Maya Erskine is an American actress and writer. She is known for her roles as Maggie in Man Seeking Woman,[1] Mikki in Betas, and Mizu in Blue Eye Samurai. From 2019 to 2021, she starred in Hulu's original TV comedy series PEN15 alongside Anna Konkle;[2] the duo, who co-created, co-wrote, and co-executive produced the series, played fictional versions of their 13-year-old selves.[3] The series received critical acclaim and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2024, she began starring as Jane Smith in the Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, for which she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Maya Erskine | |
|---|---|
 Erskine on the set of Heartbeat (2016) | |
| Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | New York University (BFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, writer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Peter Erskine |
Early life and education
editErskine was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of Mutsuko Nigatawa and jazz drummer Peter Erskine.[4] Her mother is Japanese, from Tokyo. Her mother also plays the role of her character's mother on PEN15.[5]
Erskine attended Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences[5] and graduated from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.[6] She is a 2005 YoungArts alumnus.[7] She then attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts.[8] Erskine initially studied musical theater but shifted to the school's Experimental Theater Wing.[9] During her time at NYU, she met Anna Konkle while they were both studying abroad at a theater program in Amsterdam.[10][11]
Career
editErskine has performed with the Los Angeles–based theater groups the East West Players[12] and the Geffen Playhouse.[13] In 2019, she appeared in Amy Poehler's directorial debut, Wine Country, opposite a slate of comedians including Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Rachel Dratch.[4] The same year, she began starring in the Hulu series PEN15, which she created with Konkle. She received two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series nominations for her work on the series. She is recognized by Gold House as the A100 Honoree.[14]
Personal life
editIn September 2019, she confirmed her relationship with actor Michael Angarano. On November 2, 2020, the couple revealed they were engaged and expecting a child. Their son was born in 2021.[15][16] In 2024, Erskine revealed that she and Angarano had married.[17] In April 2024, Erskine announced her second pregnancy.[18] Their daughter was born in 2024.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Frankenstein | Wanda | |
| 2018 | 6 Balloons | Cameron | |
| When Jeff Tried to Save the World | Samantha | ||
| 2019 | Plus One | Alice Mori | |
| Wine Country | Jade | ||
| 2020 | Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics | Maya | |
| Scoob! | Judy Takamoto | Voice role | |
| 2022 | DC League of Super-Pets | Mercy Graves | Voice role |
| 2024 | Sacramento | Tallie | [19] |
| 2025 | Wildwood | Darla Thennis | Voice role; in production |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Hart of Dixie | Nessie | 2 episodes |
| Project Reality | Miniseries | ||
| High School USA! | Student | Voice role, 4 episodes | |
| 2013–2014 | Betas | Mikki | Main cast |
| 2014 | Next Time on Lonny | Charika | Episode: "Lonny is Famous" |
| 2015 | Stone Quackers | various | Voice role, 2 episodes |
| Man Seeking Woman | Maggie | Main cast (season 1) | |
| Big Time in Hollywood, FL | Venice | Episode: "What Dreams May Come" | |
| 2016 | Heartbeat | Ji-Sung | Main cast |
| Son of Zorn | April Lee | Episode: "A Taste of Zephyria" | |
| 2016–2017 | Insecure | Diane Nakamura | Recurring role (seasons 1–2) |
| 2017 | Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special | Susan | TV special |
| Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later | Ginny | 3 episodes | |
| 2017–2018 | Casual | Rae | Recurring role (seasons 3–4) |
| 2019–2021 | Pen15 | Maya Ishii-Peters | Main cast, also creator, writer, and executive producer |
| 2020 | BoJack Horseman | Ivy Tran | Voice role, episode: "Good Damage" |
| Robot Chicken | College Girl #4 | Voice role, episode: "Buster Olive in: The Monkey Got Closer Overnight" | |
| Big Mouth | Cafeteria Girl Misha | Voice role, episode: "Cafeteria Girls" | |
| 2020–2021 | Crossing Swords | Princess Blossom | Recurring voice role |
| 2020–2022 | Bob's Burgers | Kaylee | Voice role, 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Obi-Wan Kenobi | Sully Stark | Miniseries, 3 episodes |
| 2023–present | Blue Eye Samurai | Mizu | Main cast, voice role |
| 2024–present | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Jane Smith | Title role |
References
edit- ^ "'Man Seeking Woman's Maya Erskine on "Dating Hitler"". Kore Asian Media. April 30, 2015. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- ^ Davis, Allison P. (February 14, 2019). "How PEN15 Made Two 30-Year-Olds Look 13". The Cut. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (February 8, 2019). "'PEN15' creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle on playing their uncool 13-year-old selves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Tauer, Kristen (May 10, 2019). "Maya Erskine Breaks Out With a Little Help From Her Friends". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ a b Fallon, Kevin (May 1, 2019). "Maya Erskine Is About to Be Hollywood's Biggest Comedy Star". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ "SM Drama Student Wins Major Award". Santa Monica Mirror. July 20, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ "Our History | 40 years for artists". YoungArts. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ "The Classical Studio Alumni". New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ Wetmore, Brendan (March 13, 2019). "'PEN15' Stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle in Conversation". Paper. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ Carlin, Shannon (February 15, 2019). "How Re-Living The Horrors Of Middle School Changed The Stars Of 'PEN15' For The Better". Bustle. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (February 8, 2019). "'PEN15' creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle on playing their uncool 13-year-old selves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ Yap, Audrey Cleo (April 13, 2016). "Celebrating Its 50th Theatre Season, East West Players Looks to the Future". NBC News. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ "Media Center Cast". Geffen Playhouse. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ Thompson, Jack Dunn,Selena Kuznikov,Jazz Tangcay,Jaden; Dunn, Jack; Kuznikov, Selena; Tangcay, Jazz; Thompson, Jaden (May 1, 2024). "Keanu Reeves, Jung Kook, Hayao Miyazaki Among Gold House's A100 Honorees". Variety. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (November 2, 2020). "Maya Erskine Is Pregnant and Engaged! PEN15 Star and Michael Angarano Expecting Their First Child". People. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ VanHoose, Benjamin; Ushe, Naledi (May 7, 2021). "Pen15 Star Maya Erskine and Fiancé Michael Angarano Welcome First Child". People. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ Gibson, Keslie (February 5, 2024). "Maya Erskine and Michael Angarano's Relationship: All About the Actors' Marriage". People. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ "Maya Erskine and Husband Michael Angarano Expecting Second Baby Together: 'Baby Sister Coming This Summer'". Peoplemag. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Padilla, Cecilio (May 25, 2023). ""Sacramento" film wrapping up production: Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of stars at these spots". CBS News. Retrieved June 4, 2023.