Rachael Taylor
{{short description|Australian actress and model (born 1984)}}
{{for|other people named Rachael or Rachel Taylor}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rachael Taylor
| image = Rachael Taylor 2011 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize = 220px
| caption = Taylor in 2011
| birth_name = Rachael May Taylor
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|07|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| occupation = Actress, model
| years_active = 2004–present
}}
Rachael May Taylor (born 11 July 1984) is an Australian actress and model. Her first lead role was in the Australian television series headLand (2005–2006) as Sasha Forbes. She then made the transition to Hollywood, appearing in films including Man-Thing (2005), See No Evil (2006), Transformers (2007), Bottle Shock (2008), Shutter (2008), Cedar Boys (2009), Splinterheads (2009), Red Dog (2011), The Darkest Hour (2011) and Any Questions for Ben? (2012).
She has also starred as Dr. Lucy Fields on Grey's Anatomy, as one of the Angels on the short-lived reboot Charlie's Angels (both 2011), as the main character on the ABC show 666 Park Avenue (2012–2013), and in the NBC action/thriller series Crisis (2014).
She starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe streaming superhero television series Jessica Jones (2015–2019), Luke Cage (2016), and The Defenders (2017) as Trish Walker.
Early life
Taylor was born on 11 July 1984 in Launceston, Tasmania, the daughter of Christine and Nigel Taylor.{{cite news |last=Hills |first=Brenden |date=10 September 2010 |title=We're shattered by Rachael's bashing, say Nigel and Christine Taylor |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/were-shattered-by-daughters-bashing-say-nigel-and-christine-taylor/story-e6frf9 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 January 2011 |work=The Sunday Telegraph}}{{Cite web |last=Devlyn |first=Darren |date=16 October 2012 |title=Taylor made for a horror success |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/taylor-made-for-a-horror-success/news-story/ccd99d0018c78b39eff9c6f2f3b55222 |website=news.com.au}} She attended Riverside High School and Trevallyn Primary School. Taylor had wanted to be an actress since she was a child. Her childhood was filled with modelling and beauty pageants before she ventured into acting. She graduated from Riverside High School in 2000.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21638670-921,00.html |title=Our Hollywood transformation |work=The Mercury |date=29 April 2007 |access-date=29 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516005651/http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21638670-921,00.html |archive-date=16 May 2007 |url-status=dead}}
Career
Taylor modelled for Skye-Jilly International and competed successfully in the state finals of Miss Teen Tasmania 1998. She has appeared in a number of American productions – such as television movies about Natalie Wood and the making of Dynasty (where she played Catherine Oxenberg),{{cite web |url= http://www.der-denver-clan.de/de/dynasty_behind.207.html |title=Dynasty: Dynasty: Behind the Scenes (Seite 1 von 34) |publisher=Der-Denver-Clan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710180359/http://www.der-denver-clan.de/de/dynasty_behind.207.html |archive-date=2012-07-10 |access-date=27 February 2009}} and the horror movies Man-Thing and See No Evil.
Taylor played Sasha Forbes on the short-lived Australian drama series headLand. On 3 April 2006, she was nominated for a Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent for her role on headLand.
