Hayley McFarland (born March 29, 1991) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Emily Lightman in the Fox crime drama series Lie to Me. In the supernatural horror film The Conjuring, McFarland portrayed Nancy Perron.
Early life Hayley McFarland was born on March 29, 1991, in Edmond, Oklahoma. She began performing in summer musicals at Oklahoma City's Lyric Theatre. While living in Oklahoma, she studied at Michelle De Long's ACTS Acting Academy, which notes fellow alumni such as Ryan Merriman of Pretty Little Liars fame. De Long is credited with sending a tape of the young actor to a manager in Los Angeles. Despite only being interested in musical theater, after being introduced to the manager, McFarland transitioned into screen acting. In her teens, McFarland made regular trips to audition in Los Angeles.
Career
Her first major role came in the form of an independent film, An American Crime, starring Elliot Page and Catherine Keener. She has appeared in isolated episodes on various TV series, including Gilmore Girls, ER, Criminal Minds, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She was a main character of the crime drama series Lie to Me on Fox, portraying Emily Lightman for all three seasons from 2009 to 2011. McFarland also had a recurring role in the final two seasons of FX crime drama Sons of Anarchy. McFarland has starred in several horror films, including The Conjuring and Agnes.
Filmography + List of films and roles Year Title Role Notes 2007An American CrimeJennie Likens2008Winged CreaturesLori Carline2011Eye of the StormPoor Little ZombieShort film2013The ConjuringNancy Perron2016The ChaplainColeShort Film2021AgnesAgnes2022Out of ExileDawnette "Dawn" Russell2025We're Not Safe HereRachel2026AnywhereSyd
+List of television appearances and roles Year(s) Title Role Notes 2006Gilmore GirlsMarcia2 episodes: "The Real Paul Anka", "Super Cool Party People"2007ERCandiceEpisode: "The War Comes Home" 2008Criminal MindsKatie OwenEpisode: "3rd Life"Pushing DaisiesNikki HeapsEpisode: "Circus, Circus" 200924Emily LathamEpisode: "Day 7: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m."Without a TraceAddy GilroyEpisode: "Believe Me"United States of TaraPetula3 episodes: "Aftermath", "Work", "Betrayal"MediumJamie PortmanEpisode: "New Terrain"2009–11Lie to MeEmily LightmanMain cast; 40 episodes2011Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJennaEpisode: "Smoked"2012Mad MenBonnieEpisode: "Tea Leaves"2013–14Sons of AnarchyBrooke PutnerGuest (season 6); Recurring cast (season 7); 11 episodes2014Grey's AnatomyRory WilliamsEpisode: "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" 2024The RookieMs. MarcosEpisode: "Secrets and Lies"Scare TacticsJosieEpisode: "Hospital Hell!" (segment: "Thrill Ride") 20251923Mary2 episodes: "Journey the Rivers of Iron", "Only Gunshots to Guide Us"TrackerMonica HarperEpisode: "Collision"2026Strip LawMildred Crumbles / Various voices2 episodes: "The Bad News Bapples", "We Need to Talk About Heaven"
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