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Annie Wersching
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Anne Wersching[1] (March 28, 1977 – January 29, 2023) was an American actress. She was known for her television roles as Renee Walker in 24, Julia Brasher in Bosch, Emma Whitmore in Timeless, Dr. Kelly Neiman in Castle, Leslie Dean in Runaways, Lily Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries and Rosalind Dyer in The Rookie, as well as the voice and performance-capture for Tess in the video game The Last of Us.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Wersching was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 28, 1977.[2] She attended Crossroads College Preparatory School in St. Louis, graduating in 1995.[3] During her youth, she competed in Irish dance and belonged to the St. Louis Celtic Stepdancers group.[3] She received a BFA in musical theatre from Millikin University, from which she graduated in 1999.[3][4]
Career
[edit]Wersching began her acting career with a guest appearance on the show Star Trek: Enterprise and moved on to guest starring roles on such shows as Angel, Charmed, Cold Case, Killer Instinct and Supernatural. From March to November 2007, she played the recurring role of Amelia Joffe on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. She also worked in theaters such as Victory Gardens, Marriott Lincolnshire, and the Utah Shakespearean Festival.[3]
Wersching played FBI Special Agent Renee Walker[5] in the seventh and eighth seasons of 24.

After her two-season stint in 24, Wersching guest starred on various shows, including CSI, NCIS, Rizzoli & Isles, Hawaii Five-0, Body of Proof, Dallas, Revolution, Castle, Blue Bloods, The Vampire Diaries, and Touch.
Wersching played in the 2009 Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.[6]
In December 2012, it was revealed that in the PlayStation 3 exclusive The Last of Us, Wersching was the voice and motion-capture actor of the character Tess. Her character was teased on Geoff Keighley's Twitter account before she was finally revealed in the story trailer shown on Spike Video Game Awards on December 7, 2012.[citation needed]
In 2014, she was a series regular for the first season of the Amazon Prime crime show Bosch.[7] In 2022, she returned to the Star Trek franchise to play the Borg Queen in the second season of Star Trek: Picard.[8] From 2017 to 2019, she had a main cast role playing Leslie Dean in the Hulu/Marvel original series Runaways. Between 2019 and 2022, she had a recurring role as Rosalind Dyer in The Rookie.[9]
Personal life, illness, and death
[edit]Wersching married actor and comedian Stephen Full at their Los Angeles home in September 2009.[10] They had three sons together.[11][12][13]
Wersching was diagnosed with cancer in mid-2020, though she kept her diagnosis private and continued to act afterward.[14][15][16] She died in Los Angeles, California, from adenoid cystic carcinoma on January 29, 2023, at age 45.[17][18]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Bruce Almighty | Woman at party |
| 2010 | Below the Beltway | Darcy |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Star Trek: Enterprise | Liana | Episode: "Oasis" |
| Birds of Prey | Lynne Emerson | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Frasier | Esthetician | 1 episode |
| Angel | Margaret | Episode: "Shiny Happy People" | |
| 2004 | Charmed | Demonatrix Two | 1 episode |
| 2005 | Out of Practice | Conner | 1 episode |
| Killer Instinct | Cecilia Johnson | 1 episode | |
| E-Ring | Lieutenant | 1 episode | |
| 2006 | Cold Case | Libby Bradley (1979) | 1 episode |
| Boston Legal | Ellen Tanner | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | Supernatural | Susan Thompson | Episode: "Playthings" |
| General Hospital | Amelia Joffe | Recurring role | |
| Journeyman | Diana Bloom | 1 episode | |
| 2009–2010 | 24 | Renee Walker | Main role |
| 2010 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Priscilla Prescott | 1 episode |
| NCIS | Gail Walsh | 1 episode | |
| 2011 | No Ordinary Family | Michelle Cotton | 1 episode |
| Rizzoli & Isles | Nicole Mateo | 1 episode | |
| Hawaii Five-0 | Samantha Martell | 1 episode | |
| 2012 | Harry's Law | Patricia Stanhope | 1 episode |
| Blue Eyed Butcher | Allie | Television film | |
| 2013 | Body of Proof | Yvonne Kurtz | 2 episodes |
| Dallas | Alison Jones | 4 episodes | |
| Touch | Kate Gordon | 1 episode | |
| Revolution | Emma | 2 episodes | |
| 2013; 2015 |
Castle | Kelly Nieman | 3 episodes |
| 2014–2016; 2021 | Bosch | Julia Brasher | Main role (seasons 1–2); guest role (season 7) |
| 2014 | Intelligence | Kate Anderson | 1 episode |
