Elizabeth Henstridge

{{Infobox person

| name = Elizabeth Henstridge

| image = Elizabeth Henstridge (2019).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Henstridge in 2019

| birth_name = Elizabeth Frances Henstridge

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|09|11|df=y}}

| birth_place = Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

| occupation = {{Hlist|Actress|model}}

| alma_mater = East 15 Acting School

| spouse = {{marriage|Zachary Abel|2021}}

| years_active = 2010–present

| website =

}}

Elizabeth Frances Henstridge (born 11 September 1987{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/agents-of-shield-stars-post-sweet-photos-honor-elizabeth-henstridge-bithday/|title=Agents of SHIELD Stars Post Sweet Photos in Honor of Elizabeth Henstridge's Birthday|first=Jamie|last=Jirak|date=12 September 2019|website=comicbook.com|access-date=1 June 2023|archive-date=1 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601014926/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/agents-of-shield-stars-post-sweet-photos-honor-elizabeth-henstridge-bithday/|url-status=live}}) is an English actress, model and director. She starred as Jemma Simmons in the ABC superhero action drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020), set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Early life

Henstridge was born in Sheffield, England,{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/elizabeth-henstridge/bio/555810|title=Elizabeth Henstridge profile|publisher=TV Guide|access-date=26 September 2013|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927234435/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/elizabeth-henstridge/bio/555810|url-status=live}} attending Meadowhead School and King Edward VII School. Henstridge has two sisters. She is of English and Irish descent. She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2009. She studied at East 15 Acting School and later moved to Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=003707&type=henstridge|title=Elizabeth Henstridge as Jemma Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Cast & Stars|publisher=ABC|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-date=15 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915000528/http://abcmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=003707&type=henstridge|url-status=live}}

Career

Henstridge made her professional acting debut in the 2010 short film Easy Under the Apple Bough and the 2011 short film And the Kid. She made her television debut in 2011, appearing as Emily Alexander in the long-running British soap opera Hollyoaks.{{cite web|author=Staff|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a321418/mcqueen-guest-hopes-for-hollyoaks-return/|title=McQueen guest hopes for 'Hollyoaks' return|date=25 May 2011|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=19 January 2022|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208230735/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a321418/mcqueen-guest-hopes-for-hollyoaks-return/|url-status=live}}

Henstridge was cast in the lead role of the 2012 The CW pilot Shelter, which was not picked up to series.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2012/03/cws-shelter-books-first-cast-members-as-quinet-of-actors-join-broadcast-pilots-242558/|title=Elizabeth Henstridge Joins JJ Abrams Drama|date=12 March 2012|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-date=14 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314142355/https://www.deadline.com/2012/03/cws-shelter-books-first-cast-members-as-quinet-of-actors-join-broadcast-pilots|url-status=live}} She went on to co-star in the horror film The Thompsons (2012), the crime drama film Gangs of Tooting Broadway (2013), and the ensemble drama film Reach Me (2014).

In November 2012, Henstridge was cast as Agent Jemma Simmons, a series regular character in the ABC superhero action drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which was set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/elizabeth-henstridge-iain-de-caestecker-shield-joss-whedon-389604|title=Joss Whedon's 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' Pilot Adds Two Agents (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=13 November 2012|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027010517/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/elizabeth-henstridge-iain-de-caestecker-shield-joss-whedon-389604/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Bierly|first=Mandi|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/11/13/s-h-e-i-l-d-pilot-two-agents/|title='S.H.I.E.L.D.' pilot adds two new agents|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=13 November 2012|access-date=6 December 2019|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822093816/https://ew.com/article/2012/11/13/s-h-e-i-l-d-pilot-two-agents/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/11/elizabeth-henstridge-and-iain-de-caestecker-cast-on-shield-pilot|title=Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker Cast on S.H.I.E.L.D. Pilot|date=13 November 2012|publisher=TV Fanatic|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-date=17 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117025533/http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/11/elizabeth-henstridge-and-iain-de-caestecker-cast-on-shield-pilot|url-status=live}} The series was ordered on 10 May 2013, and premiered on ABC on 24 September 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/17/4530976/marvel-agents-of-shield-abc-premiere-september-24|title=Marvel's Agents of SHIELD' will debut on September 24th|work=The Verge|first=Aaron|last=Souppporis|date=17 July 2013|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-date=20 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720004955/https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/17/4530976/marvel-agents-of-shield-abc-premiere-september-24|url-status=live}}

