Rachael Taylor

Rachael Taylor
Taylor in 2012
Born
Rachael May Taylor

(1984-07-11) 11 July 1984
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
OccupationsActress, model
Years active2004–present

Rachael May Taylor (born 11 July 1984) is an Australian actress and model. She began her career as a model before transitioning to acting, gaining early recognition for the Australian television series headLand (2005–2006). She subsequently appeared in the films Man-Thing (2005), See No Evil (2006), Transformers (2007), Bottle Shock (2008), Shutter (2008), Cedar Boys (2009), Splinterheads (2009), Red Dog (2011), The Darkest Hour (2011) and Any Questions for Ben? (2012).

Taylor is best known for portraying Trish Walker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Jessica Jones (2015–2019), Luke Cage (2016) and The Defenders (2017). She also portrayed Dr. Lucy Fields on Grey's Anatomy (2011), an Angel in Charlie's Angels (2011), Jane Van Veen in 666 Park Avenue (2012–2013) and Susie Dunn in the NBC action/thriller series Crisis (2014).

Early life

Rachael May Taylor[1][2] was born on 11 July 1984 in Launceston, Tasmania.[3] Her English parents, Christine and Nigel Taylor, emigrated to Australia from Dorset and Lancashire respectively.[4][5]

Taylor attended Trevallyn Primary School and Riverside High School. She moved to Sydney at the age of 16 to become an actress, though later returned to Launceston to complete her high school education.[4] She studied history and politics at the University of Sydney before leaving in 2006.[3]

Career

Taylor modelled as a teenager, and reached the state finals of Miss Teen Tasmania and Miss Universe/Miss World.[3] In 1998, she won the title of Miss Teen Tasmania.[3][4] She stated in 2015: "I don't think that was a particularly healthy environment for a 14-year-old. I think women are asked to consider their beauty too much."[4]

She made her acting debut in The Mystery of Natalie Wood, a 2004 television serial directed by Peter Bogdanovich.[6] She appeared in a number of American productions – such as the television film Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure (2005) (where she played Catherine Oxenberg),[7][6] and the horror movies Man-Thing (2005) and See No Evil (2006).

Taylor played Sasha Forbes on the short-lived Australian drama series headLand. On 3 April 2006, she was nominated for a Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent for her role on headLand.

Taylor at the premiere of Transformers in Sydney, 2007

Her most prominent role to date was as Maggie Madsen, a signals analyst, in the 2007 Transformers, where she appeared alongside Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Taylor confirmed that she would not be returning for the Transformers sequel.[8] In 2008, Taylor scored a starring role in the US horror-thriller Shutter, a remake of the 2004 Thai film of the same name opposite Joshua Jackson.[9] Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box-office success.[10]

In 2009, she completed the Australian feature Cedar Boys and starred in the comedy Splinterheads. In 2010, she starred alongside Alex Dimitriades in the Australian romantic drama Summer Coda.[11] She has also signed to the HBO comedy series Washingtonienne and Melt, an Australian production. Taylor began a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Lucy Fields, an obstetrician and maternal-fetal fellow.[12][13][14]

In 2011, Taylor joined the cast of the short-lived remake of the television series Charlie's Angels.[15][16] Also in 2011, she had a major role in the film Red Dog and starred in the Russian science-fiction thriller film The Darkest Hour, directed by filmmaker Chris Gorak.[17]

Taylor at the 2011 GQ Men of the Year Awards

Taylor had a key supporting role in the 2012 Australian comedy Any Questions for Ben?, created by Working Dog Productions.[18] Although the film performed disappointingly at the box-office and received lukewarm reviews, Taylor was praised for her role. Leigh Paatsch in the Herald-Sun wrote "Taylor exudes a warmth and assurance (in her performance). It is a shame she is missing in action for lengthy spells in the picture."[19]

From 2012 to 2013, Taylor starred in the new drama 666 Park Avenue.[20] She was next cast in the 2014 NBC series Crisis, which ran for one season.[21][22] In 2015, Taylor starred in Jessica Jones as the titular character's best friend Trish Walker. She would go on to reprise the role in a voiceover cameo in Luke Cage in 2016, in The Defenders in 2017, a second season of Jessica Jones in 2018, and the series' final season in 2019.[23]

In 2014, Taylor played a supporting role in the thriller The Loft, a remake of the 2008 original, alongside fellow Australian Isabel Lucas.[24][25] In 2016, Taylor portrayed the character Rachel Hill in the crime drama film Gold.[26][27] In 2018, Taylor appeared in the Australian comedy-drama film Ladies in Black.[28]

In 2019, Taylor appeared in Finding Steve McQueen as Molly Murphy, where she starred alongside Travis Fimmel, Forest Whitaker, and William Fichtner.[29]

Personal life

In August 2010, Taylor took out an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against her fiancé, Australian actor Matthew Newton.[30][4][31] This followed two domestic violence incidents at a hotel in Rome where Newton allegedly "punched Taylor in the face before being sedated by ambulance officers", leading to her suffering a concussion and a sprained jaw.[32] Taylor later partnered with White Ribbon Australia to advocate to end men's violence against women.[4]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Man-Thing Teri Elizabeth Richards
2006 See No Evil Zoe Warner
2007 Transformers Maggie Madsen
2008 Shutter Jane
Bottle Shock Sam Fulton
Deception Woman in Hallway
2009 Cedar Boys Amie
Splinterheads Galaxy
Ghost Machine Jess
2010 Providence Park Bicycle Girl Short film
Summer Coda Heidi
2011 Red Dog Nancy Grey
The Darkest Hour Anne
2012 Any Questions for Ben? Alex
2014 The Loft Anne Morris
2016 ARQ Hannah
Gold Rachel Hill
Wig Shop Lili Short film
2018 White Orchid Jessica
Ladies in Black Fay
2019 Finding Steve McQueen Molly Murphy

