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Peyton Kennedy
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Peyton Kennedy (born January 4, 2004) is a Canadian actor. She is best known for her role as Betty Nelson on the ABC television drama series Grey’s Anatomy (2018–2019). She is also known for her film roles in The Captive (2014), American Fable (2016), and Lavender (2016).[1] She played Kate Messner in the Netflix series, Everything Sucks! (2018), where she played a 15-year-old girl who is trying to figure out her sexuality. She is also known for her role as Dr. O in Odd Squad.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Kennedy was born on January 4, 2004, in Toronto, Ontario.[2] She attended the Canadian Model and Talent Convention.[3]
Career
[edit]Kennedy had a recurring role on the PBS Kids television show Odd Squad (2014–2017). She has also made appearances on numerous other shows, including, Copper, The Ron James Show, Hannibal, Between, Murdoch Mysteries, Killjoys, and Taken.[4][5][6][7]
Kennedy has appeared in the films An Officer and a Murderer (2012), The Captive (2014), Cut Bank (2014), Lavender (2016), American Fable (2016), Odd Squad: The Movie (2016), and XX (2017).[8][9] She has also starred in the short films, The Offering (2012), To Look Away (2013), Dorsal (2014), and Sunny Side Up (2017).[10]
She starred as Kate Messner in the Netflix series, Everything Sucks! (2018).[11][12]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | An Officer and a Murderer | Gwen Pelway | |
| 2012 | The Offering | Marla | Short film |
| 2013 | To Look Away | Denise | Short film |
| 2014 | Dorsal | Iris | Short film |
| 2014 | The Captive | Young Cass | |
| 2014 | Cut Bank | Rosie (uncredited) | |
| 2016 | American Fable | Gitty | |
| 2016 | Lavender | Young Jane | |
| 2016 | Odd Squad: The Movie | Dr. O | |
| 2017 | XX | Jenny Jacobs | Segment "The Box" |
| 2017 | Sunny Side Up | Sunny | Short film |
| 2017 | Cardinal | Julie | |
| 2020 | What The Night Can Do | Luana Cole | |
| 2022 | Pond Life | Ellie | |
| 2025 | Don't Forget About Me | Jamie Flynn | Short film |
| 2025 | Selfie | Sarah | Short horror film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Copper | Clara Purvis | Episode: "The Place I Called My Home" |
| 2014 | The Ron James Show | episode #5.1 | |
| 2014 | Hannibal | Little Girl | Episode: "Takiawase" |
| 2015 | Between | Annie | Episodes: "Who's the Boss?" and "End of the Rope" |
| 2015 | Murdoch Mysteries | Mary Pickford | Episode: "A Merry Murdoch Christmas" |
| 2016 | Killjoys | Xosia | Episode: "Schooled" |
| 2017 | Taken | Mattie Glynn | Episodes: "Mattie G." |
| 2014–2017 | Odd Squad | Dr. O | Recurring role, 28 episodes |
| 2018 | Everything Sucks! | Kate Messner | Lead role |
| 2018–2019 | Grey's Anatomy | Betty Nelson | Recurring role, 12 episodes |
Podcasts
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Borrasca | Whitney Walker |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| List of awards and nominations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award / Film Festival | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
| 2013 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Short Film | The Offering | Nominated | [13] |
| 2014 | Young Artist Award | Best Performance in a Short Film | To Look Away | Won | |
| The Joey Awards | Young Actress Age 9 or Younger in a TV Series Drama or Comedy Guest Starring or Principal Role | Copper | Nominated | ||
| The Joey Awards | Young Actress Age 9–10 in a Short Film | Dorsal | Nominated | ||
| The Joey Awards | Young Actress in a Feature Film Principle or Supporting Role | The Captive | Won | ||
| 2015 | Young Artist Award | Best Performance in a Short Film | Dorsal | Nominated | |
| Young Artist Award | Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actress 10 and Under | Odd Squad | Won | ||
| The Joey Awards | Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Action Recurring Role | Odd Squad | Won | ||
| The Joey Awards | Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series | Odd Squad | Won | ||
| The Joey Awards | Best Actress in a TV Drama Featured Role 10–19 Years | Between | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Young Artist Award | Best Performance in a TV Series | Odd Squad | Nominated | |
| Young Artist Award | Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special – Leading Young Actress | Murdoch Mysteries | Nominated | ||
| Savannah Film Festival | Breakout Performance | American Fable | Won | ||
| The Joey Awards | Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series | Odd Squad | Nominated | ||
| The Joey Awards | Best Actress in a Feature Film or Made for TV/Straight to video Feature Featured Role | Odd Squad: The Movie | Won | ||
| 2017 | Canadian Film Festival | Best Breakout Performance | Sunny Side Up | Won | |
