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Kathleen Robertson

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Kathleen Robertson
Robertson in 2010
Born (1973-07-08) July 8, 1973 (age 51)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
OccupationActress
Years active1985–present
Spouse
Chris Cowles
​
(m. 2004)​
Children2

Kathleen Robertson (born July 8, 1973)[1][2] is a Canadian actress. She has starred in a number of films, and from 2011 to 2012 played the role of Kitty O'Neill in the Starz political drama series Boss. From 2014 to 2016, Robertson starred as homicide detective Hildy Mulligan in the TNT series Murder in the First. She also played Tina Edison in the Canadian sitcom Maniac Mansion (1990–1993) and Clare Arnold in the Fox teen drama series Beverly Hills, 90210 (1994–1997). In 2019, she played a main character in the series Northern Rescue.

Early life

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Robertson was born in Hamilton, Ontario[3] and attended Sherwood Secondary School and Hillfield Strathallan College, a local private school. She started taking acting classes when she was ten and had roles in local theatre productions. Her first television appearances were in The Campbells, My Secret Identity and E.N.G.[4]

Career

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Acting

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Kathleen Robertson at 2008 Emmy Awards

From 1990 to 1993, Robertson starred as Tina Edison, the eldest of three children of Dr. Fred Edison (Joe Flaherty), on the Canadian sitcom Maniac Mansion. This role earned her two nominations for Young Artist Awards.[1] She appeared in several small films and television shows, and did not debut on the big screen until her small role in the 1992 thriller film Blown Away, opposite Corey Haim and Nicole Eggert.[2] She also made her American debut in the 1992 made-for-television movie, Quiet Killer, co-starring Kate Jackson.

In 1994, Robertson was cast in the series regular role of Clare Arnold in the Fox teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210. She starred in the show from 1994 to 1997, during seasons four to seven.[5] In 1997, her ex-boyfriend, director Gregg Araki cast her as Lucifer, one of a group of bored, alienated, and very horny Los Angeles teens in the black comedy drama film Nowhere.[2][6] She later had a role in his other film, called Splendor (1999).[5] Robertson also has appeared in several films during her career. She appeared opposite Luke Wilson in romantic comedy Dog Park (1998), in Sally Field's directed comedy-drama Beautiful (2000), and the parody movie Scary Movie 2 (2001). She later had more serious roles with the 2002 acclaimed independent drama film XX/XY, opposite Mark Ruffalo. In the same year, Robertson played the role of Evelyn Dick, a Canadian convicted murderer, whose trial remains the most sensationalized event in Canadian criminal history, in the made-for-television movie, Torso: The Evelyn Dick Story.[2] Robertson was nominated for a Gemini Award for her performance in the film.[2]

Kathleen Robertson in 2014

In 2002, Robertson starred as one of the leads in the short-lived Fox legal drama series Girls Club created by David E. Kelley.[5][7] She later appeared in a number of independent films, and had guest-starring roles on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Medium, CSI: Miami, and Rookie Blue. In 2006, she appeared in Hollywoodland opposite Adrien Brody. From 2006 to 2007, she Executive Produced and had the leading role in the IFC comedy series, The Business. In 2007, she starred in the EMMY winning Syfy miniseries Tin Man as the primary antagonist of the story.[2]

In 2011, she was cast as Kitty O'Neill, Tom Kane's personal aide alongside Kelsey Grammer in the Starz original drama series Boss.[8] The series was cancelled after two seasons in late 2012.[9] Robertson also starred in a number of made-for-television movies in recent years, primarily for Lifetime network, including Last Exit (2006), and Time of Death (2013).[10] In 2013, Robertson portrayed the wife of hockey legend Gordie Howe in the made-for-television movie, Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story.[11] The biopic first aired in late April on CBC, and then made its US debut the first week in May. Robertson won a Best Actress Leo Award for her role in the film.

In 2013, Robertson was cast as the lead in the TNT detective drama series Murder in the First co-created by Steven Bochco which debuted on June 9, 2014.[12][13][14][15] She plays the role of Hildy Mulligan, a homicide detective and single mother. In the same year she starred in the thriller film The Vatican Tapes that was released on February 27, 2015,[16] and was cast in recurring role as Jodi Morgan for the second season of A&E drama series Bates Motel.[17] In 2015, Robertson had the leading role alongside Eric Dane in the four-hour miniseries The Fixer.[18]

In 2018, Robertson was cast in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Netflix co-production drama series Northern Rescue. It was released on Netflix and CBC GEM on March 1, 2019.[19] In 2021, Robertson had a pivotal role in the final season of The Expanse as the right hand of Marcos Inaros.

