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Peyton Kennedy
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

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Kennedy was born on January 4, 2004, in Toronto, Ontario.[2] She attended the Canadian Model and Talent Convention.[3]

Career

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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

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Film
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
Television
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

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 Borrasca Whitney Walker

Awards and nominations

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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

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Peyton Kennedy (born January 4, 2004) is a Canadian actress best known for her breakout role as Kate Messner in the comedy-drama series Everything Sucks! (2018) and her recurring portrayal of the troubled teenager Betty Nelson in the long-running ABC medical drama (seasons 14–15, 2017–2018). Born and raised in , , she began her career as a in the early , initially appearing in guest roles on Canadian television series such as (2015) and (2014–2015), where she played the recurring character Dr. O. Kennedy's early film work included supporting roles in indie dramas like (2017), directed by Anne Hamilton, and The Captive (2014), opposite , for which she received a Joey Award for Young Actress in a Feature Film Principal or Supporting Role. She has also appeared in other notable projects, including episodes of (2015), (2017), and the miniseries Taken (2017), showcasing her versatility in both genre and dramatic roles. Inspired by the films from a young age, Kennedy relocated to to further her career and has expressed interest in exploring more complex dramatic characters in feature films. In addition to live-action work, Kennedy voiced the character Whitney Walker in the audio podcast series Borrasca (2020). She starred as Jamie Flynn in the short film Don't Forget About Me (2025) and as Sarah in the horror short Selfie (2025).

Early life and education

Family background

Peyton Kennedy was born on January 4, 2004, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She holds Canadian nationality. 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 series and watching the films, which sparked her initial interest in the entertainment industry. 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, , and , as well as reading, , , , and soccer. She also enjoyed building toy robots, reflecting an initial interest in before her focus shifted to . 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 on , 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, , 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. Kennedy began specialized acting training in 2011, at age seven, at Armstrong Acting Studios in , 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. 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 , beginning in 2011. These programs helped her navigate youth acting opportunities while completing high school, culminating in her graduation around 2022. Kennedy further enhanced her skills through selective post-secondary experiences, including the Brown Pre-College Program in , 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.

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 provided foundational training, workshops, and exposure to agents, managers, and casting directors, marking her initial step into the industry. 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 area, allowed her to gain on-set experience while balancing her formal education. 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 from 2014 to 2017. She also appeared in an episode of the period drama in 2013 as Clara Purvis. These foundational Canadian television and indie projects helped build her resume and skills. 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.

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. This role, starting when she was just 10 years old, showcased her comedic timing and helped establish her presence in family-oriented programming. 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 series . In season 2, she played Xosia, a gifted Westerlyn involved in a school mission gone awry, in the episode "Schooled," introducing her to the landscape of the series. Later that year, she appeared as Mattie Glynn in the thriller Taken, in the episode "Mattie G.," depicting a determined young girl entangled in a CIA operative's investigation into a dangerous drug. 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.

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 mystery, marking her debut in a major Canadian production alongside stars like and . That same year, she appeared as Rosie in Cut Bank, a crime drama directed by , where she supported leads and 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. 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." 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. 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. 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. 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.

Recent television and streaming work

Kennedy's entry into more prominent television roles began in with her portrayal of Kate Messner, a in grappling with personal identity and relationships, in the single-season series Everything Sucks!. The show, set in , highlighted her character's journey through adolescence and self-discovery in an ensemble format. That same year, she joined the long-running ABC medical drama in a recurring capacity as Betty Nelson (also known as Britney Dickinson), a teenage addict who gives birth while under care. 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 struggles to tentative steps toward recovery and motherhood responsibilities. This performance marked a shift toward more ensemble-driven, emotionally intense characters in broadcast television, building on her earlier guest appearances. 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.

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.

Voice work and narration

Peyton Kennedy lent her voice to the role of Whitney Walker in the scripted audio thriller Borrasca, a QCODE Media production created by Rebecca Klingel and starring as Sam Walker. Released in 2020, the series is framed as adult Sam recounting his childhood move to the town of Drisking, , 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. The podcast received a Webby Award in the Scripted Fiction category in 2021, highlighting its impact in the audio fiction genre. Through Borrasca, Kennedy diversified her professional output by engaging in for pre-recorded, scripted audio content, allowing her to explore accent variation and emotional range in a medium distinct from visual performances.

