Brenna Coates was born in Toronto, Ontario to actor Kim Coates and teacher Diana Chappell. Soon after receiving her BFA from NYU, Coates went on to win an Obie and a Drama Desk Award for the role she originated in the hit Off-Broadway play The Wolves. She has performed at various theaters across North America, most notably Lincoln Center in NYC and The La Jolla Playhouse. She is also a recipient of the Dora Mavor Moore Award for her performance in Jez Butterworth's critically acclaimed play, Jerusalem.