Karen Cartwright

Karen Cartwright is a struggling actress working as a waitress to make ends meet. She is very excited to be auditioning for the new Houston-Levitt project based on Marilyn Monroe's life - with Derek Wills set to direct, and with Eileen Rand producing. However, by the second episode ("The Callback") it is revealed that she loses the role to Ivy Lynn (played by Broadway actress Megan Hilty), however in the season finale,"Bombshell", she replaces Rebecca Duval as Marylin Monroe.

Until the last episode, Karen was dating Dev, agreed to marry him in "Bombshell", however, she discovers that he cheated on her with Ivy, when Ivy gives her the engagement ring Dev left in her room. They have a fight afterwhich Karen leaves. Derek also appears to have an infatufation with Karen, and had her come do a private performance for him during the pilot. However, after that incident nothing serious happens between them. She dated Jimmy Collins who is in jail.