| Young Entertainer Awards | Best Leading Young Actress in an Independent or Film Festival Feature Film | American Fable | Nominated | ||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Peyton Kennedy Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy: Movies, Photos, Videos, News & Biography | eTimes". The Times of India. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy | Canadian Model and Talent Convention". cmtc.ca. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy talks American Fable, Odd Squad, and XX Films". Indie Outlook. February 24, 2017. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy American Fable Official Trailer 2017". YouTube Movie Clips Film Festivals & Indie Films. Archived from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy to star in Netflix Original Series". Variety. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy to star in 'Everything Sucks' on Netflix". Hollywood Reporter. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy American Fable". AMFM. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "VIFF 2016 Peyton Kennedy Interview". eFilmCritic. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy American Fable Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. February 24, 2017. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Warner, Sam (January 17, 2018). "Netflix's Everything Sucks Wants To Transport You Back to the 1990s". digitalspy.com. digitalspy.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ^ "Everything Sucks Stars Discuss Kate's Coming Out Story". TVGuide.com. February 17, 2018. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
- ^ "Peyton Kennedy Nominated for a Young Artist Award". Canadian Film Centre. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
External links
[edit]Peyton Kennedy
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Family background
Peyton Kennedy was born on January 4, 2004, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[6] She holds Canadian nationality.[7] Details regarding her ethnic background have not been publicly disclosed. Kennedy maintains a private personal life, with no verifiable information available about her parents, siblings, or any influential relatives in creative fields. There are no documented accounts of early exposure to performing arts through family activities or local theater that shaped her interests.Upbringing in Toronto
Peyton Kennedy developed a passion for acting at the age of six, inspired by reading the Harry Potter series and watching the films, which sparked her initial interest in the entertainment industry.[6][8] This early fascination led her to express a desire to become an actress, marking the beginning of her creative pursuits during her childhood years. During her pre-teen years, Kennedy engaged in various hobbies that highlighted her artistic and physical talents, including playing the piano, flute, and ukulele, as well as reading, painting, swimming, baseball, and soccer.[9] She also enjoyed building toy robots, reflecting an initial interest in robotics before her focus shifted to performing arts. These activities provided a supportive environment for her emerging talents, with her family encouraging her creative endeavors. Kennedy's local community involvement included participation in school plays, where she first explored acting on stage, fostering her skills in a casual, hometown setting. Access to community theaters in her area offered additional opportunities to perform and build confidence in front of audiences.Formal education and training
Peyton Kennedy pursued her formal education in Toronto, Ontario, attending local schools while developing her acting skills from an early age. She balanced academic responsibilities with early auditions and on-set work, a routine she maintained through her teenage years.[10] Kennedy began specialized acting training in 2011, at age seven, at Armstrong Acting Studios in Toronto, focusing on on-camera techniques, improvisation, and scene study to build foundational performance skills. This early enrollment provided structured guidance in a professional environment tailored for young actors.[11][12] In addition to studio training, she participated in the Canadian Model & Talent Convention (CMTC), attending workshops led by industry experts that emphasized audition preparation, voice work, and professional development, beginning in 2011. These programs helped her navigate youth acting opportunities while completing high school, culminating in her graduation around 2022.[3][10][7] Kennedy further enhanced her skills through selective post-secondary experiences, including the Brown Pre-College Program in 2019, where she explored advanced topics relevant to her career interests during a summer session. By age 18, this combination of academic and vocational training had equipped her for a professional transition in the industry.[13]Acting career
Early roles and beginnings
