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Emily Swallow
View on WikipediaEmily Swallow (born December 18, 1979) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as The Armorer in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian (2019–present) and The Book of Boba Fett (2022). She is also known for her roles as Kim Fischer in The Mentalist (2013–2014), Amara / The Darkness in Supernatural (2015–2020), Lisa Ţepeş in Castlevania (2017–2021), and Puck in Pac-Man: Circle (2024). She also had a minor role as Emily in the video game The Last of Us Part II.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Swallow was born on December 18, 1979, in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Sterling, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.[1] While at Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, she began acting in various college, amateur, and professional theatre productions.[2] She graduated in 2001 with a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Virginia[3] and then studied for an MFA in Acting from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.[1]
Career
[edit]Swallow started her career in theatre, where she performed in various productions, including the Broadway musical High Fidelity, King Lear, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Guthrie Theater, Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare in the Park, and the world-premiere of off-Broadway shows Romantic Poetry and Measure for Pleasure.
In 2008, Swallow made her film debut in the military drama The Lucky Ones. She starred in world premieres of Donald Margulies' play The Country House at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse, opposite Mark Rylance in Louis Jenkins' play Nice Fish at the Guthrie Theatre,[4] and in John Patrick Shanley's musical Romantic Poetry at Manhattan Theater Club.[5] She won the Falstaff Award for best Female Performer in 2010 for her performance as Kate in The Taming of the Shrew.[6]
In 2012, Swallow and fellow singer/comedian Jac Huberman created a stage show called Jac N Swallow, which they performed in New York at the Laurie Beeckman Theater and Joe's Pub.[7] The show centers on the comic misadventures of the duo as they navigate very different life challenges with varying degrees of sanity and dignity. In 2013 she collaborated with Mark Rylance and poet Louis Jenkins on the world premiere of Nice Fish at the Guthrie Theater.[1][2] In 2016 she was cast in the Center Theatre Group's production of Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced.[8]
Swallow's first television role was in Guiding Light, and she later played parts in Southland, Ringer, The Good Wife, NCIS, Flight of the Conchords, Medium, as series regular Dr. Michelle Robidaux on TNT's medical drama Monday Mornings[2] and Rizzoli & Isles.[1] She had a starring role in The Mentalist as FBI agent Kim Fischer.[1][9] In 2015 she was cast in the eleventh season of Supernatural as the new character Amara, "the Darkness".[10]
Starting in 2019 she took on the role of Armorer in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian as the leader of the traditionalist Mandalorians.[11] Her face has not been seen in the series as the traditionalist characters never remove their helmets in view of others. Her character got greater prominence in the third season[12][13] as it focused more on the Mandalorian people and not just the titular character, Din Djarin.
Personal life
[edit]Swallow married actor Chad Kimball on August 26, 2018.[14]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Lucky Ones | Brandi | |
| 2018 | Forget Me Not | Mother | Short film |
| 2020 | Haunting of the Mary Celeste | Rachel |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Guiding Light | Regina | Episode: "12 June 2006" |
| 2007 | Jericho | Nurse | Episode: "Why We Fight" |
| 2007 | Flight of the Conchords | Becky | Episode: "What Goes on Tour?" |
| 2007 | Journeyman | Security Chief | Episode: "The Hanged Man" |
| 2009–2010 | Southland | Dina Clarke | 5 episodes |
| 2009 | Medium | Erica Duvall | Episode: "New Terrain" |
| 2009 | NCIS | Darlene Kelp | Episode: "Child's Play" |
| 2010 | The Odds | Becca Facelli | TV movie |
| 2011 | The Good Wife | Mandy Cox | Episode: "The Death Zone" |
| 2011 | Ringer | Detective Elizabeth Saldana | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Ironside | Tabitha Gates | Episode: "Hell on Wheels" |
| 2013 | Monday Mornings | Dr. Michelle Robidaux | Main cast |
| 2013 | Rizzoli & Isles | Elizabeth Keating | Episode: "Build for Speed" |
| 2013–2014 | The Mentalist | Kim Fischer | Main cast (season 6) |
| 2015 | Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Carla | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Beauty & the Beast | Mrs. Zalman | Episode: "Heart of the Matter" |
| 2015–2020 | Supernatural | Amara / The Darkness | 12 episodes |
| 2016 | How to Get Away with Murder | Lisa Cameron | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Adoptable | Lisa Crane / Lisa Fishman | Main cast |
| 2017 | Man with a Plan | Doctor Knox | Episode: "Doctor No" |
| 2017–2021 | Castlevania | Lisa Ţepeş | Voice role, 4 episodes |
| 2018 | Timeless | Bathsheba Pope | Episode: "The Salem Witch Hunt" |
