Natalie Zea (born March 17, 1975) is an American actress known for her performances on television. Zea began her acting career in theatre. Her first major role was on the NBC daytime soap opera Passions (2000–2002), where she played the role of Gwen Hotchkiss. Her breakout role was on the ABC primetime soap opera Dirty Sexy Money as socialite Karen Darling, where she starred from 2007 to 2009. Zea also has made many guest appearances on television, starred in a number of independent and made-for-television movies, and had recurring roles in The Shield, Hung, Californication, and The Unicorn.
Natalie Zea | |
|---|---|
 Zea on White Famous in 2017 | |
| Born | March 17, 1975 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
In 2010, Zea began starring as Winona Hawkins in the FX critically acclaimed crime drama series Justified as a regular cast member during the first three seasons and recurring guest star later. In 2013, she also began starring as Claire Matthews in the Fox drama series The Following. Zea played lead character Mickey Holmes-Harris on the canceled-before-airing ABC dramedy series, Members Only, and starred in the 2016–2019 TBS sitcom The Detour. In 2020, Zea had a recurring role as Shannon in the CBS sitcom The Unicorn.
Early life
editZea was born in Harris County, Texas, attending high school in Monahans, graduating in 1993. She graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City in 1995.[1] Also in 1995, Zea co-starred as Lana Tisdel in the short film Boys Don't Cry. In the 1999 feature film version of Boys Don't Cry, the role was played by Chloë Sevigny.[1] She also appeared in many national commercials for companies such as Dove, Snickers, and Hellman's Salad Dressing.[2]
Career
edit1995–2009
editZea began her career in an Off-Broadway theatre, appearing in productions of The Three Sisters and A Midsummer Night's Dream.[1] She made her feature debut in the Shakespeare-themed independent drama Macbeth in Manhattan in 1999. In the following year, Zea made her television debut in an episode of short-lived The WB drama series, D.C.. Later in that year she was cast as Gwen Hotchkiss Winthrop, a businesswoman and socialite, and the member of the wealthy Hotchkiss family, in the NBC daytime soap opera Passions. She appeared in the show on a regular basis from November 15, 2000, to October 3, 2002. On her leaving, Zea said "I have decided not to renew my contract with Passions. Although I enjoyed my experience, and learned quite a bit, especially initially, I know that the best thing for my career, and my craft, is to pursue new challenges. So after some deliberation, an amicable parting of ways seemed to be the best decision".[3] Zea is the second actress who played the role of Gwen. Susan Lucci's daughter Liza Huber played the role from July 5, 1999, to November 8, 2000, and again, after Zea left the show.
In 2004, Zea was cast in a recurring role in the FX police drama series The Shield. She played the role of Lauren Riley, a love interest of Michael Chiklis' character Vic Mackey. The following year, Zea won her first series regular role on primetime television, on the ABC drama series, Eyes opposite Tim Daly. The series was canceled after a single season. Her next major role was on the ABC primetime soap opera/comedy-drama Dirty Sexy Money opposite Jill Clayburgh, Donald Sutherland and Peter Krause. Zea played spoiled socialite Karen Darling. The soap aired from 2007 to 2009, and was canceled after two seasons.[4] In 2009, she had a recurring role during the first season of the HBO comedy series Hung.[5] She also had many guest-starring roles, on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Two and a Half Men, Without a Trace, Medium, Franklin & Bash, and Person of Interest.
