Ellen Adair
Ellen Adair | |
---|---|
Born | Ellen Adair Glassie April 2, 1988[1] |
Education | Boston University (BA) University of Oxford |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2006 – present |
Spouse |
Eric Gilde
(m. 2013) |
Parents |
|
Ellen Adair is an American actor and writer, best known for playing Bess McTeer on season 2 of the USA anthology series The Sinner[2] and Janet Bayne on season 7 of the Showtime series Homeland.[3] Adair's starring roles in horror films Trick (2019), Cryptid (2022), Herd (2023), and Womb (2025) have established her as a scream queen.[4]
A veteran stage performer, they have appeared in the cult hit Sleep No More at The McKittrick Hotel, as well as numerous productions with Shakespeare Theatre Company, American Shakespeare Center, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.[5] Adair identifies as non-binary and uses she/they pronouns.[6]
Early life and education
[edit]Ellen Adair was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Kathleen A. Foster, an Art Historian, and Henry Glassie, a prominent Folklorist and Ethnomusicologist. Growing up, their parents' fieldwork lead the family to many places.[7]
Adair earned a BA in English from Boston University, and spent an erasmus year at the University of Oxford. During their time in Boston they began to work professionally as an actor.[8]
Career
[edit]Adair made her professional stage debut in 2005 as Thomasina in Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at The Publick Theatre in Boston, earning an IRNE Award nomination for Best Actress.[9] Over the next four years, she would prove a fixture in Boston theatre, appearing in numerous productions with Huntington Theatre Company, Lyric Stage Boston, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Actors' Shakespeare Project, SpeakEasy Stage Company, and New Repertory Theatre.[10]
In 2006 Adair made their television debut as a guest star on the Showtime crime series Brotherhood.[11] From 2009-2010 she appeared as Nurse Gretchen Taylor on the long-running CBS soap opera As the World Turns.[12] Adair's breakthrough role came in 2015, when they were cast as ADA Bridget Saltire in the NBC miniseries The Slap.[13] In 2017 Adair appeared in season 2 of the Showtime series Billions.[14] Their character Graff was a portfolio manager at Axe Capital, and an employee of Damien Lewis's character Bobby Axelrod. The following year, Adair had a recurring arc as antagonist Janet Bayne on season 7 of the Showtime series Homeland.[15] Later that same year Adair appeared as Bess McTeer on season 2 of the USA anthology series The Sinner.[16]
Adair made her film debut as Jen in the 2013 horror film The Unwanted.[17] In 2019 she starred opposite Omar Epps in the slasher film Trick.[18] In 2022 Adair appeared the independent drama film Love and Communication, which explores parenting a young child on the autism spectrum.[19] In 2023 she starred in the horror films Cryptid[20] and Herd.[21] For the later film, Awards Daily included Adair among their "Best Horror Performances of 2023."[22]
In addition to acting, Adair is also a published poet and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.[23] Her debut poetry collection Curtain Speech was published by Pen & Anvil Press in 2015.[24]
Personal life
[edit]In 2013 Adair married fellow actor Eric Gilde, with whom they co-founded Happy Few Theatre Company. They live together in Jackson Heights, Queens.[25]
Adair is vocal fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, and regularly appears as a sports analyst on the MLB Network’s Off Base. She has has also appeared on Hot Stove, MLB Now, and MLB Central.[26]
Acting Credits
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | The Unwanted | Jen | [27] | |
2019 | Trick | Lisa Jayne | [27] | |
2022 | Love and Communication | Julia | [27] | |
2023 | Cryptid | Harriet | [27] | |
2023 | Herd | Jamie Miller | [27] | |
