Abigail Leigh Spencer[1] (born August 4, 1981[2]) is an American actress. She began her career playing Rebecca Tyree on the ABC daytime television soap opera All My Children (1999–2001) before going on to star in the Lifetime crime drama series, Angela's Eyes (2006). From 2013 to 2016, Spencer starred as Amantha Holden in the SundanceTV drama series Rectify, for which she received a nomination for a Critics' Choice Television Award; she then starred as history professor Lucy Preston in the NBC science-fiction series Timeless.
Abigail Spencer | |
|---|---|
 Spencer in 2013 | |
| Born | Abigail Leigh Spencer August 4, 1981 Gulf Breeze, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse |
Andrew Pruett
(m. 2004; div. 2013) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent | Yancy Spencer III (father) |
Spencer has appeared in many films, including In My Sleep (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), This Means War (2012), Chasing Mavericks (2012), The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and This Is Where I Leave You (2014). She also had recurring roles on the series Mad Men (2009), Hawthorne (2009–2011), Suits (2011–2019), and Grey's Anatomy (2017–2022).
Early life
editSpencer was born and raised in Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa County, Florida,[3] the daughter of Lydia Ann Brown and surfer Yancy Spencer III.[4] She has two brothers. Spencer has said that she is part Cherokee.[5]
Career
editSpencer's first major acting role was playing Rebecca "Becca" Tyree on ABC soap opera All My Children from June 3, 1999, to April 10, 2001.[6][7] She later starred in Lifetime Television original series Angela's Eyes, which was cancelled on December 1, 2006.[3] In the following years, she began playing guest roles on several television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, How I Met Your Mother, Private Practice and Castle.
Spencer played the role of a blogging enthusiast in Twix advertisements, and portrayed Miss Farrell, a love interest of Don Draper, on AMC's Mad Men in 2009. In early 2011, she landed the lead role on ABC drama pilot Grace by Krista Vernoff.[8] Spencer had previously played the title character in another Krista Vernoff drama pilot, Introducing Lennie Rose, in 2005.[9] Spencer appeared in a recurring role as Dr. Erin Jameson on the TNT series Hawthorne in 2010, and from 2011 to 2019 had a recurring role as Dana "Scottie" Scott, Gabriel Macht's character's old rival, on the USA Network legal drama Suits.[10][11]
Spencer has appeared in several films, including In My Sleep (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), This Means War (2012), and Chasing Mavericks (2012), and she played the lead role in The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013).[12] She appeared in fantasy adventure film Oz the Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, in 2013.[13]
Spencer received critical acclaim for starring as Amantha Holden in the Sundance Channel original drama series Rectify (2013–2017).[14][15] She was nominated for Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her performance in the series.[16][17][18]
Spencer played the lead role in the indie drama A Beautiful Now, written by Daniela Amavia, about a passionate dancer who finds herself considering an extreme act when she reaches a crossroads in her life.[19] She was nominated for a Madrid International Film Festival Award for Best Actress for her performance in film. In 2014, Spencer appeared opposite Jason Bateman in the comedy-drama film This Is Where I Leave You, an ensemble comedy directed by Shawn Levy,[20] and starred with John Travolta and Christopher Plummer in the crime thriller film The Forger.[21][22]
In October 2014, Spencer joined the cast of the second season of HBO crime drama series, True Detective.[23][24]
In 2016, Spencer was cast as lead character Lucy Preston in the NBC series Timeless,[25] where she plays a history professor sent on time travel missions to different eras in an effort to prevent others from disrupting the U.S.-related timestream.[26] A review of the series in Variety called Spencer "prodigiously talented" and that she played "a character whose major personality traits are 'smart' and 'plucky.'"[26] A review by Deadline Hollywood said that the show was a waste of Spencer's talents.[27] The New York Times wrote that "Abigail Spencer is good as Lucy, the spunky historian who is the show's central character."[28] Timeless was renewed by NBC on May 12, 2017. The network had canceled the series days earlier, but reversed the decision.[29] The series ended after two seasons.
