She is not just another face on screen. Jessica Matten is a Canadian actress, film producer, and Indigenous rights advocate who has spent three decades shaking things up both in Hollywood and in communities across Canada.
From modeling runways in London to playing a tough Navajo police sergeant on AMC’s Dark Winds, her journey is the kind of story that earns your attention. In 2026, with a landmark voice role in the upcoming Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender movie on the horizon, Jessica Matten’s career is hitting its most exciting peak yet.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Jessica Matten
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jessica Matten |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1985 |
| Age (2026) | 40 years old |
| Birthplace | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Red River Métis, Saulteaux-Cree, British-Chinese |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5 ft 9–10 in (175–178 cm) |
| Weight | ~130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-35 inches |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Film Producer, Wellness Advocate |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~$3 million USD |
| Partner | Brendt Thomas Diabo (since ~2016) |
| @jessicamatten (~77,000 followers) | |
| Notable Works | Dark Winds, Tribal, Frontier, Rez Ball |
Who is Jessica Matten?
Jessica Matten is a Red River Métis actress and film producer from Edmonton, Alberta. She has become one of the most recognized Indigenous actresses working in Hollywood today.
She is best known for playing Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito in the AMC crime drama Dark Winds, now in its fourth season as of 2026. Her performance opposite Zahn McClarnon has earned her widespread critical praise and a loyal fanbase.
Beyond acting, she is a wellness entrepreneur, suicide prevention advocate, and founder of Indigenous-focused institutions supporting Native youth across Canada and the United States. Named one of Canada’s most promising talents by The Hollywood Reporter, she represents a new generation of Indigenous actresses redefining representation in mainstream media.
How Old is Jessica Matten? Age and Birthday
Jessica Matten was born on November 30, 1985, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. That makes her 40 years old as of 2026, having celebrated her milestone birthday in November 2025.
Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius, a fitting match for someone known for her adventurous spirit and fearless career choices.
She started her professional journey at age six through modeling and began pursuing acting in her mid-twenties. She has now been a part of the entertainment industry in various capacities for over two decades.
Jessica Matten’s Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Jessica Matten stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. She confirmed this on her own Instagram, stating, “I’m 5’10” tall. I love my height.”
She weighs around 130 pounds (59 kg), with body measurements estimated at 34-25-35 inches and a bra size of 34B.
Her height has been a major asset in both modeling and acting, allowing her to compete in Jiujitsu matches against male opponents and take on physically demanding stunt roles with real authority on screen.
| Measurement | Detail |
| Height | 5 ft 9–10 in / 175–178 cm |
| Weight | ~130 lbs / 59 kg |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-35 inches |
| Bra Size | 34B |
| Hair | Black |
| Eyes | Brown |
Career
Early Modeling and Education
From age six, Jessica assisted with her mother’s First Nations modeling agency, Mystique Models, traveling across Canada. This early exposure gave her a deep connection to Indigenous identity and community life.
She later graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in human ecology with a minor in marketing. She also studied acting at Shoreline Studios Vancouver Acting School and modeling at both Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion.
Her commercial work included campaigns for Nature Valley and Nintendo Wii. She worked in fashion runway shows and at her father’s London marketing firm before committing fully to acting.
Television Breakthrough
Matten made her film debut in the 2010 comedy Eddie’s Stereotype and made major waves starring in Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers’ award-winning short film A Red Girl’s Reasoning (2012).
She gained further recognition playing the recurring role of Gia on Blackstone on APTN. Her international breakthrough came when she joined Jason Momoa’s Frontier on Discovery Canada and Netflix, appearing across 18 episodes between 2016 and 2018.
She went on to appear in five international and Native People’s television series within eight years, including the CW Network and CBC drama Burden of Truth.
Tribal and Dark Winds Success
In 2020, Matten took the lead role in Tribal on APTN, playing the newly appointed chief of an Indigenous police force in Alberta. She also served as associate producer on the series.
She then became a household name as Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito in Dark Winds, which premiered on AMC in 2022 and is currently airing its fourth season. The character is the only female sergeant in a Navajo reservation police department.
The Bernadette Manuelito role has become one of the most compelling female leads in cable television today, drawing comparisons to classic detective drama heroines.
Film Work
In 2020, Matten appeared in the horror film The Empty Man for Disney/20th Century Fox. She then starred in Rez Ball (2024) on Netflix as Heather Hobbs, a story about a Native American high school basketball team competing for the state championship.
Rez Ball, produced in association with LeBron James, became a celebrated Netflix release shining a light on Indigenous athletic excellence and community spirit.
Voice Acting
Matten voices Katara in the upcoming Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender animated movie, releasing on October 9, 2026. The casting director cited a deliberate effort to match voice actors’ ethnic and racial backgrounds to their characters.
This landmark role places Matten at the center of one of 2026’s most anticipated animated films, significantly expanding her reach beyond live-action television.
Production Company
Matten is president of 7 Forward Entertainment, an Indigenous-owned production company based on the West Coast of Canada. She is also co-founder of the Counting Coup Indigenous Film Academy (CCIFA), which trains emerging First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists in film and stunt combat.
