Jewel Staite Explained

Jewel Staite
Birth Name:Jewel Belair Staite
Birth Date:1982 6, mf=yes
Birth Place:White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1991–present
Children:1

Jewel Belair Staite[1] (born June 2, 1982[2] [3]) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles as Kaylee Frye in the series Firefly (2002–2003) and its follow-up movie Serenity (2005), and as Jennifer Keller on science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis (2007–2009). Staite also starred as Catalina in Space Cases (1996), as "Becca" Fisher in Flash Forward (1996–1997), as Raquel Westbrook in the Canadian drama The L.A. Complex (2012), and as Caroline Swift in AMC's crime drama The Killing (2013–2014). Since 2021, she has starred as Abigail Bianchi in the Canadian legal drama series Family Law.

Early life

Staite was born in White Rock, British Columbia, the youngest of seven children. She has said that she is of British, Irish, French Canadian, and Iroquois ancestry.[4] She began her career in early childhood, working both as a model and, from the age of six, as an actor. She attended Vancouver Film School and developed her stagecraft at the Vancouver Youth Theatre.[5]

Career

Staite's first high profile appearances as a child actor came in television movies such as CBC's Liar, Liar in 1993 (which was later aired on CBS in the United States that same year)[6] and ABC's The Only Way Out.[7] In 1995, she had a key guest-starring role in a third-season episode of The X-Files, "Oubliette".

After appearing on Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1994), Staite's first co-starring role on a television series was as Catalina, the ship's engineer, in the first season of the Nickelodeon science fiction series Space Cases in 1996. This was immediately followed by her role as Rebecca "Becca" Fisher on the 1995–1997 Disney Channel series Flash Forward, a series in which Staite was the co-lead with Ben Foster.[8]

In 2000, she was cast in a main role on the FOX Family Channel drama series Higher Ground.[9] She was also a voice actress in the animated TV series Mummies Alive! and for DIC Entertainment.

Staite played Kaylee Frye in the short-lived television series Firefly[10] [11] and its subsequent 2005 film, Serenity.[12] She wrote a chapter in the book Finding Serenity, called "Kaylee Speaks: Jewel Staite On Firefly".[13] She played the recurring role of Heidi Gotts in the television series Wonderfalls in 2004.

Staite played the role of head medical doctor Jennifer Keller in the Stargate SG-1 spinoff Stargate Atlantis,[14] making her one of three actors from the Firefly series to move on to appear in a Stargate series (the others being Adam Baldwin, who appeared in the episode "Heroes", and Morena Baccarin, who played Adria in the tenth season of SG-1). She replaced Paul McGillion (Dr. Carson Beckett).In the fifth season of Stargate, her character was changed from recurring status to part of the main cast. Before taking on the role as Dr. Keller, she previously played the Wraith child Ellia in the Stargate Atlantis episode "Instinct".[15] She also appeared in the 2010 Syfy film, Mothman, under direction from Sheldon Wilson.[16] Also in 2010, Staite guest-starred in an episode of Warehouse 13 as the love interest of Sheldon (played by Sean Maher, who played her love interest in Firefly), and in 2011, she guest-starred on an episode of Supernatural as a former love interest of Sam.[17]

In 2012, Staite was a series regular on The L.A. Complex, in which she portrayed Raquel Westbrook, a struggling actress.[18] The show aired in Canada on CTV and MuchMusic and in the U.S. on The CW.[19] She also appeared in an episode of The Listener. Staite appeared in 10 episodes of the AMC crime drama, The Killing, as Detective Stephen Holder's girlfriend Caroline Swift, from 2013–2014.[20]

