Jayne Atkinson

Jayne Atkinson Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: February 18, 1959

Age: 65 years old

Birth Place: Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK

A respected actress on television and stage as well as in film, Jayne Atkinson moved skillfully between women of power on "24 " (Fox 2001-2010) and "House of Cards" (Netflix 2013- ) and kindly mothers in "Free Willy" (1993) and "Our Town" (PBS 2003). Born in England but raised in America, Atkinson's stage training at both Northwestern University and the Yale Drama School provided her with the skills to reach Broadway and primetime television in the late 1980s via a 1987 production of "All My Sons" and the network series "A Year in the Life" (NBC 1986-88). She soon balanced regular work in features and television with turns on Broadway that netted her multiple Tony nominations. Despite playing a wide variety of roles, Atkinson's turns as government and law officials on "24," "Criminal Minds" (CBS 2005-) and "House of Cards" and in "Syriana" (2005) had the greatest resonance with viewers, and ensured her a sort of cottage industry in these character types. Thankfully, the breadth of her talents allowed her to avoid typecasting and segue successfully between these flinty figures and comic turns on Broadway in "Blithe Spirit," among others. Atkinson's diverse c.v. and popularity with TV viewers underscored her status as a well-liked and in-demand actress.

Credits

Baby Ruby

Actor
Doris
Movie
2022

ClariceStream

Guest Star
Ruth Martin
Series
2021
42%

Bluff City LawStream

Actor
Della Bedford
Series
2019
36%

The Congressman

Actor
Casey Winship
Movie
2016

Chicago MedStream

Guest Star
Laura Clay
Series
2015

ZooStream

Guest Star
Series
2015
82%

American OdysseyStream

Guest Star
Series
2015
54%

That Gal...Who Was in That Thing: That Guy 2

Actor
Movie
2015

Madam SecretaryStream

Actor
Teresa Hurst
Series
2014

Madam SecretaryStream

Guest Star
Theresa Hurst
Series
2014

House of CardsStream

Actor
Catherine Durant
Series
2013
77%

House of CardsStream

Guest Star
Catherine Durant
Series
2013
77%

Blue BloodsStream

Guest Star
Sharon Harris
Series
2010

The Good WifeStream

Guest Star
Nora Valentine
Series
2009
93%

Handsome Harry

Actor
Kelly's Wife
Movie
2009

Criminal Minds: EvolutionStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

Twelve and Holding

Actor
Ashley Carges
Movie
2005

The VillageStream

Actor
Tabitha Walker
Movie
2004
43%

Joan of Arcadia

Guest Star
Series
2003
96%

24Stream

Actor
Karen Hayes
Series
2001
87%

24Stream

Guest Star
Karen Hayes
Series
2001
87%

The Education of Max Bickford

Guest Star
Show
2001

The PracticeStream

Guest Star
Series
1997

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home

Actor
Annie Greenwood
Movie
1995

Blank Check

Actor
Sandra Waters
Movie
1994

Under Suspicion

Actor
Movie
1994

The X-FilesStream

Guest Star
Willa Ambrose
Series
1993
74%

Free WillyStream

Actor
Annie Greenwood
Movie
1993
71%

Absolute Strangers

Actor
Eleanor Barcroft
Movie
1991

Law & OrderStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

Parenthood

Actor
Karen Buckman
Show
1990

Beauty and the Beast

Guest Star
Molly Nolan
Series
1987

A Year in the Life

Actor
Lindley Gardner Eisenberg
Show
1987

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