| Susan Kelechi Watson | |
| Birth Date: | 11 November 1981 |
| Nationality: | American |
| Birth Place: | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Education: | Howard University (BFA) New York University (MFA) |
| Years Active: | 2004–present |
| Occupation: | Actress |
Susan Kelechi Watson (born November 11, 1981) is an American actress. She is known for her work on the television show Louie[1] and for her role as Beth Pearson in This Is Us. She was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the latter.
Watson was born in Brooklyn on November 11, 1981.[2] Her parents were born in Jamaica.[3] Watson's middle name "Kelechi" means "Thank God" in Nigeria's Igbo language.[4] Watson obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program.[5]
Watson had a recurring role on the television show Louie from 2012 through 2014. She has had recurring roles on NCIS, The Following, and The Blacklist. She appeared in a play at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City by playwright Richard Greenberg entitled A Naked Girl on the Appian Way in 2005.[6] From 2016 to 2022, she starred in the NBC drama series This Is Us as Beth Pearson.[7]
Watson played Andrea Vogel in the Fred Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood alongside Tom Hanks in 2019.[8] In September 2022, she appeared in the European premiere of Eureka Day at The Old Vic theatre in London.[9]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Hack | Paula | Episode: "Extreme Commerce" |
| 2004 | The Jury | Andrea Davis | Episode: "Lamentation on the Reservation" |
| 2004–2005 | Third Watch | Emma St. Claire | 12 episodes |
| 2005 | Jill Tolbert | Episode: "Blue Wall" | |
| 2007 | Medium | Subordinate | Episode: "Joe Day Afternoon" |
| 2007 | Kidnapped | Elle King | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Private Practice | Beth O'Brien | Episode: "In Which Sam Receives an Unexpected Visitor..." |
| 2007 | Alibi | Genevieve Egan | Television movie |
| 2007–2008 | NCIS | NCIS Intel Analyst Nikki Jardine | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Numb3rs | Nina Hunter | Episode: "Pay to Play" |
| 2004, 2009 | Law & Order | Tanya Ware / Thea Curry | Episodes: "Can I Get a Witness?", "The Drowned and the Saved" |
| 2010 | Futurestates | Tia | Episode: "Tia & Marco" |
| 2011 | Eden | Det. Monica Lopez | Episode: Pilot |
| 2011 | The Good Wife | Lauryn Fisher | Episode: "What Went Wrong" |
| 2013 | Golden Boy | April McGee | Episode: "Vicious Cycle" |
| 2014 | And, We're Out of Time | Diana | Television film |
| 2012–2014 | Louie | Janet | 12 episodes |
| 2014 | Royal Pains | Naomi | Episode: "I Did Not See That Coming" |
| 2013–2016 | The Blacklist | Ellie | 4 episodes |
| 2014 | The Following | Cindy | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Blue Bloods | Detective | Episode: "Sins of the Father" |
| 2015 | Veep | Sue's friend | Episode: "Election Night" |
| 2015 | Happyish | Sandy | Episode: "Starring Rene Descartes, Adweek and HRH the Princess of Arendelle" |
| 2016 | Billions | Wilma 'Billie' Keen | Episode: "YumTime" |
| 2016 | Limitless | Elo | Episode: "Fundamentals of Naked Portraiture" |
| 2016–2022 | This Is Us | Beth Pearson | Main role |
| 2016 | Divorce | Victoria Tuckson | Episode: "Counseling" |
| 2019 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood | Andrea Vogel | |
| 2021 | Ada Twist, Scientist | Mom Twist (voice) | Main role |
| 2021 | Rumble | Maggie (voice) | |
| 2022 | Great Performances: Merry Wives | Madam Nkechi Ford | Episode: S49 Ep28[10] |
| 2024 | Will Trent | Cricket Dawson | S2: Ep1 "Me Llamo Will Trent" |