| Blue Bloods | Joyce Carpenter | 1 episode | |
| Extant | Femi Dodd | Recurring role | |
| 2015–2016 | The Vampire Diaries | Lily Salvatore | Recurring role |
| 2016 | Code Black | Katie Miller | 1 episode |
| The Catch | Karen Singh | 1 episode | |
| Major Crimes | Liz Soto | 1 episode | |
| 2017–2018 | Timeless | Emma Whitmore | Recurring role |
| 2017 | Doubt | Bonnie Harris | 1 episode |
| 2017–2019 | Runaways | Leslie Dean | Main role |
| 2018 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2019–2022 | The Rookie | Rosalind Dyer | Recurring role |
| 2022 | Star Trek: Picard | Borg Queen | Recurring role |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Last of Us | Tess | Also performance capture |
| 2019 | Anthem | Tassyn | Also performance capture |
References
[edit]- ^ "Annie Wersching Biography - Birth Name: Anne Wersching". TV Guide. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Annie Wersching: Movies, TV and Bio". Prime Video. Amazon. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Annie Wersching Bio". Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
- ^ "Annie Wersching '99". Millikin.edu. July 23, 2020. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Melodie; Dealer, The Plain (November 5, 2012). "'Touch' to hold '24' reunion; 'Skyfall' breaks U.K. box-office record; and more". Cleveland. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Laymance, Reid (July 6, 2009). "Official celebrity list for All-Star softball game on Sunday". STLtoday.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ Zumberge, Marianne (February 4, 2015). "Michael Connelly Gives Insight into Detectives at Amazon's 'Bosch' Premiere". Variety. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ Templeton, Molly (September 3, 2021). "Annie Wersching Will Play the Borg Queen in Star Trek: Picard". Tor.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ Blanchet, Brenton. "Annie Wersching Honored by 'The Rookie' with Touching On-Screen Tribute After Her Death". People.com. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ "24's Annie Wersching Expecting a Baby". People. March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "Annie Wersching Welcomes Son Freddie". People. August 9, 2010. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010.
- ^ "Annie Wersching Welcomes Son Ozzie". People. August 8, 2013. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "'Timeless' Actress Annie Wersching Welcomes Third Child (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. December 3, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ "Annie Wersching, 24 actress, passes away at 45". CNN. January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ "Annie Wersching, Who Played Borg Queen on Star Trek: Picard, Dies at 45". The New York Times. January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (January 29, 2023). "Annie Wersching Dies: Actress In 24, Bosch And Timeless Was 45". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ "Annie Wersching In The Last of Us". Starsgab. February 15, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ White, Abbey (January 29, 2023). "Annie Wersching, Actress in Bosch, 24, Runaways, Dies at 45". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Annie Wersching at IMDb
- Annie Wersching discography at Discogs
Annie Wersching
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Family and childhood
Annie Wersching was born on March 28, 1977, in St. Louis, Missouri, to parents Sandy Wersching and Frank Wersching.[1][3] Her father died when she was 12.[1] Her family had German and Austrian ancestry on both sides.[4] Her parents were actively involved in the local arts community in St. Louis.[1] Wersching was raised in St. Louis, where she developed an early affinity for the performing arts amid a supportive family environment.[5] She attended Crossroads College Preparatory School, a private institution in the city's Central West End, graduating in 1995.[1][6] From a young age, Wersching showed a strong interest in performance, participating in Irish dance competitions and performing with the St. Louis Celtic Stepdancers group.[1][5] These experiences in dance and theater helped nurture her passion for the stage.[7] Following her high school graduation, Wersching transitioned toward formal training in musical theater before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.[5][8]Academic background