Writing

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In 2010s, Robertson added producing and screenwriting to her resume.[20] In 2015, Robertson completed the Writers Guild's Showrunners Training Program, where she was mentored by former WGA West president John Wells.[21] In 2017 she began adapting The Possibilities, Kaui Hart Hemmings' follow up novel to The Descendants about a grieving Colorado mother whose son was killed in a skiing avalanche and then starts a friendship with a mysterious young girl.[22] She is writing a feature drama film based on Chris Cleave's novel, Little Bee starring Julia Roberts.[23][24] In 2017, she began developing Swimming with Sharks, a series based on the 1994 Hollywood satire film.[25] The series was set to debut in 2020 on the former Quibi platform.[26] The series was later picked up by The Roku Channel and premiered at South by Southwest in March 2022.[27] She also created comedy-drama pilot Your Time Is Up for Lifetime with Christina Applegate attached to star.[21] As of 2022 Robertson was writing a film for Paramount and Akiva Goldsman for director Johannes Roberts. She also sold a new series to CBC called APRES SKI as well as a show to Lionsgate with Academy Award nominated doc filmmaker Joe Berlinger attached to direct.

Personal life

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Robertson dated acclaimed independent filmmaker Gregg Araki from 1997 to 2000.[28]

Robertson has been married to film producer Chris Cowles since 2004. They run a production company together called DEBUT CONTENT and have several films and television series in various stages of development. She gave birth to her first child, a son named William Robertson Cowles, on July 9, 2008, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.[29] In October 2016, Robertson gave birth to her second son, Bennett.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 Left Out
1992 Lapse of Memory Patrick (Melody)
Liar's Edge Bobby Swaggart
1993 Blown Away Darla Hawkes
1997 Nowhere Lucifer
1998 I Woke Up Early the Day I Died Ticket Girl Cameo
Dog Park Cheryl
1999 Splendor Veronica
2000 Psycho Beach Party Rhonda
Beautiful Wanda Love, Miss Tennessee
2001 Scary Movie 2 Theo Nominated - Canadian Comedy Award for Best Female Performance
Speaking of Sex Grace
I Am Sam Big Boy Waitress
2002 XX/XY Thea
2003 I Love Your Work Swoosh Journalist
2004 Until the Night Elizabeth
Control Eden Ross
2005 51/50 Mall Cop Donna
2006 Hollywoodland Carol Van Ronkel
2008 Player 5150 Ali
2009 Not Since You Amy Smith
2010 A Night for Dying Tigers Jules
2011 Losing Control Leslie
Down the Road Again Betty-Jo
2012 Three Days in Havana Emily
Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden Vivian Hollins
2015 The Vatican Tapes Dr. Richards

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Campbells Dorothea Spencer Episode: "A Man of Means"
1988 My Secret Identity Jennifer Episode: "Grounded"
1990 C.B.C.'s Magic Hour Cynthia Bundy Episode: "The Prom"
1990–1993 Maniac Mansion Tina Edison Main role
Nominated - Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Co-starring in an Off-Primetime or Cable Series (1991–1992)
1992 Quiet Killer Sara Dobbs Television film
1993 Survive the Night Julie
The Hidden Room Anne Morrison Episode: "Passages"
1994 In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance Susan Williams Television film
Heaven Help Us Episode: "Upstairs, Upstairs"
1994–1997 Beverly Hills, 90210 Clare Arnold Main role
1995 Burke's Law Tracy Bird Episode: "Who Killed the World's Greatest Chef?"
2002 Girls Club Jeannie Falls Recurring role
Torso: The Evelyn Dick Story Evelyn Dick Television film
Nominated - Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
2003 In the Dark Rachel Speller Television film
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Darla Pearson Episode: "View from Up Here"
2006 Medium Diana Marvin / Kathy Episode: "Ghost in the Machine"
Last Exit Beth Welland Television film
Nominated - Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
2006–2007 The Business Julia Sullivan Main role
Nominated - Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Series (2007)
2007 Tin Man Azkadellia Miniseries
2008 The Terrorist Next Door Nicole Television film
Glitch Lee
2009 Flashpoint Helen Mitchell Episode: "Custody"
2010 CSI: Miami Kayla Pennington Episode: "Meltdown"
2011 Rookie Blue Leslie Atkins Episode: "Best Laid Plans"
2011–2012 Boss Kitty O'Neill Main role
2013 Cracked Erin Episode: "White Knight"
Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story Colleen Howe Television film
Time of Death Jordan Price
2014 Bates Motel Jodi Morgan Recurring role
2014–2016 Murder in the First Hildy Mulligan Main role
Nominated - Golden Maple Award for Best Actress in a TV series broadcast in the U.S. (2015)
2015 The Fixer Ellie Miniseries
2019 Northern Rescue Charlie Anders Main role
2021–2022 The Expanse Rosenfeld Guoliang
2022 Swimming with Sharks Olive Mace