2025 | Womb | Martha | [27] |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Brotherhood | Jamie Finnerty | Episode: "Matthew 22:10" | [28] |
2007-2009 | American Masters | Lucy Audubon/Anna Alcott | 2 episodes | [27] |
2009-2010 | As the World Turns | Gretchen Taylor | Recurring, Season 54 |
[28] |
2010 | God in America | Sister Mary Johnson | Episode: "A Nation Reborn" | [28] |
2014 | Nurse Jackie | Lady Pharmacist | Episode: "Nancy Wood" | [28] |
2015 | Veep | Reporter | 2 episodes | [28] |
2015 | The Slap | ADA Bridget Saltire | Miniseries, 4 episodes |
[28] |
2016 | The Family | Wallace | 2 episodes | [28] |
2016 | I Love You ... But I Lied | Nicole | Episode: "Paranoid" | [28] |
2017 | Billions | Graff | 6 episodes | [28] |
2018 | Homeland | Janet Bayne | 5 episodes | [28] |
2018 | The Sinner | Bess McTeer | Main role, Season 2 |
[28] |
2018 | Chicago Fire | Amy Whittaker | Episode: "Thirty Percent Slight of Hand" | [28] |
2019 | The Good Fight | Fiona Novak | Episode: "The One Where a Nazi Gets Punched" | [28] |
2019-2021 | Bull | ADA Glover | 3 episodes | [28] |
2020 | NCIS: New Orleans | Karla Monroe | Episode: "Waiting for Monroe" | [28] |
2022 | Archive 81 | Emma Trillay | Episode: "The Ferryman" | [28] |
2022 | FBI | Olivia Blake | Episode: "Face Off" | [28] |
2024 | Law & Order | Dr. Angela Jeffers | Episode: "On the Ledge" | [28] |
2024 | Found | Jocelyn Mosley | Episode: "Missing While Gabi Mosley" | [28] |
2024-2025 | Chicago Med | Mary Katherine Trempley | 2 episodes | [28] |
Web Series
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Detroit, I Love You | Iris | Maine role, 4 episodes |
[29] |
2018 | Roommating | Vivian | Maine role, 5 episodes |
[30] |
2021 | Joyland | Karen Lapidus | Maine role, 3 episodes |
[31] |
Video games
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Additional voices | Rockstar Games | [32] |
Audio books
[edit]Year | Title | Author | Publisher | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Why We Love Baseball | Joe Posnanski | Penguin Random House | [33] |
2024 | Dirty Diana | Jen Besser and Shana Feste | Penguin Random House | [34] |
2024 | The History of Sound | Ben Shattuck | Penguin Random House | [35] |
2024 | Charlie Hustle | Keith O'Brien | Penguin Random House | [36] |
Stage
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ ElCinema. "Ellen Adair." Accessed June 20, 2025. https://elcinema.com/en/person/2205557/.
- ^ Sarkar, Barnana. “Bess Is a Woman with a Backbone: Ellen Adair on ‘The Sinner’ Season 2 and Much More.” MEAWW, updated September 3, 2018. https://meaww.com/the-sinner-season-2-ellen-adair-says-acting-is-like-taking-care-of-someone-relatable.
- ^ Stewart, Vaughn. “Ellen Adair Takes Life in Her Own Hands.” Cool America Magazine, November 16, 2021. https://coolamericamag.com/ellen-adair/.
- ^ Miska, Brad. “Ellen Adair Shambles to Zombie Horror ‘Herd’; Exclusive Poster Art.” Bloody Disgusting, March 31, 2022. https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3709275/ellen-adair-shambles-to-zombie-horror-herd-exclusive-poster-art/.
- ^ The Actors Center. “Ellen Adair.” The Actors Center, accessed June 19, 2025. https://theactorscenter.org/bio/ellen-adair/.
- ^ The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales. “Ep302 – Ellen Adair: Rosalind Is My Gender Identity.” January 2, 2024. In The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales. Broadway Podcast Network. https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcasts/the-theatre-podcast-with-alan-seales/ep302-ellen-adair-rosalind-is-my-gender-identity/330
- ^ Veasey, Matt. “10 Questions With Ellen Adair.” The Bell (Matt Veasey), May 9, 2020. https://mattveasey.com/2020/05/09/philadelphia-phillies-10-questions-with-ellen-adair/.
- ^ Noelle. “Interview: Ellen Adair Talks ‘The Sinner’ Season 2 Finale – Exclusive.” Pop City Life, September 21, 2018. https://popcitylife.com/2018/09/21/interview-ellen-adair-talks-sinner-season-2-finale/.
