Simone Kessell
Simone Kessell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kessell in 2012 | |
| Born | August 19, 1975 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Simone Kessell (born 19 August 1975) is a New Zealand television actress known for her role as Lt. Alicia Washington in the short-lived Fox science fiction television series Terra Nova.[1] In 2016, Kessell starred opposite Ray Winstone on the short-lived ABC prime-time television fantasy soap opera Of Kings and Prophets.[2] As of 2023[update] she co-stars on the Showtime series Yellowjackets.
Career
[edit]Her early work included appearances in New Zealand and Australian productions like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,[3] Xena: Warrior Princess,[3] Water Rats, and Medivac,[4] where she played Dr. Stella O'Shaughnessy. She also appeared in TV films such as McLeod's Daughters[4] and Return to Treasure Island.
Then, she expanded her career with roles in American series such as CSI: Miami, Criminal Minds, and Fringe.[5] In 2011, she portrayed Lieutenant Alicia Washington in the sci-fi series Terra Nova.[6]
More recently, Kessell played Breha Organa in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, and Mother Teach in Our Flag Means Death.[7] Since 2023, she has been part of the main cast in Yellowjackets, portraying the adult version of Lottie Matthews.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Kessell was born in Auckland to a Māori mother, of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Te Rangi descent,[9] and a Pākehā father of European descent.[3] She is married to Australian director Gregor Jordan. They have two sons, Jack and Beau.[9]
Simone Kessell is also a pickleball player.[10] In 2024, she secured a gold medal in the women's singles (35+ age 4.0) and a silver in women's doubles at the Australian Pickleball Championships.[11] She serves as an ambassador for JOOLA Australia and captains the Brisbane Breakers in Major League Pickleball Australia.[10][12]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Stickmen | Karen | |
| Lotto | Short | ||
| 2003 | Liquid Bridge | Jeanne | |
| 2005 | Sum of Existence | Dr. Juliet King | |
| 2008 | The Informers | Nina Metro | |
| Frost/Nixon | Airport Check-In Woman | ||
| 2009 | Blue Boy | Mrs. Jordan | Short |
| 2011 | Burning Man | Oscar's Teacher | |
| 2013 | The Lovers | Clara Coldstream | |
| 2015 | San Andreas | Kim Swann | |
| 2017 | 2:22 | Serena | |
| 1% | Hayley | ||
| 2022 | Muru | Maria |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Homeward Bound | Hannah Tumai | ||
| 1994 | Hercules and the Amazon Women | Jana | TV film | |
| Hercules and the Circle of Fire | Girl / Hag | TV film | ||
| Hercules in the Underworld | Girl / Hag | TV film | ||
| High Tide | Young Tennis Star | Episode: "Party Time", "Match Point" | ||
| The Cartoon Company | Presenter | |||
| 1995–96 | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | Rena | Episode: "What's in a Name?", "The Wedding of Alcmene" | |
| 1996 | G.P. | Joanne Mills | Episode: "Someone to Turn To" | |
| McLeod's Daughters | Jodi Wilcox | TV film | ||
| Return to Treasure Island | Coral | TV film | ||
| 1997 | Xena: Warrior Princess | Miss Messini | Episode: "Here She Comes... Miss Amphipolis" | |
| Heartbreak High | Aurora | Episode: "5.23", "5.24" | ||
| 1998 | The Violent Earth | Gabrielle | TV miniseries | |
| Medivac | Dr. Stella O'Shaughness | Lead role | ||
| 1999 | Water Rats | Eleni Spartels | Episode: "Cut-off Point" | |
| Wildside | Roxanne Tate | Episode: "2.16" | ||
| Greenstone | Marama | |||
| Stingers | Despina Polo | Episode: "Counting the Beat" | ||
| Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | Havisha | Episode: "We'll Always Have Cyprus" | ||
| Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | Kayla | Episode: "Love, Amazon Style" | ||
| BeastMaster | Hyppolyte | Episode: "Amazons" | ||
| Airtight | Portia | TV film | ||
| 2000 | Farscape | Finzzi | Episode: "Dream a Little Dream" | |
| 2001 | The Lost World | Danielle | Episode: "Voodoo Queen" | |
| Hard Knox | Delicious Malicious | TV film | ||
