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Jayne Atkinson

A respected actress on television and stage as well as in film, Jayne Atkinson moved skillfully between women of power on "24 " (Fox 2001-2010) and "House of Cards" (Netflix 2013- ) and kindly mothers in "Free Willy" (1993) and "Our Town" (PBS 2003). Born in England but raised in America, Atkinson's stage training at both Northwestern University and the Yale Drama School provided her with the skills to reach Broadway and primetime television in the late 1980s via a 1987 production of "All My Sons" and the network series "A Year in the Life" (NBC 1986-88). She soon balanced regular work in features and television with turns on Broadway that netted her multiple Tony nominations. Despite playing a wide variety of roles, Atkinson's turns as government and law officials on "24," "Criminal Minds" (CBS 2005-) and "House of Cards" and in "Syriana" (2005) had the greatest resonance with viewers, and ensured her a sort of cottage industry in these character types. Thankfully, the breadth of her talents allowed her to avoid typecasting and segue successfully between these flinty figures and comic turns on Broadway in "Blithe Spirit," among others. Atkinson's diverse c.v. and popularity with TV viewers underscored her status as a well-liked and in-demand actress.