If you’ve spent any time lately trapped in a mysterious town where monsters come out at night, you know exactly who Elizabeth Saunders is. Even if you don't know her name, you know that face. It’s the face of Donna Raines, the tough-as-nails, shotgun-toting matriarch of Colony House in the hit MGM+ series From.
Saunders has this incredible ability to look like she’s seen everything and is absolutely done with your nonsense. But here’s the thing: she didn't just appear out of thin air to save Harold Perrineau from ghouls. Her career is a massive, winding road of Canadian prestige TV, cult classic horror, and—believe it or not—a very famous animated turtle.
From Colony House to Derry: The Horror Queen Era
Honestly, it’s hard to talk about Elizabeth Saunders movies and tv shows without starting with the "Horror Renaissance" she’s currently leading.
In From, she plays Donna. She isn’t just a side character; she is the emotional (and often physical) backbone of the show. While everyone else is panicking about the "talismans" or the "Boy in White," Donna is usually the one making sure people have food and a roof that isn't falling in. She plays it with this weary, grounded intensity that makes the supernatural elements feel terrifyingly real.
But before she was defending Colony House, she was busy dealing with a different kind of monster. Did you catch her in the 2017 remake of IT? She played Mrs. Starrett. It wasn't a huge role, but she has a knack for making small moments feel lived-in.
✨ Don't miss: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Then there’s the David Cronenberg connection. She recently appeared in The Shrouds (2024), which is basically peak "prestige horror." Working with Cronenberg is a bit of a badge of honor in the industry, and it proves she’s moved into that upper echelon of character actors who directors call when they need someone with genuine weight.
Wait, She Was the Voice of Who?
This is the part that usually blows people's minds. If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, Elizabeth Saunders was a constant presence in your living room.
She was the voice of Mrs. Turtle in Franklin.
Yeah. The same woman who screams at people to get inside before the monsters eat them in From was the gentle, patient mother of the turtle who "could count by twos and tie his shoes." It’s a testament to her range. She voiced that character from 1997 all the way through 2004, including the various movies like Franklin's Magic Christmas.
🔗 Read more: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
She didn't stop at turtles, either. Her voice work extends into the anime world—specifically the DiC dub of Sailor Moon, where she voiced the Wicked Lady. If you’re a 90s kid, she was basically the soundtrack to your childhood.
The "Oh, It’s Her!" TV Credits
You’ve definitely seen her in at least five other things without realizing it. She’s one of those actors who pops up in every major Canadian-filmed production.
- Orphan Black: She had a stint here as Dr. Leekie’s assistant.
- Schitt’s Creek: She played a character named Bev.
- Clarice: She played Bea Love in the Silence of the Lambs spin-off.
- Alias Grace: She was in the celebrated Margaret Atwood adaptation.
- Mary Kills People: This one actually earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination.
She also has a weirdly strong connection to cult classics. She was in The Boondock Saints (1999) as the "Maid." It’s a tiny part, but that movie has such a massive following that it’s a permanent fixture on her resume.
Why She’s Finally Getting Her Due
For years, Saunders was the "secret weapon" of the Toronto acting scene. She spent years at the Shaw Festival, doing heavy-duty theater work like Counsellor-At-Law and This Happy Breed. You can see that stage training in her TV work; she has a physical presence that a lot of screen-only actors lack.
💡 You might also like: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
When From became a sleeper hit on streaming, the world finally caught up to what Canadian casting directors have known for decades. She’s capable of being terrifying, maternal, hilarious, and broken all in the same scene.
Recent and Upcoming Highlights
- 40 Acres (2024): A post-apocalyptic thriller where she continues her streak of playing survivors in harsh worlds.
- The Shrouds (2024): The aforementioned Cronenberg film.
- From Season 3 and 4: As the show deepens its mystery, Donna’s role has only become more central.
How to Watch the Best of Elizabeth Saunders
If you want to actually dive into her filmography, don’t just stick to the hits.
Start with From on MGM+ (or Prime Video depending on where you live) to see her at her peak. Then, go back and find Mary Kills People. It’s a darker, more nuanced performance that shows why she’s so respected in the industry. If you have kids (or just want a hit of nostalgia), put on an episode of Franklin. Trying to reconcile the voice of Mrs. Turtle with the woman shouting "Get in the house!" in From is a fun afternoon by itself.
The best way to keep up with her is to watch the "filmed in Toronto" credits. She’s a staple of that world, and as horror continues to dominate the streaming charts, expect to see her face—and hear that iconic voice—a lot more often.
Next Steps for Fans: Check out the 2024 film 40 Acres if you can find it at a festival or on digital; it’s a great companion piece to her work in From. Also, keep an eye on the Saturn Award results—her nomination for Donna Raines is a big deal and might finally land her an American lead role soon.