Kennedy's interest in acting emerged early, leading her to attend her first professional audition at the age of seven during the Canadian Model and Talent Convention (CMTC) in 2011. This event in Toronto provided foundational training, workshops, and exposure to agents, managers, and casting directors, marking her initial step into the industry.[3][14] Her debut professional role came shortly after at age eight in the 2012 short film The Offering, produced through the Canadian Film Centre, where she portrayed the character Marla. That same year, she made her television debut as Gwen Pelway in the Lifetime TV movie An Officer and a Murderer, a Canadian production based on true events. These early projects, filmed primarily in the Toronto area, allowed her to gain on-set experience while balancing her formal education.[15][16] Kennedy continued with minor roles in indie shorts and guest spots in the mid-2010s, including Iris in the 2014 horror short Dorsal and a recurring role as Dr. O in the Canadian-American children's series Odd Squad from 2014 to 2017. She also appeared in an episode of the period drama Copper in 2013 as Clara Purvis. These foundational Canadian television and indie projects helped build her resume and skills.[3] The CMTC connection proved instrumental in launching her career, facilitating representation by talent agents in the mid-2010s and opening doors to further auditions across Ontario-based productions.[10]Breakthrough in television
Kennedy's breakthrough in television came through her recurring role as Dr. O, the resident doctor at Odd Squad headquarters, in the PBS Kids series Odd Squad from 2014 to 2017, appearing in 28 episodes. In this educational comedy, she portrayed a young medical expert who assisted agents in solving mathematical oddities, marking her first substantial recurring television part and gaining her early exposure to a wide young audience.[17] This role, starting when she was just 10 years old, showcased her comedic timing and helped establish her presence in family-oriented programming.[3] Building on this foundation, Kennedy secured guest appearances in more mature, prime-time series during 2015 to 2017, transitioning into sci-fi and drama genres. She appeared as Becky in the episode "The Number of the Beast Is 666" of the NBC series Hannibal. In Killjoys season 2, she played Xosia, a gifted Westerlyn child involved in a school mission gone awry, in the episode "Schooled," introducing her to the science fiction landscape of the Syfy series.[18] Later that year, she appeared as Mattie Glynn in the NBC thriller Taken, in the episode "Mattie G.," depicting a determined young girl entangled in a CIA operative's investigation into a dangerous drug.[19] These one-episode roles, though brief, highlighted her versatility in handling intense, adult-oriented narratives. These mid-2010s television opportunities significantly boosted Kennedy's visibility, positioning her as a rising talent capable of bridging children's entertainment with genre-driven dramas and sci-fi. Her performances in Killjoys and Taken particularly enhanced her recognition within science fiction and dramatic circles, paving the way for lead roles in subsequent high-profile projects.[20]Film appearances and transitions
Kennedy began her feature film career in 2014 with supporting roles in two thrillers. In Atom Egoyan's The Captive, she portrayed Cass, the young daughter at the center of a kidnapping mystery, marking her debut in a major Canadian production alongside stars like Ryan Reynolds and Rosario Dawson. That same year, she appeared as Rosie in Cut Bank, a neo-noir crime drama directed by Matt Shakman, where she supported leads Liam Hemsworth and John Malkovich in a story of small-town deception and murder. These early roles established her presence in independent cinema, showcasing her ability to convey vulnerability and intensity in limited screen time. In 2016, Kennedy transitioned to more prominent parts in indie dramas, highlighting her range beyond television. She played the younger version of Abbie Cornish's character Jane in Lavender, a psychological horror film directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly, exploring themes of trauma and repressed memories. Her standout performance came as the lead Gitty in American Fable, Anne Hamilton's debut feature, where she depicted a young farm girl confronting family secrets and moral dilemmas in 1980s rural America; the film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and later screened at the Chicago Critics Film Festival, earning praise for Kennedy's portrayal of innocence turning to resolve. In a 2017 interview, Kennedy reflected on embodying Gitty, noting, "The film is really a coming-of-age story for Gitty. She starts as a very innocent young girl and eventually becomes a strong and courageous young woman," emphasizing how she infused personal elements into the character despite its differences from her own experiences.[15] Kennedy continued exploring genre diversity in 2017 with XX, an anthology horror film directed by Jovanka Vuckovic, Roxanne Benjamin, Karyn Kusama, and Stacie Passon. She starred as Jenny Jacobs in the segment "The Box," a tale of supernatural dread involving a mysterious gift that preys on fears, contributing to the film's focus on female-driven horror narratives. This role allowed her to delve into psychological terror, with Kennedy later describing the ambiguity of the box's contents as intentional, stating, "You never see what’s inside the box... what everyone sees inside the box is different, depending on what each character fears."