Maggie Q Explained

Birth Date:22 May 1979[1]
Birth Place:Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Birth Name:Margaret Denise Quigley
Other Names:Maggie D. Quigley
Years Active:1998–present

Margaret Denise Quigley[2] (born May 22, 1979),[3] professionally known as Maggie Q, is an American actress.

She began her professional career in Hong Kong, with starring roles in the action films Gen-Y Cops (2000) and Naked Weapon (2002), before appearing in the American productions (2006), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), Priest (2011) and The Protégé (2021). She portrayed Tori Wu in the dystopian science-fiction action film Divergent (2014), and reprised her role in the sequels, Insurgent (2015) and Allegiant (2016).[4]

Q starred in the title role on The CW action-thriller series Nikita (2010–2013), and also had a main role as FBI Special Agent Hannah Wells in the ABC/Netflix political thriller series Designated Survivor (2016–19).[5] She provided the voice of Wonder Woman on the animated series Young Justice (2012–19).

Early life

Q was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii.[6] [7] Her father is of Irish and Polish descent[8] and her mother is Vietnamese.[7] [9] Her parents met while her father was stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[10] [11] She has four siblings,[7] was raised Catholic[12] and attends church.[13]

She attended Mililani Waena Elementary School and Wheeler Intermediate School. She then attended Mililani High School, where she was on the cross country, track and field, and swim teams. She won the title of "Best Body" senior year, and graduated in 1997.[7] She won an athletics scholarship to a private university and intended to study veterinary science; however, her family was unable to assist her financially. She left Hawaii at the end of one school year in hopes of earning enough money to resume at the beginning of the next one.[14]

Career

1996–2005: Modeling and Hong Kong films

At a friend's suggestion, Q began modeling in Tokyo, Japan at the age of 17, before making an unsuccessful move to Taipei, Taiwan. She tried again in Hong Kong, where she began using the stage name Maggie Q because the locals could not pronounce Quigley properly.[7] [10] [15] She has said it was not easy for her: "I had twenty bucks in my pocket. I mean, I literally did the same thing that my mother did when she left Vietnam... didn't speak the language... had no money."[9] But in Hong Kong she became a protégé of Jackie Chan, who saw in her a potential action star. His intensive training taught her the importance of professionalism and always doing her own stunts. She later said, "I had never done a day of martial arts in my life when I started in the business. I couldn't even touch my toes."[10]

In 1998,[16] she started her acting career in the TV drama House of the Dragon, which was a huge hit in Asia. In 2000, she made her film debut as Anna in the horror film Model from Hell, and went on to star as FBI agent Jane Quigley in the action thriller Gen-Y Cops that year. Her appearance in Gen-Y Cops impressed Chan so much that he cast her in his films Manhattan Midnight and Rush Hour 2.[7]

In 2002, she starred as martial artist assassin Charlene Ching in the action film Naked Weapon. In 2004 she co-starred with Kelly Hu, Russell Wong and other Asian-American actors in a 30-second PSA produced by Mark Allen for CAUSE USA (Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment), The Least Likely, encouraging Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to register and vote.[17] [18] [19] [20] In 2005, she played Harmony in the German-Singaporean TV mini-series House of Harmony, opposite Fann Wong, and co-produced the animal treatment documentary Earthlings narrated by Joaquin Phoenix.[21]

2006–2013: Hollywood career and Nikita

In 2006, Q made her Hollywood breakthrough as co-star in alongside Tom Cruise. She played Zhen, the only female member of the IMF team. In 2007, she appeared as Mai Linh in the Bruce Willis movie Live Free or Die Hard, the fourth film in the Die Hard series, and as Maggie in Balls of Fury. In 2008, she played fictional Cao Ying, a granddaughter of the warlord Cao Cao in , her first ancient Chinese costume performance. That year, she also appeared in the drama/thriller movie Deception starring Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman, as Tina, an investment banker who introduces Jackman's character to an exclusive anonymous sex club list. She also stars in the video game as the seductive lead character, federal agent Chase Linh, the player's only contact to the Tri-City Police.[22]