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 The Mystery of Natalie Wood Maryann Marinkovich TV film
2005 Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure Catherine Oxenberg TV film
Hercules Nemean lion/Sphinx TV miniseries
McLeod's Daughters Natalie Louise Brown Episode: "Old Flames"
2005–2006 headLand Sasha Forbes Main role; 58 episodes
2009 Washingtonienne Jackie Unsold TV pilot
2011 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Lucy Fields Recurring role; 8 episodes
Charlie's Angels Abigail "Abby" Simpson Main role; 8 episodes
2012–2013 666 Park Avenue Jane Van Veen Main role; 13 episodes
2014 Crisis Agent Susie Dunn Main role; 13 episodes
2015–2019 Jessica Jones Patricia "Trish" Walker / Hellcat Main role; 38 episodes
2016 Luke Cage Episode: "Suckas Need Bodyguards"

Voiceover cameo

2017 The Defenders Main role, miniseries; 4 episodes
House of Bond Diana Bliss Miniseries; 2 episodes
2024 Hacks Alexis Episode: "Just for Laughs"

References

  1. ↑ "Films starring Rachael Taylor". Letterboxd. Archived from the original on 2 July 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Rachael Taylor". TV Guide. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Devlyn, Darren (16 October 2012). "Taylor made for a horror success". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 O'Neill, Helen (28 November 2015). "Actress Rachael Taylor on being a domestic violence survivor: "There's a 'shame' stigma, and I am not ashamed"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Hills, Brenden (10 September 2010). "We're shattered by Rachael's bashing, say Nigel and Christine Taylor". The Sunday Telegraph. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  6. 1 2 Hellard, Peta (29 April 2007). "Our Hollywood transformation". The Mercury. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
  7. ↑ "Dynasty: Dynasty: Behind the Scenes (Seite 1 von 34)". Der-Denver-Clan. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
  8. ↑ Vineyard, Jennifer (19 August 2008). "Rachel Taylor ... Not In 'Transformers 2,' And Proud Of It". MTV. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  9. ↑ Biodrowski, Steve (19 March 2008). "Interview: Rachael Taylor on Shutter". Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  10. ↑ Kasch, Andrew (21 March 2008). "Shutter (2008)". Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  11. ↑ Paatsch, Leigh (21 October 2010). "Summer Coda movie review". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  12. ↑ Miska, Brad (14 May 2010). "Transformers Hottie Joins Alien Invasion at The Darkest Hour". Bloody Disgusting.
  13. ↑ "Transformers Actress Scrubs into Grey's Anatomy". TV Guide. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  14. ↑ "Rachael Taylor Joins Grey's Anatomy". TV Guide. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Minka Kelly and Rachael Taylor Close to Angel Gigs in ABC's Charlie's Angels". Deadline Hollywood. 27 January 2011.
  16. ↑ "Goodbye girls! ABC cancels Charlie's Angels". Entertainment Weekly. 14 October 2011. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012.
  17. ↑ "Two More Sign on for The Darkest Hour – dreadcentral.com". Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  18. ↑ Schembri, Jim (9 February 2012). "Any Questions for Ben?". The Age. Australia. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  19. ↑ Paatch, Leigh (9 February 2012). "Movie review: Any Questions for Ben?". heraldsun.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  20. ↑ Ng, Philiana (7 October 2012). "'666 Park Avenue's' Rachael Taylor: Jane Will Be a 'Totally Changed,' 'Unrecognizable' Woman". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  21. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (25 February 2013). "Gillian Anderson, Rachael Taylor to Star in NBC's Rand Ravich Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  22. ↑ Anthony, Dio (May 2014). "Rachael Taylor: A New Kind of Girl". BELLO Mag. pp. 10–19. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  23. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (29 January 2015). "Marvel's Jessica Jones Enlists Grey's Anatomy Alum". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  24. ↑ T. H. R. Staff (30 January 2015). "'The Loft': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  25. ↑ "Aussie beauties Rachael Taylor and Isabel Lucas have their latest film abruptly pulled from release". The Sunday Telegraph. 28 June 2014.
  26. ↑ Linden, Sheri (30 December 2016). "'Gold': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  27. ↑ Falkenstein, Glen (3 February 2017). "Film review: Gold". The Big Smoke. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  28. ↑ "Ladies in Black (2018)". Screen Australia. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  29. ↑ Anderson, Ariston (29 September 2016). "Rachael Taylor to Replace Kate Bosworth in Heist Film 'Finding Steve McQueen' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  30. ↑ Byrnes, Holly (23 August 2010). "Matthew Newton, Rachael Taylor in hotel lobby fight, withdraws Channel Seven show X Factor". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010.
  31. ↑ "Newton's girlfriend takes out AVO". ABC News. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "Matthew Newton was jealous of man who approached his fiancee Rachael Taylor: report". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
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