Julianne Nicholson

Early life

After Nicholson's parents separated when she was young, she lived with her mother and stepfather in western Massachusetts in what she later described as a "different way of living .. We had kerosene lanterns and camp candles and had a pump for water". She began living with her father at 11 years old. At age 18, she moved to New York, where she majored in French and anthropology at Hunter College. While in New York, Nicholson supported herself by waitressing and eventually left school to study acting and begin her professional career.

Career

Film

In her first feature film role, Nicholson starred opposite Michael Caine and James Spader in the Peter Yates film Curtain Call. Later she won what proved to be both her breakthrough and favorite role as a headstrong young feminist in Peter Chan's The Love Letter. She has worked with other international directors in films such Alain Berliner's Passion of Mind, and Nick Hurran's Little Black Book. Nicholson's domestic drama credits include William Vincent, Staten Island, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, Tully, Kinsey, and August: Osage County, for which the ensemble cast was nominated for several awards. Her domestic comedy credits include Seeing Other People, Puccini For Beginners, and Disney's Togo opposite Willem Dafoe. She also stars in the American espionage thriller, The Amateur.

Television

Among Nicholson's television credits are a supporting role in the television miniseries Storm of the Century and guest-starring roles in ER and Law & Order. She was tapped by Steven Spielberg for the lead role in the paranormal drama The Others. In late 2001, Nicholson became one of the main cast members of the hit show Ally McBeal, portraying Jenny Shaw for 13 episodes. She worked on the medical drama Presidio Med and the HBO pilot Marriage. Julianne worked on the short-lived NBC television drama, Conviction and in what is her best known role, as Megan Wheeler, in the sixth, seventh, and eighth seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Nicholson has said her favorite Criminal Intent episode was "Weeping Willow". As of the Criminal Intent episode "Major Case", Nicholson departed the series when she went on maternity leave for the birth of her second child (which was written into the show as the birth of her first child).

In 2011, she guest-starred on Royal Pains as "Jess", one of Dr. Lawson's patients, who has panic attacks. She also appeared on Boardwalk Empire as the recurring character of U.S. Assistant Attorney General Esther Randolph (a character based on the real life Mabel Walker Willebrandt) that same year. In 2012, she guest-starred on The Good Wife as Callie Simko, an attorney who has an interest in Will Gardner.

On October 16, 2016, Nicholson played the lead role of Sheriff Helen Torrance in USA Network's 10-episode police drama, Eyewitness.

In 2021, Nicholson starred in the HBO series Mare of Easttown as Lori Ross, best friend of the titular Mare Sheehan, played by Kate Winslet. The series proved to be a ratings hit for HBO, breaking viewership records. Her role in the series brought her critical acclaim, with critics especially highlighting her harrowing performance in the series finale. The role won Nicholson her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. She also earned a nomination at the Critics Choice Awards for the same role.

In 2025, Nicholson earned Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Mary "Dance Mom" Alice in Hacks, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category for her role as Samantha "Sinatra" Redmond in Paradise, winning the former.

Theater

Nicholson has been in a number of plays in New York. Her work in theater includes plays written by Craig Lucas, Adam Rapp, and Sam Shepard.

Personal life

In 2004, she married British actor Jonathan Cake in Italy; they met while playing a couple on an unaired HBO pilot called Marriage. They have two children.