In 2010, Q became the lead character, an assassin gone rogue, on the CW series Nikita, based on the 1990 French film of the same name.[10] Since its premiere, she has been incorrectly described as the first Asian American series lead in an American television drama.[23] (Actress Anna May Wong was the first Asian American series lead of an American television series with her show The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong, which aired in 1951.[24]) Q received mostly positive reviews for her role in the series.[25] [26] Her character was included in TV Guides lists of "TV's Sexiest Crime Fighters" and "TV's Toughest Ladies".[27] [28]

2014–present

In 2014, Q played the role of Dauntless faction member Tori Wu, in the film Divergent, the adaptation of the same-titled novel.[4] Q reprised her role in the sequel to Divergent, , which began filming on May 27, 2014, and was released on March 20, 2015. She also starred in the CBS drama series Stalker[29] by Kevin Williamson as Detective Beth Davis along with Mariana Klaveno and Dylan McDermott.[30] The series premiered on October 1, 2014, for the 2014–15 fall television season.[31] [32] The series was ordered for a full season on October 27, 2014.[33] The series however was canceled after one season, leaving the show on a cliffhanger.[34] In October 2013, Q started filming for The Crash, starring alongside Frank Grillo, AnnaSophia Robb, Dianna Agron, John Leguizamo, Ed Westwick, Mary McCormack, Christopher McDonald and Minnie Driver.[35] The film was directed by Aram Rappaport and produced by Hilary Shor, Atit Shah and Aaron Becker. The Crash had a direct-to-VOD and limited release on January 13, 2017, in North America.[36]

She reprised her role in , the third installment of the Divergent series, which was released on March 18, 2016.[37] In February 2016, it was announced that she would co-star opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the ABC drama series Designated Survivor as Hannah Wells, a leading FBI agent.[5] The show was renewed by Netflix for a third and final season, which was released on June 7, 2019. However, her character was killed off early in the final season.[38]

In December 2020, she portrayed Sarah in the Fox comedy series Pivoting.[39]

She starred as an assassin in The Protégé, an action film featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton, which was released to theaters August 20, 2021.[40]

In March 21, 2024, it was announced that she was cast as Detective Renée Ballard in the Bosch spin-off series centered around Michael Connelly's character investigating cold cases with the help of Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver).[41]

Personal life

After meeting her Stalker co-star Dylan McDermott on-set in early 2014, their engagement was announced on January 14, 2015.[42] They stated in 2017 that they were not in any rush to be married.[43] They ended their relationship in February 2019.[44]

Q has five tattoos: a cross on her right forearm; Tibetan script and a little triangle on her left forearm; a Zulu proverb on her side—"umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu", which means "a person's character is made by the collective"; and one of a phoenix on her left hip, which she has had to conceal for most of her roles except Nikita.[45] She suffered temporary hearing loss in her right ear after her eardrum was damaged during an explosive stunt in 2010.[46]

She owned a house in Pound Ridge, New York[47] [48] but sold it to Zoe Kravitz in 2021.[49]

Animal rights activism

Q is outspoken on the subject of animal rights and has taken part in PETA Asia's campaigns promoting vegetarianism.[50] A vegetarian for many years, she has said that giving up meat was one of the most rewarding decisions she has ever made. "I feel better, I have more energy, on and off the set, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that I'm doing something to help stop animal suffering." In 2008, she was named PETA Asia-Pacific's Person of the Year,[51] and PETA listed her as one of the Best-Dressed Celebrities of 2008. She has since taken the step to cut all animal products from her diet by becoming a vegan.[52] PETA named her one of their three Sexiest Vegans of 2017.[53] She is currently an ambassador for Animals Asia Foundation.[54]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Model from HellAnnaChinese: 鬼名模
Gen-Y CopsJane QuigleyChinese: 特警新人類2
2001Manhattan MidnightSusan / Hope
Rush Hour 2Girl in car
2002Naked WeaponCharlene ChingChinese: 赤裸特工
2003Miss ClaryChinese: 一屋兩火
2004Magic KitchenMayChinese: 魔幻厨房
Around the World in 80 DaysFemale agent
Rice RhapsodyGigiChinese: 海南雞飯
2005TapedMaggieShort film
Dragon SquadYuetChinese: 猛龍
2006Zhen Lei
2007Jade
Live Free or Die HardMai Linh
Balls of FuryMaggie Wong
2008Cao YingChinese: 三國之見龍卸甲
DeceptionTina
New York, I Love YouJanice TaylorSegment: "Yvan Attal"
2009Harran womanChinese: 狼灾记
2010High Priestess
Mai Shiranui
2011PriestPriestess
2014DivergentTori Wu
UnityNarratorDocumentary
2015Tori Wu
2016
2017The CrashHilary
SlumberAlice
2018The Con Is OnIrina
Modest Heroes Mom (voice)Segment: "Life Ain't Gonna Lose"
2020Fantasy IslandGwen Olsen
The ArgumentSarah
Death of MeChristine
2021The ProtégéAnna
2023Fear the NightTess
The Family PlanGwen