Jessica Matten Awards and Achievements in Film and Television
Jessica Matten has accumulated a notable list of honors throughout her career:
- American Indian Film Festival Best Actress Award A Red Girl’s Reasoning
- Imagine Native Film Festival Award A Red Girl’s Reasoning
- Variety Faith and Spirituality Award (December 2025), alongside Ziggy Marley and Jay Shetty
- Bold Beacon Award (2026) Black Theatre Coalition
- Chadwick Boseman Changemaker Award (March 2026), alongside Taraji P. Henson
- Named one of Canada’s most promising talents by The Hollywood Reporter
- Performed in three Canadian Screen Award-nominated series: Frontier, Blackstone, and Mohawk Girls
Top Movies and TV Shows Featuring Jessica Matten You Must Watch
| Title | Year | Role | Platform |
| Dark Winds | 2022–2026 | Bernadette Manuelito | AMC |
| Frontier | 2016–2018 | Sokanon | Netflix / Discovery Canada |
| Tribal | 2020–2021 | Chief (lead) | APTN |
| Rez Ball | 2024 | Heather Hobbs | Netflix |
| The Empty Man | 2020 | Supporting | Disney / 20th Century Fox |
| Burden of Truth | 2018–2019 | Guest role | CW / CBC |
| Blackstone | 2011–2014 | Gia (recurring) | APTN |
| A Red Girl’s Reasoning | 2012 | Delia (lead) | Short film |
| Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender | 2026 | Katara (voice) | Paramount |
| Tales from the Rez | 2025 | Producer / Cast | AMC+ |
Jessica Matten Indigenous Heritage, Ethnicity, and Cultural Influence
Matten was born in Edmonton, Alberta, with British-Chinese ancestry through her father and Red River Métis/Saulteaux-Cree heritage through her mother, Therese Ducharme. She is a direct descendant of Cuthbert Grant, the first rebel Métis leader known for the Battle of Seven Oaks in Canada.
Her mixed Métis-Cree heritage is not a background detail, it is the foundation of everything she does. From the stories she chooses to tell to the companies she builds, Indigenous identity runs through every part of her career.
Named one of Canada’s most promising talents by The Hollywood Reporter and praised by The Globe and Mail, she is widely recognized as a torchbearer for Indigenous representation in Hollywood. She uses every major platform she earns to advocate for greater authenticity and inclusion in mainstream media.
What is Jessica Matten’s Net Worth?
As of 2026, Jessica Matten’s net worth is estimated at $3 million USD. She has built her wealth through a combination of acting, production, modeling, and business ventures over more than 16 years.
Her income streams are diverse and steadily growing:
- Television salary Dark Winds (AMC series regular, 24 episodes through Season 4)
- Film royalties Rez Ball (Netflix), The Empty Man (Disney/20th Century Fox)
- Voice acting Katara in Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender (2026)
- Production revenue 7 Forward Entertainment, Tales from the Rez on AMC+
- Wellness business Lemon Cree, her Indigenous fitness and wellness company
- Speaking engagements Listed with All American Speakers Bureau
Lead actors on AMC series typically earn between $50,000 and $150,000 per episode. Her exact Dark Winds salary has not been publicly disclosed.
Is Jessica Matten Married? Partner and Relationship Status
Jessica Matten is not married as of 2026. She has been in a relationship with Brendt Thomas Diabo, a Mohawk actor, artist, and rock musician, since around 2016.
The couple met while filming the Netflix series Frontier, where Matten played Sokanon and Diabo had a supporting role. As of 2026, they have been together for approximately a decade.
Matten keeps her personal life very private. She does not have any publicly known children and has channeled her energy into her acting career and community advocacy work.
Family Background
Jessica Matten comes from a family with deep roots in Indigenous activism and creative work.
- Mother: Therese Ducharme Red River Métis and Saulteaux-Cree activist, performer, and former model. She founded Mystique Models, one of the first First Nations modeling agencies in Canada.
- Father: British-Chinese heritage, businessman and marketer. Jessica worked in his London marketing firm in her early twenties.
- Ancestry: Direct descendant of Cuthbert Grant, the legendary first rebel Métis leader and hero of the Battle of Seven Oaks.
- Family business: She co-runs Lemon Cree, an Indigenous wellness and fitness company, with her family.
Her mother and she have jointly done a speaking tour titled “Indigenous Women Breaking Barriers: A Mother and Daughter Story,” reflecting how deeply their shared mission runs.
Jessica Matten’s Wellness Work and Advocacy
Matten’s off-screen work is just as impactful as her performances on camera. She has worked for over 25 years in suicide prevention and addiction counseling for Native communities, particularly youth.
She has funded programs for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, supported the Navajo Nation’s first all-matriarch Skatepark, and premiered her documentary Boil Alert, which highlights the lack of clean drinking water across Native reserves in North America.
She also runs the viral campaign #N8Vgirls, raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Her advocacy earned her the Chadwick Boseman Changemaker Award in March 2026, presented alongside Taraji P. Henson.
