Michelle Forbes

Michelle Forbes Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: January 8, 1965

Age: 59 years old

Birth Place: Austin, Texas

A striking presence on television and in the occasional feature since the late 1980s, actress Michelle Forbes gave memorable turns as steely but often flawed women of power on such series as "True Blood" (HBO, 2008-14), "Homicide: Life on the Street" (NBC, 1993-99) and "24" (Fox, 2001-2010). Tall, raven-haired and blessed with a distinctively husky voice, Forbes made lasting impressions on viewers, beginning with her turn as cult favorite Ensign Ro Laren on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (syndicated, 1987-1994). Critically acclaimed assignments like "Homicide" led to major roles on high-profile shows like "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci Fi Channel, 2003-09), where she played the ruthless Admiral Helena Cain, and on "True Blood" as the supernatural hedonist Maryanne. When Forbes landed the plum role of a mother of a murdered young girl on AMC's "The Killing" (AMC 2011-13; Netflix, 2014), she suddenly found herself a critical darling. Decades of hard work paid off for Forbes, who was among the most respected character actresses of her generation.

Credits

Big SkyStream

Guest Star
Margaret Kleinsasser
Series
2020

TreadstoneStream

Actor
Ellen Becker
Series
2019
47%

New AmsterdamStream

Guest Star
Dr. Veronica Fuentes
Series
2018

ColumbusStream

Actor
Maria
Movie
2017
96%

GeminiStream

Actor
Jamie
Movie
2017
71%

Say You Will

Actor
Janis Nimitz
Movie
2017

Berlin StationStream

Actor
Valerie Edwards
Series
2016

PowersStream

Actor
Janis Sandusky/Retro Girl
Series
2015

The ReturnedStream

Actor
Helen Goddard
Series
2015
67%

Rake

Guest Star
Lucy Marks
Show
2014

Orphan BlackStream

Guest Star
Dr. Marian Bowles
Series
2013
93%

The Hunters

Actor
Jordyn Flynn
Movie
2013

Dear Sidewalk

Actor
Paige
Movie
2013

Highland Park

Actor
Sylvia Howard
Movie
2013

Chicago FireStream

Guest Star
Gail McLeod
Series
2012

The KillingStream

Actor
Series
2011
68%

Diplomacy

Actor
U.S. Secretary of State
Movie
2009

True BloodStream

Actor
Maryann Forrester
Series
2008
68%

True BloodStream

Guest Star
Maryann Forrester
Series
2008
68%

In TreatmentStream

Actor
Kate
Series
2008
90%

In TreatmentStream

Guest Star
Kate Weston
Series
2008
90%

Battlestar Galactica: RazorStream

Actor
Admiral Helena Cain
Movie
2007

Unthinkable

Actor
Jamie McDowell
Movie
2007

After the Attack

Self
Show
2006

Prison BreakStream

Guest Star
Samantha Brinker
Series
2005
61%

The Inside

Guest Star
Show
2005

Battlestar GalacticaStream

Guest Star
Admiral Helena Cain
Series
2005
95%

Boston LegalStream

Guest Star
Juliette Monroe
Series
2004
86%

LostStream

Guest Star
Karen Decker
Series
2004
86%

Messiah: The Promise

Actor
Susan Metcalfe
Show
2004

Messiah III: The Promise

Actor
Movie
2004

Dandelion

Actor
Mrs. Voss
Movie
2004

Messiah 2: Vengeance Is Mine

Actor
Susan Metcalfe
Show
2003

Mesias 2: La Venganza es Mía

Actor
Susan Metcalfe
Movie
2003

Messiah 2: Vengeance Is Mine

Actor
Susan Metcalfe
Movie
2003

FastlaneStream

Guest Star
Series
2002
47%

Johnson County War

Actor
Rory Hammett
Show
2002

Los Hermanos Hammett

Actor
Movie
2002

Johnson County War

Actor
Rory Hammett
Movie
2002

American Girl

Actor
Madge Grubb
Movie
2002

24Stream

Actor
Lynn Kresge
Series
2001
87%

24Stream

Guest Star
Lynn Kresge
Series
2001
87%

AliasStream

Guest Star
Dr. Maggie Sinclair
Series
2001
86%

Messiah

Actor
Show
2001

Perfume

Actor
Francene
Movie
2001

The District

Guest Star
Series
2000

Wonderland

Actor
Dr. Lyla Garrity
Series
2000

Bullfighter

Actor
Mary
Movie
2000

Homicide: The Movie

Actor
Dr. Julianna Cox
Movie
2000

Brimstone

Guest Star
Series
1998
35%

Escape from L.A.Stream

Actor
Brazen
Movie
1996
54%

The Prosecutors

Actor
Dist. Atty. Rachel Simone
Movie
1996

The Outer LimitsStream

