Karen Alexis Aldridge is an American actress. She is best known for playing Mrs. Phelps in the Broadway premiere cast of Matilda the Musical, and for her television roles in Severance (2022–2025), Alien: Earth (2025), and the fourth season of the anthology series Fargo (2020).
Biography Aldridge was born in Richmond, California, and ran track in her youth. She studied sociology at UCLA and graduated with an MFA in Acting from DePaul University. In 2010, she played Iris Sparks in the world premiere of Regina Taylor's The Trinity River Plays. In 2013, she played Mrs. Phelps in the Broadway premiere cast of Matilda the Musical.
Acting credits Film Year Title Role 2004 Sandcastles Atropos 2011 The Dilemma Receptionist 2023 The Good Mother Laurie 2023 The Creator Dr. Thankey
Television Year Title Role Notes 2011–2012 Boss Dr. Ella Harris 10 episodes 2012–2015 Chicago Fire Dr. Kendra Perrington 6 episodes 2014 Unforgettable Ellen Hewitt Episode: "Flesh and Blood" Blue Bloods Desiree Jones Episode: "Power of the Press" 2016 Chicago Med Dr. Kendra Perrington 3 episodes 2016–2017 The Get Down Adele Kipling 6 episodes 2020 Fargo Zelmare Roulette Season 4; 8 episodes 2022–2025 Severance Asal Reghabi Recurring role 2023 61st Street Naimah Watts 5 episodes 2025 Alien: Earth Chibuzo 2 episodes
Theater Year Title Role Venue Notes 2003 Man from Nebraska Tamyra Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago 2005 Splittin' the Raft Black woman Marin Theatre Company 2007 Bot Mella Magic Theater Northside San Francisco 2009 Macbeth Lady Macbeth Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Chicago Twelfth Night Olivia Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Chicago 2010 The Good Negro Corinne Goodman Theatre Chicago 2011 The Trinity River Plays Iris Goodman Theatre Chicago Clybourne Park Francine, Lena Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago 2013 Matilda the Musical Mrs. Phelps Shubert Theatre Broadway 2014 The Qualms Regine Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago 2017 The Glass Menagerie Amanda California Shakespeare Theater 2018 Victims of Duty MadeleineA Red Orchid TheatreChicago
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