Personal life

Staite was married to actor Matt Anderson from 2003 to 2011.[21] In 2015, she became engaged to her boyfriend Charlie Ritchie.[22] [23] In May 2015, she announced she was pregnant with her first child,[24] [25] a boy, who was born later that year.[26] She and Ritchie married on July 23, 2016.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995Samantha
1996CarpoolSoap Opera Actress
2002CheatsTeddy Blue
2005SerenityKaylee
2009After Dusk They ComeLizStraight-to-video
2011AnnaShort film
2015She Who Must BurnMargaret[27]
40 Below and FallingKate Carter[28]
How to Plan an Orgy in a Small TownCassie Cranston[29]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1991Posing: Inspired by Three Real StoriesJennifer LanahanTelevision film
1992LabeliaEpisode: "The Believers"
1993Liar, LiarDoriannaTelevision film; aired in the U.S. as Liar, Liar: Between Father and Daughter
Alexandra CarlisleTelevision film
1994LabeliaEpisode: "The Prophecy"
Are You Afraid of the Dark?KellyEpisode: "The Tale of Watcher's Woods"
1995Are You Afraid of the Dark?CodyEpisode: "The Tale of the Unfinished Painting"
Amy JacobsEpisode: "Oubliette"
1996TheresaTelevision film
Space CasesCatalinaMain role (season 1)
1996–1997Flash ForwardRebecca "Becca" FisherLead role
1997–1999Tiara VanHorn5 episodes
1998–2001Da Vinci's InquestGabriella Da Vinci13 episodes
1999So WeirdCallie SnowEpisode: "Siren"
Voice role, 4 episodes
Nothing Too Good for a CowboySally PrentissEpisodes: "Happy Trails", "Fools for Love"
2000Higher GroundDaisy LipenowskiMain role
2001Danielle JenkinsEpisode: "Learning Curve"
2gether: The SeriesJosieEpisode: "Kiss"
Seven DaysMollyEpisode: "Empty Quiver"
2002Roughing ItSusan Olivia ClemensTelevision film
Damaged CareBryanna (15–20 years)Television film
Carly / ShannonEpisode: "The Fine Line"
Just DealLaurel8 episodes
2002–2003FireflyKaylee FryeMain role
2003Dead Like MeGoth GirlEpisode: "Rest in Peace"
2004HuffCarolynEpisode: Pilot
Cold SquadThora AndrewsEpisode: "Girlfriend in a Closet"
WonderfallsHeidi Gotts4 episodes
2005Widow on the HillJenny CavanaughTelevision film
Stargate AtlantisElliaEpisode: "Instinct"
2007–2009Stargate AtlantisJennifer KellerRecurring role (season 4); main role (season 5); 33 episodes
2010MothmanKatharine GrantTelevision film
Warehouse 13LorettaEpisode: "Mild Mannered"
Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. MiracleHollyTelevision film; also known as Mrs Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan
2011Doomsday ProphecyBrook CalvinTelevision film[30]
SupernaturalAmy PondEpisode: "The Girl Next Door"
2012Raquel WestbrookMain role
2012–2013Melody RavensfallMain voice role
2013Lori BlackEpisode: "Blast from the Past"
JennaTelevision film
State of SynAnnika DrakeTV shorts, 6 episodes[31]
2013–2014Caroline Swift11 episodes
2015 data-sort-value="Frosty Affair, A" A Frosty AffairKateTelevision film
2016Legends of TomorrowDr. BryceEpisode: "Progeny"[32]
CastleErin CherloffEpisode: "Much Ado About Murder"
Undercover WifeMonica BolandTelevision film; also known as Not with His Wife
2017data-sort-value="Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit, The" The Wrong Bed: Naked PursuitStella WilliamsTelevision film
Same Time Next WeekSarahTelevision film
2017, 2020BlindspotKiva GarenEpisodes: "Regard a Mere Mad Rager" & "Iunne Ennui"
2018data-sort-value="Detectives, The" The DetectivesDetective Penny HartEpisode: "She Said"
Take TwoJackie Jarvis / Angela TrumanEpisode: "About Last Night"
data-sort-value="Good Doctor, The" The Good DoctorStellaEpisode: "Two Ply (or Not Two Ply)"
2019data-sort-value="Order, The" The OrderRenee MarandEpisodes: "Homecoming, Parts One & Two"
2019–2020data-sort-value="Magicians, The" The MagiciansPhyllis4 episodes (seasons 4–5)
Family LawAbigail BianchiMain role
2022Quantum LeapNaomi HarveyEpisode: "What a Disaster!"

