spiridakos was born in winnipeg, manitoba, to greek-born parents, restaurant owners george and anastasia spiridakos. she has two brothers. the family moved to her father's hometown, skala, greece south of sparta, a few years after she was born, and returned to canada in 1992. she strongly identifies with her greek heritage and speaks fluent greek. spiridakos began acting in junior high school, and studied at the actors training centre of manitoba. she graduated from oak park high school in winnipeg.