File:Elizabeth Henstridge Wondercon 2016.jpg

For her role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., she gained further recognition and acclaim from critics. In 2015, Henstridge received positive reviews for her performance in "4,722 Hours", the fifth episode of the third season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In contrast to the ensemble nature of the series, the episode contained none of the main cast (except Iain De Caestecker) and was centered around Henstridge's character. The episode's positive critical response focused praise on the bottle episode nature and Henstridge's performance. It was later named one of the best television episodes of 2015 by The Atlantic.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/12/the-best-television-episodes-of-2015/421053/|title=The Best Television Episodes of 2015|work=The Atlantic|access-date=2017-07-18|archive-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220224758/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/12/the-best-television-episodes-of-2015/421053/|url-status=live}}

In 2016, Henstridge reprised the role of Jemma Simmons in animated form in an episode of the Disney XD superhero series Ultimate Spider-Man.{{cite news|last1=Cavanaugh|first1=Patrick|title=SDCC 2015: Celebrate the World of Marvel Animation|url=http://marvel.com/news/tv/24868/sdcc_2015_celebrate_the_world_of_marvel_animation|access-date=9 March 2016|publisher=Marvel.com|date=11 July 2015|archive-date=11 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211062246/http://marvel.com/news/tv/24868/sdcc_2015_celebrate_the_world_of_marvel_animation|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Prudom|first1=Laura|title=Watch: 'Agents of SHIELD' Favorites Fitz and Simmons Get Animated for 'Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man'|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/agents-shield-fitz-simmons-ultimate-spider-man-sinister-6-crossover-video-1201725235/|access-date=8 March 2016|work=Variety|date=8 March 2016|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608214039/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/agents-shield-fitz-simmons-ultimate-spider-man-sinister-6-crossover-video-1201725235/|url-status=live}} That same year, she was cast as Abigail Folger in the horror film Wolves at the Door, loosely based on the infamous Manson Family's murders.{{cite web|last=Lincoln|first=Ross A.|title=Katie Cassidy Joins New Line Period Thriller 'The Wolves at the Door'|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/katie-cassidy-new-line-the-wolves-at-the-door-1201423233/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=15 May 2018|date=8 May 2015|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510062435/https://deadline.com/2015/05/katie-cassidy-new-line-the-wolves-at-the-door-1201423233/|url-status=live}} The film was released Direct-to-DVD in the United States on 18 April 2017.

In 2019, Henstridge starred as Jessica Cooper in the Hallmark Channel Christmas romantic comedy film Christmas at the Plaza.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas-at-the-plaza|title=Christmas at the Plaza|website=Hallmark Channel|access-date=1 August 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806190545/https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/christmas-at-the-plaza|url-status=live}} In March 2020, it was announced that she was cast in a leading role in the Apple TV+ drama thriller series Suspicion, alongside Uma Thurman.{{cite web|last=White|first=Peter|title=Uma Thurman To Headline Apple Drama Series 'Suspicion', Based on Israeli Thriller 'False Flag'|url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/uma-thurman-apple-drama-series-suspicion-israeli-false-flag-remake-1202879240/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=1 August 2020|date=11 March 2020|archive-date=12 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312060926/https://deadline.com/2020/03/uma-thurman-apple-drama-series-suspicion-israeli-false-flag-remake-1202879240/|url-status=live}} Henstridge plays Tara, a junior research fellow at Oxford and one of the suspects in the Leo Newman case.

As well as this, Henstridge has also starred in the short film The Imperfect Picture as Anna, and has done more directing. A short film she directed, Air, is now debuting in the festival circuit.{{cn|date=May 2023}} In 2019, it was revealed that she was involved in an untitled superhero film that she starred, directed, wrote and produced.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

In October 2024 ahead of its final season, it was announced that she is set to play a recurring role in Superman and Lois as Lex Luthor's daughter Elizabeth Luthor who is loosely based on the second Lena Luthor. She is also credited with directing many episodes from the series since 2022.