Wersching graduated from Crossroads College Preparatory School in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1995.[9][10] Following high school, she enrolled at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where she pursued a degree in musical theater.[11] She graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the university's School of Theatre and Dance.[5] This program provided rigorous training in acting, singing, and dance, equipping her with the foundational skills essential for stage performance and fostering her early aspirations in the performing arts. Her childhood interest in Irish dance, in which she competed as a youth, served as an early precursor to her formal theater studies, honing her discipline and stage presence.[12] After completing her degree, Wersching relocated to Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue professional opportunities in acting.[13][1]Acting career
Early work
After graduating from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater in 1999, Wersching relocated to Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue acting professionally.[5][14] Prior to her move, she had engaged in stage work, including community theater in St. Louis and touring productions of the musicals Anything Goes and A Christmas Carol.[5] Her initial foray into the industry in Los Angeles included limited stage work, notably a role as Jennifer Yaeger in a regional revival of the musical Do I Hear a Waltz? at the Pasadena Playhouse that same year.[15] This performance marked one of her early professional theater credits following her move.[16] Wersching's television debut came in 2002 with a guest appearance as Liana, a Vulcan civilian, in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Oasis." She continued building experience through minor guest roles in subsequent years, including an esthetician in the Frasier episode "Door Jam" in 2003, Demonatrix Two in the Charmed episode "A Wrong Day's Journey Into Right" in 2004, and Libby Bradley in the Cold Case episode "The Key" in 2006.[17][18][19] These early television spots provided foundational opportunities to hone her craft in the competitive Los Angeles market.[1]Notable roles
Wersching achieved her breakthrough in television with the role of FBI Agent Renee Walker in the seventh and eighth seasons of the Fox series 24 (2009–2010). Introduced as a tough, no-nonsense operative partnering with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), Walker's character arc evolved from a principled agent to a more damaged and morally complex figure following intense torture and personal betrayals, earning praise for humanizing the show's high-stakes action. Critics noted her performance injected fresh energy into the series, with audiences becoming deeply invested in her dynamic with Bauer and her portrayal of vulnerability amid relentless action sequences.[20][21][22][23] Following 24, Wersching took on recurring roles that showcased her range across genres. In The Vampire Diaries (2015–2016), she portrayed Lily Salvatore, the long-lost vampire mother of protagonists Stefan and Damon Salvatore, bringing a layered intensity to the character's resurrection and family conflicts within the CW supernatural drama. Her guest appearance as the haunted hotel owner Susan Thompson in Supernatural season 2 (2007) highlighted her ability to convey quiet desperation in horror-tinged procedural storytelling, though it predated her later prominence. Wersching's turn as the antagonistic time traveler Emma Whitmore in NBC's Timeless (2016–2018) positioned her as a cunning operative for the shadowy organization Rittenhouse, adding sci-fi intrigue through her character's ruthless pursuit across historical eras. In procedural and ensemble formats, Wersching impressed as rookie LAPD officer Julia Brasher in Amazon Prime's Bosch (2014–2015), where her character's romantic entanglement with detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) provided emotional depth to the gritty crime narrative. She later embodied the authoritative yet conflicted cult leader Leslie Dean in Hulu's Marvel series Runaways (2017–2019), navigating themes of parental secrecy and redemption in a superhero family drama. She also played the manipulative serial killer Rosalind Dyer in the ABC series The Rookie (2019–2022), earning acclaim for her chilling portrayal that intensified the show's investigative tension. Wersching's final major live-action television role came as the Borg Queen in Star Trek: Picard season 2 (2022), delivering a chilling, seductive menace that revitalized the iconic villain for a new generation of viewers.[24][25][26][27] These performances underscored Wersching's versatility, allowing her to excel in procedural dramas like Bosch and The Rookie, supernatural ensembles such as The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural, and sci-fi narratives in Timeless, Runaways, and Star Trek: Picard. Her ability to portray strong, multifaceted women—from action heroes to villains—cemented her as a reliable supporting player in genre television, though she received no major acting awards for these live-action roles.[28]Voice acting and other media