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Mission in TroubleYeung LanMain role; Chinese: 雄心密令
2005House of HarmonyHarmonyTelevision film
2010–13NikitaNikita MearsLead role
2012–19Young JusticeWonder Woman (voice)Recurring role
2014–15StalkerBeth Davis / Michelle WebberLead role
2016–19Designated SurvivorHannah WellsMain role
2022PivotingSarah[55] Main role

Music videos

YearArtistTitle
2000Chris Yu"Subway"
2002Santana featuring Michelle Branch""

As producer

YearTitleNotes
2005EarthlingsCo-producer
2006Love AsiaProducer
TBAQueen of CantonExecutive producer

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
2007Asian Excellence AwardsSupporting Film Actress
2009Hawaii International Film FestivalMaverick AwardThe Warrior and the Wolf
2010IGN Summer Movie AwardsBest TV HeroNikita
2011
Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actress: Action
2012IGN Summer Movie AwardsBest TV Hero
Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actress: Action
2013TV Guide AwardsBest Ensemble
Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actress: Action
2014Young Hollywood AwardsBest Cast Chemistry – FilmDivergent
2021Golden Raspberry AwardsWorst Supporting ActressFantasy Island
2022Critics' Choice Super AwardsBest Actress in an Action MovieThe Protégé

Notes and References

  1. News: Monitor. Entertainment Weekly. May 25, 2012. 1208. 21.
  2. News: 'Nikita': Don't Make Maggie Q Have to Hurt You. subscription. The Wall Street Journal. October 23, 2010. Amy. Chozick. September 1, 2010.
  3. Web site: Maggie Q . TV Guide. October 29, 2014.
  4. Web site: Nevets . Stephen . New 'Divergent' Images Spotlights Massive Cast, Action Including Ashley Judd, Maggie Q . March 14, 2014 . The Global Dispatch.
  5. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . February 5, 2016 . 'Designated Survivor' Casts Kal Penn, Maggie Q, Natascha McElhone, Italia Ricci .
  6. News: The 5-minute Interview: Maggie Q, Actress. The Independent. October 23, 2010. London. October 31, 2007.
  7. Web site: Mission Very Possible. Midweek. October 23, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110430030745/http://www.midweek.com/content/story/theweekend_coverstory/mission_very_possible/. April 30, 2011.
  8. Web site: Talking Mission: Impossible III with Maggie Q. MovieWeb. October 23, 2010. May 21, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090521172845/http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEDcQMGEmtMiHG. dead.
  9. Web site: Maggie Q (7/27/2010). Lopez Tonight. October 31, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110128013037/http://www.lopeztonight.com/episode_recaps_and_highlights/more_from_july_27_2010.php. January 28, 2011. dead.
  10. News: Yuan. Jada. Hong Kong's Hit Girl. August 22, 2010. New York. August 24, 2010.
  11. News: Kick ass girl. The Times. August 21, 2021. London. April 23, 2006.
  12. Web site: Maggie Q Talks Designated Survivor, Her Engagement and Big Break!. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/CrsE1SJyFr8. November 8, 2021 . live. Youtube. April 18, 2018.
  13. Web site: 2016-03-27 . Maggie Q Fanpage - Maggie Q's 80th pic on Instagram (27.03.2016) "ONLY I ....show up to Church on Easter Sunday and be lucky enough to sit next to a service PitBull. #Easter #SaveThemAll #pitlove Blessings!!!!!" Credit - @mqreal . Facebook . en.
  14. Web site: Maggie Q on her Hollywood success . TimeOut Hong Kong . January 19, 2011 . Patrick . Brzeski . October 29, 2014. May 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150501184659/http://www.timeout.com.hk/feature-stories/features/39870/maggie-q-on-her-hollywood-success.html.