2010–present
editIn 2010, Zea began starring as series regular during the first three seasons of the FX drama Justified, changing to a recurring role from Season 4.[6] She played the role of Winona Hawkins, the ex-wife of Raylan Givens. Zea was originally a guest star in the pilot for Justified, but was made a regular right after the pilot with a two-year deal.[7] Alongside her regular role on Justified, from 2012 to 2013, Zea had the recurring role on Showtime comedy-drama, Californication as a new love interest for David Duchovny' character.[7][8] In film, Zea had supporting role in the 2010 comedy The Other Guys.[9] As lead actress, she co-starred alongside Sean Patrick Flanery in the 2011 independent thriller InSight, and in the Lifetime movie Burden of Evil (2012).[10][11]
In 2013, Zea starred in the major role of Dr. Claire Matthews, the estranged wife of a serial killer in the Fox drama series, The Following. She returned to show in second season on a recurring basis. Also in 2013, she had a recurring role as Maxine Seagrave, a drug and gambling kingpin, on the first season of CBS summer series, Under the Dome.[12] Later in that year, Zea was cast in her first series leading role of the Amazon comedy pilot The Rebels.[13] The pilot premiered in February 2014, but not was picked up to series.[14] Later in that year, Zea was cast in two independent films: Too Late in the female lead role opposite John Hawkes, and The Grey Lady as lead character.[15][16]
On August 4, 2014, it was announced that Zea was cast as lead character in the straight-to-series ordered ABC primetime soap opera, Members Only.[17] She plays the role of Mickey Holmes-Harris the "most well-educated and put-together member of the family that founded the country club around which the show is centered."[18] Members Only was cancelled by ABC before premiere.[19] On December 2, 2014, Zea was cast as lead opposite Jason Jones in the TBS vacation comedy The Detour.[20]
On February 26, 2020, Zea began in the lead role of Eve Harris in the NBC apocalyptic drama series La Brea, written by David Appelbaum.[21]
In 2020, Zea had recurring roles in 9-1-1: Lone Star and The Unicorn.
Personal life
editIn June 2013, Zea announced her engagement to her former Passions co-star Travis Schuldt after 10 years of dating.[22] The couple married on July 16, 2014, in Hawaii.[23] In June 2015, they announced they were expecting their first child together.[24][25] In October 2015, Zea gave birth to a daughter named Reygan.[26]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Macbeth in Manhattan | Samantha / First Witch | |
| 1999 | Lucid Days in Hell | Naomi | |
| 2008 | From a Place of Darkness | Brenda | |
| 2010 | The Other Guys | Christinith | |
| 2011 | InSight | Kaitlyn | |
| 2011 | The Sexy Dark Ages | Gwendolyn | Short film |
| 2011 | Method | Actress | Short film |
| 2012 | Burden of Evil | Caitlyn Conner | Television film |
| 2013 | Sweet Talk | Delilah | |
| 2013 | The Following | Claire Matthews | |
| 2015 | Grey Lady | Melissa Reynolds | |
| 2015 | Too Late | Mary Mahler | |
| 2019 | The F**k-It List | Kristen | |
| 2021 | Happily | Karen |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | D.C. | Cameo role | Episode: "Blame" |
| 2001 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Needra Fenway | Episode: "Gentle, Gentle" |
| 2002 | MDs | Ghost | Episode: "R.I.P." |
| 2000–2002 | Passions | Gwen Hotchkiss Winthrop | Main cast |
| 2004 | The Shield | Lauren Riley | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2005 | Two and a Half Men | Colleen | Episode: "We Called It Mr. Pinky" |
| 2005 | Eyes | Trish Agermeyer | Main cast, 12 episodes |
| 2006 | Freddie | Sally | Episode: "Freddie and the Hot Mom" |
| 2006 | Without a Trace | Jennifer Nichols | Episode: "Crossroads" |
| 2006 | Just Legal | Episode: "The Rainmaker" | |
| 2007–2009 | Dirty Sexy Money | Karen Darling | Main cast, 23 episodes |
| 2009 | Hung | Jemma | Recurring role, 4 episodes |
| 2009 | Medium | Sophie Cullen | Episode: "Deja Vu All Over Again" |
| 2009 | Royal Pains | Judy Windland | Episode: "Traffic" |
| 2010 | The Defenders | ADA Meredith Kramer | Recurring role, 3 episodes |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Los Angeles | Sarah Goodwin | Episode: "Hondo Field" |
| 2010–2015 | Justified | Winona Hawkins | Main cast (seasons 1–3); recurring role (seasons 4–6), 44 episodes |
| 2011 | Franklin & Bash | Isabella Kaplowitz | Episode: "She Came Upstairs to Kill Me" |
| 2011 | Royal Pains | Judy Windland | Episode: "Traffic" |
