Simone Kessell (born 19 August 1975) is a New Zealand television actress known for her role as Lt. Alicia Washington in the short-lived Fox science fiction television series Terra Nova. In 2016, Kessell starred opposite Ray Winstone on the short-lived ABC prime-time television fantasy soap opera Of Kings and Prophets. she co-stars on the Showtime series Yellowjackets.
Career Her early work included appearances in New Zealand and Australian productions like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Water Rats, and Medivac, where she played Dr. Stella O'Shaughnessy. She also appeared in TV films such as McLeod's Daughters and Return to Treasure Island.
Then, she expanded her career with roles in American series such as CSI: Miami, Criminal Minds, and Fringe. In 2011, she portrayed Lieutenant Alicia Washington in the sci-fi series Terra Nova.
More recently, Kessell played Breha Organa in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, and Mother Teach in Our Flag Means Death. Since 2023, she has been part of the main cast in Yellowjackets, portraying the adult version of Lottie Matthews.
Personal life Kessell was born in Auckland to a Māori mother, of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Te Rangi descent, and a father of European descent. She is married to Australian director Gregor Jordan. They have two sons, Jack and Beau.
Simone Kessell is also a pickleball player. In 2024, she secured a gold medal in the women's singles (35+ age 4.0) and a silver in women's doubles at the Australian Pickleball Championships. She serves as an ambassador for JOOLA Australia and captains the Brisbane Breakers in Major League Pickleball Australia.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2001 Stickmen Karen Lotto Short 2003 Liquid Bridge Jeanne 2005 Sum of Existence Dr. Juliet King 2008 Nina Metro Frost/Nixon Airport Check-In Woman 2009 Blue Boy Mrs. Jordan Short 2011 Burning Man Oscar's Teacher 2013 Clara Coldstream 2015 San Andreas Kim Swann 2017 2:22 Serena 1% Hayley 2022 Muru Maria 2024 Hard Home Mary FlintTBAHoneymoon with HarryTBAFilming Subversion Post-production
Television Year Title Role NotesRef 1992 Homeward Bound Hannah Tumai 1994 Hercules and the Amazon Women Jana TV film Hercules and the Circle of Fire Girl / Hag TV film Hercules in the Underworld Girl / Hag TV film High Tide Young Tennis Star Episode: "Party Time", "Match Point" Presenter 1995–96 Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Rena Episode: "What's in a Name?", "The Wedding of Alcmene" 1996 G.P. Joanne Mills Episode: "Someone to Turn To" McLeod's Daughters Jodi Wilcox TV film Return to Treasure Island Coral TV film 1997 Xena: Warrior Princess Miss Messini Episode: "Here She Comes... Miss Amphipolis" Heartbreak High Aurora Episode: "5.23", "5.24" Nga Wahine Moana Williams 1998 Gabrielle TV miniseries Medivac Dr. Stella O'Shaughness Lead role 1999 Water Rats Eleni Spartels Episode: "Cut-off Point" Wildside Roxanne Tate Episode: "2.16" Greenstone Marama Stingers Despina Polo Episode: "Counting the Beat" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Havisha Episode: "We'll Always Have Cyprus" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Kayla Episode: "Love, Amazon Style" BeastMaster Hyppolyte Episode: "Amazons" Airtight Portia TV film 2000 Farscape Finzzi Episode: "Dream a Little Dream" 2001 Danielle Episode: "Voodoo Queen" Hard Knox Delicious Malicious TV film All Saints Naomi Fisher Episode: "The Sign", "Behind Closed Doors" 2002 Mataku Virginia Episode: "The God Child" 2003 White Collar Blue Kaz Episode: "2.4", "2.5" 2005 CSI: Miami Agent Maxwell Episode: "From the Grave" 2007 Criminal Minds Sarah Danlin Episode: "Jones" 2009 Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities Isabelle Wilson Recurring role Reaper Sally Episode: "No Reaper Left Behind" Fringe Nurse / Shapeshifting Soldier Episode: "A New Day in the Old Town" 2011 Panic at Rock Island Louise Olsson TV film Terra Nova Lt. Alicia Washington Recurring role (12 episodes) 2014 Fat Tony & Co. Tamara Chippindall Recurring role 2014–15 Wonderland Sasha Clarke Supporting role (series 2–3) 2016 Of Kings and Prophets Queen Ahinoam Lead role (9 episodes) 2017 Michelle Deportes Web short 2018 Rebecca Lead role Pine Gap Belle James 6 episodes 2019–2020 Reckoning Paige Serrato 10 episodes 2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi Breha Organa Miniseries, 2 episodesOur Flag Means Death Mother Teach Recurring role (2 episodes)My Life Is Murder Faith Cooper Episode: Rising Angel2023The Night Agent Emma Campbell Episode: The Call 2023–2025Yellowjackets Adult Charlotte "Lottie" Matthews Main role (season 2–3, 14 episodes)2023WellmaniaHelen King3 episodes2024Hard HomeMaryLead, TV filmCritical IncidentDetective Edith Barcelos6 episodes2025The Last FrontierSarah RemnickMain role2026Ms. XSaskia6 episodes2026Flower & FlourAunt Nina
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