Early in her career, she captured a role in the Global Television Network's Rookie Blue (2010) (airing in the United States on ABC) credited as Julia Taylor Ross. From 2011 to 2017 Chan (again credited as Julia Taylor Ross), played regular series character Dr. Maggie Lin for five seasons on CTV's Saving Hope, which was carried in the U.S. by NBC. She appeared in the role of Sophia in Silent House, a 2011 American horror film directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau, and had a minor role the following year in the romantic comedy film Missed Connections.

Chan's father, Roy Chan, is a Hong Kong–based solicitor of Chinese heritage; her mother, Lorna Ross, is a Canadian ballerina. She was raised in Cheshire and attended University College, in London, England, and then attended Harvard, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While at Harvard, she frequently acted at the nearby American Repertory Theater. Chan graduated with a BA in History of Art and Architecture. She received her master's degree from New York's New School of Drama in 2010. Chan married Erik Ratensperger on January 21, 2011, and the couple currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Chan has acted in key roles in two Canadian television miniseries: Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures and Republic of Doyle. In 2015, Chan appeared in the movie, Ava's Possessions, in a minor role. Chan has also made guest appearances in episodes of Gotham (2016) and Schitt's Creek (2017).

On July 11, 2017, it was announced via Twitter that she will be hosting The Great Canadian Baking Show with Dan Levy, which premiered November 1 on CBC.