Natascha McElhone

Natascha McElhone (; born Natascha Abigail Taylor, 14 December 1971) is a British actress. She is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. In film, she is best known for her roles in '' Ronin'' (1998), '' The Truman Show'' (1998), and '' Solaris'' (2002). On television, she has portrayed Karen van der Beek, the long-time partner of Hank Moody, in the Showtime comedy-drama series '' Californication'' (2007–2014), First Lady Alex Kirkman in the ABC political drama '' Designated Survivor'' (2016–2017), and Laz Ingram in Beau Willimon's Hulu science-fiction series '' The First'' (2018). McElhone also portrayed Penelope Knatchbull in season 5 of ''The Crown''.

Early life

She was born Natascha Abigail Taylor in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey on 14 December 19
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/nowiki>] She took her mother's maiden name as her stage name.[3] McElhone has a scriptwriter brother, Damon, who lives in Los Angeles; and two half-brothers: Alexander, who lives in Zürich, and Nicholas, who lives in Stockholm. Her parents separated when she was two. Her Irish mother moved the family to Brighton and later married journalist and columnist Roy Greenslade.

McElhone, who took lessons in Irish dancing from ages six to 12, was educated at St. Mark's CofE Primary School, Brighton, St Mary's Hall, Brighton, Fortismere School, London, Camden School for Girls, London and William Ellis, London. She graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1993.

Career

McElhone began her career in the theatre, including starring roles in ''Richard III'' and ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, London, and in ''The Count of Monte Cristo'' and ''The Cherry Orchard'' at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester. She made her television debut in the BBC's '' Bergerac'' in 1991 (credited on screen as Natascha Taylor) and was seen in an episode of '' Absolutely Fabulous'' in 1992.

McElhone was seen in two episodes of the Dennis Potter TV miniseries ''Karaoke''. Her first major box-office role came with ''Surviving Picasso'' (1996), with co-star Anthony Hopkins. One of her most successful films to date has been '' The Truman Show'' (1998) with Jim Carrey. She had leading roles opposite Brad Pitt in ''The Devil's Own'' (1997), Robert De Niro in '' Ronin'' (1998), and George Clooney in '' Solaris'' (2002).

Co-starring with Bill Pullman, McElhone appeared in the NBC miniseries '' Revelations'' (2005). She starred in a 2006 West End production of ''Honour'' at the Wyndham's Theatre alongside Diana Rigg and Martin Jarvis. She then accepted a leading role in the Showtime cable television series '' Californication'' as Karen, alongside David Duchovny. In 2009 McElhone became a spokeswoman for Neutrogena

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