[1] Born in England, Gilsenan moved to Canada in her early 20s, and began her career as a stage actress with the Canadian Stage Company and the Shaw Festival.
[2] She was a four-time Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee for her stage work, receiving nods for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role in 1980 for Strawberry Fields,[3] Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Play (Midsize Theatre) in 1995 for The Stillborn Lover,[4] Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Musical (Large Theatre) in 1996 for A Little Night Music,[5] and Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Play (Large Theatre) in 1997 for Thirteen Hands.
[2] On television she starred in the 1993 film Coming of Age,[6] but principally had supporting and guest roles until being cast as a regular in Riverdale.
[2] Of her character, Gilsenan said that "she's not totally nice -- she's very selfish, very snobbish, but she also has wonderful qualities.
"[2] Gilsenan was battling cancer for much of her stint on the series,[1] but delayed chemotherapy because her early treatments made her too weak and tired and she did not want to give up her acting roles.