| 2018 | Dealbreakers | Maggie | Episode: "The Yogi" |
| 2019 | Bull | AUSA Audrey Valdez | Episode: "The Good One" |
| 2019 | Elementary | Bree Novacek | Episode: "From Russia with Drugs" |
| 2019 | Instinct | Allyson Randolph | Episode: "Grey Matter" |
| 2019–2020 | SEAL Team | Natalie Pierce | Recurring role (season 3) |
| 2019–2023 | The Mandalorian | The Armorer | Recurring role (seasons 1, 3) Nominated—Astra TV Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series – Drama |
| 2022 | The Book of Boba Fett | Episode: "Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian" | |
| 2023 | S.W.A.T. | Detective Ramona Quinn | Episode: "Witness" |
| 2024 | Secret Level | Puck | Voice role, episode: "PAC-MAN: Circle" |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Order: 1886 | Additional Voices | |
| 2020 | The Last of Us Part II | Emily |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Emily Swallow". CBS. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ a b c Patton, Charlie (June 27, 2013). "Decorated cast will read 'Steel Magnolias' at Theatre Jax on Saturday". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ McAlister, Nancy (April 19, 2001). "Careers for Jacksonville hopefuls at a healthy stage". Florida Times Union. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ Montag, Kristen Hirsch. "BWW Interviews: NICE FISH's Emily Swallow: Over the Moon, Coast to Coast and on the Ice in Minneapolis". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "Jeb Brown, Jerry Dixon & Emily Swallow Join New Musical Romantic Poetry". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "Falstaff Awards 2010". Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "JAC 'N SWALLOW". Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ Devore, Kim (May 26, 2016). "Malibu Seen: Curtain Call". Malibu Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Richenthall, Matt (November 15, 2013). "Emily Swallow Upped to Series Regular on The Mentalist". TV Fanatic. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 20, 2015). "Supernatural Season 11: The Mentalist's Emily Swallow Joins Cast as 'Sinister' and 'Seductive' Femme Fatale". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 9, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ^ Baver, Kristin. "The Armorer Unmasked: Actor Emily Swallow Talks Her Return on The Book of Boba Fett". StarWars.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Northrup, Ryan (2022-06-01). "The Mandalorian Season 3 Will Have A Bigger Role For The Armorer". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Stinson, Katherine (2023-03-07). "'The Mandalorian': Emily Swallow (aka the Armorer) Says Season 3 Answers "Questions" on Mandalorian Culture (EXCLUSIVE)". Distractify. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "Come From Away Star Chad Kimball & Stage Alum Emily Swallow Announce Marriage". Broadway.com.
External links
[edit]Emily Swallow
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background and childhood
Emily Swallow was born Emily Rebecca Swallow on December 18, 1979, in Washington, D.C.[10] She is the daughter of Eleanor Josephine (Jo) Swallow and Gary Lorne Swallow, who were married for 54 years until Gary's death in 2021.[11] Her father, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Service Corps, had a career that involved positions such as personnel counselor and chief of automation customer support, later serving as vice president at Wilkinson Insulation Company until his retirement in 2010; his military service led the family to live in various locations including Georgia, Thailand, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., before settling in Jacksonville, Florida.[11] Swallow spent her formative years growing up primarily in Sterling, Virginia, and Jacksonville, Florida, reflecting the family's relocations tied to her father's professional commitments.[12] These moves exposed her to diverse environments during her childhood, with the family eventually establishing roots in Jacksonville, where her father was born in 1943 in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, before pursuing higher education and a military career.[11] From an early age, Swallow was immersed in an environment rich with music and live performance, as her parents shared a deep appreciation for these arts, fostering her initial exposure to creative expression.[13] Her father actively supported her budding interests by filming her stage performances during high school, which highlighted the family's encouragement of her involvement in the performing arts as a child.[11]Education
