Elizabeth Frances Henstridge[1] (born 11 September 1987[2]) is an English actress, model and director. She starred as Jemma Simmons in the ABC superhero action drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020), set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Elizabeth Henstridge | |
|---|---|
Henstridge in 2019 | |
| Born | Elizabeth Frances Henstridge 11 September 1987 Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England |
| Alma mater | East 15 Acting School |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Spouse | |
Early life
editHenstridge was born in Sheffield, England,[1] attending Meadowhead School and King Edward VII School. Henstridge has two sisters. She is of English and Irish descent. She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2009. She studied at East 15 Acting School and later moved to Los Angeles.[3]
Career
editHenstridge made her professional acting debut in the 2010 short film Easy Under the Apple Bough and the 2011 short film And the Kid. She made her television debut in 2011, appearing as Emily Alexander in the long-running British soap opera Hollyoaks.[4]
Henstridge was cast in the lead role of the 2012 The CW pilot Shelter, which was not picked up to series.[5] She went on to co-star in the horror film The Thompsons (2012), the crime drama film Gangs of Tooting Broadway (2013), and the ensemble drama film Reach Me (2014).
In November 2012, Henstridge was cast as Agent Jemma Simmons, a series regular character in the ABC superhero action drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which was set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[6][7][8] The series was ordered on 10 May 2013, and premiered on ABC on 24 September 2013.[9]
For her role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., she gained further recognition and acclaim from critics. In 2015, Henstridge received positive reviews for her performance in "4,722 Hours", the fifth episode of the third season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In contrast to the ensemble nature of the series, the episode contained none of the main cast (except Iain De Caestecker) and was centered around Henstridge's character. The episode's positive critical response focused praise on the bottle episode nature and Henstridge's performance. It was later named one of the best television episodes of 2015 by The Atlantic.[10]
In 2016, Henstridge reprised the role of Jemma Simmons in animated form in an episode of the Disney XD superhero series Ultimate Spider-Man.[11][12] That same year, she was cast as Abigail Folger in the horror film Wolves at the Door, loosely based on the infamous Manson Family's murders.[13] The film was released Direct-to-DVD in the United States on 18 April 2017.
In 2019, Henstridge starred as Jessica Cooper in the Hallmark Channel Christmas romantic comedy film Christmas at the Plaza.[14] In March 2020, it was announced that she was cast in a leading role in the Apple TV+ drama thriller series Suspicion, alongside Uma Thurman.[15] Henstridge plays Tara, a junior research fellow at Oxford and one of the suspects in the Leo Newman case.
As well as this, Henstridge has also starred in the short film The Imperfect Picture as Anna, and has done more directing. A short film she directed, Air, is now debuting in the festival circuit.[citation needed] In 2019, it was revealed that she was involved in an untitled superhero film that she starred, directed, wrote and produced.[citation needed]
In October 2024 ahead of its final season, it was announced that she is set to play a recurring role in Superman and Lois as Lex Luthor's daughter Elizabeth Luthor who is loosely based on the second Lena Luthor. She is also credited with directing many episodes from the series since 2022.
Personal life
editHenstridge had been in a relationship with actor and online influencer Zachary Abel since 2012. They met on the set of Shelter. On 22 April 2019, she announced their engagement with an Instagram post.[16] The two were married in England in August 2021.[17]
Henstridge has a dog named Maggie, and she supports Smile Train, a charity organization.[18]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Thompsons | Riley Stuart | |
| 2013 | Gangs of Tooting Broadway | Kate | |
| 2014 | Reach Me | Eve | |
| 2016 | Wolves at the Door | Abigail Folger | |
| 2019 | Christmas at the Plaza | Jessica Cooper | |
| 2023 | Mystery Island | Dr. Emilia Priestly |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Hollyoaks | Emily Alexander | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | Shelter | Grace | Unsold The CW pilot |
| 2013–2020 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Jemma Simmons | Main role; also director, episode: "As I Have Always Been" |
| 2014 | Film School Shorts | The Virgin | Episode: "Sugar & Spice" |
| 2015–2017 | Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Princess (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Double Agent | Herself | Episode: "Security Alert" |
| 2016 | Ultimate Spider-Man | Jemma Simmons (voice) | Episode: "Lizards" |
| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Academy | Herself | Episodes: "Sci-Tech Challenge", "Commencement" | |
| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot | Jemma Simmons | Episode: "Progress" | |
| 2017 | Temporary | Emily | Episode: "Poe Fashion" |
| 2022 | Suspicion | Tara | Main role |
| 2022–2024 | Superman & Lois | Elizabeth Luthor | Episode: "Break the Cycle"; also directed 3 episodes |
| 2023 | Gotham Knights | N/A | Director; episode: "Poison Pill" |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | TVLine's Performer of the Week | Performance in "4,722 Hours" | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Won |
| 2017 | TVLine's Performer of the Week | Performance in "Self Control" (shared with Iain De Caestecker) | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Nominated |
| 2019 | TVLine's Performer of the Week | Performance in "Inescapable" (shared with Iain De Caestecker) | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Won |
| 2020 | TVLine's Performer of the Week | Performance in "The End Is at Hand"/"What We're Fighting For" | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b "Elizabeth Henstridge profile". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ^ Jirak, Jamie (12 September 2019). "Agents of SHIELD Stars Post Sweet Photos in Honor of Elizabeth Henstridge's Birthday". comicbook.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Elizabeth Henstridge as Jemma Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Cast & Stars". ABC. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ Staff (25 May 2011). "McQueen guest hopes for 'Hollyoaks' return". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (12 March 2012). "Elizabeth Henstridge Joins JJ Abrams Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Joss Whedon's 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' Pilot Adds Two Agents (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ Bierly, Mandi (13 November 2012). "'S.H.I.E.L.D.' pilot adds two new agents". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker Cast on S.H.I.E.L.D. Pilot". TV Fanatic. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ Souppporis, Aaron (17 July 2013). "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD' will debut on September 24th". The Verge. Archived from the original on 20 July 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "The Best Television Episodes of 2015". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ^ Cavanaugh, Patrick (11 July 2015). "SDCC 2015: Celebrate the World of Marvel Animation". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ Prudom, Laura (8 March 2016). "Watch: 'Agents of SHIELD' Favorites Fitz and Simmons Get Animated for 'Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man'". Variety. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (8 May 2015). "Katie Cassidy Joins New Line Period Thriller 'The Wolves at the Door'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ "Christmas at the Plaza". Hallmark Channel. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ White, Peter (11 March 2020). "Uma Thurman To Headline Apple Drama Series 'Suspicion', Based on Israeli Thriller 'False Flag'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Elizabeth Henstridge Is Engaged to Zachary Burr Abel – See Her Gorgeous Ring!". People. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- ^ Kaitlyn (23 August 2021). "Elizabeth Henstridge and Zachary Burr Abel from 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Tie the Knot with Cast in Attendance". Chipandco.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ blawson (30 September 2016). "Elizabeth Henstridge and Zachary Abel Visit Local Smile Train Partners". Smile Train. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2017.