Acting credits

Film

Television

Theater

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

References

1. "Julianne Nicholson - Actress". [[TV Insider]].
2. Complex, Valerie. (September 19, 2021). "Julianne Nicholson Wins Her First Emmy, Tells Kate Winslet "I Owe This To You"".
3. Walsh, Savannah. (September 19, 2021). "Mare of Easttown's Julianne Nicholson Upsets Kathryn Hahn at Emmys 2021".
4. Lee, Luaine. (February 22, 2014). "Julianne Nicholson takes 'The Red Road'". [[The Washington Post]].
5. Salkin, Allen. (September 25, 2009). "A Night Out With: Julianne Nicholson Takes a Break From Parenting". The New York Times.
6. "The Amateur (2025) {{!}} Action, Thriller".
7. "The Reel Vincent D'Onofrio Entry Page". Thereelvincentdonofrio.com.
8. [http://www.buddytv.com/articles/law-and-order-criminal-intent/exclusive-interview-julianne-n-4516.aspx "Exclusive interview: Julianne Nicholson, of ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent''."] ''[[BuddyTV]]'', February 27, 2007. Retrieved on September 8, 2008.
9. Tangcay, Jazz. (September 6, 2025). "'Hacks' Julianne Nicholson Wins Emmy for Guest Actress in a Comedy". Variety.
10. (September 12, 2025). "Paradise's Julianne Nicholson Has This 1 Regret from Her First Emmy Win: How She Plans to Fix It This Year (Exclusive)". People.
11. (December 18, 2008). "Julianne Nicholson Expecting Second Child Celebrity Baby Blog".
12. Broadway.com Staff. (May 4, 2009). "Broadway Buzz: Jonathan Cake and Wife Julianne Nicholson Welcome Daughter". Broadway.com.
13. Atad, Corey. (November 1, 2022). "Nicolas Cage Goes Bald For New Comedy Shoot In Toronto".
14. (May 26, 2023). "Holt McCallany & Julianne Nicholson Join Rami Malek In 20th Thriller ''Amateur''".
15. Maas, Jennifer. (November 14, 2024). "'Paradise' Trailer: Sterling K. Brown Denies Killing President James Marsden in 'This Is Us' Creator's Hulu Drama".
16. Cordero, Rosy. (November 15, 2023). "'Dope Girls': Julianne Nicholson & Eliza Scanlen To Lead BBC Drama About Female Crime Boss In Soho; Filming Underway".
17. Feinberg, Scott. (October 7, 2013). "'August: Osage County' Ensemble to Be Honored at Hollywood Film Awards (Exclusive)". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
18. (December 9, 2013). "2013 WAFCA Award Winners". [[Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association]].
19. Meyers, Jeff. (December 13, 2013). "DETROIT FILM CRITICS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES BEST OF 2013". [[Metro Times]].
20. Robbins, Caryn. (December 17, 2013). "12 YEARS A SLAVE Named Best Picture by 2013 Phoenix Film Critics Society; Full List Announced". [[BroadwayWorld]].
21. (December 19, 2013). "The Nevada Film Critics Society's 2013 Awards for Achievement in Film". Nevada Film Critics Society.
22. Lyman, Eric J.. (January 1, 2014). "'August: Osage County' Dominates Italy's Capri, Hollywood Fest With Four Awards".
23. (January 16, 2014). "Critics' Choice Awards: The Winners". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
24. (January 18, 2014). "2014 SAG Awards: Winners and Nominees". [[Variety (magazine).
25. (May 31, 2015). "Critics' Choice Awards Winners: Full List". [[Variety (magazine).
26. Swertlow, Meg. (November 19, 2017). "2017 Hollywood Film Awards: The Complete List of Winners". [[E!.
27. Menzel, Scott. (July 8, 2021). "Ted Lasso, The Handmaid's Tale, and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist lead Inaugural HCA TV Awards Nominations".
28. Schneider, Michael. (August 29, 2021). "'Ted Lasso,' 'The Crown,' 'The Mandalorian,' 'Cruel Summer,' 'New Amsterdam' Among HCA TV Awards Winners".
29. Avila, Pamela. (August 30, 2021). "'Pose,' 'I May Destroy You,' 'Hacks' sweep LGBTQ critics' Dorian TV Awards". [[USA Today]].
30. Snierson, Dan. (September 20, 2021). "Emmy Awards 2021: See the full list of winners". [[Entertainment Weekly]].
31. "Julianne Nicholson".
32. (September 26, 2021). "25th Annual TV Awards (2020-21)".
33. (March 13, 2022). "Critics Choice Awards 2022: 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession' Win Big (Full Winners List)".
34. "2021 Winners". [[International Press Academy]].
35. Neglia, Matt. (December 19, 2022). "The 2022 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Winners".
36. Neglia, Matt. (June 10, 2025). "The 2025 Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra TV Award Winners".
37. Hipes, Patrick. (June 11, 2025). "'Deadpool & Wolverine', 'Thunderbolts*', 'The Last Of Us' Lead Nominees For Critics Choice Super Awards".
38. (August 10, 2025). "29th Annual TV Awards (2024-25)".