ERIKA CHRISTENSEN/ Dana Harper McPherson

Recent Mercy guest star Erika Christensen has established herself as one of Hollywood's most talented and sought-after young actresses.

Christensen was last seen starring opposite Jonathan Tucker and Sarah Michelle Gellar in "Veronika Decides to Die" directed by award-winning director Emily Young. This drama tells the story of a young woman's failed attempt to commit suicide, which leaves her with only a week to live and discover what was missing from her life.

Christensen also recently starred in Andrew Jenkin's "How to Rob a Bank" opposite Nick Stahl and appeared in Kevin Connolly's directorial debut "The Gardener of Eden" opposite Lukas Haas and Giovanni Ribisi.

Christensen stunned audiences in Steven Soderbergh's Oscar and Golden Globe winning film "Traffic" as Michael Douglas' drug addicted daughter. She, along with the cast, received a Screen Actors Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture." Additionally, Christensen won MTV's "Breakthrough Female Performance" Award at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards.

Christensen also starred in Robert Schwentke's blockbuster hit, "Flight Plan," opposite Jodie Foster and Peter Sarsgaard. She also starred in Mike Binder's critically acclaimed film "The Upside of Anger" opposite Kevin Costner, Joan Allen, Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell and Alicia Witt.

Next she starred in John Polson's high school thriller "Swimfan" opposite Jesse Bradford. Additionally, she starred in Brian Robbins' "The Perfect Score" opposite Scarlett Johansson and in Bob Dolman's "The Banger Sisters" opposite Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn.

On the small screen, Christensen was most recently seen opposite Hope Davis, Jay Hernandez, Bridget Moynahan, and Campbell Scott in J.J. Abram's television series "6 Degrees."

Christensen received the Spirit Award at the 2003 Annual Diversity Awards, an honor bestowed upon an actor who has demonstrated diversity in role choices during his/her career.

Christensen resides in Los Angeles.