Spencer and Duke Johnson's production company, Innerlight Films, has produced award-winning short films such as Here and Now, and the 2015 Oscar short-listed Winter Light.[30] The company has also produced the upcoming film The Actor, based on Donald E. Westlake's novel Memory, starring André Holland and Gemma Chan.[31]
Personal life
editSpencer married Andrew Pruett in 2004 and gave birth to their son in 2008. They filed for divorce in February 2012, divorcing in 2013.[32]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Campfire Stories | Melissa | |
| 2003 | Graduation Night | Skye | |
| 2005 | A Coat of Snow | Sandy | |
| 2006 | Hooked | Wendy | Short film |
| 2007 | Passing the Time | Jessica | Short film |
| Jekyll | Talia Carew | ||
| 2010 | In My Sleep | Gwen | |
| 2011 | Cowboys & Aliens | Alice | |
| 2012 | This Means War | Katie | |
| Chasing Mavericks | Brenda Hesson | ||
| 2013 | The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia | Lisa Wyrick | |
| Oz the Great and Powerful | May | ||
| Kilimanjaro | Yvonne | ||
| Here and Now | Woman | Short film; also writer and executive producer | |
| 2014 | The Pieces | Vanessa | Short film |
| This Is Where I Leave You | Quinn Altman | ||
| The Forger | Agent Paisley | ||
| 2015 | The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards | Abigail | |
| A Walk in Winter | Abigail | Short film | |
| A Beautiful Now | Romy | ||
| H8RZ | Laura Sedgewick | ||
| Stars | Heather | Short film | |
| 2016 | The Sweet Life | Lolita Nowicki | |
| 2017 | Three Women | Madeline | Short film |
| 2018 | Buttons: A Christmas Tale | Annabelle Hill | |
| 2021 | The Black Hole | Feather (voice) | Short film |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2001 | All My Children | Rebecca "Becca" Tyree | 21 episodes |
| 2005 | Fathers and Sons | Clarissa | Television film |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Becky Lester | Episode: "Bite Me" | |
| 2006 | Killer Instinct | Violet Summers | Episode "Love Hurts" |
| Gilmore Girls | Megan | Episode: "Bridesmaids Revisited" | |
| Angela's Eyes | Angela Henson | 13 episodes | |
| Introducing Lennie Rose | Lennie Rose | Television pilot | |
| 2007 | Ghost Whisperer | Cindy Brown | Episode: "Speed Demon" |
| My Boys | Lyssa | Episode: "Douchebag in the City" | |
| 2007–2014 | How I Met Your Mother | Blah blah (Carol) | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Welcome to the Captain | Claire Tanner | Episode: "The Letter" |
| Bones | Philipa Fitz | Episode: "The Man in the Mud" | |
| Moonlight | Simone Walker | Episode: "Sonata" | |
| 2009 | Private Practice | Rachel | Episode: "Ex-Life" |
| Mad Men | Suzanne Farrell | 6 episodes | |
| Castle | Sarah Reed | Episode: "One Man's Treasure" | |
| 2010 | Hawthorne | Dr. Erin Jameson | 8 episodes |
| The Glades | Ashley Carter | Episode: "The Girlfriend Experience" | |
| 2010–2012 | Childrens Hospital | Young Chief / Chief in Her 20s / Maxine Spratt | 3 episodes |
| 2010 | Rex Is Not Your Lawyer | Lindsey Steers | Television pilot |
| 2011 | Grace | Sarah Grace | Television pilot |
| 2011–2019 | Suits | Dana "Scottie" Scott | 15 episodes |
| 2011 | How to be a Gentleman | Lydia | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2012–2013 | Burning Love | Annie | 25 episodes |
| 2013–2016 | Rectify | Amantha Holden | 30 episodes |
| 2013 | NTSF:SD:SUV | Caroline | Episode: "Comic Con-Air" |
| 2015 | True Detective | Gena Brune | 6 episodes |
| 2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Vanna | Episode: "Zach Galifianakis Wears Rolled Khakis and Shoes with Brown Laces" |
| 2016–2018 | Timeless | Lucy Preston | 27 episodes |
| 2017–2022 | Grey's Anatomy | Dr. Megan Hunt | 15 episodes |
| 2019 | Wayne | Donna Luccetti | Episode: "Chapter Five: Del" |
| Reprisal | Doris Quinn / Katherine Harlow | 10 episodes | |
| 2021 | Rebel | Dr. Misha Nelson | 9 episodes |
| 2023–2024 | Extended Family | Julia Mariano | 13 episodes |
Accolades
edit| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Soap Opera Digest Awards | Outstanding Female Newcomer | All My Children | Won |
| 2013 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Rectify | Nominated |
| 2014 | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Series, Drama | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress | Timeless | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "WHO'S WHO IN THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE: A MAGICALLY MODERN WEDDING". Daily Mail. May 21, 2018. p. 26. ProQuest 2041533201.
