Rachel Skarsten (born 23 April 1985) is a Canadian actress. Her television roles include Dinah Lance in Birds of Prey (2002–2003), Tamsin in Lost Girl (2013–2015), Queen Elizabeth I in Reign (2014–2017) and Alice/ Beth Kane in Batwoman (2019–2022). Her film credits include Fifty Shades of Grey, Molly's Game, and Acquainted.[1]
Rachel Skarsten | |
|---|---|
 Skarsten in 2014 | |
| Born | April 23, 1985 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Education | Queen's University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Website | www |
Early life
editSkarsten was born in Toronto, Ontario. Her father Dr. Stan Skarsten was from Bergen, Norway, while her mother, Mary Aileen Self Skarsten, grew up in India. Skarsten grew up in northern Toronto, and spent time in Norway during her youth.[2]
Skarsten trained with the Royal Academy of Dance for 12 years,before an ankle injury led her to stop pursuing dance. She later played hockey as a goaltender. In 2002 she played goalie for the Toronto Leaside Wildcats.[3][4]
She attended Claude Watson School for the Arts from grades 4 to 8, majoring in visual arts and the cello. She continued in the Claude Watson Arts Program at Earl Haig Secondary School from grades 9–12, majoring in visual arts. She was discovered by an agent at a memorial for her father.[5]
Acting career
editSkarsten began acting as a child and appeared as a series regular in the television series 'Little Men'. She later played Dinah Lance in the WB television series 'Birds of Prey'. After the series ended, she returned to Canada and attended Queen's University, graduating in 2007 with a degree in English. [6]
After returning to acting, Skarsten appeared in television series including 'Flashpoint', 'The L.A. Complex', 'The Listener', and 'Beauty and the Beast', and in films including 'The Vow' and 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.[7]
In 2013, Skarsten joined the Canadian supernatural drama series 'Lost Girl' as Tamsin. She later joined 'Reign' as Queen Elizabeth I, appearing as a series regular during the show's third season. [8][9]
In 2019, Skarsten was cast as Alice, also known as Elizabeth Kane, in the CW superhero series Batwoman.[10]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Virginia's Run | Caroline Lofton | |
| 2003 | Fear of the Dark | Heather Fontaine | |
| 2007 | Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer | Eve | |
| American Pie Presents Beta House | Sharon | Direct-to-video film | |
| 2011 | Servitude | Alex | |
| 2012 | Two Hands to Mouth | Leah Whitefield | |
| The Vow | Rose | ||
| 2015 | Fifty Shades of Grey | Andrea | |
| 2017 | Molly's Game | Leah | |
| 2018 | Acquainted | Claire | |
| 2023 | Going In | N/a | Associate producer |
The following list includes selected film and television credits.[11]
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Famous Jett Jackson | Mickey Twitty | Episode: "Vootle-Muck-a-Heey" |
| 1998–1999 | Little Men | Elizabeth "Bess" Lawrence | Main role |
| 1999 | Justice | Actress | Television film |
| 2000 | Angels in the Infield | Brigitte | Television film |
| Twice in a Lifetime | Julie Adams | Episode: "Curveball" | |
| 2001 | Jewel | Raylene Hilburn (age 14) | Television film |
| Screech Owls | Suki Sutherland | Episode: "A Star Is Gone" | |
| 2002 | POV Sports on CBC | Herself | Host: Science of Sports |
| Tracker | Jamie Swenson / Lontoria | Episode: "The Miracle" | |
| 2002–2003 | Birds of Prey | Dinah Lance | Main role |
| 2003 | Missing | Brittney Moore | Episode: "Basic Training" |
| 2005 | Category 7: The End of the World | Lyra Duffy | Miniseries |
| 2010 | Made... The Movie | Andi | Television film |
| 2011 | Awakening | Leila | Television film |
| Flashpoint | Natalie Braddock | 4 episodes | |
| 2011–2012 | The Listener | Elyse | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | The L.A. Complex | Roxanne | 3 episodes |
| Transporter: The Series | Delia | Episode: "The General's Daughter" | |
| Beauty & the Beast | Brooke | Episodes: "Worth" and "Bridesmaid Up!" | |
| 2013–2015 | Lost Girl | Tamsin | Recurring role |
| 2013 | Lost Girl: An Evening at the Clubhouse | Herself | Television film |
| 2014 | In My Dreams | Jessa | Television film (Hallmark) |
| 2015–2017 | Reign | Elizabeth I | Guest role (season 2); main role (seasons 3–4) |
| 2015 | The Red Dress | Patricia | Television film |
| 2017 | Wynonna Earp | Eliza Shapiro | Episode: "Steel Bars and Stone Walls" |
| Marry Me at Christmas | Madeline Krug | Television film (Hallmark) | |
| 2018 | Imposters | Poppy Langmore | Recurring role (season 2) |
| 2019 | Timeless Love | Megan | Television film (Hallmark) |
| 2019–2022 | Batwoman | Alice / Beth Kane | Main role |
| 2020 | Nurses | Lily Dawson | Episode: "Lady Business" |
| 2022 | The Royal Nanny | Claire Champion | Television film (Hallmark) |
| 2023 | Christmas Island | Captain Kate Gabriel | |
| 2024 | Jazz Ramsey: A K-9 Mystery | Jazz Ramsey | |
| The Christmas Charade | Whitney |
References
edit- ↑ "Actress Goes From Queen's University To Queen Of England | Queen's Alumni". www.queensu.ca. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cool Chic". CIVILIAN MAGAZINE. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rachel Skarsten". SYFY. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cool Chic". CIVILIAN MAGAZINE. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rachel Skarsten". SYFY. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Actress Goes From Queen's University To Queen Of England | Queen's Alumni". www.queensu.ca. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rachel Skarsten". SYFY. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ Powell, W. Andrew (28 December 2012). "On set with the cast of 'Lost Girl' season 3: Part 1". The GATE. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ Luther, Rebecca (10 March 2015). "TVLine Items: Reign's New Queen, Madam Adds Goodbye Girl And More". TVLine. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ MacDonald, Lindsay. "The CW's Batwoman Casts Reign and Lost Girl Alum Rachel Skarsten as Alice". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rachel Skarsten Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