Emily Swallow attended Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, Florida, where she began acting in various college, amateur, and professional theatre productions.[12] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Virginia in 2001.[5][14] During her time at UVA, she was deeply involved in the Department of Drama, performing in numerous productions including First Year Players musicals, despite her primary academic focus on Middle Eastern studies and foreign affairs, which she initially pursued with aspirations of a career in the Foreign Service; she also wrote a thesis on theater in Arab culture.[5] This interdisciplinary background broadened her worldview and influenced her approach to acting by enhancing her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives.[5] Encouraged by a supportive acting teacher at UVA, Swallow shifted her career trajectory toward professional performance and auditioned for graduate programs in acting.[15] She was accepted into the prestigious Master of Fine Arts program in Acting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she honed her craft through rigorous training in classical and contemporary techniques.[13] This graduate education provided the foundational skills that propelled her into a multifaceted career in theater, television, and film.[15]Career
Theater work
Swallow began her professional theater career after earning her Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program, where she received intensive training in classical and contemporary techniques that prepared her for demanding live performances.[16] This foundation enabled her to debut on Broadway in 2006 as Charlie in the musical High Fidelity, a rock adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel directed by David Muse, which ran for 18 previews and 10 performances at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.[6] Her early Off-Broadway work included the role of Hermione Goode in David Grimm's Measure for Pleasure at The Public Theater in 2006, a Restoration comedy exploring themes of desire and deception, and Connie in John Patrick Shanley's musical Romantic Poetry at Manhattan Theatre Club in 2008, where she portrayed a woman navigating unexpected revelations in a budding romance. Swallow's regional theater credits further showcased her versatility in Shakespearean roles. In 2010, she played Goneril in a production of King Lear at The Old Globe in San Diego, directed by Darko Tresnjak, contributing to the theater's summer Shakespeare Festival.[17] That same year, she earned the Falstaff Award for Best Female Performer for her portrayal of the fiery Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew, also at The Old Globe, where her dynamic interpretation highlighted the character's complexity and defiance.[18] In 2013, she created the role of Flo in the world premiere of Nice Fish at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, a poetic ensemble piece co-written by Mark Rylance and Louis Jenkins that blended humor and existential themes about fishing and life, directed by Rylance and Claire van Kampen.[19] These performances underscored her affinity for innovative and classical stage work, drawing on her NYU-honed ability to connect intimately with audiences in real time.[20] Following her theater successes, Swallow transitioned to on-screen roles while continuing select stage engagements, such as Goneril opposite Joe Morton in a 2022 production of King Lear at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.[21]Television roles
Swallow's breakthrough in network television came with her role as FBI Special Agent Kim Fischer on the CBS series The Mentalist, where she appeared as a series regular during the sixth season from 2013 to 2014.[2] Portrayed as an ambitious, no-nonsense investigator and daughter of lawyers, Fischer joined the CBI team to track down serial killer Red John, forming a complex dynamic with consultant Patrick Jane and influencing key plot developments in the hunt.[22] This multi-episode arc marked a significant step in her career, transitioning her from supporting parts to a prominent lead in a high-profile procedural drama.[23] In 2015, Swallow joined the CW's Supernatural for its eleventh season, embodying Amara, also known as The Darkness, God's sister and the primordial force of creation's antithesis.[24] Her portrayal evolved Amara from a destructive, seductive entity driven by resentment toward her brother Chuck to a more vulnerable figure seeking independence and connection, culminating in a redemptive arc involving confrontations with divine forces and emotional reconciliation in episodes like "We Happy Few."[25] The character's nuanced depth, blending menace with humanity, earned strong fan reception, with Swallow noting the "SPN Family" community's supportive nature and their embrace of Amara as a fan favorite through conventions and discussions.[26] Swallow reprised the role sporadically through season 15 in 2020, contributing to the series' exploration of cosmic family dynamics.[24] Swallow gained further prominence in the Star Wars universe with her recurring portrayal of The Armorer in Disney+'s The Mandalorian starting in 2019, a role she continued into the third season in 2023.[27] As the enigmatic leader of the Mandalorian covert on Nevarro, The Armorer serves as a forge-master and enforcer of the Way, forging beskar armor and reciting creed tenets that deepen the show's integration of Mandalorian lore, including traditions of honor, exile, and cultural preservation amid galactic turmoil.[28] Her character mentors Din Djarin (Mando), challenging rigid doctrines while hinting at broader historical secrets like the split from Death Watch, adding layers to the franchise's warrior mythology.[28] Swallow briefly reprised the role in 2022's The Book of Boba Fett, aiding Mando in a pivotal episode that reinforced her as a symbol of Mandalorian resilience.[27] For her work as The Armorer, she received an Astra TV Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Drama Series in 2024.[29] More recently, Swallow made a guest appearance as Detective Ramona Quinn in the January 2023 episode "Witness" of CBS's S.W.A.T., assisting the team in a high-stakes abduction case involving a homeless shelter.[30] This role highlighted her versatility in action-oriented procedurals, building on her established presence in ensemble television casts up to 2025.[30]Film roles
