You probably first saw her in a boarding school uniform, eyes blazing with a mix of terror and defiance that most veteran actors can't pull off in a thirty-year career. Leenah Robinson didn't just walk onto the screen in Taylor Sheridan’s 1923; she basically kicked the door down.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a young performer hold their own against heavyweights like Helen Mirren or Harrison Ford, but Robinson did it without breaking a sweat. If you’ve been keeping tabs on leenah robinson movies and tv shows, you know she’s quickly becoming the go-to talent for gritty, high-stakes Indigenous storytelling. She isn't just a "rising star"—that's a cliché. She’s a shift in the atmosphere.
The 1923 Breakthrough and the Baapuxti Effect
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: 1923. When the Yellowstone prequel dropped on Paramount+, everyone was obsessed with the Duttons. But the heart-wrenching subplot involving the Catholic residential schools stole the show for a lot of us. Robinson played Baapuxti, the fiercely loyal friend to Aminah Nieves’ Teonna Rainwater.
It wasn't an easy watch. At all.
The role required a raw, visceral kind of vulnerability. You’ve got these scenes that are physically and emotionally taxing, depicting a dark chapter of history that many people are only just starting to acknowledge. Robinson brought a groundedness to Baapuxti. She wasn't just a victim; she was a girl trying to survive with her dignity intact. That performance put her on the map globally.
40 Acres and the Post-Apocalyptic Pivot
Fast forward to late 2024 and 2025, and Robinson shifted gears into something entirely different. If you haven't seen 40 Acres, find a way to watch it. It’s a Canadian post-apocalyptic thriller directed by R.T. Thorne, and it is intense.
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In this film, she plays Raine. The story follows a family (the Freemans) who are basically the last line of defense on their ancestral farm after a global famine wipes out most of society. Robinson stars alongside Danielle Deadwyler and Michael Greyeyes. Think about that for a second. Working with Deadwyler—who was robbed of an Oscar for Till, let's be real—is like going to the Harvard of acting.
What’s cool about Robinson in 40 Acres is how she handles the "action-thriller" vibe. It’s not just about looking tough with a weapon; it’s about the internal struggle of a kid who has grown up in a world where "humanity" is a luxury they can’t afford. The film premiered at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) and has been making waves for its unique "Black and Indigenous" perspective on the end of the world.
Why Don't Even is the Vibe Shift We Needed
If all she did was heavy drama, we might all need a collective nap. Thankfully, Robinson showed off her range in the 2024 series Don’t Even.
Basically, it's a coming-of-age comedy set in Winnipeg. It’s awkward, it’s funny, and it’s deeply Indigenous in its humor—which is to say, it’s dry and a little bit biting. Robinson plays Violet. Seeing her move from the trauma of 1923 to the teenage angst of Don’t Even is proof that she’s not a one-trick pony.
She captures that specific "end of high school" panic perfectly. You know the feeling: that weird limbo where you’re supposed to be an adult but you still feel like a kid who doesn't know where to sit at lunch.
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A Growing List: Other Leenah Robinson Projects
If you're digging through her filmography, there are a few other gems you shouldn't skip.
- Monkey Beach (2020): This was one of her earlier big breaks. Based on the famous Eden Robinson novel, it’s a supernatural mystery that feels like a fever dream in the best way possible.
- Rehab: She played Tara Cardinal in this project, further cementing her place in the Canadian indie scene.
- Bones of Crows: Another heavy hitter. This psychological drama spans generations, and Robinson’s involvement here shows her commitment to projects that actually mean something.
The 2026 Outlook
What’s next? Well, as of early 2026, the industry buzz is all about her potential involvement in major streaming series. There are rumors—though nothing confirmed by her reps yet—of her moving into the neo-Western space again, or perhaps a jump into the MCU/DC world given her ability to handle physical roles.
One thing is certain: she's at that stage where she can afford to be picky.
The Cultural Impact of Her Work
We have to acknowledge that Robinson is part of a massive surge in Indigenous representation that feels authentic. For a long time, Indigenous actors were relegated to "background" or "mystical guide" roles.
Robinson doesn't do that.
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Her characters are messy. They are angry. They are funny. They are deeply human. By choosing roles in leenah robinson movies and tv shows that challenge the viewer, she’s helping to rewrite the Hollywood playbook. She’s not just "representing"; she’s leading.
How to Keep Up With Leenah
If you’re a fan, here is how you should actually follow her career without getting lost in the noise:
- Watch the Canadian Indies: Don't just wait for her to be in a Marvel movie. Her best work is often in the smaller, grittier Canadian films like 40 Acres.
- Follow the Festivals: Keep an eye on TIFF and Sundance news. Robinson is a festival darling, and that’s usually where her best projects debut.
- Binge 1923 Again: Seriously, her performance in the latter half of the season is a masterclass in silent acting.
You should definitely check out the 1923 roundtable interviews on YouTube if you want to see her real personality—she’s way more laid back and funny than her onscreen characters suggest. It's wild to see the contrast between the person and the craft.
The best way to support her right now is to stream Don't Even on Crave or whichever platform has it in your region. Supporting Indigenous-led comedies is the only way we get more of them. Robinson has already proven she’s here to stay; now we just get to watch how far she takes it.
Check her out in 40 Acres as soon as it hits your local digital storefront—it’s the kind of performance that people will be talking about during award season.