  15. News: The Maggie Q story: Gone to Asia with an eye toward Hollywood. The New York Times. October 24, 2010. Robert. Ito. February 8, 2007.
  16. News: Maggie Q in 'Deception'. Los Angeles Times. October 24, 2010. Jodie. Burke. April 24, 2008.
  17. http://www.committee100.org/media/media_eng/cause-launches-public-srvc-announcement.html CAUSE Launches New Public Service Announcement Urging Young Asian Americas To Vote
  18. https://library.creativecow.net/article.php?author_folder=wilson_tim&article_folder=cin_comp&page=1 Building Cinematic Composites: A Creative COW Magazine Extra
  19. The Least Likely on Allen's YouTube channel.
  20. Web site: CAUSE. CAUSE.
  21. Web site: Single Most Powerful Information With Professional Cast and Crew in EARTHLINGS . Nation Earth . October 23, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100818215336/http://www.earthlings.com/earthlings/cast-crew.php . August 18, 2010 .
  22. Web site: International Box Office Sensation Maggie Q to Star in Need for Speed Undercover. teamxbox. October 23, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110505090948/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/17328/Maggie-Q-to-Star-in-Need-for-Speed-Undercover. May 5, 2011.
  23. Web site: Juliana June. Rasul. The new and improved Maggie Q . AsiaOne. July 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131019162742/http://www.divaasia.com/article/10564. October 19, 2013.
  24. Web site: Film reveals real-life struggles of an onscreen 'Dragon Lady' . January 3, 2008 . UCLA Today . January 27, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720073744/http://today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/080103_anna-may-wong.aspx . July 20, 2011 .
  25. Web site: Lethal Woman With Weapons Is Out for Covert Vengeance . Alessandra . Stanley . September 7, 2010 . June 27, 2011 . The New York Times.
  26. Web site: 'Nikita' star Maggie Q brings killer looks to killer role . Robert . Bianco . September 9, 2010 . June 27, 2011 . USA Today.
  27. Web site: TV's Sexiest Crime Fighters. TV Guide. June 26, 2012.
  28. Web site: Maggie Q Pictures,Nikita Photos - Photo Gallery: TV's Toughest Ladies. TV Guide. September 14, 2012.
  29. Web site: Swift . Andy . CBS Fall 2014 Series Orders — NCIS: New Orleans, The Odd Couple, More . TVLine . May 9, 2014 . March 12, 2015.
  30. Web site: Maggie Q Is Coming Back to TV in a New Kevin Williamson Project—Get the Details!. E!. March 19, 2014. Harnick. Chris. March 19, 2014.
  31. Web site: CBS Orders 'CSI: Cyber', 'NCIS: New Orleans', 'The Odd Couple', 'Stalker', 'Madam Secretary', 'Scorpion' & 'The McCarthys'. https://web.archive.org/web/20140511202632/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/09/cbs-orders-ncis-new-orleans-the-odd-couple-stalker-madam-secretary-scorpion-the-mccarthys/262481/. dead. May 11, 2014. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. May 9, 2014. May 14, 2014.
  32. Web site: Fall TV: CBS Orders NCIS and CSI Spin-Offs, Odd Couple, Kevin Williamson's Stalker and 4 More to Series (But Not How I Met Your Dad?). Swift. Andy. TVLine. May 9, 2014. May 14, 2014.
  33. Web site: CBS Gives Full Season Orders to 'Scorpion', 'Madam Secretary', 'NCIS: New Orleans' & 'Stalker' . TV by the Numbers . October 27, 2014 . March 12, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150723082702/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/10/27/cbs-gives-full-season-orders-to-scorpion-madam-secretary-ncis-new-orleans-stalker/320228/ . July 23, 2015 .