- ^ The State of Shakespeare. “About Ellen Adair.” The State of Shakespeare. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.stateofshakespeare.com/TSS/Ellen_Adair.html.
- ^ About the Artists. “Ellen Adair.” About the Artists. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/270871-ellen-adair.
- ^ IMDb. Brotherhood: “Matthew 22:10.” Season 1, Episode 11. Directed by Ed Bianchi. Written by Blake Masters and Henry Bromell. 53 min. Showtime, September 24, 2006. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0532780/fullcredits/.
- ^ Block, Michael. “Spotlight On... Ellen Adair.” Theater in the Now, February 29, 2016. https://www.theaterinthenow.com/2016/02/spotlight-onellen-adair.html.
- ^ TV Guide. “The Slap - Full Cast & Crew.” TV Guide. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-slap/cast/1030571949/.
- ^ TV Guide. “Billions - Full Cast & Crew.” TV Guide. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/billions/cast/1000601182/.
- ^ TV Guide. “Homeland - Full Cast & Crew.” TV Guide. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/homeland/cast/1030528064/.
- ^ TV Guide. “The Sinner - Full Cast & Crew.” TV Guide. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-sinner/cast/1000706882/.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes. “The Unwanted (2014).” Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_unwanted_2014.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes. “Trick (2019).” Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/trick_2019.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes. “Love and Communication (2022).” Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/love_and_communication.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes. “Cryptid (2022).” Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cryptid.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes. “Herd (2023).” Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/herd_2023.
- ^ Hamer, Robert. “Sunday Scaries Interview: Ellen Adair on How ‘Herd’ Reflects the Best and Worst of Humanity.” Awards Radar, October 15, 2023. https://awardsradar.com/2023/10/15/sunday-scaries-interview-ellen-adair-on-how-herd-reflects-the-best-and-worst-of-humanity/.
- ^ Whyte, Thomas. “Ellen Adair : Part One.” poetry mini interviews, March 29, 2021. https://poetryminiinterviews.com/2021/03/ellen-adair-part-one.html.
- ^ Pen and Anvil Press. Curtain Speech. By Ellen Adair. First privately printed 2015; published January–December 2018 (published broadly Dec. 2018). Accessed June 19, 2025. https://penandanvil.com/curtain-speech-by-ellen-adair/.
- ^ Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. “Five Questions with the Real‑Life Married Couple of Constellations.” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis News & Updates, January 31, 2017. https://www.repstl.org/news/detail/five-questions-with-the-real-life-married-couple-of-constellations.
- ^ MLB.com. “Ellen Adair Joins Hot Stove.” Los Angeles Dodgers – MLB.com, November 10, 2021. https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/ellen-adair-joins-hot-stove.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rotten Tomatoes. Ellen Adair – Movies & TV. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ellen_adair.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t TV Guide. Ellen Adair – Credits. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ellen-adair/credits/3030180207/.
- ^ IMDb. Detroit, I Love You. 2016. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5946770/fullcredits/.
- ^ IMDb. Roommating. 2018. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8479482/fullcredits/.
- ^ IMDb. Joyland. 2021–2022. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14347300/fullcredits/.
- ^ Behind the Voice Actors, “Ellen Adair (visual voices guide),” accessed June 22, 2025, Behind the Voice Actors, https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Ellen-Adair/.
- ^ Verducci, Joe. Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments. Narrated by Ellen Adair. New York: Random House Audio, 2023. Audiobook. https://www.audible.com/pd/Why-We-Love-Baseball-Audiobook/B0BR8HRYC1.
- ^ Somerville, Shana Feste, dir. Dirty Diana. Performed by Demi Moore, Claes Bang, Mackenzie Davis, Carmen Ejogo, Betsy Brandt, and Ellen Adair. Audible Originals, 2024. Audiobook. https://www.audible.com/pd/Dirty-Diana-Audiobook/B0CZ7N3B3L.
