You know that feeling when you're watching a show and one character just feels like the anchor? That’s Stevie Budd. While the Roses are busy screaming about designer bags and "fold in the cheese," Stevie is the one standing behind the desk, wearing a flannel shirt and judging them with her eyes. Honestly, the show wouldn't work without her. But if you’ve been binge-watching and wondering who plays Stevie in Schitt's Creek, the answer is Emily Hampshire.
She isn't just a girl in a plaid shirt.
Hampshire is a Canadian powerhouse who basically lived two lives while filming the show. It’s wild, actually. She was playing Stevie, the sardonic, deadpan motel clerk in Ontario, while simultaneously playing Jennifer Goines—a manic, erratic, "primary" character—in the Syfy series 12 Monkeys in Toronto. Imagine the whiplash. One day she's the voice of reason for David Rose, and the next, she’s a chaotic genius trying to save the timeline.
Emily Hampshire: More Than Just the Motel Clerk
The actress behind Stevie Budd has a career that stretches way back before she ever stepped foot into the Rosebud Motel. Born in Montreal in 1981, Hampshire has been a working actor since she was a teenager. She didn't just stumble into this role; she fought through years of being told she "wasn't funny" by casting directors.
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Can you believe that? The person who gave us some of the driest, most perfectly timed comedy in modern TV was once told she didn't have the chops for it.
Her filmography is actually pretty deep. Before the Rose family lost their fortune, Hampshire was starring in indie gems like The Trotsky and David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis. She’s got this specific vibe—a mix of vulnerability and "don't mess with me"—that Dan Levy saw immediately.
Why the Stevie-David Dynamic Worked
It wasn't just acting. Emily Hampshire and Dan Levy are actually close friends in real life. That chemistry you see on screen? It’s mostly real. They’ve talked in interviews about how they’d hang out off-set, and that comfort level allowed them to push the boundaries of the "best friend" trope.
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Stevie wasn't meant to be the "funny" one in the traditional sense. She was the "straight man." Against the high-octane theatricality of Moira Rose, Stevie’s stillness was the joke.
- She’s the audience surrogate.
- She says what we’re thinking.
- Her growth from a cynical loner to a business owner is the emotional heart of the series.
Beyond the Plaid: Hampshire's Life and Career Now
Since Schitt's Creek wrapped its historic Emmy-sweeping run in 2020, Hampshire hasn't slowed down. She’s moved into producing and writing, even releasing a graphic novel called Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch.
She’s also been incredibly open about her personal life, which has endeared her to fans even more. Following a scene where David Rose explains pansexuality using a wine analogy ("I like the wine and not the label"), Hampshire realized the term applied to her too. She’s since become a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, using her platform to push for better representation.
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You’ve probably seen her in other stuff recently without even realizing it. She starred in the supernatural thriller The Rig on Amazon Prime and the horror-drama Chapelwaite alongside Adrien Brody. She’s even joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe—sorta—voicing the AI E.D.I.T.H. in the Vision series.
What Most People Get Wrong About Stevie
People think Stevie was just "lucky" to be David's friend. No way. Stevie was the one who gave the Roses a reason to stay. She was the first person to treat them like humans instead of walking bank accounts.
When she performed "Maybe This Time" in the Season 5 finale's production of Cabaret, it wasn't just a musical number. It was the moment the character (and the actress) proved they belonged center stage. Emily Hampshire didn't just play a sidekick; she played the soul of the town.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you've finished the show and have a Stevie-sized hole in your heart, here is how to dive deeper into Emily Hampshire's world:
- Watch 12 Monkeys: To see her range, watch her play Jennifer Goines. It’s the total opposite of Stevie and will make you respect her acting 100% more.
- Read "Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch": If you want to see her creative voice as a writer, her graphic novel is the place to start.
- Check out The Rig: For a darker, more intense performance, this series shows she can handle high-stakes drama just as well as deadpan comedy.
- Follow her social media: She’s known for being genuinely funny and interactive with fans, often sharing behind-the-scenes memories of her time at the Rosebud Motel.