Main Content

ODELLE BALLARD Played By Anna Friel

ODELLE BALLARD

Played By Anna Friel

Actor Bio

Anna Friel stars as Sgt. Odelle Ballard on NBC's new action-packed drama "American Odyssey."

Friel just wrapped the quirky comedy "Master Cleanse" and the gritty U.K. feature "Urban," adapted from Bernard Hare's best-selling book of the same name. Other upcoming releases for 2015 include the ambitious European co-production drama "Heavy Water War," in which she plays British Military Intelligence Officer Julie Smith.

Friel's recent work includes the film "Good People," and she enjoyed terrific reviews for her performance in Michael Winterbottom's "The Look of Love," starring alongside Steve Coogan as the wife of infamous British billionaire Paul Raymond. On the stage, Friel received strong notices in Christopher Hampton's critically acclaimed adaptation of "Uncle Vanya" in London's West End.

Other recent work includes "The Pavement Psychiatrist" with Idris Elba and "The Psychopath Next Door."

In 2012, Friel starred in the harrowing three-part U.K. TV project "Without You" as a grief-stricken widow. She also starred in the hard-hitting two-hour probation-service drama "Public Enemies." This followed fantasy drama "Neverland," in which she starred as hard-nosed pirate queen Elizabeth Bonny alongside Rhys Ifans, Bob Hoskins and Keira Knightley.

Friel paired with Knightley previously in 2010 in Oscar winner William Monahan's "London Boulevard." This followed a critically acclaimed performance and a sell-out run as Holly Golightly in Samuel Adamson's new stage adaptation of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London's West End.

Other recent big-screen performances include Neil Burger's "Limitless," with Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, and Woody Allen's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger," alongside Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin and Antonio Banderas. In 2008 Friel received a Golden Globe nomination for her work on the critically acclaimed TV series "Pushing Daisies."

As an ambassador for WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Friel traveled to Africa in 2013 to investigate the threat of oil exploration in World Heritage site Virunga National Park. She met with communities and observed wildlife directly affected by plans to open the park to drilling, including the critically endangered mountain gorilla. On her return, Friel publicly pledged her support for WWF's #SOSVirunga campaign.

We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. By using the site, you consent to these cookies. For more information on cookies including how to manage your consent visit our cookie policy.