[15] That year, she also appeared as Zoe in the drama Cardinals and starred as Sunny in the short film Sunny Side Up. Following a period dominated by television, Kennedy returned to features in 2020 with What the Night Can Do, a family drama directed by Joshua Butler. She played Luana Cole, a 12-year-old navigating her parents' separation and her grandfather's illness amid societal collapse, opposite JoBeth Williams and Mercedes Mason; the film underscored themes of resilience in adversity. In 2018, she appeared as Ellie in the comedy-drama Pond Life. In 2023, she had a supporting role in the horror short Pruning, directed by Lola Blanc, playing the manifestation of a political commentator's conscience opposite Madeline Brewer. Her most recent film role is in the 2025 short film Don't Forget About Me, directed by Charlie Griak, where she stars as Jamie Flynn in a story of young love and personal growth.[21] Throughout her film work, Kennedy has navigated the shift from television to cinema by seeking diverse roles to hone her skills and avoid typecasting. In discussing her early film experiences, she highlighted learning from seasoned actors on The Captive, saying, "Since I was working with people who have been doing this for so long, I really learned a lot from them," which aided her adaptation to film's more contained storytelling compared to episodic TV.[15] She has emphasized the value of variety, noting, "I think it’s really important for actors to constantly be doing roles that are different from what they’ve already done so that they are always working on their craft," a strategy that helped her move from child-oriented TV projects to mature indie features like American Fable.[15] Her rising profile from series such as Everything Sucks! opened doors to film auditions, though she has acknowledged the competitive nature of securing lead roles in indie circuits, often involving rigorous self-tape processes and festival networking.[3]Recent television and streaming work
Kennedy's entry into more prominent television roles began in 2018 with her portrayal of Kate Messner, a sophomore in the A/V club grappling with personal identity and relationships, in the single-season Netflix series Everything Sucks!.[22] The show, set in 1990s Oregon, highlighted her character's journey through adolescence and self-discovery in an ensemble format.[23] That same year, she joined the long-running ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy in a recurring capacity as Betty Nelson (also known as Britney Dickinson), a teenage heroin addict who gives birth while under hospital care.[24] Appearing in 12 episodes across seasons 14 and 15 (2018–2019), the role showcased Kennedy's ability to handle complex dramatic material, with Betty's arc evolving from initial vulnerability and addiction struggles to tentative steps toward recovery and motherhood responsibilities.[25] This performance marked a shift toward more ensemble-driven, emotionally intense characters in broadcast television, building on her earlier guest appearances.[26] Following these projects, Kennedy's television output has been limited, with no major series roles announced through 2025, allowing focus on independent film and short-form content. Her work in Grey's Anatomy and Everything Sucks! demonstrated versatility in portraying young women facing personal challenges, contributing to her maturation as an actress in serialized formats.[1]Other professional activities
Podcast hosting
Peyton Kennedy has not hosted or produced any podcasts as of November 2025, with her professional focus remaining on acting roles in television and film.[1]Voice work and narration
Peyton Kennedy lent her voice to the role of Whitney Walker in the scripted audio thriller podcast Borrasca, a QCODE Media production created by Rebecca Klingel and starring Cole Sprouse as Sam Walker.[27] Released in 2020, the series is framed as adult Sam recounting his childhood move to the town of Drisking, Missouri, where dark secrets emerge following the disappearance of his sister Whitney, with Kennedy's performance contributing to the immersive narrative through vocal delivery of emotional depth and suspense.[28] The podcast received a Webby Award in the Scripted Fiction category in 2021, highlighting its impact in the audio fiction genre.[29] Through Borrasca, Kennedy diversified her professional output by engaging in voice acting for pre-recorded, scripted audio content, allowing her to explore accent variation and emotional range in a medium distinct from visual performances.[3]Recognition
Awards
Peyton Kennedy has received recognition primarily through awards for young performers in film and television, with eight wins across the Joey Awards and Young Artist Awards, along with other honors, as of 2025.[30] Her first win came at the 35th Annual Young Artist Awards in 2014, where she was honored with the Best Performance in a Short Film - Young Actress Ten and Under for her role in To Look Away. This award highlighted her early talent in independent short films.[31] In the same year, at the inaugural Joey Awards held on November 16, 2014, in Vancouver, Kennedy won Best Actress in a Feature Film Principal or Supporting Role for her performance as Young Cass in The Captive. She also received the Joey Award for Young Actress Age 9 or Younger in a TV Series Drama or Comedy Guest Starring or Principal Role Two Episodes, recognizing her guest role as Clara Purvis in Copper.