Wersching expanded her acting portfolio into voice work for video games, drawing on her television experience to deliver nuanced performances through vocal modulation and motion capture. Her breakthrough in this medium came in 2013 with the role of Tess Servopoulos in The Last of Us, a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog. As Tess, Wersching provided both the voice and full performance capture, portraying a tough, pragmatic smuggler who guides the protagonist Joel through the early stages of the story.[29][30] Her portrayal was praised for capturing the character's blend of resilience and vulnerability, earning her a nomination for Best Female Vocal Performance in a Video Game in a Supporting Role at the 2014 Behind The Voice Actors Awards.[31][32][33] Wersching continued her voice acting in subsequent projects, including the role of Tassyn, a key faction leader, in the 2019 multiplayer action RPG Anthem by BioWare. In this game, her performance contributed to the narrative of interstellar exploration and conflict among freelancers equipped with advanced exosuits.[34] Beyond video games, Wersching appeared in supporting roles in independent films, such as Darcy in the 2010 political drama Below the Beltway, which explored the intrigue of Washington lobbying and power struggles. She also had brief parts in other indie projects, showcasing her versatility in smaller-scale productions.[35] Following her death, Wersching's legacy in The Last of Us extended to the HBO adaptation, where the third episode, "Long, Long Time," included a posthumous dedication featuring a black-and-white image of her alongside her birth and death years.[36]Personal life and death
Marriage and children
Wersching married actor and comedian Stephen Full in September 2009 at their home in Los Angeles.[37] The couple welcomed their first son, Freddie Wersching Full, on August 8, 2010, in Los Angeles.[38] Their second son, Ozzie Wersching Full, arrived on August 4, 2013, also in Los Angeles.[39] Their third child, son Archie Wersching Full, was born on November 25, 2018, in Los Angeles.[40] The family resided in Los Angeles, where Wersching balanced her demanding acting career with parenting her three sons.[41] In public interviews, she emphasized the role of family support in maintaining routines and prioritizing time with her children amid professional commitments.[42]Illness
In the summer of 2020, Annie Wersching was diagnosed with cancer.[43] She chose to keep the diagnosis private, as her close friend and fellow actress Ever Carradine noted: "She's a private person by nature, and the diagnosis made her even more so."[43] This decision was driven in part by her desire to shield her young sons from the emotional weight of her illness, allowing her to prioritize time with her family while managing her health.[44] Despite the diagnosis, Wersching continued her acting career with determination, appearing in recurring roles that showcased her versatility. She portrayed the enigmatic Rosalind Dyer in seasons 3 and 4 of the ABC series The Rookie from 2020 to 2022, delivering a chilling performance as a serial killer.[45] In 2022, she took on the iconic role of the Borg Queen in season 2 of Star Trek: Picard, a project she completed amid her treatment.[3] The illness profoundly affected Wersching's daily life, leading her to focus on living on her own terms and being present for her family, as Carradine described: "She wanted to protect her boys... she loved her boys more than anything."[43] Her family offered unwavering support throughout her treatment, helping her maintain a sense of normalcy. Professionally, while she persisted in select high-profile projects, her overall visibility in new roles diminished in the subsequent years, reflecting a shift toward personal priorities over extensive public commitments.[46]Death and tributes
