Inga Cadranel has exotic good looks, perhaps due in part to her Icelandic heritage. Yet despite this connection to the cold northern climates of both her native and ancestral land, there is something decidedly red-blooded about this versatile actress as she plays to the camera of photographer Franco Deleo. Which is no surprise; performing is in her blood. Her parents are theatre people. Her brother, Paul Braunstein, is an actor. And her husband is actor Gabriel Hogan. Inga does a little acting too. In fact, she recently won a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Actress for her leading role in the series “Rent A Goalie.” So: talented, funny, and convincing in both dramatic and comic roles. What else? Not too hard on the eyes.

TORO caught up with Inga to find out what’s on her mind.

Pictures from Inga´s photo shoot

Q: The quality you like most in a man?

A: I like confidence but not arrogance. I also like a man who is naturally protective and you can know that he has your back in any situation. I like someone to feel safe with.

Q: The quality you like most in a woman?

A: As funny as it sounds, I like women who aren´t scared of me. I feel like I intimidate a lot of women. I like other females who don´t take themselves too seriously and can laugh at themselves.

Q: What is your present state of mind?

A: The state of mind that I´m in is a solid one. Powerful. I feel like I can conquer the world these days, and I mean my world; I don´t necessarily mean conquer the planet as a dictator super-human monster Inga Woman or anything. I just feel like there is nothing I can´t do right now.

Q: What is your greatest extravagance?

A: Shopping in second-hand stores. So it´s not money extravagance, but I crave and yearn for vintage clothing, I can´t pass one without buying something, whether I need it or not. It probably doesn´t help that I spent most of my adult years living in Kensington Market. I finally made the move away a couple of years ago.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

A: I don´t treasure material possessions on the whole, but I guess I´m most comforted (as far as things I own) by my house.

Q: Which living person do you most admire?

A: Oprah.

Q: On what occasion do you lie?

A: If my boyfriend asks me "do I look fat in these jeans?" Just kidding...I must be a great liar, because I can´t think of an occasion.

Q: Who is your hero in real life?

A: My Ama (that´s grandmother in Icelandic). She is the most beautiful strong woman I know. She does yoga, tennis, and she is still active in her field of work as a professional potter. She´s in her 80s and looks 60. She has always remained young by living with a youthful mind. she´s vivacious, real, and brutally honest. I hope I can live up to her image.

Q: Which talent would you most like to have?

A: To be able to be an extreme big wave surfer.

Q: Other than your present occupation, what occupation would you like to try?

A: Day-care worker.

Q: In what country, other than this, would you like to live?

A: France.

Q: What is your greatest fear?

A: People finding out my secrets.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in others?

A: When people make themselves feel better by putting others down.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in yourself?

A: Assuming people won´t like me before I´ve even met them.

Q: What is your greatest regret?

A: I hate that word, "regret", every stupid, crazy thing I´ve ever done has only made me the person I am today. I have an arsenal of life experience under my belt. Good and bad. But I regret none of it.

Q: What director would you most like to work with?

A: A hybrid of Tim Burton and Darren Aronofsky.

Q: Who are your favourite actresses?

A: Helena Bonham Carter, the late Madeline Kahn, Ellen Burstyn. I could go on and on.

Q: Who are your favourite actors?

A: Chris Cooper, Gene Wilder, and Christian Bale. To name a few.

Q: What recent films have you seen and enjoyed - and why?

A: This is England. Good fuckin´ acting.

Q: What is your motto?

A: Never say never.