Natalie Zea (born March 17, 1975) is an American actress known for her
performances on television. Zea began her acting career in theatre.
Her first major role was on the NBC daytime soap opera Passions
(2000â€"2002), where she played the role of Gwen Hotchkiss. Her
breakout role was on the ABC primetime soap opera Dirty Sexy Money as
socialite Karen Darling, where she starred from 2007 to 2009. Zea also
has made many guest appearances on television, starred in a number of
independent and made-for-television movies, and had recurring roles in
The Shield, Hung, and Californication.In 2010, Zea began starring as
Winona Hawkins in the FX critically acclaimed crime drama series,
Justified as a regular cast member during the first three seasons and
recurring guest star later. In 2013, she also began starring as Claire
Matthews in the Fox drama series The Following. Zea also starred as
Mickey Holmes-Harris, the lead character, in the
canceled-before-airing ABC dramedy series, Members Only, and starred
in the TBS sitcom The Detour, which premiered in the spring of 2016
but was later cancelled in 2019.In 2010, Zea began starring as Winona
Hawkins in the FX critically acclaimed crime drama series, Justified
as a regular cast member during the first three seasons and recurring
guest star later. In 2013, she also began starring as Claire Matthews
in the Fox drama series The Following. Zea also starred as Mickey
Holmes-Harris, the lead character, in the canceled-before-airing ABC
dramedy series, Members Only, and starred in the TBS sitcom The
Detour, which premiered in the spring of 2016 but was later cancelled
in 2019.Zea was born in Harris County, Texas, attending high school in
Monahans, graduating in 1993. She graduated from the American Musical
and Dramatic Academy in New York City in 1995. Also in 1995, Zea
co-starred as Lana Tisdel in the short film Boys Don't Cry. In the
1999 feature film version of Boys Don't Cry the role was played by
Chloë Sevigny. She also appeared in many national commercials for
companies such as Dove, Snickers and Hellman's Salad Dressing.Zea
began her career in an Off-Broadway theatre, appearing in productions
of The Three Sisters and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She made her
feature debut in the Shakespeare-themed independent drama Macbeth in
Manhattan in 1999. In the following year, Zea made her television
debut in an episode of short-lived The WB drama series, D.C.. Later in
that year she was cast as Gwen Hotchkiss Winthrop, a businesswoman and
socialite, and the member of the wealthy Hotchkiss family, in the NBC
daytime soap opera Passions. She appeared in the show on a regular
basis from November 15, 2000 to October 3, 2002. On her leaving, Zea
said "I have decided not to renew my contract with Passions. Although
I enjoyed my experience, and learned quite a bit, especially
initially, I know that the best thing for my career, and my craft, is
to pursue new challenges. So after some deliberation, an amicable
parting of ways seemed to be the best decision". Zea is the second
actress who played the role of Gwen. Susan Lucci's daughter Liza Huber
played the role from July 5, 1999 to November 8, 2000, and again,
after Zea left the show. Natalie Zea Top Movies & Young Movies