Jewel Belair Staite[1](born June 2, 1982[2][3]) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles asKaylee Fryein the seriesFirefly(2002–2003) and its follow-up movieSerenity(2005), and asJennifer Kelleron science fiction television seriesStargate Atlantis(2007–2009). Staite also starred as Catalina inSpace Cases(1996), as "Becca" Fisher inFlash Forward(1996–1997), as Raquel Westbrook in the Canadian dramaThe L.A. Complex(2012), and as Caroline Swift in AMC's crime dramaThe Killing(2013–2014). Since 2021, she has starred as Abigail Bianchi in the Canadian legal drama seriesFamily Law.
Jewel Staite | |
|---|---|
 Staite at the 2013Phoenix Comicon | |
| Born | Jewel Belair Staite June 2, 1982 White Rock, British Columbia,Canada |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouses | Matt Anderson
(m.2003;div.2011)Charlie Ritchie (m.2016) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editStaite was born inWhite Rock, British Columbia,the youngest of seven children. She has said that she is ofBritish,Irish,French Canadian,andIroquoisancestry.[4]She began her career in early childhood, working both as amodeland, from the age of six, as an actor. She attendedVancouver Film Schooland developed her stagecraft at the Vancouver Youth Theatre.[5]
Career
editStaite's first high profile appearances as a child actor came intelevision moviessuch asCBC'sLiar, Liarin 1993 (which was later aired onCBSin the United States that same year)[6]andABC'sThe Only Way Out.[7]In 1995, she had a key guest-starring role in a third-season episode ofThe X-Files,"Oubliette".
After appearing onAre You Afraid of the Dark?(1994), Staite's first co-starring role on a television series was as Catalina, the ship's engineer, in the first season of theNickelodeonscience fiction seriesSpace Casesin 1996. This was immediately followed by her role as Rebecca "Becca" Fisher on the 1995–1997Disney ChannelseriesFlash Forward,a series in which Staite was the co-lead withBen Foster.[8]
In 2000, she was cast in a main role on theFOX Family Channeldrama seriesHigher Ground.[9]She was also a voice actress in the animated TV seriesMummies Alive!andSabrina: The Animated SeriesforDIC Entertainment.
Staite playedKaylee Fryein the short-livedtelevision seriesFirefly[10][11]and its subsequent 2005 film,Serenity.[12]She wrote a chapter in the bookFinding Serenity,called "Kaylee Speaks: Jewel Staite OnFirefly".[13]She played the recurring role of Heidi Gotts in the television seriesWonderfallsin 2004.
Staite played the role of head medical doctorJennifer Kellerin theStargate SG-1spinoffStargate Atlantis,[14]making her one of three actors from theFireflyseries to move on to appear in aStargateseries (the others beingAdam Baldwin,who appeared in the episode "Heroes",andMorena Baccarin,who playedAdriain the tenth season ofSG-1). She replacedPaul McGillion(Dr.Carson Beckett). In the fifth season ofStargate,her character was changed from recurring status to part of the main cast. Before taking on the role as Dr. Keller, she previously played theWraithchild Ellia in theStargate Atlantisepisode "Instinct".[15]She also appeared in the 2010Syfyfilm,Mothman,under direction from Sheldon Wilson.[13][16] Also in 2010, Staite guest-starred in an episode ofWarehouse 13as the love interest of Sheldon (played bySean Maher,who played her love interest inFirefly), and in 2011, she guest-starred on an episode ofSupernaturalas a former love interest of Sam.[17]
In 2012, Staite was a series regular onThe L.A. Complex,in which she portrayed Raquel Westbrook, a struggling actress.[18]The show aired in Canada onCTVandMuchMusicand in the U.S. onThe CW.[19]She also appeared in an episode ofThe Listener.Staite appeared in 10 episodes of theAMCcrime drama,The Killing,as Detective Stephen Holder's girlfriend Caroline Swift, from 2013–2014.[20]
Personal life
editStaite was married to actor Matt Anderson from 2003 to 2011.[21]In 2015, she became engaged to her boyfriend Charlie Ritchie.[22][23]In May 2015, she announced she was pregnant with her first child,[24][25]a boy, who was born later that year.[26]She and Ritchie married on July 23, 2016.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain | Samantha | |
| 1996 | Carpool | Soap Opera Actress | |
| 2002 | Cheats | Teddy Blue | |
| 2005 | Serenity | Kaylee | |
