Natalie Zea

Biography

Natalie Zea, born on March 17, 1975, stands at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) and is a prominent American actress recognized for her diverse television roles. She gained initial fame as Gwen Hotchkiss on the NBC daytime series Passions, followed by her portrayal of the affluent Karen Darling in ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money. Zea is also well-known for her character Winona Hawkins in the FX crime drama Justified, which aired from 2010 to 2013, and as Claire Matthews in the Fox series The Following in 2013.

Originating from Harris County, Texas, Zea graduated from Monahans High School in 1993 and later completed her studies at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City in 1995.

After taking on minor film roles, Zea joined the cast of Passions in 2000, taking over the role of Gwen Hotchkiss from Liza Huber before departing in 2002. She then made guest appearances on various primetime programs, including a notable stint on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in 2001. In 2004, she became a recurring character on FX's The Shield, where she played the love interest of Vic Mackey, portrayed by Michael Chiklis. In 2005, she took on a regular role in the short-lived series Eyes. Following this, Zea starred as Karen Darling on Dirty Sexy Money, which ran from 2007 to 2009, and appeared in the HBO series Hung. Her film credits include a small part in the 2010 comedy The Other Guys. Notably, she played a significant role in Justified and The Following, as well as a recurring character in Under the Dome. In 2013, Zea landed her first lead in the Amazon comedy pilot The Outlaws.