Background
Stanchfield was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska, where her father was a commercial fisherman.
Stanchfield was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska, where her father was a commercial fisherman.
She attended the University of Puget Sound, graduating in 1993 with a degree in Communications and a minor in theater. She graduated from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
She is best known for her role as Abby Whelan in the American Broadcasting Company political drama series, Scandal (2012–present). Stanchfield is also known for roles as April Green in the Columbia Broadcasting System post-apocalyptic drama series, Jericho (2006-2007), and as Helen Bishop in the Administrative Management College period drama series, Mad Men (2007-2008). She later moved to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands, and finally Mercer Island, near Seattle.
Stanchfield began her career in theater, and made her screen debut in the episode of Columbia Broadcasting System crime drama, Diagnosis: Murder in 2000.
Stanchfield was regular cast member in the Columbia Broadcasting System post-apocalyptic drama series, Jericho as April Green. She starred on show from 2006 to 2007.
In 2007 she played Amelia Joffe (replacing Annie Wersching for two weeks in May) in the American Broadcasting Company daytime soap opera, General Hospital. She later was cast in the recurring role as Helen Bishop in the critically acclaimed Administrative Management College period drama series, Mad Men.
She played Shannon Gibbs, Mark Harmon"s character first wife, in the Columbia Broadcasting System procedural NCIS from 2006 to 2012.
Stanchfield also guest starred as Meredith, the title character"s first ex-wife, on the American Broadcasting Company comedy-drama series, Castle in 2009 and in 2013. In film, she had the female lead role opposite Josh Duhamel in the 2004 adaptation of Oscar Wilde"s The Picture of Dorian Gray, and co-starred as Nathan Fillion"s character wife in the comedy-drama Waitress (2007). In addition, Stanchfield appeared in a number of independent films.
In March, 2011 Shonda Rhimes cast Stanchfield in her political drama series, Scandal.
Before Scandal, Stanchfield had guest role on Shonda Rhimes" Private Practice in 2008. The series debuted on American Broadcasting Company on April 5, 2012 and in the second season rose to become one of the most high-rated dramas on television
She plays the role of Abby Whelan, the investigator in the lead character firm, and later the White House Press Secretary. Stanchfield was regular cast member as of pilot episode, but had major storylines only in fourth season.