| 2009 | After Dusk They Come | Liz | Straight-to-video |
| 2011 | The Pact | Anna | Short film |
| 2015 | She Who Must Burn | Margaret | [27] |
| 40 Below and Falling | Kate Carter | [28] | |
| How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town | Cassie Cranston | [29] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories | Jennifer Lanahan | Television film |
| 1992; 1994 | The Odyssey | Labelia | Episodes: "The Believers", "The Prophecy" |
| 1993 | Liar, Liar | Dorianna | Television film; aired in the U.S. asLiar, Liar: Between Father and Daughter |
| The Only Way Out | Alexandra Carlisle | Television film | |
| 1994 | Are You Afraid of the Dark? | Kelly | Episode: "The Tale of Watcher's Woods" |
| 1995 | Are You Afraid of the Dark? | Cody | Episode: "The Tale of the Unfinished Painting" |
| The X-Files | Amy Jacobs | Episode: "Oubliette" | |
| 1996 | The Prisoner of Zenda, Inc. | Theresa | Television film |
| Space Cases | Catalina | Main role (season 1) | |
| 1996–1997 | Flash Forward | Rebecca "Becca" Fisher | Lead role |
| 1997–1999 | Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show | Tiara VanHorn | 5 episodes |
| 1998–2001 | Da Vinci's Inquest | Gabriella Da Vinci | 13 episodes |
| 1999 | So Weird | Callie Snow | Episode: "Siren" |
| Sabrina: The Animated Series | N/A | Voice role, 4 episodes | |
| Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy | Sally Prentiss | Episodes: "Happy Trails", "Fools for Love" | |
| 2000 | Higher Ground | Daisy Lipenowski | Main role |
| 2001 | The Immortal | Danielle Jenkins | Episode: "Learning Curve" |
| 2gether: The Series | Josie | Episode: "Kiss" | |
| Seven Days | Molly | Episode: "Empty Quiver" | |
| 2002 | Roughing It | Susan Olivia Clemens | Television film |
| Damaged Care | Bryanna (15–20 years) | Television film | |
| Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction | Carly / Shannon | Episode: "The Fine Line" | |
| Just Deal | Laurel | 8 episodes | |
| 2002–2003 | Firefly | Kaylee Frye | Main role |
| 2003 | Dead Like Me | Goth Girl | Episode: "Rest in Peace" |
| 2004 | Huff | Carolyn | Episode: Pilot |
| Cold Squad | Thora Andrews | Episode: "Girlfriend in a Closet" | |
| Wonderfalls | Heidi Gotts | 4 episodes | |
| 2005 | Widow on the Hill | Jenny Cavanaugh | Television film |
| Stargate Atlantis | Ellia | Episode: "Instinct" | |
| 2007–2009 | Stargate Atlantis | Jennifer Keller | Recurring role (season 4); main role (season 5); 33 episodes |
| 2010 | Mothman | Katharine Grant | Television film |
| Warehouse 13 | Loretta | Episode: "Mild Mannered" | |
| Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle | Holly | Television film; also known asMrs Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan | |
| 2011 | Doomsday Prophecy | Brook Calvin | Television film[30] |
| Supernatural | Amy Pond | Episode: "The Girl Next Door" | |
| 2012 | The L.A. Complex | Raquel Westbrook | Main role |
| 2012–2013 | Animism: The Gods' Lake | Melody Ravensfall | Main voice role |
| 2013 | The Listener | Lori Black | Episode: "Blast from the Past" |
| The Christmas Ornament | Jenna | Television film | |
| State of Syn | Annika Drake | TV shorts, 6 episodes[31] | |
| 2013–2014 | The Killing | Caroline Swift | 11 episodes |
| 2015 | A Frosty Affair | Kate | Television film |
| 2016 | Legends of Tomorrow | Dr. Bryce | Episode: "Progeny"[32] |
| Castle | Erin Cherloff | Episode: "Much Ado About Murder" | |
| Undercover Wife | Monica Boland | Television film; also known asNot with His Wife | |
| 2017 | The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit | Stella Williams | Television film |
| Same Time Next Week | Sarah | Television film | |
| 2017, 2020 | Blindspot | Kiva Garen | Episodes: "Regard a Mere Mad Rager" & "Iunne Ennui" |
| 2018 | The Detectives | Detective Penny Hart | Episode: "She Said" |
| Take Two | Jackie Jarvis / Angela Truman | Episode: "About Last Night" | |
| The Good Doctor | Stella | Episode: "Two Ply (or Not Two Ply)" | |
| 2019 | The Order | Renee Marand | Episodes: "Homecoming, Parts One & Two" |
| 2019–2020 | The Magicians | Phyllis | 4 episodes (seasons 4–5) |
| 2021–present | Family Law | Abigail Bianchi | Main role |
| 2022 | Quantum Leap | Naomi Harvey | Episode: "What a Disaster!" |
References
edit- ^"Jewel Staite".