Actor
Series
1995

Black Day Blue Night

Actor
Rinda Woolley
Movie
1995

The Road Killers

Actor
Helen
Movie
1995

Just Looking

Actor
Mary
Movie
1995

The Buddy Factor

Actor
Dawn Lockard
Movie
1994

Homicide: Life on the Street

Actor
Series
1993
91%

KaliforniaStream

Actor
Carrie Laughlin
Movie
1993
58%

Love Bites

Actor
Nerissa
Movie
1992

SeinfeldStream

Guest Star
Julie
Series
1989
89%

Star Trek: The Next GenerationStream

Guest Star
Ensign Ro Laren
Series
1987
92%

Star Trek: The Next Generation 2.0

Guest Star
Show
1987

Guiding Light

Actor
Sonni Carrera
Soap
1952

News aboutMichelle Forbes

Michelle Forbes as Dr. Veronica Fuentes, Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in New Amsterdam

‘New Amsterdam’ to Air on Back-to-Back Nights — Watch the Promo (VIDEO)

Ryan Eggold Directing New Amsterdam

‘New Amsterdam’: Ryan Eggold Directs as Max Tries to Help the Hospital (PHOTOS)

Ryan Eggold, Tyler Labine, Christine Chang, Jocko Sims, Alejandro Hernandez in New Amsterdam

‘New Amsterdam’ Says Goodbye to Kapoor (PHOTOS)

Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe, Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in New Amsterdam
Spoiler Alert

‘New Amsterdam’: Wilder Starts a Revolution, Plus Who Got Fired? (RECAP)

Michelle Forbes as Veronica, Sandra Mae Frank as Wilder in New Amsterdam
Preview

‘New Amsterdam’ Boss Teases Wilder vs. Veronica & Everyone ‘Chasing Joy’

Debra Monk as Karen Brantley, Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in New Amsterdam
Spoiler Alert

‘New Amsterdam’: Max & Brantley vs. Veronica Ends in a Shocking Vote (RECAP)

Alejandro Hernandez, Janet Montgomery, Ryan Eggold, Michelle Forbes, Tyler Labine in New Amsterdam
Spoiler Alert

‘New Amsterdam’: Michelle Forbes on Why Veronica’s Not Worried About Max & Helen’s Plans

Michelle Forbes as Dr. Veronica Fuentes
Spoiler Alert

‘New Amsterdam’ Boss: Michelle Forbes’ Real Role Makes It ‘Even More Difficult’ for Max to Leave

Ryan Eggold as Max, Michelle Forbes as Veronica in New Amsterdam
Q&A

‘New Amsterdam’: Michelle Forbes Teases Banter Between Max & Veronica

Michelle Forbes as Veronica Fuentes in New Amsterdam

‘New Amsterdam’ Welcomes Michelle Forbes’ Dr. Veronica Fuentes (PHOTOS)

Ryan Eggold as Max, Freema Agyeman as Helen in New Amsterdam
Fall Preview

Prepare for All the Sharpwin Details When ‘New Amsterdam’ Returns

Britt Robertson in 'Big Sky' - Season 1

‘Big Sky’: Who’s Not Coming Back in Season 2?

Michelle Forbes

‘New Amsterdam’: Michelle Forbes to Recur in Season 4

JUSTIN CHAMBERS, CAMILLA LUDDINGTON

Is Jo & Alex’s Marriage in Trouble? What’s Next After That Devastating ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Episode

Michelle Forbes in Berlin Station - Season 3, Episode 2 - 'Fire Knows Nothing of Mercy'

Michelle Forbes to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in Mysterious Role

Berlin Station - Ashley Judd
Exclusive

‘Berlin Station’: Ashley Judd’s BB Yates Is Back … But What Are Her Intentions? (VIDEO)

Michelle Forbes in Berlin Station - Season 3, Episode 2 - 'Fire Knows Nothing of Mercy'
Exclusive

Women Take Positions of Power on Season 3 of EPIX’s ‘Berlin Station’ (VIDEO)

Berlin Station - Richard Armitage, Michelle Forbes, Rhys Ifans

‘Berlin Station’ Season 2 Trailer: Ashley Judd and Keke Palmer In Action

Berlin Station - Richard Armitage, Michelle Forbes, Rhys Ifans

‘Berlin Station’ Finale: Michelle Forbes on Valerie’s Vulnerability and Trusting Other Spies

Billy Bob Thornton in Goliath

Roush Review: ‘Goliath’ Leads a Busy Weekend of ‘Peak TV’

Michelle Forbes arrives at the premiere of the EPIX Original Series Berlin Station
Premiere

‘Berlin Station’: Red Carpet Premiere for EPIX’s New Spy Drama (PHOTOS)

Berlin Station

Watch the Stars of ‘Berlin Station’ Talk About New Spy Drama on EPIX (VIDEO)

The Returned

The Returned: Back-From-the-Dead Characters Bringing the Show to Life