Martial Arts and Stunt Work
Jessica Matten is not just playing tough on screen. She trained competitively in Brazilian Jiujitsu and regularly won matches against male opponents, which she attributes to her height and technical skill.
This martial arts background has made her one of the more capable physical performers in Canadian television. It adds real authenticity to the action sequences in Dark Winds and Tribal.
She maintains her fitness through high-intensity circuit training and weightlifting. She is also co-founder of the Counting Coup Indigenous Film Academy, which includes stunt combat training in its curriculum for emerging Indigenous film artists.
Social Media Presence
As of early 2026, Jessica Matten has approximately 77,000 followers on Instagram under the handle @jessicamatten. She posts behind-the-scenes content, fashion photography, and advocacy updates from her projects.
She uses her platform with clear intention, highlighting Indigenous representation in entertainment and social issues affecting Native communities.
- Instagram: @jessicamatten (~77,000 followers)
- Content focus: Dark Winds updates, advocacy, wellness, behind-the-scenes moments
- Notable post: Recording studio story confirming her role in Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender
Fast Facts About Jessica Matten
- Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on November 30, 1985
- Of Red River Métis, Saulteaux-Cree, British, and Chinese descent
- A direct descendant of Cuthbert Grant, a historic Métis rebel leader
- Began modeling at age six through her mother’s agency, Mystique Models
- Earned a B.Sc. in Human Ecology from the University of Alberta
- Studied at Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion
- Interned at Elle UK magazine in London
- Over 25 years of work in suicide prevention and addiction counseling
- Trains in Brazilian Jiujitsu and regularly bested male competitors
- President of 7 Forward Entertainment and co-founder of Counting Coup Indigenous Film Academy
- Will voice Katara in Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender (October 9, 2026)
- Received the Chadwick Boseman Changemaker Award alongside Taraji P. Henson in 2026
- Approximately 77,000 Instagram followers as of early 2026
FAQs
How old is Jessica Matten in 2026?
Jessica Matten is 40 years old in 2026, born on November 30, 1985, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
What is Jessica Matten’s net worth in 2026?
Her net worth is estimated at approximately $3 million USD, built through television work, film roles, production ventures, and her wellness business.
Is Jessica Matten married or single?
She is not married as of 2026. She is in a long-term relationship with Mohawk actor and musician Brendt Thomas Diabo, whom she met on the set of Frontier around 2016.
Who is Jessica Matten dating?
Jessica Matten has been linked to Brendt Thomas Diabo, a Mohawk actor, visual artist, and rock musician, since approximately 2016. Both appeared in the Netflix series Frontier.
What is Jessica Matten’s role in Dark Winds?
She plays Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito, the only female officer on a Navajo Tribal Police Department in 1970s New Mexico, in the AMC crime drama Dark Winds, now in its fourth season.
What is Jessica Matten’s ethnicity and background?
She is of Red River Métis and Saulteaux-Cree heritage through her mother, and British-Chinese heritage through her father. She is a direct descendant of Cuthbert Grant, the first Métis rebel leader in Canadian history.
What is Jessica Matten’s height in feet and cm?
Jessica Matten stands approximately 5 feet 9–10 inches tall, which converts to roughly 175–178 cm. She has publicly stated she is 5’10” and loves her height.
What movies and TV shows has Jessica Matten been in?
Her most notable credits include Dark Winds (AMC, 2022–2026), Frontier (Netflix, 2016–2018), Tribal (APTN, 2020–2021), Rez Ball (Netflix, 2024), The Empty Man (2020), and Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender (2026) as the voice of Katara.
What is Jessica Matten’s Instagram?
Her Instagram handle is @jessicamatten, with approximately 77,000 followers as of early 2026.
Who does Jessica Matten voice in the new Avatar movie?
She voices adult Katara in Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender, the upcoming animated film releasing on October 9, 2026, through Paramount Pictures.
Conclusion
Jessica Matten’s story does not follow a straight line, and that is exactly what makes it compelling. She went from modeling at six to studying human ecology at university, then from London fashion internships to Navajo reservation police dramas on premium cable.
As a Red River Métis actress navigating Hollywood on her own terms, she has become a blueprint for what Indigenous representation can look like when it is driven by someone who genuinely lives the mission.
Whether you know her as Bernadette Manuelito from Dark Winds, Sokanon from Frontier, or the next voice of Katara, one thing is clear: Jessica Matten is only getting started. With a net worth of $3 million, Season 4 of Dark Winds airing in 2026, and a landmark animated film release on the way, her profile has never been higher and her advocacy has never been more necessary.
Khurram Ali is a dedicated content writer at StarSecretsHub.com, specializing in celebrity biographies, net worth analysis, and lifestyle insights. He creates well-researched, engaging, and easy-to-read content that explores the lives, success stories, and hidden facts of global celebrities. With a strong focus on accuracy and SEO-friendly writing, Khurram aims to deliver valuable and entertaining content for readers interested in the world of fame and fortune.