Personal life

Henstridge had been in a relationship with actor and online influencer Zachary Abel since 2012. They met on the set of Shelter. On 22 April 2019, she announced their engagement with an Instagram post.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/elizabeth-henstridge-engaged-zachary-burr-abel/|title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Elizabeth Henstridge Is Engaged to Zachary Burr Abel – See Her Gorgeous Ring!|website=People|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422212116/https://people.com/tv/elizabeth-henstridge-engaged-zachary-burr-abel/|url-status=live}} The two were married in England in August 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://chipandco.com/elizabeth-henstridge-and-zachary-burr-abel-from-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-tie-the-knot-with-cast-in-attendance-442497/|title=Elizabeth Henstridge and Zachary Burr Abel from 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Tie the Knot with Cast in Attendance|author=Kaitlyn|date=23 August 2021|website=Chipandco.com|access-date=2021-08-23|archive-date=23 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823221716/https://chipandco.com/elizabeth-henstridge-and-zachary-burr-abel-from-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-tie-the-knot-with-cast-in-attendance-442497/|url-status=live}}

Henstridge has a dog named Maggie, and she supports Smile Train, a charity organization.{{Cite news|url=https://www.smiletrain.org/stories/elizabeth-henstridge-and-zachary-abel-visit-local-smile-train-local-partners|title=Elizabeth Henstridge and Zachary Abel Visit Local Smile Train Partners|last=blawson|date=2016-09-30|work=Smile Train|access-date=2017-07-18|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524005726/https://www.smiletrain.org/stories/elizabeth-henstridge-and-zachary-abel-visit-local-smile-train-local-partners|url-status=dead}}

Filmography

File:Elizabeth Henstridge - Guardians of the Galaxy premiere - July 2014 (cropped).jpg in July 2014.]]

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2012

| The Thompsons

| Riley Stuart

2013

| Gangs of Tooting Broadway

| Kate

2014

| Reach Me

| Eve

2016

| Wolves at the Door

| Abigail Folger

2019

| Christmas at the Plaza

| Jessica Cooper

2023

| Mystery Island

| Dr. Emilia Priestly

2025

| Mystery Island: Winner Takes All

|Dr. Emilia Priestly

2025

|Mystery Island: Playing For Keeps

|Dr. Emilia Priestly

2025

|Mystery Island: House Rules

|Dr. Emilia Priestly

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2011

| Hollyoaks

| Emily Alexander

| 3 episodes

2012

| Shelter

| Grace

| Unsold The CW pilot

2013–2020

| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

| Jemma Simmons

| Main role; also director, episode: "As I Have Always Been"

2014

| Film School Shorts

| The Virgin

| Episode: "Sugar & Spice"

2015–2017

| Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero

| Princess (voice)

| 3 episodes

2015

| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Double Agent

| Herself

| Episode: "Security Alert"

rowspan="3"| 2016

| Ultimate Spider-Man

| Jemma Simmons (voice)

| Episode: "Lizards"

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Academy

| Herself

| Episodes: "Sci-Tech Challenge", "Commencement"

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot

| Jemma Simmons

| Episode: "Progress"

2017

| Temporary

| Emily

| Episode: "Poe Fashion"

2022

| Suspicion

| Tara

| Main role

2022–2024

| Superman & Lois

| Elizabeth Luthor

| Episode: "Break the Cycle"; also directed 3 episodes

2023

| Gotham Knights

| {{TableTBA|N/A}}

| Director; episode: "Poison Pill"

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable sortable"
Year !Award !Category !Work !Result
2015 \| TVLine's Performer of the Week \| Performance in "4,722 Hours" \| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. \| {{won}}
2017 \| TVLine's Performer of the Week \| Performance in "Self Control" (shared with Iain De Caestecker) \| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. \| {{nom}}
2019 \| TVLine's Performer of the Week \| Performance in "Inescapable" (shared with Iain De Caestecker) \| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. \| {{won}}
2020 \| TVLine's Performer of the Week \| Performance in "The End Is at Hand"/"What We're Fighting For" \| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. \| {{won}}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

!Award

!Category

!Work

!Result

2015

| TVLine's Performer of the Week

| Performance in "4,722 Hours"

| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

| {{won}}

2017