Aliyah O’Brien’s acting career has brought her many roles, but her time on Rookie Blue gave her something deeper — recognition, praise from her co-stars, and a loyal new fan base. The Victoria-born actress says her outlook on life and career comes from her free-spirited parents, who encouraged joy and creativity from the start.
Charlotte Sullivan, her Rookie Blue co-star, once called O’Brien “the coolest chick on the planet.” The remark came after Sullivan’s character, Gail Peck, shared a pivotal on-screen kiss with O’Brien’s character, Holly Stewart. The scene, which revealed a same-sex romance, became one of the most memorable storylines of the show’s fifth season.
O’Brien said she felt proud to be part of a storyline that treated same-sex relationships with respect. She noted that television often uses such moments for quick ratings, but this role was about showing two people in love. Her performance drew heartfelt messages from fans, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, who appreciated seeing a realistic relationship on screen.
The actress laughed when asked about her on-screen chemistry with Sullivan. She said the scene felt no different from working with a male co-star — more about timing and camera angles than romance. Still, she acknowledged that fans embraced the connection and enjoyed the authenticity the two brought to the show.
Since moving to Vancouver in 2007, O’Brien has appeared in a wide range of television series and films. She first gained attention with a role in Intelligence before guest appearances on Supernatural, Eureka, Smallville, and Psych. Her resume also includes playing Afina, the powerful vampire queen in Sanctuary, a tough fighter in the action film Maximum Conviction, and Regina in the thriller Bates Motel. Each role, she says, came with its own challenges, but Rookie Blue introduced her to a broader audience and gave her lasting fan support. Many of her followers now come from the LGBTQ+ community, a fact she embraces with gratitude.
Before her acting career took off, O’Brien was active in musical theatre during her school years in Victoria, despite joking that she was “the worst singer ever.” Her interest in movement and health led her to study kinesiology at Camosun College. She later worked as a personal trainer at Club Phoenix and the University of Victoria before pursuing acting full-time. Her love of adventure also shaped her life. She traveled to 30 countries after graduation, calling herself an adrenaline junkie with a deep passion for healthy living. She credits her parents for instilling her with optimism and a zest for life. Her mother, she recalls, believed in four hugs a day and sang to her each morning. Homemade fruit leathers in her lunchbox and afternoons spent making crafts for local markets became cherished memories. “My parents were constantly encouraging joy,” O’Brien has said. That joyful upbringing continues to guide her today.
O’Brien’s enthusiasm for life also shines through in projects outside of acting. She joined her friend Eyoalha Baker’s Jump for Joy photo project, which captures people around the world leaping into the air to celebrate positivity and spirit. For O’Brien, the experience was a natural fit, reflecting her outlook on both life and career. She also recalls the demanding physicality of roles like the vampire queen in Sanctuary, which required heavy costumes, long nails, and complex fight choreography. Despite the discomfort, she embraced the challenge as part of her growth as an actor.
More recently, she appeared in the police drama Motive and worked alongside Vera Farmiga on Bates Motel. O’Brien has also taken on roles in film projects like Monster Trucks, further showcasing her range. From her early days in Victoria to her breakout roles in television and film, Aliyah O’Brien has built a career filled with variety, spirit, and purpose. Whether playing a powerful vampire, a dedicated pathologist, or a bartender with charm, she brings authenticity to every role. But at the heart of her journey is the influence of her parents and the joyful upbringing they gave her. That foundation, O’Brien says, continues to guide her as she grows both personally and professionally — a reminder that free-spirited beginnings can shape a lasting career.