Emily Swallow made her film debut in the 2008 military drama The Lucky Ones, directed by Deborah Tolan, where she played the supporting role of Brandi, a bartender encountered by the protagonists during their cross-country journey.[31] The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, follows three Iraq War veterans navigating personal challenges on a road trip, marking Swallow's entry into feature-length cinema after her early theater and television work. In 2020, Swallow took a leading role as Rachel, a determined researcher investigating supernatural phenomena, in the independent horror thriller Haunting of the Mary Celeste, directed by Shana Betz.[32] Produced by BondIt Media Capital and premiered on digital and on-demand platforms on October 23, 2020, the film draws inspiration from the real-life mystery of the 19th-century ship Mary Celeste and its vanished crew, blending psychological tension with maritime suspense; Swallow has described the project as an opportunity to explore intrigue in a genre-driven narrative.[33][34] Swallow appeared in the 2023 short film Finding Serenity, directed by Rebecca Basaure, portraying Becca, a resilient woman whose structured life unravels upon confronting suppressed memories of her deceased brother.[35] This introspective drama, which screened at film festivals, highlights themes of grief and emotional reckoning in a compact 15-minute format. She appeared as Sandra in the comedy-crime feature Forelock, directed by Caleb Alexander Smith, which had its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival on October 23, 2025.[36][37] The film centers on a fitness enthusiast entangled in criminal mishaps, with Swallow's role contributing to its ensemble dynamic.[38] Swallow's film roles, spanning drama, horror, and comedy in self-contained stories, complement her television career by demonstrating her genre-spanning versatility and ability to embody complex characters in concise formats, enhancing her reputation as a multifaceted performer.[39] Following her high-profile television work in The Mandalorian, these cinematic opportunities have allowed her to diversify beyond episodic storytelling.[15]Voice roles
Swallow's voice acting career has notably expanded from her established presence in live-action television, enabling her to explore diverse vocal characterizations in animation and interactive media.[7] A breakthrough in her voice work came with the role of Lisa Ţepeş in Netflix's animated series Castlevania (2017–2021), where she portrayed Dracula's devoted wife and Alucard's mother.[40] Lisa, a compassionate physician from the village of Lupu, travels to Dracula's castle to study advanced science and medicine, eventually marrying him and giving birth to their son; her execution by the church for practicing "witchcraft" ignites Dracula's genocidal rage against humanity.[41] Swallow's performance imbues the character with maternal warmth, serene confidence, and profound empathy, contributing to the series' acclaim for its rich voice ensemble and expansion of the Castlevania video game lore into a critically praised dark fantasy narrative.[41] The Castlevania cast, including Swallow, earned a 2018 nomination for the Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series.[42] In video games, Swallow delivered voice and motion-capture work as Emily, a formidable Seraphite lieutenant, in The Last of Us Part II (2020).[43] As a high-ranking member of the cult-like faction, Emily interrogates and captures Abby, ordering the breaking of Yara's arm during a tense confrontation over the whereabouts of Lev, before being killed in the ensuing struggle; her portrayal heightens the game's depiction of the Seraphites as fanatical and terrifying adversaries.[44] Swallow continued her voice contributions in 2024 with the role of Puck in the anthology series Secret Level on Amazon Prime, specifically in the episode "PAC-MAN: Circle."[45] Voiced as a manipulative, ethereal gold orb, Puck compels the Swordsman protagonist to navigate a labyrinthine maze through cycles of violence and consumption, reimagining the iconic Pac-Man arcade game as a philosophical horror tale in the style of Memento.[46] Her approach to voice acting draws heavily from her theater background, particularly Shakespearean training and graduate-level mask work, which allow her to convey intimate emotional depth while projecting larger-than-life presence in audio-only formats like animation and games.[39] This foundation has been recognized through her theater accolades, including Ovation Awards, which underscore the vocal versatility she brings to non-visual roles.[47] As of November 2025, no major new voice projects have been announced, though Swallow remains active in the field through ongoing performances and industry engagements.[48]Personal life
