Rossif Sutherland

Early Life and Family

Rossif Racette-Sutherland was born on September 25, 1978, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the second son of Canadian actors Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette, placing him within a prominent acting family. His siblings include his full brothers, actor Angus Sutherland and Roeg Sutherland, and his paternal half-siblings, actor Kiefer Sutherland and Rachel Sutherland. At the age of seven, Sutherland moved with his family to Paris, France, where he spent a significant part of his upbringing. He later returned to North America for higher education, studying philosophy at Princeton University in the United States. His first name was given in honour of the French documentary filmmaker Frédéric Rossif, reflecting his family's artistic connections.

Television Roles and Breakthrough

Sutherland's television career includes a mix of guest spots, recurring roles, and leading parts in series. He had a recurring role during the tenth season of the long-running American medical drama ER . His guest appearances include an episode of Monk titled "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective" and several episodes in the fifth season of the spy series Covert Affairs . In 2012, he joined the cast of the Canadian legal drama television series King . Sutherland has also starred in several television films for Lifetime, portraying real-life criminals in their "Ripped from the Headlines" series. These include his 2018 portrayal of serial killer Bobby Joe Long in Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey and his 2023 role as inmate Casey White in Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story . By the fall of 2024, Sutherland took on a leading role in the Canadian-produced psychological crime drama Murder in a Small Town . He stars as Karl Alberg opposite Kristin Kreuk's Cassandra, in a series adaptation of L.R. Wright's "Alberg and Cassandra Mysteries" novels.

Awards and Recognition

Rossif Sutherland's performance in the 2015 film River was recognized with a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award in 2016. This nomination marked a significant moment in his career, highlighting his work within the Canadian film industry. The Canadian Screen Awards are among the country's highest honours for film and television, making his nomination a notable achievement. His body of work, which includes a variety of genres from indie drama to historical fantasy, demonstrates his versatility as an actor. While he has not yet won a major award, his consistent presence in both Canadian and international productions points to his established professional reputation.

Selected Filmography

Rossif Sutherland is a Canadian actor with a varied career in film and television. His early roles included appearances in the movie Timeline and the film Red Doors. He later had a recurring role on the television show ER during its tenth season. More recent projects include starring in the 2024 drama Murder in a Small Town.

• ER (Season 10): Recurring role.
• Monk (Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective"): Guest appearance.
• Covert Affairs (Season 5): Guest appearance in several episodes.
• King (2012): Cast member.
• Murder in a Small Town (2024): Starring role as Karl Alberg.

Personal Life and Family Details

Rossif Sutherland maintains a private personal life, with a few details known publicly. In February 2016, he married British actress Celina Sinden, whom he met while both were working on the television series Reign. The couple has one son together. Sutherland is bilingual, speaking both English and French fluently, a skill honed during his childhood years living in Paris. His multicultural upbringing and education have contributed to his ability to work comfortably in different cultural and linguistic contexts. He continues to work primarily as an actor, balancing projects in Canada and the United States. Sutherland's immediate family members, all connected to the arts, are listed below.

• Father: Donald Sutherland (actor).
• Mother: Francine Racette (actor).
• Full Brothers: Angus Sutherland (actor) and Roeg Sutherland.
• Paternal Half-Brother: Kiefer Sutherland (actor).
• Paternal Half-Sister: Rachel Sutherland.
• Spouse: Celina Sinden (actor, married 2016).
• Child: One son.

Questions about Rossif Sutherland

Who are Rossif Sutherland's parents and siblings?

Rossif Sutherland is the son of legendary Canadian actors Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette. His full brothers are actor Angus Sutherland and Roeg Sutherland. Through his father's previous marriage, he is the half-brother of actor Kiefer Sutherland and his twin sister, Rachel Sutherland. This places him within one of Canada's most recognized acting families.

What is Rossif Sutherland best known for?

Rossif Sutherland is known for a variety of film and television roles. He gained early recognition for his role in the film Poor Boy's Game and his recurring part on ER. He is also known for playing Nostradamus on the TV series Reign and for his Canadian Screen Award-nominated performance in the film River. More recently, he stars as Karl Alberg in the Canadian crime drama Murder in a Small Town.

Did Rossif Sutherland win any awards for his acting?

Rossif Sutherland has not won a major acting award. He did, however, receive a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2016 for his performance in the independent film River. This nomination is a notable recognition within the Canadian film industry. Sutherland's career includes various film and television roles, but this nomination is a key professional highlight. His other film work from that period includes starring in Hyena Road, also released in 2015.

Is Rossif Sutherland married?

Yes, Rossif Sutherland is married. He wed British actress Celina Sinden in February 2016. The couple met while working together on the American historical fantasy television series Reign, where Sutherland played Nostradamus and Sinden was also a cast member. They have one son together. This personal detail is part of his biography alongside his professional acting career.

What languages does Rossif Sutherland speak?

Rossif Sutherland speaks French. This ability is connected to his early life, as he lived in Paris from the age of seven after being born in Vancouver. His international upbringing and education, which later included studying philosophy at Princeton University, contribute to his linguistic skill. Speaking French is a noted part of his personal background in available biographical sources.

What was Rossif Sutherland's role in 'Murder in a Small Town'?

In the Canadian produced drama Murder in a Small Town, Rossif Sutherland stars as Karl Alberg. The show is a psychological crime drama based on the 'Alberg and Cassandra Mysteries' crime fiction series by author L R Wright. His co star in the series is Kristin Kreuk, who plays Cassandra. By fall 2024, Sutherland had starred in this project, which represents one of his more recent leading television roles.

Sources and further reading

• Rossif Sutherland (Wikipedia)
• Rossif Sutherland Movies & TV Shows List (rottentomatoes.com)
• Rossif Sutherland: Biography, Movies, Net Worth & Photos (screendollars.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.