novel. He also appeared in the television crime drama series Tribal and starred as Runaway in the 2020 film Parallel Minds. These roles, while varied, provided him with the on set experience that prepared him for his breakthrough opportunity.

Breakthrough with Trickster and rising prominence

In September 2019, Oulette was cast in the starring role of Jared for the CBC supernatural thriller series Trickster, based on Eden Robinson's novel Son of a Trickster. He was only 17 years old during filming, and the series premiered in October 2020 to significant attention for its Indigenous-led narrative. To promote the show, Oulette made an appearance during a commercial break on Hockey Night in Canada. His performance was critically acclaimed, leading to a nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021. This nomination solidified his status as a leading young actor in Canadian television and highlighted the growing space for Indigenous stories in mainstream media.

Following Trickster, Oulette continued to secure prominent roles. In 2021, he starred in an episode of the Netflix anthology series Two Sentence Horror Stories and played Derrick Desjardins in the thriller film Abducted. He took on the lead role of Ben Taggart in the first season of the BYUtv and Family Channel series Ruby and the Well. His career expanded further with a role in the 2023 Netflix series My Life With the Walter Boys. In 2022, he was cast as Hahn in the live action Netflix adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, a high profile project that introduced him to an international audience. In 2024, he co hosted the documentary series Warrior Up! alongside Anna Lambe and Joshua Odjick, focusing on Indigenous themes and stories.

Recent and upcoming projects

Oulette's career continues to evolve with major projects slated for release. In 2026, he portrayed the character Tommy Ross in Carrie, an eight episode horror miniseries developed by Mike Flanagan for Amazon Prime Video. The series is an adaptation of Stephen King's 1974 novel, and Oulette's character is the boyfriend of Sue Snell, played by Siena Agudong, who develops a friendship with the titular Carrie White, portrayed by Summer H. Howell. This role represents a significant entry into a major streaming horror production. He is also credited in the 2024 film Here. These projects demonstrate his range and his movement into larger scale, genre based television and film, building on his established reputation for selecting diverse and compelling roles.

Other media appearances and public advocacy

Beyond scripted acting, Oulette has participated in reality television and uses his platform for advocacy. In 2023, he and his sister Shayla Stonechild competed as a team on the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada. He is an outspoken Indigenous wellness advocate, often discussing the importance of authentic representation in film and television. In interviews, he has reflected on early experiences seeing non Indigenous actors playing Indigenous roles, which reinforced his commitment to creating opportunities for Indigenous talent. Oulette emphasizes the importance of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, both in his personal life and in his advice to aspiring actors from Indigenous communities. His public engagements often focus on the need for systemic change within the entertainment industry to better include Indigenous voices and perspectives.

Joel Oulette has stated he takes on almost every audition he gets, believing you never know who you will meet to help build your career. He feels life is too short to be picky unless a role conflicts with his personal beliefs. He aims to use his talents to further Indigenous representation and inclusion within the film and television industry. Oulette believes in surrounding himself with people who benefit him emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. He encourages others to pursue their desires, suggesting starting as an extra or in community theatre to get a foot in the door.

• He encourages aspiring actors to start with extra work or community theatre to gain practical experience.
• He advises taking on roles that are challenging and align with personal beliefs, but to be open to most opportunities.
• He stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people who contribute positively to personal growth.
• He advocates for using one's platform to further Indigenous representation and inclusion in media.
• He highlights the value of family support, crediting his mother and siblings for their early guidance.
• He views acting as a collaborative art form, describing the feeling of being part of a large crew creating a masterpiece.

Selected filmography and television roles

Joel Oulette's first film role was as an extra in the 2007 HBO television film Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee when he was five years old. He later had a small role in the 2018 film Alpha and a larger role in the 2020 drama Monkey Beach. His first starring television role was as Jared in the 2020 supernatural thriller series Trickster, which he filmed when he was 17 years old. Other notable roles include Runaway in the 2020 film Parallel Minds, Derrick Desjardins in the 2021 film Abducted, and Ben Taggart in the series Ruby and the Well. In 2026, he portrayed Tommy Ross in the Amazon Prime Video miniseries Carrie.

Joel Oulette's career includes roles in projects that advance Indigenous representation. He starred in the Indigenous Gothic series Trickster, which is based on Eden Robinson's book Son of a Trickster. He has spoken about the importance of authentic casting, recalling an early experience where white actors were painted to play Indigenous roles. His work also includes the documentary series Warrior Up!, which he co-hosted in 2024. Oulette's selection of roles demonstrates his commitment to cultural resonance and diverse storytelling across various platforms.