| 2011 | Person of Interest | Diane Hanson | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2012–2013 | Californication | Carrie | Recurring role, 4 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | The Following | Claire Matthews | Main cast (season 1); recurring role (season 2), 23 episodes |
| 2013 | Under the Dome | Maxine Seagrave | Recurring role, 3 episodes |
| 2014 | The Rebels | Julie Levine | TV pilot |
| 2014 | Members Only | Mickey Holmes-Harris | Main cast |
| 2016–2019 | The Detour | Robin Randall | Main role; director (2 episodes) |
| 2017 | White Famous | Amy Von Getz | Recurring role, 3 episodes |
| 2020 | 9-1-1: Lone Star | Zoe | Episodes: "Studs" and "Awakening" |
| 2020–2021 | The Unicorn | Shannon | Recurring role (season 2) |
| 2021–2024 | La Brea | Eve Harris[27][28] | Main role (seasons 1–2), guest role (season 3), 25 episodes |
| 2023 | Justified: City Primeval | Winona Hawkins | Episode: The Question |
| 2024 | Chicago Med | Jackie Nelson, R.N. | Recurring role (seasons 9–10) |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Natalie Zea profile in". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ "Natalie Zea". Soap Central. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Dan J Kroll (June 26, 2002). "Zea Opts Out As Passions' Gwen". Soap Central. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Dirty Sexy Money: Underwood Believes the ABC TV Show is Over". TV Series Finale. 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ "Natalie Zea adds some dirty, sexy money to Hung". Aoltv.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ Matt Webb Mitovich (2012-04-03). "Natalie Zea on Justified Season 3 Contract Status". TVLine. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ a b Nellie Andreeva (June 23, 2011). "Natalie Zea Closes Deal To Continue On 'Justified', Books Arc On 'Californication'". Deadline. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Bruce Fretts. "Cheers & Jeers: Justified, My Love". TV Guide. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ Ford, Allan (2010-08-06). "The Other Guys Review". FilmoFilia. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ "'InSight,' Directed by Richard Gabai — Review". The New York Times. September 1, 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ ""Burden of Evil" Preview". Lifetime. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Keck's Exclusives: The Following's Natalie Zea Going Under the Dome". TVGuide.com. 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (10 October 2013). "Natalie Zea Toplines Amazon Pilot 'Outlaws', Peter Jacobson To Co-Star In Lifetime's 'HR'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- ^ Emily VanDerWerff (March 11, 2014). "Amazon picks up four series, disappointing Natalie Zea once again". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Borys Kit (April 5, 2012). "Oscar Nominee John Hawkes to Star in Indie Thriller 'Too Late'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Jen Yamato (April 28, 2014). "Natalie Zea Set For Indie Thriller 'Grey Lady' Opposite Eric Dane". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Natalie Zea To Star In ABC Series 'Members Only' Directed By R.J. Cutler". Deadline. August 4, 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Liz Raftery (August 4, 2014). "Natalie Zea to Star in ABC's Members Only". TV Guide. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Lesley Goldberg (23 November 2014). "ABC's 'Members Only' Not Moving Forward (Exclusive) - Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ Nellie Andreeva (2 December 2014). "Natalie Zea To Star In Jason Jones & Samantha Bee's TBS Vacation Pilot - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 26, 2020). "Natalie Zea To Star In NBC Drama Pilot 'La Brea'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
- ^ "Natalie Zea & Travis Schuldt Engaged : People.com". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie; Meilan, Ingrid (July 18, 2014). "The Following's Natalie Zea Marries Travis Schuldt!". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Natalie Zea Expecting First Child". People. June 11, 2015. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Corneau, Allison (June 12, 2015). "Justified's Natalie Zea Is Pregnant!". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Leon, Anya (November 5, 2015). "Natalie Zea Welcomes Daughter Reygan". People. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 26, 2020). "Natalie Zea To Star In NBC Drama Pilot 'La Brea'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 4, 2021). "'La Brea': Eoin Macken To Star, Jon Seda To Return As NBC Series Also Casts Jack Martin & Lily Santiago". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
External links
edit- Natalie Zea at IMDb