Marriage and family
Emily Swallow married actor Chad Kimball on August 26, 2018, in Washington, D.C. The couple first met through their shared theater background when Swallow attended a performance of Come From Away at La Jolla Playhouse, where Kimball was starring in the pre-Broadway production.[49] Their relationship is marked by mutual professional support, with Kimball frequently attending Swallow's events, such as the premiere of The Mandalorian, and assisting with practical aspects of her career like recording audition tapes. Both actors, they bond over their common passion for the performing arts, often collaborating creatively at home—such as singing duets, with Swallow accompanying on piano—and enjoying activities like cooking elaborate meals together.[50] The couple resides in Los Angeles, California, and shares their home with two dogs, a Boston terrier mix named Norma Jean and a pug-a-bull named Arthur Miller.[49][51] As of 2025, Swallow and Kimball do not have children, according to available public information.[4]Philanthropy
Emily Swallow serves as a celebrity ambassador for Voices Against Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and support. She joined the initiative in 2022, becoming one of its inaugural ambassadors following the loss of her father to cancer the previous year, which personally motivated her commitment to the cause.[52][53] In this role, Swallow has engaged in speaking engagements and direct interactions with affected families to amplify the organization's mission. During the inaugural Voices Against Cancer Initiative in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in July 2022, she connected with board member Rob Keisacker and his wife Nicole, who lost their son Ian to cancer in 2014, discussing ways to expand community efforts toward less invasive treatments for children. Her involvement emphasizes emotional and financial support within the pediatric cancer community, drawing her to the organization's focus on innovative, low-impact therapies.[52] Swallow participates in public events tied to charitable outreach, particularly through fan conventions that benefit the cause. At the 605 Pop Culture Con in Sioux Falls, she has served as an ambassador since its first year in 2022, meeting young cancer patients and facilitating interactions to boost morale and fundraising. In July 2024, she continued this work by engaging with patients ahead of the event, highlighting the convention's role in supporting Voices Against Cancer. She extends this outreach to other conventions, such as GalaxyCon, where she promotes awareness and collects donations through raffles and personal appearances, raising thousands of dollars for the organization.[54][52][55] Through 2025, Swallow's advocacy remains active, with ongoing efforts to spotlight community heroes via social media campaigns like #ThisIsTheWayWednesdays, which feature stories of those impacted by childhood cancer to sustain momentum for the cause. Her sustained participation underscores a dedication to leveraging her public platform for pediatric cancer initiatives without overlap into her professional acting endeavors.[52]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Lucky Ones | Brandi[56] |
| 2018 | Forget Me Not (short film) | Mother[57] |
| 2020 | Haunting of the Mary Celeste | Rachel[32] |
| 2023 | Finding Serenity | Becca[7] |
| 2025 | Forelock | Sandra[38] |
Television
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Southland | Dina Clarke | 2 | [7] |
| 2009 | NCIS | Darlene Kelp | 1 | [58] |
| 2013 | Monday Mornings | Dr. Michelle Robidaux | 10 | [59] |
| 2013–2014 | The Mentalist | Kim Fischer | 14 (Season 6) | [2] |
| 2015 | Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Carla | 2 | [7] |
| 2015–2020 | Supernatural | Amara / The Darkness / Qareen | 12 | [7] |
| 2016 | How to Get Away with Murder | Lisa Cameron | 3 | [60] |
| 2017–2021 | Castlevania | Lisa Ţepeş (voice) | 4 | [7] |
| 2019–2021 | SEAL Team | Dr. Natalie Pierce | 15 | [7] |
| 2019–2023 | The Mandalorian | The Armorer | 9 | [7] |
| 2022 | The Book of Boba Fett | The Armorer | 1 | |
| 2023 | Castlevania: Nocturne | Lisa Ţepeş (voice) | 1 | [7] |
| 2023 | S.W.A.T. | Detective Ramona Quinn | 1 ("Witness") | [61] |
| 2024 | Secret Level | Puck (voice) | 1 | [7] |
Video games
Emily Swallow has contributed voice acting and motion capture performances to a select number of video games, primarily in the action-adventure genre.[62] Her credits include:- The Order: 1886 (2015, PlayStation 4): Additional voices. In this third-person shooter developed by Ready at Dawn, Swallow provided supplementary voice work as part of the ensemble cast.[63][64]
- The Last of Us Part II (2020, PlayStation 4): Emily (voice and motion capture). Swallow portrayed Emily, a Seraphite cult member and antagonist encountered during the game's Seattle sequences, delivering both vocal performance and physical motion capture for the character.[65][66][67]
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