Jayne Atkinson is an British-American actress who has worked in film, theatre, and television
Background
Jayne Atkinson was born in Bournemouth, Dorset, England, but her family moved to the United States in 1968 when she was 9 years old. She grew up in Hollywood, Florida and graduated from Pine Crest School where she was elected Homecoming Queen in 1977.
Education
She attended Northwestern University (Bachelor Communications, 1981), where she was initiated as a member of Alpha Chi Omega and a sorority sister of Laura Innes. And the Yale Drama School.
Career
She is also known for appearing in the Columbia Broadcasting System drama Criminal Minds as BAU Section Chief Erin Strauss and in the Netflix political drama House of Cards as United States Secretary of State Catherine Durant. After working in regional theatres, Atkinson appeared off-Broadway in the Manhattan Theatre Club"s production of Bloody Poetry in 1987. She made her Broadway debut the same year in a revival of Arthur Miller"s All My Sons.
Subsequently, she landed title roles in more stage productions, which include Henry VIII, Tru, and The Art of Success.
She has appeared in such films as Free Willy, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, 12 and Holding, Blank Check, The Village and Syriana. Her performance in the made-for-television movie Our Town garnered her a Satellite Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.