Biography

Karen is best known for her recurring role of 'Ingrid Rowley' in the popular series BOMB GIRLS.

Born in Manchester, England. Till the age of six and a half, there were many childhood visits over the border to her father's side of the family in Glasgow. She is the first born daughter to a registered nurse, Mary Gilfillan, and Norman Waddell, a Scottish Mechanical Engineer. The family eventually moved to the Eastern Townships of Quebec to the university town of Lennoxville. (She attributes her early love of theatre spending many evenings watching the talented casts and her mother play roles in magical productions of Gilbert and Sullivan on Bishop's University stage)

Later, while pursuing a career program in Environmental Sciences in Montreal, Karen auditioned for the college main stage play on a whim and landed the lead in Dark of the Moon. The role and experience deeply changed her life, so much so Karen left the sciences behind and entered a three-year conservatory drama program at The DOME in Montreal. From there she earned a scholarship to pursue master classes at The Banff Centre For The Arts in Alberta.

For over 20 years, Karen has worked in Toronto in various films, television series, on- camera and radio commercials, narration projects, as well as performing on the professional stage throughout Canada. Favorite TV credits include 'Margaret' in JOHN A.- THE BIRTH OF A NATION, CRACKED and recurring roles in the series ANIMORPHS, GOOSEBUMPS and Disney's FLASH FORWARD.

Karen is married to Canadian actor, John Ralston and they have two teenage boys. Their youngest, Stuart Ralston is also a professional actor.

Karen is also a Center for Mindfulness trained (@ UMass Medical School) Qualified Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction Teacher.
- IMDb mini biography by: Karen Waddell