File:Rachael Taylor Transformers Sydney Premiere Crop.jpg
Her most prominent role to date was as Maggie Madsen, a signals analyst, in the 2007 Transformers, where she appeared alongside Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf. Taylor confirmed that she would not be returning for the Transformers sequel.{{cite web |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/19/rachel-taylornot-in-transformers-2-and-proud-of-it/ |title=Rachel Taylor ... Not In 'Transformers 2,' And Proud Of It|author=Vineyard, Jennifer |date=2008-08-19|website=MTV |access-date=2011-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930114636/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/19/rachel-taylornot-in-transformers-2-and-proud-of-it/ |archive-date=30 September 2011 }} In 2008, Taylor scored a starring role in the US horror-thriller Shutter, a remake of the 2004 Thai film of the same name opposite Joshua Jackson.{{cite news|url=http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2008/03/interview-rachael-taylor-on-shutter/|title=Interview: Rachael Taylor on Shutter|last=Biodrowski|first=Steve|date=19 March 2008|access-date=21 June 2013}} Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box-office success.{{cite web|last=Kasch|first=Andrew|title=Shutter (2008)|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/shutter-2008|date=21 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611071158/https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/shutter-2008 |archive-date=2008-06-11 |access-date=21 June 2013}}
In 2009, she completed the Australian feature Cedar Boys and starred in the comedy Splinterheads. In 2010, she starred alongside Alex Dimitriades in the Australian romantic drama Summer Coda.{{cite news|title=Summer Coda movie review|url=https://amp.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/summer-coda-movie-review/news-story/0dd733e8409adb21f24255b5eaefad2f|access-date=21 June 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=21 October 2010|author=Paatsch, Leigh }} She has also signed to the HBO comedy series Washingtonienne and Melt, an Australian production. Taylor began a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Lucy Fields, an obstetrician and maternal-fetal fellow.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20215 |title=Transformers Hottie Joins Alien Invasion at The Darkest Hour |website=Bloody Disgusting |author=Miska, Brad |date=May 14, 2010}}{{cite web|url= https://www.tvguide.com/news/greys-anatomy-taylor-1023033/|title= Transformers Actress Scrubs into Grey's Anatomy|work=TV Guide|access-date=14 September 2010}}{{cite web|url= https://www.tvguide.com/news/rachael-taylor-joins-1028235/|title= Rachael Taylor Joins Grey's Anatomy''|work=TV Guide|access-date=24 January 2011}}
In 2011, Taylor joined the cast of the short-lived remake of the television series Charlie's Angels.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2011/01/minka-kelly-and-rachael-taylor-tapped-as-angels-in-abcs-charlies-angels-101019/ |title=Minka Kelly and Rachael Taylor Close to Angel Gigs in ABC's Charlie's Angels |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=27 January 2011}}{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/14/abc-charlies-angels |title=Goodbye girls! ABC cancels Charlie's Angels |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=14 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424133532/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/14/abc-charlies-angels|archive-date=2012-04-24}} Also in 2011, she had a major role in the film Red Dog and starred in the Russian science-fiction thriller film The Darkest Hour, directed by filmmaker Chris Gorak.[https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37518/two-more-sign-the-darkest-hour Two More Sign on for The Darkest Hour – dreadcentral.com]
Taylor had a key supporting role in the 2012 Australian comedy Any Questions for Ben?, created by Working Dog Productions.{{cite web|last=Schembri|first=Jim|title=Any Questions for Ben?|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/any-questions-for-ben-20120209-1rp05.html|work=The Age |location=Australia|access-date=17 February 2012|date=9 February 2012}} Although the film performed disappointingly at the box-office and received lukewarm reviews, Taylor was praised for her role. Leigh Paatsch in the Herald-Sun wrote "Taylor exudes a warmth and assurance (in her performance). It is a shame she is missing in action for lengthy spells in the picture."{{cite news|last=Paatch|first=Leigh|title=Movie review: Any Questions for Ben?|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/movie-any-questions-for-ben/story-e6frf8r6-1226266620849|access-date=21 June 2013|newspaper=heraldsun.com|date=9 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101130927/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/movie-any-questions-for-ben/story-e6frf8r6-1226266620849 |archive-date=2014-01-01}}