- ^Bianco, Julia (June 2, 2015)."5 Reasons 'Firefly' Birthday Girls Kaylee And Inara Are The Best".MTV News.Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 9,2023.
- ^Jewel Staite.TV Insider.
- ^Lee, Michael (September 15, 2005)."Jewel Staite Interview".Radio Free Entertainment.RetrievedMarch 13,2016.
- ^Media, Kohoot (May 3, 2013)."Jewel Staite! – Hal-Con".Hal-Con.Archived fromthe originalon January 8, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 7,2017.
- ^Scott, Tony (June 21, 1993)."Review: 'CBS Tuesday Movie Liar, Liar'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Everett, Todd (December 15, 1993)."Review: 'ABC Sunday Night Movie the Only Way Out'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^"Ben Foster: 5 Things to Know About the Actor".The Hollywood Reporter.August 2, 2011.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Zahed, Ramin (January 13, 2000)."Review: 'Higher Ground'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Speier, Michael (September 18, 2002)."Review: 'Firefly'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Morfoot, Addie (October 10, 2015)."NYCC: 'Firefly' Cast Members Discuss Possibility of Second Season".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Snyder, Gabriel (March 2, 2004)."Whedon's 'Serenity' greenlit".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^abFoy, Scott (November 10, 2009)."Firefly Star Encounters Mothman on Syfy".Dread Central.RetrievedDecember 31,2013.
- ^Perenson, Melissa (June 11, 2007)."Firefly's Staite Joins Atlantis".SciFi Wire.Archived fromthe originalon October 4, 2008.RetrievedNovember 30,2008.
- ^Barton, Steve (April 21, 2010)."Syfy's Mothman Spreads Its Wings in New Clip".Dread Central.RetrievedApril 16,2013.
- ^Miska, Brad (April 21, 2010)."TV: First Look at 'Mothman' Creature in Clip".Bloody Disgusting.RetrievedApril 16,2013.
- ^Nguyen, Hanh (October 6, 2011)."Firefly's Jewel Staite on Sam's First Supernatural Kiss, Eating Brains".TV Guide.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Lowry, Brian (January 10, 2012)."Review: 'The L.A. Complex'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Weisman, Jon (April 20, 2012)."CW acquires Canadian skein".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Ng, Philiana (June 2, 2013)."'The Killing' Premiere: Linden and Holder Embark on a Brand New Mystery (Poll) ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Staite, Jewel (December 13, 2011)."Happier Than a Pig In..."Happy Opu.Archived fromthe originalon September 18, 2012.RetrievedApril 16,2013.
- ^"Charlie Ritchie on Instagram".Instagram.May 16, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedMay 16,2015.
- ^Jewel Staite.Twitter Dec 31, 2015.Accessed 2023-02-09. Quote= "In a year with an engagement..."
- ^"You think your year's been crazy? I'll show you crazy. We're having a baby! Due on my Dad's birthday, which caps off an already amazing surprise. I need me a teeny tiny Jayne hat".Instagram.May 26, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedMay 27,2015.
- ^Staite, Jewel (August 16, 2015)."Jewel Staite (@jewelstaite)".Instagram.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedAugust 16,2015.
- ^"Wilder Cathcart Ritchie, born at 1:55am December 9 at almost 9 lbs! He's feisty, strong-willed, and totally adorable. Can't believe our good luck".Instagram.December 9, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedDecember 9,2015.
- ^Harvey, Dennis (November 23, 2015)."Film Review: 'She Who Must Burn'".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^"40 Below and Falling".Calgary International Film Festival.RetrievedJuly 3,2019.
- ^Vlessing, Etan (August 5, 2014)."Jewel Staite Lands Lead in 'How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town'".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Ng, Philiana (July 26, 2011)."'Firefly,' 'CSI: NY' Actors Star in Syfy Telepics ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Spangler, Todd (December 12, 2013)."Sci-Fi Series 'State of Syn', Running on Hulu Next Year, to Get Google Glass Game".Variety.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 7, 2016)."Legends of Tomorrow: Jewel Staite Cast as a Future Genius With Ties to...?".TV Line.RetrievedMarch 13,2016.
