Durance was born in Calgary to parents Gail and Joel Durance, and grew up on a turkey farm with her older brother and sister in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. She was trained as a classical singer from childhood. After graduating from high school, Durance moved to Vancouver in 1999, to pursue her interest in acting professionally. She continued to study acting at the Yaletown Actors Studio for many years with her coach and husband, David Palffy.
Durance began her career with background work, graduating to commercials and guest-starring roles. Durance made her feature film debut in the movie The Untold (2002). She guest-starred on the comedy series The Chris Isaak Show and the supernatural series The Collector. In Tru Calling, her character was a contender in a beauty pageant opposite Eliza Dushku. On the SyFy Channel, she played an intergalactic librarian in Andromeda and a love interest for Teal'c on Stargate SG-1.
While acting part-time, Durance worked as an agent for background actors and booked photo doubles for the television series Smallville. Durance was considering quitting acting when she was cast as Lois Lane on Smallville in 2004. She played a sassy, street-smart teenage Lois in season four. Producer Kelly Souders recalled hiring Durance, stating: "There were a lot of wonderful actresses who came in for the role, but I remember sitting and watching her tape and everybody was like, 'That’s her. There's no question'." Souders also noted that "Lois has to be one of the most difficult characters to play, because she's super-opinionated, extremely bright and a little abrupt, and at the same time she has to be likable." Fellow producer Brian Peterson added that from the moment Durance was hired they knew she would be Lois for the series. Durance was promoted to series regular in season five and became part of the regular cast for the remainder of the series run. On playing Lois Lane Durance said: "Everyone has their specific idea of who Lois Lane is for them, and you have your overall blueprint, but then you have to try to make it your own. That's the only way to try to stay truthful to what you're doing. It's an experience I will cherish always and never forget. Lois is a beloved character. I took that seriously and put my heart and soul into her for seven years. I enjoyed every minute and am forever changed by it."

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