Writing and producing

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  • 2007 – The Business, Executive Producer
  • 2022 – Swimming with Sharks, Producer, Executive Producer & Writer
  • TBA – Your Time Is Up, Writer
  • TBA – Little Bee, Writer

References

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  1. ^ a b "Kathleen Robertson biography and filmography". Tribute.ca. July 8, 1973. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Rebecca Flint Marx (2014). "Kathleen Robertson – Biography – Movies & TV". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "Kathleen Robertson Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Kathleen Robertson". IMDb. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Kathleen Robertson Biography – Fandango".
  6. ^ Holden, Stephen (May 9, 1997). "Movie Review – Nowhere – Teen-Agers Who Have Too Much Free Time". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  7. ^ Susman, Gary (October 30, 2002). "David Kelley's streak ends with quick demise of "girls club"". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 20, 2011). "Starz Sets Production Start And Remaining Cast For Kelsey Grammer Series 'Boss'". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  9. ^ "Boss: Cancelled; No Season Three But... | canceled + renewed TV shows". TV Series Finale. November 20, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  10. ^ "The Web's Best Television Resource". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  11. ^ "Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey, Played By Stargate's Michael Shanks In New Film". Huffington Post. April 25, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  12. ^ Robyn Ross (May 1, 2014). "Take a Stab at TNT's Murder in the First – Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  13. ^ "TNT Greenlights Steven Bochco's 'Murder In The First' For Summer 2014". Deadline.com. July 19, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  14. ^ "Steven Bochco's 'Murder in the First' Gets Series Order at TNT". Hollywoodreporter.com. November 17, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  15. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (September 19, 2013). "Steven Bochco's 'Murder in the First' Greenlit at TNT". Variety. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  16. ^ Creepy, Uncle (June 28, 2013). "Cast Recorded on The Vatican Tapes". Dread Central. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  17. ^ Slezak, Michael (August 13, 2013). "Kathleen Robertson Checks Into Bates Motel". TVLine. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  18. ^ "Eric Dane, Kathleen Robertson Board Canadian Miniseries 'The Fixer'". The Hollywood Reporter. July 16, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  19. ^ "About the show". CBC. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  20. ^ "Kathleen Robertson reveals the #MeToo 'horror stories' that inspired 'Swimming With Sharks'". www.yahoo.com. April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 4, 2015). "Kathleen Robertson Writing Dramedy For Lionsgate TV With Christina Applegate Attached To Star".
  22. ^ "Kathleen Robertson to Adapt 'The Possibilities' for Jason Reitman at Fox Searchlight". April 12, 2017.
  23. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (June 11, 2018). "Julia Roberts Attached To Star In Amazon's 'Little Bee' Film Adaptation; Kathleen Robertson Scripting".
  24. ^ McNary, Dave (June 11, 2018). "Julia Roberts to Produce, Star in Drama 'Little Bee' for Amazon".
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 2, 2016). "Kathleen Robertson Sells 'Swimming With Sharks' Series Adaptation To E!, Dramedy Starring Christina Applegate To Lifetime".
  26. ^ "'Swimming With Sharks' Update From Kathleen Robertson Set at Quibi". The Hollywood Reporter. November 20, 2019.
  27. ^ Donnelly, Matt (May 14, 2022). "Kiernan Shipka Goes After Diane Kruger in Hollywood Battle Royale in First Trailer for 'Swimming With Sharks'". Variety.
  28. ^ Szymanski, Michael (July 20, 1997). "Having It Both Ways". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  29. ^ "Kathleen Robertson gives birth to son William". Retrieved July 18, 2023.
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