Julie Nolke proved to be a generational talent with her ability to make us laugh during the darkest moments of the pandemic with her YouTube channel comedy series Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self. And now, she’s getting ready to launch a new YouTube channel with a broader cast to showcase Canadian comedians. After achieving one million subscribers on her YouTube channel, her role on the CBC sitcom Run the Burbs, and prepping her new YouTube project, Nolke is primed for a breakout year.
Describe what you do?
I am a Canadian actor, writer, and Youtube creator. I work mainly on my self-titled Youtube channel – which has over one million subscribers – but I also write and act in film and TV. You can catch me in the CBC’s latest comedy, Run the Burbs, as the character Sam.
How did you get started?
I moved to Toronto to go to theatre school. After graduating, I tried to make it in the film and TV industry for several years without much luck. I was two years out of theatre school and completely heartbroken by the acting industry. I had tried every avenue to get a foot in the door, but the industry has so many gatekeepers that I couldn’t gain any traction. I worked two jobs and couldn’t afford acting classes, so I couldn’t even practice my craft. That’s when I began the YouTube channel. I wanted an opportunity to practice in front of a camera and scratch my creative itch.
During the pandemic, your video series Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self went viral. How was that experience?
It was incredibly surreal. As a Youtube creator, you always dream of this type of thing happening. I mean, it’s not the reason why we create in the first place but it sure is an amazing form of validation. As a comedian and artist, it was a dream come true. We make stuff with the hopes that it resonates with a wide audience. Knowing that my work was entertaining and touching to a world of people was a bucket list event.
Did you expect people to embrace you as they did?
Before I went viral I had a pretty small but loyal community. I absolutely did not expect that so many people would take to my content or me as a person so positively. I was told in theatre school that I couldn’t be funny and should stick to playing “girl next door” roles. I think I carried that self-doubt with me for a long time so it was nice when the world saw my work and reaffirmed my belief in myself as a comedy person.
You’re now on the TV sitcom Run The Burbs. What has the experience been like so far?
I’ve been in commercials, small roles in different series, and done my fair share of background work over the years. Run the Burbs is my first large recurring role. It’s a fantastic set to work on with a very talented group of people. I’m always shocked by how many people it takes to make a TV show, and I love its collaboration.
What do you have coming in the pipeline that we can plug for you?
Season 2 of Run the Burbs films this fall! Also, I’m working on launching a new Youtube channel which will incorporate a larger cast and more hilarious sketches. Follow me on my social for updates.
IG: @julienolke | YT: Julie Nolke