From 2012 to 2013, Taylor starred in the new drama 666 Park Avenue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/666-park-avenue-rachael-taylor-376952/|title=‘666 Park Avenue’s’ Rachael Taylor: Jane Will Be a ‘Totally Changed,’ ‘Unrecognizable’ Woman|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Ng|first=Philiana|access-date=2024-06-28|date=2012-10-07}} She was next cast in the 2014 NBC series Crisis, which ran for one season.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/gillian-anderson-rachael-taylor-rand-ravich-nbc-424319|title=Gillian Anderson, Rachael Taylor to Star in NBC's Rand Ravich Drama|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=25 February 2013|access-date=26 February 2013}} In 2015, Taylor starred in Jessica Jones as the titular character's best friend Trish Walker. She would go on to reprise the role in a voiceover cameo in Luke Cage in 2016, in The Defenders in 2017, a second season of Jessica Jones in 2018, and the series' final season in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/marvels-jessica-jones-enlists-greys-768313|title=Marvel's Jessica Jones Enlists Grey's Anatomy Alum|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=29 January 2015|access-date=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201043355/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/marvels-jessica-jones-enlists-greys-768313|archive-date=1 February 2015|url-status=live}}
In 2014, Taylor played a supporting role in the thriller The Loft, a remake of the 2008 original, alongside fellow Australian Isabel Lucas.{{Cite web |author=T. H. R. Staff |date=2015-01-30 |title=‘The Loft’: Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/loft-film-review-768601/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=28 June 2014 |title=Aussie beauties Rachael Taylor and Isabel Lucas have their latest film abruptly pulled from release |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/aussie-beauties-rachael-taylor-and-isabel-lucas-have-their-latest-film-abruptly-pulled-from-release/news-story/fb29ebfd59614ea9dff4dc6b9f6d5de6 |work=The Sunday Telegraph}} In 2016, Taylor portrayed the character Rachel Hill in the crime drama film Gold.{{Cite web |last=Linden |first=Sheri |date=2016-12-30 |title=‘Gold’: Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/gold-review-959605/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Falkenstein |first=Glen |date=2017-02-03 |title=Film review: Gold |url=https://thebigsmoke.com.au/2017/02/03/film-review-gold/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=The Big Smoke |language=en-US}} In 2018, Taylor appeared in the Australian comedy-drama film Ladies in Black.{{Cite web |title=Ladies in Black (2018) |url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/ladies-in-black-2018/35635/ |access-date=2018-09-19 |publisher=Screen Australia}}
In 2019, Taylor appeared in Finding Steve McQueen as Molly Murphy, where she starred alongside Travis Fimmel, Forest Whitaker, and William Fichtner.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Ariston |date=2016-09-29 |title=Rachael Taylor to Replace Kate Bosworth in Heist Film ‘Finding Steve McQueen’ (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rachael-taylor-replace-kate-bosworth-933821/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}
In March 2023, it was rumoured Taylor would be joining Paul Thomas Anderson's next currently untitled film. This marks her first acting role in 4 years. She also returned to her Instagram after not having it updated in 4 years.{{cite web | url=https://awardsradar.com/2023/03/17/viggo-mortinsen-and-rachael-taylor-reportedly-join-the-cast-of-paul-thomas-andersons-next-film/ | title=Viggo Mortensen and Rachael Taylor Reportedly Join the Cast of Paul Thomas Anderson's Next Film | date=17 March 2023 }}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2005
| Teri Elizabeth Richards | |
| 2006
| Zoe Warner | |
| 2007
| Maggie Madsen | |
| 2008
| Shutter | Jane | |
| 2008
| Sam Fulton | |
| 2008
| Woman in Hallway | |
| 2009
| Amie | |
| 2009
| Galaxy | |
| 2009
| Jess | |
| 2010
| Providence Park | Bicycle Girl | Short film |
| 2010
| Summer Coda | Heidi | |
| 2011
| Red Dog | Nancy Grey | |
| 2011
| Anne | |
| 2012
| Alex | |
| 2014
| The Loft | Anne Morris | |
| 2016
| ARQ | Hannah | |
| 2016
| Gold | Rachel Hill | |
| 2016
| Wig Shop | Lili | Short film |
| 2018
| White Orchid | Jessica | |
| 2018
| Fay | |
| 2019
| Molly Murphy | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2004
| Maryann Marinkovich | TV film |
| 2005
| Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure | TV film |
| 2005
| Hercules | TV miniseries |
| 2005
| Natalie Louise Brown | Episode: "Old Flames" |
| 2005–2006
| headLand | Sasha Forbes | Main role; 58 episodes |
| 2009
| Washingtonienne | Jackie | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2011
| Dr. Lucy Fields | Recurring role; 8 episodes |
| 2011
| Abigail "Abby" Simpson | Main role; 8 episodes |
| 2012–2013
| Jane Van Veen | Main role; 13 episodes |
| 2014
| Crisis | Agent Susie Dunn | Main role; 13 episodes |
| 2015–2019
| rowspan=3|Patricia "Trish" Walker | Main role; 38 episodes |
| 2016
| Episode: "Suckas Need Bodyguards" |
| 2017
| Main role, miniseries; 4 episodes |
| 2017
| Miniseries; 2 episodes |
| 2024
| Hacks | Alexis | Episode: "Just for Laughs" |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|1592225}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Rachael}}
Category:21st-century Australian actresses
Category:Actresses from Tasmania
Category:Australian female models
Category:Australian film actresses
Category:Australian television actresses
Category:Australian people of English descent
Category:Australian expatriate actresses in the United States