# Mark Ghanimé
**Mark Ghanimé** is a Lebanese-Canadian actor and producer known for television roles as Major Sergio Balleseros in the Syfy thriller *Helix*, Prince Don Carlos in the historical drama *Reign*, and Dr. Cameron Hayek in Netflix's *Virgin River*[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mark-ghanime/) • [2](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime). Born in 1977 in Calgary, Alberta, and raised in Montreal, he came to acting in his late twenties after working toward a business career[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mark-ghanime/) • [3](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1977, Calgary, Alberta, Canada[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mark-ghanime/) |
| Background | Lebanese father and Canadian mother; grew up speaking French, English, and Arabic[2](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime) |
| Breakthrough role | Major Sergio Balleseros, series regular on Syfy's *Helix* (2014–2015, 26 episodes)[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/) |
| Signature streaming role | Dr. Cameron Hayek on *Virgin River*, seasons 4–6, 27 episodes[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/) |
| Other recurring roles | Don Carlos in *Reign*, Dr. Ken Graham in *Private Eyes*, Justin Faysal in *Slasher*, Dev in *The Bold Type*[5](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-623997/filmographie/) |
| Recognition | Member of the *Slasher* cast nominated for the 2017 Canadian Screen Award for best TV movie or limited series[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mark-ghanime/bio/3030815921/) |
## Early life and path to acting
Ghanimé was born in Calgary to a Lebanese father and a Canadian mother and grew up in Montreal, where he learned French, English, and Arabic[2](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime). He has said he took no drama classes and played no instruments as a child; he was focused on academics with the idea of becoming a businessman, studied business and finance, and went into real estate[3](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/).
In 2003 he took a background role in the television movie *Chasing Freedom*, starring [Juliette Lewis](https://www.edgepedia.org/juliette-lewis), and decided on the set that he wanted to act[2](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime). He began training at The Actor's Foundry in Vancouver under Matthew Harrison and Bradley Stryker, worked seven days a week while taking two night classes, and eventually signed with an agent[3](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). His first on-screen appearances were in a series of independent commercials for a beer company[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mark-ghanime/bio/3030815921/).
## Television career
**Early guest roles.** After commercials, Ghanimé was offered his first guest spot on the CBC series *Wild Roses*, followed by appearances on *Smallville*, *Supernatural*, *The Secret Circle*, and *Fairly Legal*[2](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime). In 2013 he played the supporting lead opposite [Steven Weber](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-weber) and [Treat Williams](https://www.edgepedia.org/treat-williams) in the mini-series *Eve of Destruction*, and recurred as Dr. Jamie Albagetti alongside [Mamie Gummer](https://www.edgepedia.org/mamie-gummer) on the CW's *Emily Owens, M.D.*[2](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime). He also appeared in a 2012 episode of *Arrow* as Dr. Douglas Miller and had a small part in the 2015 film *The Age of Adaline* as the New Year's Eve Stranger[5](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-623997/filmographie/) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/).
**Helix.** Ghanimé's breakthrough came as Major Sergio Balleseros on *[Helix](https://www.edgepedia.org/helix-tv-series)*, a Syfy thriller co-developed by [Ronald D. Moore](https://www.edgepedia.org/ronald-d-moore) of the *Battlestar Galactica* reboot, which filmed in Montreal[3](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). His character guides a team of Centers for Disease Control scientists to a private Arctic research center investigating a possible viral outbreak[3](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/). He won the role through a standard audition process that took about a month and a half, from a taped audition to a Skype callback to a test deal[3](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/). The show ran two seasons, and he appeared in 26 episodes as a series regular[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/).
**Recurring and guest work.** After *Helix*, he recurred as Prince Don Carlos on *Reign*, as Justin Faysal in the first season of the anthology *Slasher*, and as Dr. Ken Graham in five episodes of *Private Eyes* opposite [Jason Priestley](https://www.edgepedia.org/jason-priestley)[5](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-623997/filmographie/) • [7](https://www.lde-leb.com/files/LDE-MTL_book_online.pdf). He played Dev in four episodes of *The Bold Type* between 2019 and 2021 and Dan Karam in *The Wedding Planners*[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). The *Slasher* cast was nominated for the 2017 Canadian Screen Award for best TV movie or limited series[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mark-ghanime/bio/3030815921/).
## Virgin River and later work
Ghanimé joined Netflix's *[Virgin River](https://www.edgepedia.org/virgin-river-tv-series)* as a series regular in season 4 (2022), playing Dr. Cameron Hayek, a new doctor hired at Doc's struggling clinic[8](https://www.tvline.com/interviews/virgin-river-mark-ghanime-leaving-season-6-cameron-exit-explained-1235390659/). He appeared in 27 episodes through season 6[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). After a brief return in the sixth season, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith confirmed that Ghanimé would not return as a series regular for season 7, while leaving the door open to guest appearances[8](https://www.tvline.com/interviews/virgin-river-mark-ghanime-leaving-season-6-cameron-exit-explained-1235390659/).
Alongside his series work, Ghanimé has built a steady career in made-for-television romantic and holiday films, including *Christmas with a View* (2018), *Candy Cane Christmas* (2020), *Listen Out for Love* (2022), *Christmas in Big Sky Country* (2023), and *A Runaway Bride for Christmas* (2025)[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). He also voiced Captain Anton Gibson in the 2019 video game *Ghost Recon: Breakpoint*[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/).
## Personal life and skills
Ghanimé lives in Montreal, where he and his partner are raising their daughter[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). He stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/). [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) notes that he can perform a variety of accents, performs his own stunts with training in harness work, stunt falls, and fight choreography, and enjoys snowboarding, tennis, golf, baseball, and rock climbing[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mark-ghanime/bio/3030815921/). In a 2014 interview he described his ethnically ambiguous appearance as a professional asset, allowing him to play a wide range of character types[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/).
## References
1. [Mark Ghanimé – Actor, Producer, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/mark-ghanime/)
2. [Mark Ghanime, Syfy cast biography](https://www.syfy.com/people/mark-ghanime)
3. [Screen Test: Mark Ghanimé, Anthem Magazine (January 17, 2014)](https://anthemmagazine.com/screen-test-mark-ghanime/)
4. [Mark Ghanimé, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2419177/)
5. [Mark Ghanimé : Filmographie, AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne-623997/filmographie/)
6. [Mark Ghanime Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mark-ghanime/bio/3030815921/)
7. [Opening Ceremony program, LDE Lebanon (Mark Ghanimé biography)](https://www.lde-leb.com/files/LDE-MTL_book_online.pdf)
8. [Virgin River Boss Confirms [Spoiler]'s Exit After Season 6, TVLine (December 19, 2024)](https://www.tvline.com/interviews/virgin-river-mark-ghanime-leaving-season-6-cameron-exit-explained-1235390659/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › Canadian actors › Surnames G to I*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license