Dawn

Dawn (Nazneen Contractor) is Astrid’s (Meaghan Rath) successful and mildly pretentious older sister. As Head of Human Resources at a massive multinational NGO, Dawn travels the world firing people. A consummate professional, Dawn can be blunt, even with her family, but she’s never cruel. She loves and supports her sister. At times condescending, she’s a positive force in Astrid’s life. Dawn has one son, Corey (Darius Rota) and is so happily married, she and her husband Bo (Dmitry Chepovetsky) renew their vows every year. 

Nazneen Contractor stars in the CTV Original comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHINGas Dawn, Astrid’s (Meaghan Rath) mildly pretentious older sister.

Known for her role as ‘Zara Hallam’ in the Frank Spotnitz produced drama series, RANSOM, Contractor was born in Mumbai, India and raised in Nigeria, Africa, until the age of seven; she attended boarding school in London before her family moved to Toronto, Canada. It wasn’t until the age of 16 when she realized she wanted to pursue acting seriously. One year into her studies at University, Contractor went to an open call audition for the play Periclesat the prestigious Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada, landing the female lead role.

By the third season with the company, Contractor set her sights on a career in film and television, quickly booking a regular role in the Fox pilot, THE PAPDITS. Soon after, she landed the role of Layla Hourani in THE BORDER; a Canadian produced drama for CBC. The series aired worldwide, garnering Nazneen a Golden Nymph Award nomination at The Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

Upon moving to Los Angeles, Contractor booked the role of ‘Kayla Hassan’ in the eighth season of the hit Fox drama series, 24. Other roles soon followed, including a recurring role on CBS comedy RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, starring David Spade. Contractor later joined the cast of the final season of hit drama COVERT AFFAIRS, opposite Piper Perabo, before landing the role of ‘Farah Nazan’ in NBC’s revival, HEROES REBORN. In early 2016, Nazneen earned a straight offer from one of her industry heroes, Dick Wolf, for the drama CHICAGO JUSTICE. On the film front, Contractor appeared as Rima Harewood in the record-breaking Paramount feature film, Star Trek Into Darkness, directed by JJ Abrams.

When not working, Contractor is an avid runner and yogi. Philanthropy is a huge priority for her, and she supports such organizations as Second Harvest to feed the homeless and Look Good Feel Better, supporting women with cancer. Contractor currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and Border Terrier.