Geraldine Hughes

Early life Hughes grew up in the Divis Flats in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during The Troubles. To get herself through the tough times, Hughes participated in her school's drama club. She loved school, saying it made her feel safe and she enjoyed the structure it provided. It was where she escaped from The Troubles. After being chosen for her role in the film Children in the Crossfire, Hughes spent her first summer in the United States. She had no acting experience beyond her school's drama club before accepting her role as Mary in the movie.

Career When Hughes was just 14, American TV producers auditioned hundreds of children in Ireland for their film and of the hundreds, three were chosen to participate in the film, Hughes being one of them. This first film debut of hers was in the movie, Children of the Crossfire in the year 1984. Later, during her first years in Los Angeles, Hughes became a part-time nanny to Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's children. Her performances of this play are dedicated “to all the children who live in places of conflict.” Hughes left Belfast at the age of 18. She lived in Los Angeles for 16 years then moved to New York City. Family comes first for Hughes as she regularly returns to Belfast for visits.

Hughes was married to an American from Pennsylvania, Ian Harrington. He also "came from nothin as his family was very poor. He was the first to encourage Hughes to share her story.

Film Year Title Role Notes 1984 Children in the Crossfire Mary 1997 St. Patrick's Day Maeve 1986 The End of the World Man Barbara 2003 Duplex Receptionist 2006 Rocky Balboa Marie 2008 Gran Torino Karen Kowalski 2009 Pumpgirl Sinead 2012 Dead Souls Mary Petrie 2013 Killing Lincoln Mary Todd Lincoln 2014 Time Out of Mind Marie 2017 The Book of Henry Mrs. Evans 2020 Nine Days Colleen

Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 ER Susan McFarlan 2003 Murder She Wrote Fiona Byrne 2007–2017 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Tina Parven/Denise Drake TV series, 2 episodes 2008 Law & Order Sandra Talbot 2010 Nurse Jackie Molly Gaherty 2010 Mercy Tammy Singer 2010 The Good Wife Rachel Knox 2010 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Regina 2013 Blue Bloods Meara McGuire 2013–2017 The Blacklist Dr. Nina TV series, 3 episodes 2020 Your Honor Betty Episode: “Part Two”

Theater

Year Title Role Notes Jerusalem Westend and Broadway productions Particle of Dread Cyrano De Bergerac Broadway Translations Bridget Broadway Molly Sweeney Orson's Shadow The Cripple Inishmaan The Architect Belfast Blues 24 characters a solo play written by Hughes, based on real life events

Awards and nominations Hughes received her first award in 2003, the Los Angeles Ovation Award. Just a year later, in 2004 she received the Garland and Drama Critics Circle Awards. Hughes also received a nomination for Distinguished Performance from the Drama League Award for her acting in her solo play, Belfast Blues, in 2004.