[32][33][34] Kennedy's 2015 successes included two Joey Awards at the 2nd Annual ceremony on November 14: Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series, shared with the cast of Odd Squad, and Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Action Recurring Role for Dr. O in Odd Squad. At the 36th Annual Young Artist Awards on March 15, 2015, she earned Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress Ten and Under for Missy in Between. These wins underscored her versatility in both ensemble and leading young roles in Canadian television.[32][35][36] In 2016, she received the Special Jury Award for Breakout Performance at the Savannah Film Festival for her role as Gitty in American Fable.[37] At the 3rd Annual Joey Awards on November 12, Kennedy won Best Actress in a Feature Film Featured Role for Dr. O in Odd Squad: The Movie. The following year, at the 4th Annual Joey Awards on November 18, 2017, she received Best Actress in a Feature Film Leading Role for her portrayal of Abby in American Fable. These awards celebrated her transitions into more prominent film roles.[30][38][39]| Year | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Short Film - Young Actress Ten and Under | To Look Away |
| 2014 | Joey Awards | Best Actress in a Feature Film Principal or Supporting Role | The Captive |
| 2014 | Joey Awards | Young Actress Age 9 or Younger in a TV Series Drama or Comedy Guest Starring or Principal Role Two Episodes | Copper |
| 2015 | Joey Awards | Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series | Odd Squad |
| 2015 | Joey Awards | Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Action Recurring Role | Odd Squad |
| 2015 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress Ten and Under | Between |
| 2016 | Joey Awards | Best Actress in a Feature Film Featured Role | Odd Squad: The Movie |
| 2016 | Savannah Film Festival | Special Jury Award for Breakout Performance | American Fable |
| 2017 | Joey Awards | Best Actress in a Feature Film Leading Role | American Fable |
Nominations and honors
Kennedy received her first notable nomination at the 34th Young Artist Awards in 2013 for Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actress Under 10, recognizing her role in the short film The Offering. In 2015, she was nominated at the Joey Awards for Best Actress in a TV Drama – Featured Role (10-19 Years) for her performance as Wiley in the Netflix series Between.[30] The following year, at the 2016 Joey Awards, Kennedy earned a nomination for Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series, shared with her co-stars from Odd Squad.[32] She also received a nomination at the 37th Young Artist Awards in 2016 for Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actress (13-15) for her role as Dr. O in Odd Squad, as well as a nomination for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special – Leading Young Actress.[32] In 2017, she was nominated at the Young Entertainer Awards for Best Leading Young Actress – Independent or Film Festival Feature Film for American Fable.[32] In 2019, Kennedy was nominated at the 40th Young Artist Awards for Best Ensemble – Streaming Series or Film, alongside the cast of Everything Sucks!, highlighting her portrayal of Sidney Novak.[30]Filmography
Film credits
Peyton Kennedy's film credits span feature films, anthology segments, and short films, beginning in her early teens with supporting roles in independent and mainstream productions. Her work often features young characters in dramatic or genre contexts, with releases primarily through theatrical, festival, or streaming platforms. The following is a chronological list of her verified film roles, excluding television movies and series.| Year | Title | Role | Medium/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Offering | Marla | Short film.[40] |
| 2013 | To Look Away | Denise | Short film.[41] |
| 2014 | Dorsal | Iris | Short film.[42] |
| 2014 | The Captive | Young Cass | Theatrical release; supporting role in psychological thriller.[43] |
| 2014 | Cut Bank | Rosie | Theatrical release; supporting role in crime drama.[44] |
| 2016 | Odd Squad: The Movie | Dr. O | Theatrical release; supporting role (recurring character from TV series) in family adventure film.[45] |
| 2016 | American Fable | Gitty | Limited theatrical and festival release; lead role in pastoral thriller.[46] |
| 2016 | Lavender | Young Jane | Theatrical release; supporting role in psychological horror.[47] |
| 2017 | Sunny Side Up | Sunny | Short film; lead role in comedy-drama short.[48] |
| 2017 | Cardinals | Julie | Limited theatrical release; supporting role in drama.[49] |
| 2017 | XX | Jenny Jacobs | Theatrical release; lead in "The Box" segment of horror anthology.[50] |
| 2020 | What the Night Can Do | Luana Cole | Streaming/VOD release; supporting role in thriller.[51] |
| 2020 | Selfie | Sarah | Short film; lead role in body-horror short, available on streaming platforms like YouTube/Alter.[52] |
| 2022 | Pond Life | Ellie | Limited release and streaming; supporting role in satirical comedy-drama.[53] |
| 2023 | Pruning | Alina | Short film; horror.[54] |
| 2023 | Young People | Claire | Short film; drama.[55] |
| 2025 | Don't Forget About Me | Jamie Flynn | Short film; released May 12, 2025, streaming on YouTube.[21] |
| 2025 | Noise | Anna | Short film; upcoming.[56] |
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