Sarnia cheerleader Samara Kabat lands lead role in the Next Step: Cheer

Sarnia native Samara Kabat will make her television debut this May as a principal character in the upcoming BBC spin-off series The Next Step: Cheer. The local athlete and performer was selected for the role of Angel after a province-wide search that highlighted her years of elite competitive cheerleading experience.

A Sarnia-born cheerleader is leaping from local gyms to international television screens this spring. Samara Kabat has landed a principal role in the new series The Next Step: Cheer, a spin-off of the popular teen drama. The show is scheduled to begin streaming on BBC and CBBC iPlayer this May, with a trailer already available on CBBC media platforms.

Kabat's journey to the screen began in January 2025 when her brother, Michael Kabat, informed her that executive producer Amy Wright was scouting talent across Ontario. Although the search did not include a stop in Sarnia, Kabat submitted a video of her skills and personality. After a series of Zoom interviews and a physical audition in Mississauga, she was cast as Angel, a character Kabat describes as a "sassy" teenager who "eats up all the drama."

The transition to professional acting was a major milestone for Kabat, who grew up participating in local arts programs. She spent seven summers with Hidden Talents and one year with Glee in Sarnia. "I fully figured I was getting a background role or no role at all," Kabat said. "I have experience in acting, but I have never actually landed a speaking role."

Despite her modesty, she previously modelled and acted for Anita Norris Models as a child. While she was nervous about the acting requirements, Kabat’s athletic background provided a strong foundation. She has 12 years of competitive experience with Bluewater Cheer Athletics and nearly the same amount of time training at Platinum Gymnastics.

During her career, she qualified for the cheerleading worlds four times and earned a silver medal while representing junior Team Canada. The filming process took place throughout August and September, requiring a demanding schedule of 12-hour days. Kabat worked Monday through Friday during the summer and moved to a Wednesday through Sunday schedule once the school year began.

The production also featured another local connection, as her brother Michael, a Team Canada cheerleader and fellow Bluewater Cheer alumnus, appears in the show as a background cheerleader. Kabat credits her local training for her success on the international stage. "These institutions have given me the tools to succeed in so many aspects of my life," she said.

She noted that Bluewater Cheer remains the only gym in Lambton County to qualify for such high-level prestigious competitions. Fans of the franchise can see Kabat and the rest of the cast when the series debuts later this year.