  34. Web site: Battle Creek, Stalker, The McCarthys Cancelled at CBS. Ausiello. Michael. TVLine. May 8, 2015. May 8, 2015.
  35. Web site: 'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (EXCLUSIVE). Justin Kroll. Variety. October 29, 2013.
  36. Web site: Frank Grillo Tries To Stop An Economic Cyber Attack In Trailer For 'The Crash'. December 13, 2016.
  37. News: Third Book in Veronica Roth's Blockbuster Divergent Trilogy, Allegiant, Will be Produced and Released as Two Separate Rilms. May 19, 2015. Lionsgate.
  38. Web site: 'Designated Survivor': Anthony Edwards & Julie White Cast In Season 3 On Netflix. Petski. Denise. Nellie. Andreeva. October 18, 2018. Deadline. October 27, 2018.
  39. News: Maggie Q To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot 'Pivoting'. Deadline Hollywood. December 8, 2020. May 10, 2021. Andreeva. Nellie.
  40. McClintock . Pamela . 2021-04-28 . Samuel L. Jackson's 'Protege' Lands Summer 2021 Release Date . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  41. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Maggie Q To Star As Renée Ballard In ‘Bosch’ Spinoff Series For Amazon . Deadline Hollywood. March 21, 2024. March 21, 2024.
  42. News: Dylan McDermott and Maggie Q get engaged . Karen . Butler . . January 18, 2015 . October 24, 2018.
  43. News: Dylan McDermott reveals why he hasn't married Maggie Q yet . Staff writers . . September 27, 2017 . October 24, 2018.
  44. Web site: Dylan McDermott and Maggie Q Split Following 4-Year Engagement. Jordan. Julie. Stone. Natalie. People. February 28, 2019. March 4, 2019.
  45. Web site: 'Nikita': Maggie Q reveals her tattoo's origin story . . October 23, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101031064647/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/07/nikita-maggie-q-reveals-her-tattoos-origin-story.html . October 31, 2010.
  46. Web site: Maggie Q. Maxim UK. October 31, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20111005141914/http://www.maxim.co.uk/girls/celebrity/128/maggie_q.html. October 5, 2011. dead.
  47. Web site: Truong . Peggy . 'Nikita' Star Maggie Q Buys Historic $1.2M New York Estate . Celebuzz . July 29, 2013 . March 12, 2015.
  48. Web site: Sherman . Catherine . Maggie Q Sells Studio City Stunner for Rustic Mill House . Zillow.com . July 30, 2013 . March 12, 2015.
  49. Web site: Halberg . Morgan . Zoe Kravitz Paid $1.45 Million for a Charming Pound Ridge Home . Observer . 28 January 2024 . 2021-10-21.
  50. Features | Nearly Nude Maggie Q Says, 'Spice Up Your Life - Go Vegetarian' . PETA Asia-Pacific . March 12, 2015.
  51. Web site: Maggie Q Named Peta's Person of the Yea. PETA Asia-Pacific. October 23, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722212504/http://www.petaasiapacific.com/newsreleasesitem.asp?id=10173. July 22, 2011.
  52. Web site: PETA Announces the Best-Dressed Celebrities. PETA Asia-Pacific. October 23, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100819074736/http://www.petaasiapacific.com/feature-best-dressed-celebs-08.asp. August 19, 2010.
  53. Daisy Murray, "PETA's 'Sexiest Vegan' List Is In, And Not Just One, But Three Women Won," ELLE, July 10, 2017.
  54. Web site: Entrepreneur & Hollywood star Maggie Q pledges support and names a bear!. www.facebook.com.
  55. Web site: Maggie Q To Star In Fox Comedy Pilot 'Pivoting'. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. December 8, 2020. May 18, 2021.