Awards and recognition

Oulette's work has been recognized by Canada's primary film and television awards body. His nomination for a Canadian Screen Award in 2021 for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Trickster was a landmark moment early in his career. This nomination acknowledged not only his individual performance but also the cultural impact of the series. While he has not yet won a major industry award, the nomination itself serves as a significant credential and reflects his rapid rise within the Canadian entertainment industry following his starring television debut.

A key early milestone for Joel Oulette was being cast in his first lead role at age seven for a short film called Perseverance. In 2021, he received a nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the Canadian Screen Awards for his performance in Trickster. He was cast in significant projects like the live-action Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender, where he played Hahn, released in 2024. In 2023, he expanded his public profile by competing with his sister on the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada. Another major milestone was his starring role as Tommy Ross in the 2026 miniseries adaptation of Carrie for Amazon Prime Video.

• 2007: First professional credit as an extra in Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
• 2019: Cast in the lead role of Jared for the series Trickster.
• 2020: Starring television debut with the premiere of Trickster.
• 2021: Received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
• 2022: Cast in the Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender.
• 2023: Competed on the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada.
• 2024: Co-hosted the documentary series Warrior Up!
• 2026: Portrayed Tommy Ross in the miniseries adaptation of Carrie.

Personal philosophy and industry impact

Oulette frequently speaks about the responsibilities and opportunities that come with his career. He views acting as a form of storytelling that can challenge misconceptions and foster greater understanding. He advocates for taking on roles that are challenging and align with one's beliefs, a principle he has followed since the start of his career. Having started as a child actor, he encourages newcomers to begin with extra work or community theatre to gain experience. Oulette is committed to using his multiple talents, including stunt work, to further Indigenous representation and inclusion, aiming to help build a more equitable industry for future generations. His perspective is shaped by his own early observations of inadequate representation, which fuel his dedication to creating change through his work and public statements.

Questions about Joel Oulette

What is Joel Oulette best known for?

Joel Oulette is best known for his lead role as Jared in the CBC supernatural drama series Trickster, which premiered in 2020. His performance in this series, for which he was only 17 during filming, earned him a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2021. The role marked his starring television debut and established him as a prominent young Indigenous actor in Canada. He is also recognized for his advocacy work for Indigenous representation in media.

How did Joel Oulette start his acting career?

Joel Oulette began acting at the age of five, encouraged by his family. His first professional credit was as an extra in the 2007 HBO film Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. He landed his first lead role at age seven in the short film Perseverance. He continued to take on small roles in films and television throughout his youth, which provided the foundation for his breakthrough role in Trickster over a decade later.

What is Joel Oulette's Indigenous heritage?

Joel Oulette is Red River Métis and Swampy Cree. He has specific ties to the Red River Métis Nation and the Cumberland House Cree Nation. He was born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta. His heritage is an important part of his identity, and he is an Indigenous wellness advocate. He has spoken about the importance of Indigenous representation in the film and television industry. He uses his platform to further inclusion for Indigenous peoples in media.

Did Joel Oulette compete on The Amazing Race Canada?

Yes, Joel Oulette competed on the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada in 2023. He participated as part of a team with his sister, Shayla Stonechild. The season aired in 2023, marking a venture into reality television for the actor. This experience allowed him to show a different side of his personality to Canadian audiences. Competing in the race was a significant event documented alongside his acting career.

What major role did Joel Oulette play in 2026?

In 2026, Joel Oulette portrayed Tommy Ross in Carrie, an eight-episode horror miniseries developed by Mike Flanagan for Amazon Prime Video. The series is based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel of the same name. His character, Tommy Ross, is the boyfriend of Sue Snell, portrayed by Siena Agudong, and develops a friendship with Carrie White, played by Summer H. Howell. This role marked his involvement in a high-profile adaptation of a classic horror story. It represented a continued expansion of his acting portfolio into major streaming productions.

Was Joel Oulette in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

Yes, Joel Oulette was cast as Hahn in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender. The series was released on Netflix in 2024. This role added a significant project to his filmography, joining a popular franchise. His casting was announced in 2022, and the show's release allowed him to reach a global audience. Playing Hahn contributed to his growing list of credits in prominent television series.

Sources and further reading

• Joel Oulette (Wikipedia)
• Joel Oulette | Reelworld (reelworld.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-29.