| All Saints | Naomi Fisher | Episode: "The Sign", "Behind Closed Doors" | ||
| 2002 | Mataku | Virginia | Episode: "The God Child" | |
| 2003 | White Collar Blue | Kaz | Episode: "2.4", "2.5" | |
| 2005 | CSI: Miami | Agent Maxwell | Episode: "From the Grave" | |
| 2007 | Criminal Minds | Sarah Danlin | Episode: "Jones" | |
| 2009 | Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities | Isabelle Wilson | Recurring role | |
| Reaper | Sally | Episode: "No Reaper Left Behind" | ||
| Fringe | Nurse / Shapeshifting Soldier | Episode: "A New Day in the Old Town" | ||
| 2011 | Panic at Rock Island | Louise Olsson | TV film | |
| Terra Nova | Lt. Alicia Washington | Recurring role (12 episodes) | ||
| 2014 | Fat Tony & Co. | Tamara Chippindall | Recurring role | |
| 2014–15 | Wonderland | Sasha Clarke | Supporting role (series 2–3) | |
| 2016 | Of Kings and Prophets | Queen Ahinoam | Lead role (9 episodes) | |
| 2017 | A Bunch of Dicks | Michelle Deportes | Web short | |
| 2018 | The Crossing | Rebecca | Lead role | |
| Pine Gap | Belle James | 6 episodes | ||
| 2019–2020 | Reckoning | Paige Serrato | 10 episodes | |
| 2022 | Obi-Wan Kenobi | Breha Organa | Miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| Our Flag Means Death | Mother Teach | Recurring role (2 episodes) | ||
| My Life Is Murder | Faith Cooper | Episode: Rising Angel | ||
| 2023 | The Night Agent | Emma Campbell | Episode: The Call | |
| 2023–2025 | Yellowjackets | Adult Charlotte "Lottie" Matthews | Main role (13 episodes) | [13] |
| 2023 | Wellmania | Helen King | 3 episodes | |
| 2024 | Hard Home | Mary | Lead, TV film | [14] |
| Critical Incident | Detective Edith Barcelos | 6 episodes | [15] | |
| TBA | The Last Frontier † | Sarah Remnick | Upcoming series | [16] |
| † | Denotes TV productions that have not yet been released |
References
[edit]- ^ Nellie Andreeva (9 August 2011). "TV CASTINGS ROUNDUP: 'AMC' Creator To Appear On Soap, Slew Of Actors Join Series". Deadline. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ Denise Petski (10 March 2015). "Oliver Rix & Simone Kessell Get Lead Roles in ABC Pilot 'Of Kings And Prophets' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ a b c Wickman, Kase (21 March 2023). "Surviving Womanhood and Hollywood With 'Yellowjackets' Star Simone Kessell". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Simone's trouble in Wonderland". Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Simone Kessell". Auckland Actors. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Terra Nova : Simone Kessell rejoint le casting". Premiere.fr (in French). 16 September 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (17 August 2022). "Simone Kessell Joins 'Yellowjackets' as Adult Lottie Matthews". Deadline. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (17 August 2022). "'Yellowjackets' Enlists 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Actress Simone Kessell for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ a b Awarau, Aroha (29 September 2022). "Simone Kessell on Making it big in Hollywood". WOMAN. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Simone Kessell - Screen to the Pickleball Court". JOOLA AUSTRALIA. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "The Australian Pickleball Championship's". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "2025 Captains announced as Melbourne Mavs secure the #1 pick for the 2025 Premier Draft. - Official Pacific Pickleball League". www.majorleaguepickleball.net.au. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "'Yellowjackets': Simone Kessell Joining as Adult Lottie in Season 2". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "High-Tech House Revenge Thriller Movie 'Hard Home' Official Trailer | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Critical Incident: new series set in Western Sydney examines the role of policing in diverse communities – with mixed results". Yahoo News. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (12 February 2024). "Simone Kessell Joins Jason Clarke In 'The Last Frontier' Apple TV+ Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
