Rachael Taylor

Rachael May Taylor (born 11 July 1984) is an Australian actress and model. She began her career as a model before transitioning to acting, gaining early recognition for the Australian television series headLand (2005–2006). She subsequently appeared in the films Man-Thing, See No Evil (2006), Transformers (2007), Bottle Shock (2008), Shutter (2008), Cedar Boys (2009), Splinterheads (2009), Red Dog (2011), The Darkest Hour (2011) and Any Questions for Ben? (2012).

Taylor is best known for portraying Trish Walker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Jessica Jones (2015–2019), Luke Cage (2016) and The Defenders (2017). She also portrayed Dr. Lucy Fields on Grey's Anatomy (2011), an Angel in Charlie's Angels (2011), Jane Van Veen in 666 Park Avenue (2012–2013) and Susie Dunn in the NBC action/thriller series Crisis (2014).

Early life Rachael May Taylor was born on 11 July 1984 in Launceston, Tasmania. Her English parents, Christine and Nigel Taylor, emigrated to Australia from Dorset and Lancashire respectively.

Taylor attended Trevallyn Primary School and Riverside High School. She moved to Sydney at the age of 16 to become an actress, though later returned to Launceston to complete her high school education. She appeared in a number of American productions – such as the television film Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure (2005) (where she played Catherine Oxenberg), In 2008, Taylor scored a starring role in the US horror-thriller Shutter, a remake of the 2004 Thai film of the same name opposite Joshua Jackson. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box-office success.

In 2009, she completed the Australian feature Cedar Boys and starred in the comedy Splinterheads. In 2010, she starred alongside Alex Dimitriades in the Australian romantic drama Summer Coda. She has also signed to the HBO comedy series Washingtonienne and Melt, an Australian production. Taylor began a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Lucy Fields, an obstetrician and maternal-fetal fellow.

In 2011, Taylor joined the cast of the short-lived remake of the television series Charlie's Angels. Also in 2011, she had a major role in the film Red Dog and starred in the Russian science-fiction thriller film The Darkest Hour, directed by filmmaker Chris Gorak.

Taylor had a key supporting role in the 2012 Australian comedy Any Questions for Ben?, created by Working Dog Productions. Although the film performed disappointingly at the box-office and received lukewarm reviews, Taylor was praised for her role. Leigh Paatsch in the Herald-Sun wrote "Taylor exudes a warmth and assurance (in her performance). It is a shame she is missing in action for lengthy spells in the picture."

From 2012 to 2013, Taylor starred in the new drama 666 Park Avenue. She was next cast in the 2014 NBC series Crisis, which ran for one season. In 2015, Taylor starred in Jessica Jones as the titular character's best friend Trish Walker. She would go on to reprise the role in a voiceover cameo in Luke Cage in 2016, in The Defenders in 2017, a second season of Jessica Jones in 2018, and the series' final season in 2019.

In 2014, Taylor played a supporting role in the thriller The Loft, a remake of the 2008 original, alongside fellow Australian Isabel Lucas. In 2016, Taylor portrayed the character Rachel Hill in the crime drama film Gold. In 2018, Taylor appeared in the Australian comedy-drama film Ladies in Black.

In 2019, Taylor appeared in Finding Steve McQueen as Molly Murphy, where she starred alongside Travis Fimmel, Forest Whitaker, and William Fichtner.

Personal life In August 2010, Taylor took out an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against her fiancé, Australian actor Matthew Newton. This followed two domestic violence incidents at a hotel in Rome where Newton allegedly "punched Taylor in the face before being sedated by ambulance officers", leading to her suffering a concussion and a sprained jaw. Taylor later partnered with White Ribbon Australia to advocate to end men's violence against women.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 Man-Thing Teri Elizabeth Richards 2006 See No Evil Zoe Warner 2007 Transformers Maggie Madsen 2008 Shutter Jane Bottle Shock Sam Fulton Deception Woman in Hallway 2009 Cedar Boys Amie Splinterheads Galaxy Ghost Machine Jess 2010 Providence Park Bicycle Girl Short film Summer Coda Heidi 2011 Red Dog Nancy Grey The Darkest Hour Anne 2012 Any Questions for Ben? Alex 2014 The Loft Anne Morris 2016 ARQ Hannah Gold Rachel Hill Wig Shop Lili Short film 2018 White Orchid Jessica Ladies in Black Fay 2019 Finding Steve McQueen Molly Murphy

Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 The Mystery of Natalie Wood Maryann Marinkovich TV film 2005 Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure Catherine Oxenberg TV film Hercules Nemean lion/Sphinx TV miniseries McLeod's Daughters Natalie Louise Brown Episode: "Old Flames" 2005–2006 headLand Sasha Forbes Main role; 58 episodes 2009 Washingtonienne Jackie Unsold TV pilot 2011 Grey's Anatomy Dr. Lucy Fields Recurring role; 8 episodes Charlie's Angels Abigail "Abby" Simpson Main role; 8 episodes 2012–2013 666 Park Avenue Jane Van Veen Main role; 13 episodes 2014 Crisis Agent Susie Dunn Main role; 13 episodes 2015–2019 Jessica JonesPatricia "Trish" Walker / Hellcat Main role; 38 episodes 2016 Luke Cage Episode: "Suckas Need Bodyguards" Voiceover cameo 2017 The Defenders Main role, miniseries; 4 episodes House of Bond Diana Bliss Miniseries; 2 episodes 2024 Hacks Alexis Episode: "Just for Laughs"