Helen Cespedes

Helen grew up in Boston, surrounded by books, to parents of Italian, Cuban, and British heritage. Her love of language and storytelling drew her to performance as a means of communicating with the world. She studied comparative literature at Barnard College before training as an actor at Juilliard where she was awarded the John Houseman Prize.

Described by New York critics as "quicksilver," "radiant," and "a dead ringer for Rosalind Russell," Helen has performed on and off-Broadway, regionally, and on set.

After gaining critical attention as Emma in Lileana Blain-Cruz's "exquisite" revival of Fefu and Her Friends at Theater for a New Audience, Helen returned to TFANA as Flaminia in Simon Godwin's production of Timon of Athens opposite Kathryn Hunter.

On screen, she recently appeared as public defender Attorney Maldonado on Law & Order (NBC). She wrapped the role of Jess in Madeleine Corson's upcoming feature O Horizon starring Maria Bukalova, Maggie Grace, and David Straithairn. Other favorite credits include acting opposite Jeff Goldblum in "Search Party," wearing vintage Dior on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and being directed by Stephen Soderbergh in "The Knick."

When she is not acting, Helen is busy developing her original scripts for stage, film, and television. Stay tuned for her debut short film The Decision, which follows an aging millennial as she is ambushed by her fertility fairy-godmother come to remind her that "time is running out."

Helen lives in New York City with her husband, actor Peter Mark Kendall.