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. 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. In the same year, at the inaugural Joey Awards held on , 2014, in , Kennedy won in a 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 . 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 , and Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Action Recurring Role for Dr. O in . 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. In 2016, she received the Special Jury Award for Breakout Performance at the Savannah Film Festival for her role as Gitty in American Fable. 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.
YearAwardCategoryWork
2014Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Short Film - Young Actress Ten and UnderTo Look Away
2014Joey AwardsBest Actress in a Feature Film Principal or Supporting RoleThe Captive
2014Joey AwardsYoung Actress Age 9 or Younger in a TV Series Drama or Comedy Guest Starring or Principal Role Two EpisodesCopper
2015Joey AwardsBest Young Ensemble in a TV SeriesOdd Squad
2015Joey AwardsBest Actress in a TV Comedy or Action Recurring RoleOdd Squad
2015Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress Ten and UnderBetween
2016Joey AwardsBest Actress in a Feature Film Featured RoleOdd Squad: The Movie
2016Savannah Film FestivalSpecial Jury Award for Breakout PerformanceAmerican Fable
2017Joey AwardsBest Actress in a Feature Film Leading RoleAmerican 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. The following year, at the 2016 Joey Awards, Kennedy earned a for Best Young Ensemble in a TV Series, shared with her co-stars from . She also received a 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 , as well as a for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special – Leading Young Actress. In 2017, she was nominated at the Young Entertainer Awards for Best Leading Young Actress – Independent or Film Festival Feature Film for . 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.

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.
YearTitleRoleMedium/Notes
2012The OfferingMarlaShort film.
2013To Look AwayDeniseShort film.
2014DorsalIrisShort film.
2014The CaptiveYoung CassTheatrical release; supporting role in psychological thriller.
2014Cut BankRosieTheatrical release; supporting role in crime drama.
2016Odd Squad: The MovieDr. OTheatrical release; supporting role (recurring character from TV series) in family adventure film.
2016American FableGittyLimited theatrical and festival release; lead role in pastoral thriller.
2016LavenderYoung JaneTheatrical release; supporting role in psychological horror.
2017Sunny Side UpSunnyShort film; lead role in comedy-drama short.
2017CardinalsJulieLimited theatrical release; supporting role in drama.
2017XXJenny JacobsTheatrical release; lead in "The Box" segment of horror anthology.
2020What the Night Can DoLuana ColeStreaming/VOD release; supporting role in thriller.
2020SelfieSarahShort film; lead role in body-horror short, available on streaming platforms like YouTube/Alter.
2022Pond LifeEllieLimited release and streaming; supporting role in satirical comedy-drama.
2023PruningAlinaShort film; horror.
2023Young PeopleClaireShort film; drama.
2025Don't Forget About MeJamie FlynnShort film; released May 12, 2025, streaming on YouTube.
2025NoiseAnnaShort film; upcoming.

Television credits

Kennedy began her television career with guest appearances in the early 2010s. Her first credited role was in the BBC America period drama Copper, where she played Clara Purvis in the episode "The Place I Called My Home" (2013). In 2014, she appeared as a Little Girl in the NBC thriller Hannibal episode "Takiawase" (season 2, episode 4). That same year, Kennedy had a guest spot in the CBC comedy sketch series The Ron James Show (season 5, episode 1). She gained a recurring role as Dr. O in the PBS Kids educational series , appearing in 28 episodes from 2014 to 2017. Kennedy portrayed Annie in two episodes of the Netflix dystopian drama Between in 2015. In the CBC mystery series , she guest-starred as in the Christmas special "A Merry Murdoch Christmas" (2015). Her role as Xosia in the Syfy space adventure Killjoys came in 2016, limited to the single episode "Schooled" (season 2, episode 4). In 2017, Kennedy appeared as Mattie G. in the spy drama Taken (season 1, episode 4: "Mattie G."). She starred as Kate Messner in all 10 episodes of the coming-of-age comedy Everything Sucks! (2018). One of Kennedy's most prominent television roles was as the troubled teen Betty Nelson in the ABC medical drama , recurring across 12 episodes in seasons 14 and 15 (2018–2019). No major television credits have been announced for Kennedy from 2020 through 2025, with her focus shifting toward independent films and shorts.

References

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