- ^ Klavens, Ben. The History of Sound. Narrated by Vikas Adam, Ellen Adair, Daniel Henning, and Pete Cross. New York: OrangeSky Audio, 2023. Audiobook. https://www.audible.com/pd/The-History-of-Sound-Audiobook/B0CNFDPHZN.
- ^ Giglio, Keith O’Brien. Charlie Hustle. Narrated by Ellen Adair. Nashville: RB Media, 2023. Audiobook. https://www.audible.com/pd/Charlie-Hustle-Audiobook/B0CBCXPRLY.
- ^ Arcadia. Directed by David Esbjornson. TheaterMania. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.theatermania.com/shows/boston-theater/arcadia_111325/.
- ^ Comedy of Errors. Directed by Diego Arciniegas. The Publick Theatre, Inc., July 21–September 10, 2005. Outdoors at Christian Herter Park, Mid-Cambridge, MA. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.theatermania.com/shows/massachusetts-theater/boston-theater/comedy-of-errors_111328/.
- ^ Hernandez, Ernio. “Playwright Stephen Belber Discusses World Premiere Carol Mulroney in Boston, Oct. 18.” Playbill, October 17, 2005. https://playbill.com/article/playwright-stephen-belber-discusses-world-premiere-carol-mulroney-in-boston-oct-18-com-128646.
- ^ IbsenStage. “A Doll's House.” Directed by Sarah Friedberg. Devanaughn Theatre, Boston, December 2–11, 2005. https://ibsenstage.hf.uio.no/pages/event/77045.
- ^ Tufts Daily. “Theater Review | 'Five by Tenn' Measures Up to Previous Williams Works.” The Tufts Daily, February 6, 2006. https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2006/02/theater-review-five-by-tenn-measures-up-to-previous-williams-works.
- ^ Evett, Benjamin, dir. All’s Well That Ends Well. Actors’ Shakespeare Project. April 20–May 14, 2006. YMCA Family Theater, Cambridge, MA. https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/80638-alls-well-that-ends-well-at-cambridge-ymca-family-theatre-april-29-may-14-2006.
- ^ The Beard of Avon. Christian Herter Park, Boston. July 5–September 9, 2006. https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/26222-the-beard-of-avon-at-christian-herter-park-july-5-september-9-2006.
- ^ Goodman, Jillian J. “Huntington’s ‘Rabbit Hole’ Might Be Better in an Alternative Universe.” The Harvard Crimson, November 19, 2006. https://playbill.com/article/rabbit-hole-added-to-huntington-line-up-in-boston-com-132984.
- ^ Andrews, David Brooks. “Lyric’s Arms-Man Charms.” SouthCoastToday, May 16, 2007. https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/entertainment/local/2007/05/16/lyric-s-arms-man-charms/52894397007/.
- ^ The Diary of Anne Frank. Boston area schools. 2006–2007. https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/30585-the-diary-of-anne-frank-at-boston-area-schools-2006-2007.
- ^ American Shakespeare Center. The Merchant of Venice. Piercing Eloquence Tour, Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, VA, 2008. https://americanshakespearecenter.com/events/the-merchant-of-venice-2008/.
- ^ American Shakespeare Center. Henry V. Piercing Eloquence Tour, directed by Giles Block; Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, VA; 2008. https://americanshakespearecenter.com/events/henry-v-2008/
- ^ American Shakespeare Center. The Taming of the Shrew. Piercing Eloquence Tour, directed by Jemma Alix Levy; Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, VA; 2008. https://americanshakespearecenter.com/events/the-taming-of-the-shrew-2008/
- ^ Shakespeare Theater Company. Henry IV, Part 1. Directed by Paul Mason Barnes. Folger Theatre, Staunton, VA, October 8–November 16, 2008. https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/1_Henry_IV_%28Folger_Theatre%2C_2008%29.
- ^ “Full Cast Set for ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore at Baltimore’s CENTERSTAGE.” TheaterMania, March 9, 2009. https://www.theatermania.com/news/full-cast-set-for-tis-pity-shes-a-whore-at-baltimores-centerstage_17994/.