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jewel Staite .
  2. Web site: Julia. Bianco . June 2, 2015 . 5 Reasons 'Firefly' Birthday Girls Kaylee And Inara Are The Best . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209040725/https://www.mtv.com/news/mj7zwd/firefly-kaylee-inara-birthday . dead . February 9, 2023 . MTV News . February 9, 2023.
  3. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/jewel-staite/ Jewel Staite
  4. Web site: Jewel Staite Interview . Lee . Michael . September 15, 2005 . Radio Free Entertainment . March 13, 2016.
  5. News: Media . Kohoot . Jewel Staite! – Hal-Con . 2013-05-03 . Hal-Con . 2017-01-07 . en-US . mdy-all.
  6. Web site: Review: 'CBS Tuesday Movie Liar, Liar' . Scott . Tony . June 21, 1993 . . December 30, 2015.
  7. Web site: Review: 'ABC Sunday Night Movie the Only Way Out' . Everett . Todd . December 15, 1993 . . December 30, 2015.
  8. Web site: Ben Foster: 5 Things to Know About the Actor . August 2, 2011 . . December 30, 2015.
  9. Web site: Review: 'Higher Ground' . Zahed . Ramin . January 13, 2000 . . December 30, 2015.
  10. Web site: Review: 'Firefly' . Speier . Michael . September 18, 2002 . . December 30, 2015.
  11. Web site: NYCC: 'Firefly' Cast Members Discuss Possibility of Second Season . Morfoot . Addie . October 10, 2015 . . December 30, 2015.
  12. Web site: Whedon's 'Serenity' greenlit . Snyder . Gabriel . March 2, 2004 . . December 30, 2015.
  13. Web site: Firefly Star Encounters Mothman on Syfy . Foy . Scott . November 10, 2009 . . December 31, 2013.
  14. Web site: Firefly's Staite Joins Atlantis . Perenson . Melissa . June 11, 2007 . SciFi Wire. https://web.archive.org/web/20081004173437/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=2&id=41871 . October 4, 2008 . November 30, 2008.
  15. Web site: Syfy's Mothman Spreads Its Wings in New Clip . Barton . Steve . April 21, 2010 . . April 16, 2013.
  16. Web site: TV: First Look at 'Mothman' Creature in Clip . Miska . Brad . April 21, 2010 . . April 16, 2013.
  17. Web site: Firefly's Jewel Staite on Sam's First Supernatural Kiss, Eating Brains . Nguyen . Hanh . October 6, 2011 . . December 30, 2015.
  18. Web site: Review: 'The L.A. Complex' . Lowry . Brian . January 10, 2012 . . December 30, 2015.
  19. Web site: CW acquires Canadian skein . Weisman . Jon . April 20, 2012 . . December 30, 2015.
  20. Web site: 'The Killing' Premiere: Linden and Holder Embark on a Brand New Mystery (Poll) . Ng . Philiana . June 2, 2013 . . December 30, 2015.
  21. Web site: Happier Than a Pig In... . Staite . Jewel . December 13, 2011 . Happy Opu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120918095955/http://happyopu.net/happier-than-a-pig-in . September 18, 2012 . April 16, 2013.
  22. Web site: Charlie Ritchie on Instagram . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/2u0mI3LS4d . 2021-12-24 . limited. May 16, 2015 . . May 16, 2015.
  23. Jewel Staite. Twitter Dec 31, 2015. Accessed 2023-02-09. Quote="In a year with an engagement..."
  24. Web site: You think your year's been crazy? I'll show you crazy. We're having a baby! Due on my Dad's birthday, which caps off an already amazing surprise. I need me a teeny tiny Jayne hat. . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/3KWhjdDuBz . 2021-12-24 . limited. May 26, 2015 . . May 27, 2015.
  25. Web site: Jewel Staite (@jewelstaite) . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/6bi1j9juDJ . 2021-12-24 . limited. Staite . Jewel . August 16, 2015 . . August 16, 2015.
  26. Web site: Wilder Cathcart Ritchie, born at 1:55am December 9 at almost 9 lbs! He's feisty, strong-willed, and totally adorable. Can't believe our good luck. . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/_E9cxKDuCq . 2021-12-24 . limited. December 9, 2015 . . December 9, 2015.
  27. Web site: Film Review: 'She Who Must Burn' . Harvey . Dennis . November 23, 2015 . . December 30, 2015.
  28. Web site: 40 Below and Falling . Calgary International Film Festival . July 3, 2019.
  29. Web site: Jewel Staite Lands Lead in 'How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town' . Vlessing . Etan . August 5, 2014 . . December 30, 2015.
  30. Web site: 'Firefly,' 'CSI: NY' Actors Star in Syfy Telepics . Ng . Philiana . July 26, 2011 . . December 30, 2015.
  31. Web site: Sci-Fi Series 'State of Syn', Running on Hulu Next Year, to Get Google Glass Game . Spangler . Todd . December 12, 2013 . . December 30, 2015.
  32. Web site: Legends of Tomorrow: Jewel Staite Cast as a Future Genius With Ties to...? . Mitovich . Matt Webb . January 7, 2016 . TV Line . March 13, 2016.