Jessica Parker Kennedy (born October 3, 1984) is a Canadian actress known as Melissa Glaser in The Secret Circle, Max on Black Sails, and Nora West-Allen / XS in The Flash. She also had guest roles on Smallville, Undercovers, Kaya and Colony.
Early life Kennedy was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the child of an Afro-Canadian father and a Jewish mother. Growing up, Kennedy says there were very few people of color around, and she was friends with the sole black girl at her school. She had gravitated to friendships with other black people later as a means of finding community. Kennedy was raised Jewish.
Career Kennedy portrayed supervillain Plastique in the television series Smallville, the role of Tami in the 2008 comedy film Another Cinderella Story alongside Selena Gomez, and the recurring character of Natalee on the 2007 television series Kaya on MTV.
Kennedy was originally cast in the J. J. Abrams-produced 2010 spy drama series Undercovers as the younger sister of the female lead (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) but was later replaced by Mekia Cox. Kennedy played Melissa Glaser in the CW series The Secret Circle until the show was cancelled after one season in May 2012. Kennedy was cast as the ambitious Nassau prostitute Max on the Starz TV show Black Sails. In 2017, Kennedy joined the CW's Arrowverse, appearing primarily on the live-action series The Flash. Her character appeared throughout the fourth season as Nora West-Allen and was promoted to series regular for the fifth season using the superhero name XS. She then returned for seasons seven, eight, and nine.
Kennedy appeared as a guest star in the 3rd season of the sketch comedy TV series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson in 2023, and appeared in a guest role as Medusa in the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Personal life She is married to Israeli-American actor Ronen Rubinstein. They reside in Los Angeles. Parker Kennedy expressed encouragement for him coming out as bisexual in 2021. They married in August 2022, with a Jewish wedding ceremony. They welcomed their first child, Boydd Parker-Rubinstein, on September 29, 2024.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 Karma Inc. Candy Short 2011 50/50 Jackie In Time EdouardaBad MeatEstelle2015 The Perfect Guy Rachel 2017 Gemini Sierra 2018 Cam Katie Deep Murder Phyllis "Babysitter" Gorman2019Business EthicsDr. Helen2021See for MeKelly2024Good Bad ThingsMadi
Television Year Title Role Notes 2006Santa Baby Lucy the Elf Television film2007Decoys 2: Alien SeductionBeautiful GirlVideoKayaNatalee10 episodes 2008Another Cinderella Story Tami Television filmDesperate Hours: An Amber AlertSandyTelevision film 2008–2010 Smallville Bette Sans Souci / Plastique 3 episodes 2009 Exes and Ohs Amy Episode: "You Don't Know Jack" Fear Itself Becca Episode: "The Spirit Box" Soul Alicia 5 episodes Valemont Beatrice 33 episodesSanta Baby 2: Christmas MaybeLucy the ElfTelevision film 2009–2010 The Troop Laurel 2 episodes 2010 V Grace Episode: "John May" Undercovers Lizzy "Pilot" episode Brothers & Sisters Angie Episode: "The Rhapsody of Flesh" Lie to Me Alison Roberts Episode: "Beyond Belief"2011Fairly LegalJessica Nord"Pilot" EpisodeCollision EarthBrooke AdamsonTelevision filmBehemothZoe 2011–2012 The Secret Circle Melissa Glaser Main cast 2012–201390210 Megan Rose Recurring role, 6 episodes2013NearlywedsCaseyTelevision film2014–2017Black Sails Max Main cast 2017 Lethal Weapon DJ Episode: "Homebodies" I Love Bekka & Lucy Bekka Main cast Colony Maya Recurring role, 5 episodes Ransom Charlotte Walker Episode: "The Enemy Within" Tales Unique 2 episodes Supergirl Mystery Girl Episode "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 1" 2018–2019; 2021–2023 The Flash Nora West-Allen / XS Recurring role (season 4, 7–9);Series regular (season 5)35 episodes2020Acting for a CauseKara BinghamEpisode: “Up in the Air”2022; 2024 The Old ManWoman at Bus Stop"Episode III", "Episode XIV" 2023I Think You Should Leave with Tim RobinsonMeganEpisode "THAT WAS THE EARTH TELLING ME I’M SUPPOSED TO DO SOMETHING GREAT"Under the Christmas SkyKat ButlerTelevision filmPercy Jackson and the OlympiansMedusaEpisode: "We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium"
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