Kari Matchett is a Canadian actress.[1] She is known for her roles as Colleen Blessed on Power Play, Joan Campbell on Covert Affairs, Kate Filmore in the science fiction movie Cube 2: Hypercube, and U.S. president Michelle Travers on The Night Agent. She has also appeared in films such as Apartment Hunting (2000), Angel Eyes (2001), Men with Brooms (2002), Cypher (2002), Civic Duty (2006), The Tree of Life (2011), and Maudie (2016).

Kari Matchett
Matchett in 2011
Born
OccupationActress
Years active1996–present
Spouse
(m. 1998; div. 2006)
Children1

Early life and education

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Matchett was born in Spalding, Saskatchewan.[2] She attended high school at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in Lethbridge, Alberta. She attended the National Theatre School in Montreal and the Moscow Theatre School.[3]

Matchett performed on stage for three years at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario.[4]

Career

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In Canada, her first major role was on The Rez, and her first starring role was as Colleen Blessed in Power Play (1998–2000).[3] Matchett was a cast member on the A&E Network TV series A Nero Wolfe Mystery[5] (2001–2002), with Timothy Hutton in which she played several characters, including a recurring role as Lily Rowan. On Wonderfalls, she played Beth, the bisexual love interest of the main character's lesbian sister.

In 2001, she played Candace in the drama film Angel Eyes.[6] In 2002, she played Kate Filmore in the science fiction horror thriller Cube 2: Hypercube.[7]

In 2003, she starred with Timothy Hutton in the Syfy miniseries Five Days to Midnight.[5] Her next role was as Detective Elaine Bender in Blue Murder in 2004.[8] She previously guest starred on Blue Murder in 2001 as a suspect in a murder investigation, for which she won a Gemini Award.[9]

In 2005, Matchett starred in the ABC series Invasion, about aliens taking the form of humans. She also appeared in Plague City: SARS in Toronto. She also appeared as Mary Tate on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. She appeared in both Shark and Wild Card. She played a single mother stalked by her boyfriend in Intimate Stranger, in 2006.[10] In the same year she starred with Peter Krause in Civic Duty.[5]

In 2007, Matchett joined the cast of 24, as Lisa Miller. In June 2007, she played Kate Armstrong in the TNT series Heartland.[11] In 2007 and 2008, she was cast as ER chief Skye Wexler on ER. In 2008 and 2009, she played Dennis Hopper's character's daughter, Jules, in the critically acclaimed Starz series Crash. She had a recurring role in the TNT series Leverage, reuniting with Nero Wolfe co-star Timothy Hutton, portraying Maggie Collins, the ex-wife of Hutton's character, Nathan "Nate" Ford. Matchett starred as Joan Campbell in the USA Network series Covert Affairs (2010–2014).[4]

 
Matchett in September 2016

In 2016, Matchett appeared as Sandra in Maudie with Ethan Hawke.[12] She also played a supporting role in Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, with Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.[13] Shot in 2008, the film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2011 and received the Palme d'Or.[14]