Abigail Leigh Spencer, American actress, who stars in Suits and Mad Men.
- ^ "On This Day, August 4: Today's Birthdays". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 4, 2023. p. A-2. ProQuest 2848111584.
Britain's Duchess of Sussex, the former actor Meghan Markle, 42. Actor Abigail Spencer, 42. Actor/director Greta Gerwig, 40.
See also:- "Today's Birthdays". Cincinnati Enquirer. August 4, 2018. p. SS1-1. ProQuest 2109345106.
Britain's Duchess of Sussex, the former actress Meghan Markle, 37. Actress Abigail Spencer, 37. Actress Greta Gerwig, 35.
- "Today's Birthdays". Cincinnati Enquirer. August 4, 2018. p. SS1-1. ProQuest 2109345106.
- ^ a b "Abigail Spencer Biography". Buddy TV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ "Yancy Spencer III Obituary: View Yancy Spencer's Obituary by the Pensacola News Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
- ^ Friedman, Jennifer D'Angelo (August 24, 2010). "*Hawthorne* Actress Reveals Her Beauty Secrets". self.com.
- ^ "About AMC: About the Actors | Abigail Spencer | All My Children @". Soapcentral. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "Abigail Spencer". TVGuide.com. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2011). "Abigail Spencer To Star In ABC's 'Grace', Several Other Actors Join Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "Breaking News - Development Update: February 17". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ Matt Webb Mitovich (June 14, 2011). "Mad Men Alum Abigail Spencer Lawyers Up for USA Network's Suits". TVLine. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ Barrett, Annie (September 17, 2013). "'Suits' summer finale preview: Who's a bastard?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia". Rotten Tomatoes. February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ Borys Kit (July 5, 2011). "'Mad Men' Actress Abigail Spencer Heads to 'Oz' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ "Quintet Of Actors Cast In Sundance Channel's Drama Series 'Rectify'". Deadline Hollywood. April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ "Abigail Spencer's 'Timeless' Advice to Actors: 'Just Make Stuff'". TheWrap. June 3, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ Sandra Gonzalez (May 22, 2013). "'American Horror Story' and 'The Big Bang Theory' lead Critics Choice nominees". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ "Big Bang, Horror Story, Parks & Rec, Good Wife, The Americans Lead Critics Choice Nominations". Entertainment Weekly. May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Nominations | Categories". International Press Academy. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ Borys Kit (March 1, 2013). "'Oz' Actress Abigail Spencer to Star in 'Beautiful Now' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ Borys Kit (April 3, 2013). "Abigail Spencer Joins Jason Bateman in 'This Is Where I Leave You' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ "Jennifer Ehle, Abigail Spencer Join 'Forger'". The Hollywood Reporter. November 17, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "Jennifer Ehle, Anson Mount, Abigail Spencer Join 'The Forger'". Variety. October 8, 2013.
- ^ "'True Detective' Adds Kelly Reilly, Abigail Spencer, Michael Irby and Leven Rambin". TheWrap. October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ "'True Detective': Kelly Reilly, Michael Irby, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin Eye Roles". Deadline. October 30, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- '^ Michael Ausiello. "Rectifys Abigail Spencer to Star in NBC's Time Travel Drama Pilot From Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan". TVLine. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Saraiya, Sonia (September 20, 2016). "TV Review: 'Timeless'". Variety.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (October 3, 2016). "'Timeless' & 'Frequency' Review: NBC & CW Time Travel Series Go Nowhere Fast". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Hale, Mike (October 3, 2016). "Review: In 'Timeless,' a Time-Traveling Trio and a High-Stakes Chase". The New York Times.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (May 13, 2017). "'Timeless' Scores Season 2 Order at NBC After Cancellation". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 25, 2021). "Abigail Spencer Joins ABC Drama Series 'Rebel' As Recurring". Deadline.
- ^ Scharf, Lindzi (October 18, 2022). "Abigail Spencer". The Retaility.
"I'm producing a feature and we're in pre-production in Budapest. I've been putting this movie together for seven years. It's called 'The Actor' and Neon is releasing it. André Holland and Gemma Chan are our leads.
- ^ "'HawthoRNe' Star Abigail Spencer Files for Divorce". TMZ. February 26, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
External links
edit- Abigail Spencer at IMDb
Media related to Abigail Spencer at Wikimedia Commons