Annie Wersching died on January 29, 2023, at the age of 45 from complications of cancer, at her home in Los Angeles.[14][46] Her husband, Stephen Full, announced the news through her publicist, stating, "There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today. But she lives on, in all the people that she touched. We love her so much."[47] The announcement shocked many in the entertainment industry and among fans, as Wersching had kept her ongoing battle with cancer since her 2020 diagnosis largely private.[3][2] Colleagues across television and gaming paid heartfelt tributes, highlighting her talent, warmth, and professionalism. Kiefer Sutherland, her co-star on 24, shared on social media, "I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Annie Wersching. She was a wonderful and talented person I was lucky enough to know."[48] Several projects she had worked on included posthumous dedications: the third episode of HBO's The Last of Us ("Long, Long Time"), which aired on January 29, 2023, featured a memorial card reading "In loving memory of Annie Wersching"; The Rookie honored her in its February 14, 2023, episode with an on-screen title card; and the season 3 premiere of Star Trek: Picard on February 16, 2023, was dedicated to her memory.[36][45][49] Naughty Dog co-directors Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who worked with her on the The Last of Us video games and HBO adaptation, stated, "Annie Wersching, and the Tess she originated, will live on in our hearts."[50] Fans and the broader community expressed profound grief on social media, with many reflecting on her impactful performances in shows like 24, Bosch, and The Rookie, as well as her voice role as Tess in The Last of Us video games.[51] Tributes emphasized her legacy as a versatile actress who brought strength and depth to complex characters in television and gaming, inspiring discussions about her contributions to science fiction and action genres.[52] No public memorial events were held, respecting the family's privacy, but her influence continued through posthumous releases such as the ongoing The Last of Us HBO series and Bosch: Legacy season 2.[24] On the first anniversary of her death in January 2024, Wersching's family shared a tribute on Instagram, stating, "Forever in our hearts. Forever a bond that's never broken."[53]Filmography
Films
- 2003: Bruce Almighty – Woman at Party (minor role as a party guest).[54]
- 2006: The Showdown (short film) – The Batter's Wife (supporting role).[55]
- 2012: Blue-Eyed Butcher – Allie (supporting actress as the sister of the protagonist).[56]
- 2013: The Surrogate – Allison Kelly (supporting actress as the wife seeking a surrogate).[57]
- 2017: The Other Mother – Jackie (supporting actress as the divorced mother uncovering her ex-husband's new wife's secrets).[58]
Television
Annie Wersching's television career spanned over two decades, beginning with guest appearances in the early 2000s and progressing to recurring and leading roles in major series.[59]| Year(s) | Title | Role | No. of episodes | Role type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Star Trek: Enterprise | Liana | 1 | Guest |
| 2003 | Birds of Prey | Lysandra | 1 | Guest |
| 2003 | Frasier | Phoebe | 1 | Guest |
| 2004 | Angel | Margaret | 1 | Guest |
| 2004 | Charmed | Demonatrix | 1 | Guest |
| 2005 | Cold Case | Barb | 1 | Guest |
| 2005 | Killer Instinct | Erin | 1 | Guest |
| 2005 | Supernatural | Susan Thompson | 1 | Guest |
| 2005 | CSI: NY | Dena Johnson | 1 | Guest |
| 2006 | Crossing Jordan | Receptionist | 1 | Guest |
| 2006 | Boston Legal | Ellen Tanner | 1 | Guest |
| 2006 | E-Ring | Angie | 1 | Guest |
| 2007 | Out of Jimmy's Head | Kim | 1 | Guest |
| 2007 | General Hospital | Amelia Joffe | 46 | Recurring |
| 2007 | Journeyman | Diana Bloom | 2 | Guest |
| 2007 | Bones | Tyra Coles | 1 | Guest |
| 2009–2010 | 24 | Renee Walker | 18 | Series regular |
| 2010 | NCIS | Dr. Samantha Ryan | 7 | Recurring |
| 2010 | Hawaii Five-0 | Samantha Martinson | 1 | Guest |
| 2011 | Harry's Law | Dr. Alex Morrison | 1 | Guest |
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Yvonne Kurtz | 1 | Guest |
| 2011 | No Ordinary Family | Michelle Cotton | 1 | Guest |
| 2012 | Dallas | Alison Jones | 2 | Guest |
| 2012 | Major Crimes | Lisa Curtis | 1 | Guest |
| 2012–2013 | Touch | Natalie Harris | 13 | Recurring |
| 2013 | Revolution | Emma Bennett | 11 | Recurring |
| 2013 | Castle | Dr. Kelly Neiman | 1 | Guest |
| 2013 | The Vampire Diaries | Lily Salvatore | 6 | Recurring |
| 2014 | Blue Bloods | Joyce Carpenter | 1 | Guest |
| 2014 | Extant | Femi Dodd | 6 | Recurring |
| 2014 | Bosch | Julia Brasher | 10 | Recurring |
| 2014 | Intelligence | Josie Williams | 1 | Guest |
| 2015 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Agent Melinda May (illusion) | 1 | Guest |
| 2015 | The Blacklist | Dr. Rachel Turner | 1 | Guest |
| 2016 | Code Black | Collette | 1 | Guest |
| 2016–2018 | Timeless | Emma Whitmore | 8 | Recurring |
| 2017 | Doubt | Detective Frankie Booth | 1 | Guest |
| 2017–2019 | Runaways | Leslie Dean | 28 | Series regular |
| 2018–2022 | The Rookie | Rosalind Dyer | 5 | Recurring |
| 2021 | Bosch | Julia Brasher | 2 | Guest |
| 2022 | Star Trek: Picard | The Borg Queen | 4 | Recurring |