In 2023, Matchett was cast in a recurring role as U.S. president Michelle Travers in the Netflix drama television series The Night Agent.[15]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1998 Papertrail Alison Enola
2000 Apartment Hunting Sarah
2001 Angel Eyes Candace
2002 Men with Brooms Linda Bucyk [16]
Cube 2: Hypercube Kate Filmore
19 Months Page
Cypher Diane
2006 Civic Duty Marla Allen
Goose on the Loose Donna Archer
2011 The Tree of Life Jack's ex
2015 Lead With Your Heart Maura McCabe Walker
2016 Maudie Sandra
2018 Into Invisible Light Lydia
2019 Code 8 Mary Reed [17]
2020 2 Hearts Grace
2023 Hailey Rose Olga
2024 Code 8: Part II Connor's mom [18]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Rez Tanya Nanibush Beakhert Main role
Forever Knight Alyss de Brabant Episode: "Dead of Knight"
Undue Influence Marcie Reed Television film
1996–1997 Ready or Not Sheila Ramone Recurring role (seasons 4–5)
1997 Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal Mary O'Brien Episode: "The Curse/Angel on a Plane"
What Happened to Bobby Earl? Nicki Corlis Television film; also known as Murder in a College Town
Breach of Faith: A Family of Cops 2 Marina Television film
Viper Beatrice Episode: "Triple Cross"
1998 Once a Thief Claire Holland Episode: "Wedding Bell Blues"
Poltergeist: The Legacy Caroline Crane Episode: "The Human Vessel"
A Marriage of Convenience Elizabeth Television film
Earth: Final Conflict Siobhan Beckett Recurring role (seasons 1–2)
Earth: Final Conflict Rho'ha Episodes: "Pandora's Box", "Law & Order"
1998–2000 Power Play Colleen Blessed Main role; Gemini Award nominee (2000)
1999 Rembrandt: Fathers & Sons Saskia van Rijn Television film
2000 Task Force: Caviar Linda Television film
2001 A Colder Kind of Death Maureen Gault Television film; Gemini Award nominee (2001)
All Souls Stefani Volette Episode: "Spineless"
Blue Murder Christina Kondeatis / Carol Clark Episode: "Intensive Care"; Gemini Award
A Nero Wolfe Mystery Lily Rowan / various Recurring role
2002 The Glow Allison Television film
2003 Betrayed Judy Bryce Television film
2004 5ive Days to Midnight Claudia Whitey Television miniseries
Blue Murder Elaine Bender Main role (season 4)
Wonderfalls Beth 3 episodes
A Very Married Christmas Donna Television film
2005 The Eleventh Hour Carrina Mallett Episode: "Zugzwang"
Puppets Who Kill Laura Episode: "Dan and the New Neighbour"
Plague City: SARS in Toronto Amy Television film
Wild Card Gigi Germain Episode: "My Boyfriend is an Axe Murderer"
2005–2006 Invasion Mariel Underlay Main role
2006 Intimate Stranger Karen Reese Television film
Shark Monica Tanner Episode: "Dial M for Monica"
2007 24 Lisa Miller Recurring role (season 6)
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Mary Tate Recurring role
Heartland Kate Armstrong Main role
ER Skye Wexler Recurring role (season 14)
2008 Ugly Betty Dr. Wallace Episode: "Betty's Baby Bump"
The Cleaner Shelly Mullins Episode: "Lie with Me"
Criminal Minds Amy Bridges Episode: "The Instincts"
Crash Jules Recurring role
2009 Flashpoint Delia Semple Episode: "Clean Hands"
The Philanthropist Renee Adams Episode: "San Diego"
The National Tree Faith Television film[19]
Leverage Maggie Collins 4 episodes
2010 Meteor Storm Michelle Television film
Miami Medical Helena Sable Episode: "An Arm and a Leg," "Man on the Road"
2010–2014 Covert Affairs Joan Campbell Main role
2012 Saving Hope Kendra Watt Episode: "A New Beginning"
The Riverbank Kate Mason Television film
The Horses of McBride Avril Davidson Television film[20]
2013 Elementary Kathryn Drummand Episode: "The Deductionist"
2015 Murdoch Mysteries Miss Heloise Episode: "The Devil Wears Whalebone"
2017 The Good Doctor Liam's mother Episode: "22 Steps"
2018 Return to Christmas Creek Pamela Television film
2018 The Detail Diane Taylor Episode: "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"
2019 Mad Mom Jill Jones Television film;[21] also known as Psycho Mother-in-Law
2020 Fortunate Son Mary Howard Main role[22]
Hudson & Rex Lisa Bunting Episode: "Grave Matters"
2021 Charmed Lori Brewster Episode: "O, The Tangled Web"
Supergirl Jean Rankin Episodes: "Still I Rise", "Blind Spots"
2023 The Night Agent Michelle Travers Recurring role
Fargo Linda Tillman Episode: "Linda" (season 5)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2000 Gemini Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Role in a Dramatic Series Power Play Nominated [23]
2001 Gemini Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries A Colder Kind of Death Nominated [9]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series Blue Murder Won [24]
2003 ACTRA Toronto Awards Outstanding Performance – Female A Nero Wolfe Mystery Nominated [25]
2017 ACTRA Toronto Awards Outstanding Performance – Female Maudie Nominated [26][27]
2021 ACTRA Toronto Awards Outstanding Performance – Female Fortunate Son Nominated [28]