- ^ Thielman, Sam. “The Playboy of the Western World.” Variety, 2009. https://variety.com/2009/legit/reviews/the-playboy-of-the-western-world-3-1200476893/.
- ^ Hansen, Erica. “Solid Performances Bring ‘Yellow Leaf’ to Life.” Deseret News, January 13, 2009. https://www.deseret.com/2009/1/13/20296034/solid-performances-bring-yellow-leaf-to-life/.
- ^ Gans, Andrew. “Project Shaw’s Major Barbara to Feature Plunkett, Greer, Rodriguez, Davis and More.” Playbill, April 30, 2010. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://playbill.com/article/project-shaws-major-barbara-to-feature-plunkett-greer-rodriguez-davis-and-more-com-168080.
- ^ Fagan, Shawn. “Ellen Adair, Shawn Fagan, et al. Set for Pennsylvania Shakespeare’s Playboy of the Western World.” TheaterMania, May 13, 2010. https://www.theatermania.com/news/ellen-adair-shawn-fagan-et-al-set-for-pensylvania-shakespeares-playboy-of-the-western-world_27387/.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. “Romeo and Hamlet Opens 2010 GayFest NYC.” Playbill, May 6, 2010. https://v.playbill.com/article/romeo-and-hamlet-opens-2010-gayfest-nyc-com-168221.
- ^ Siegel, Naomi. "Chicanery Abounds in a New ‘All’s Well’." The New York Times, September 26, 2010. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/nyregion/26playnj.html.
- ^ Mint Theater Company. What the Public Wants. By Arnold Bennett. Directed by Matthew Arbour. The Mint Theater, New York City, January 14–March 13, 2011. https://minttheater.org/production/what-the-public-wants/.
- ^ Light Falling. Staged reading. Directed by Jonathan Bank. Mint Theater Company. The Players Club, New York, NY, April 11, 2011. https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/41171-light-falling-at-the-players-club-april-11-2011.
- ^ Denette, Kelsey. “Kitchen Theatre Company Presents Mary’s Wedding, 6/8–26.” BroadwayWorld, May 11, 2011. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Kitchen-Theatre-Company-Presents-MARYS-WEDDING-68-26-20110511.
- ^ Walker, Lucy. “Red Light Winter: Passionate Play Radiates Desire.” The Ithacan, February 29, 2012. https://theithacan.org/20731/life-culture/accent/red-light-winter-passionate-play-radiates-desire/.
- ^ Portland Press Herald. “Theater Review: Portland’s Marie Antoinette Sizzles with Wordplay.” Portland Press Herald, May 5, 2012. https://www.pressherald.com/2012/05/05/theater-review-portlands-marie-antoinette-sizzles-with-wordplay/.
- ^ MetroWest Daily News. “Review: Ryan Landry’s M.” MetroWest Daily News, April 15, 2013. https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2013/04/15/review-ryan-landry-s-m/41114250007/.
- ^ Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Directed by Steven Maler. July 6–28, 2013. Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common. https://commshakes.org/production/the-two-gentlemen-of-verona/.
- ^ Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The Mousetrap. Directed by Paul Mason Barnes. December 4–29, 2013. https://www.repstl.org/archive/detail/the-mousetrap-2013.
- ^ Horwitz, Jane. “Theater Review: ‘Private Lives’ at Shakespeare Theatre.” Washingtonian, June 11, 2014. https://www.washingtonian.com/2014/06/11/theater-review-private-lives-at-shakespeare-theatre/.
- ^ Adair, Ellen. "Ellen Adair." Broadway Podcast Network. Last modified January 2, 2024. https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/people/ellen-adair.
- ^ Fiasco Theater. 2014–2015. Cymbeline. Directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld. https://www.fiascotheater.com/cymbeline.
- ^ Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Constellations. Directed by Steven Woolf. February 3–5, 2017. https://www.repstl.org/events/detail/constellations.
- ^ Webster, Andy. “Review: Ireland in Four Dimensions, by a Pioneering Playwright.” The New York Times, August 25, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/theater/the-suitcase-under-the-bed-review.html.