References

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  1. ^ "Kari Matchett Biography at AllMoviePortal.com". Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  2. ^ "The Saskatchewan connection" by Cam Fuller, Regina Leader-Post (7 April, 2007) [Final Edition] Retrieved from ProQuest 349922951
  3. ^ a b "Power Players: hockey & hookey" by Colin McConnell, Toronto Star (3 Jan, 1999) Retrieved from ProQuest 437885428
  4. ^ a b "Kari Matchett finally has a role in a U.S. series that's renewed for a second season" by Mike Bell, Montreal Gazette (8 Jan, 2011) Retrieved from ProQuest 829409051
  5. ^ a b c "Kari Matchett Filmography". The New York Times. 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016.
  6. ^ "Mix & Matchett: Versatile actress loves trying new roles" by Valerie Fortney, Calgary Herald (13 March, 2003) [Final Edition] Retrieved from ProQuest 245042929
  7. ^ "Cube 2: Hypercube Cast". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2016. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016.
  8. ^ "Blue Murder’s Lucas happy to be competitive" by James Careless at playbackonline.ca
  9. ^ a b "Aliens made her a star: Canada's Kari Matchett hits Hollywood's A-list with Invasion" by Bill Rankin, Edmonton Journal (4 Jan, 2006) [Final Edition] Retrieved from ProQuest 253279213
  10. ^ "Onda gets Intimate in Moose Jaw" by Distin Dinoff at playbackonline.ca
  11. ^ Heartland review by Brian Lowry at variety.com
  12. ^ "Film Review: 'Maudie'" by Peter Debruge at variety.com
  13. ^ Bell, Mike (January 8, 2011). "Kari Matchett finally has a role in a U.S. series that's renewed for a second season". The Gazette. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  14. ^ Debruge, Peter; Chang, Justin (May 22, 2011). "'Tree of Life' wins Palme d'Or". Variety. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "Kari Matchett Joins Netflix's 'The Night Agent'..." by Denise Petski at deadline.com
  16. ^ "CBC okays Men with Brooms" by Etan Vlessing at playbackonline.ca
  17. ^ "Code 8 rolls in Toronto" by Regan Reid at playbackonline.ca
  18. ^ "BANFF ’21: Netflix acquires global rights to Code 8 sequel" by Amber Dowling at playbackonline.ca
  19. ^ The National Tree review by Brian Lowry at variety.com
  20. ^ "Production begins on Horses of McBride" by Danielle Ng See Quan at playbackonline.ca
  21. ^ "Cameras roll on Incendo’s Mad Mom" by Lauren Malyk at playbackonline.ca
  22. ^ "Seven24, Lark roll on Fortunate Son" by Lauren Malyk at playbackonline.ca
  23. ^ "Gemini Nominations" at the Toronto Star (29 Oct, 2000) [Ontario Edition] Retrieved from ProQuest 438194846
  24. ^ "2001 Gemini Winners" at playbackonline.ca
  25. ^ "ACTRA Award Revived in Honour of 60th Anniversary: Ten Award Nominees Announced by ACTRA Toronto". actratoronto.com. ACTRA Toronto. February 3, 2003. Archived from the original on December 26, 2005.
  26. ^ "2017 ACTRA Awards in Toronto Nominees". actratoronto.com. ACTRA Toronto. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  27. ^ "In brief: Letterkenny preps for Paddy’s Day; Peppa Pig nabs prize" by Jordan Pinto at playbackonline.ca
  28. ^ "Baroness, Murdoch among ACTRA Toronto ensemble nominees" by Lauren Malyk at playbackonline.ca
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