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Abigail Spencer

Abigail Spencer

Actor, also producer · Born August 4, 1981 (45) · Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA

Abigail Leigh Spencer (born August 4, 1981) is an American actress known for her roles in several television series. A native of Florida, she began her career on the ABC daytime television soap opera All My Children playing Rebecca Tyree from 1999 to 2001, before going on to star in the short-lived Lifetime crime drama series Angela's Eyes (2006). Spencer has appeared in films such as In My Sleep (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), This Means War (2012), Chasing Mavericks (2012), The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia (2013), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and This Is Where I Leave You (2014). On television, she has had recurring roles on Mad Men, Hawthorne, and Suits. From 2013 to 2016, Spencer starred as Amantha Holden in the SundanceTV drama series Rectify, for which she received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination. In 2016, Spencer began playing the leading role of history professor Lucy Preston in the NBC series Timeless.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 4, 1981 (45)
From
Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
45 on MovieCove · 57 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 2% in 30 days

What are Abigail Spencer's films like?

Across their 26 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
38%
Bonds
25%
Survival
13%
Morality
10%
Society
6%
Ideas
6%
Power
2%
Identity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 11 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 8 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 2

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 10 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 11 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 11
Ally
3 of 11
Herald
1 of 11
Threshold guardian
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
12
Tense
10
Contemplative
8
Warm
7
Bittersweet
7
Other
25

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet15
  • Ambiguous6

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Abigail Spencer's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 45 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Abigail Spencer's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

57 credits, 45 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Clean Hands(2026)

    as Dana

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Best Medicine(2026)

    Show 14 episodes · as Louisa Glasson

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The Actor(2025)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Extended Family(2023)

    Show 13 episodes · as Julia Mariano

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Shatter Belt(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Producer · as Ramina

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • The Jennifer Hudson Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rebel(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Dr. Misha Nelson

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Reprisal(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Doris Dearie / Katherine Harlow

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Wayne(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Donna Luccetti

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Buttons, A New Musical Film(2018)

    as Annabelle (Adult)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • 9-1-1(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Detective Amber Braeburn

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Sweet Life(2016)

    as Lolita

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Three Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Madeline

  • Timeless(2016)

    Show 26 episodes · as Lucy Preston

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • A Walk in Winter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Abigail

  • H8RZ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Laura Sedgewick

  • A Beautiful Now(2015)

    as Romy

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards(2015)

    as Abigail

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Winter Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Producer

  • The Forger(2014)

    as DEA Agent Catherine Paisley

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • This Is Where I Leave You(2014)

    as Quinn Altman

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • True Detective(2014)

    Show 7 episodes · as Gena Brune

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Rectify(2013)

    Show 30 episodes · as Amantha Holden

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Kilimanjaro(2013)

    as Yvonne

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Oz the Great and Powerful(2013)

    as May

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia(2013)

    as Lisa Wyrick

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Chasing Mavericks(2012)

    as Brenda Hesson

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Burning Love(2012)

    Show 28 episodes · as Annie

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • This Means War(2012)

    as Katie

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Cowboys & Aliens(2011)

    as Alice

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Suits(2011)

    Show 15 episodes · as Dana Scott

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • How to Be a Gentleman(2011)

    Show as Lydia

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • The Glades(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Ashley Carter

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • In My Sleep(2010)

    as Gwen

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Rex Is Not Your Lawyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Lindsey Steers

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah Reed

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Childrens Hospital(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief in Her 20s · as Maxine Spratt · as Young Cheif

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Jekyll(2007)

    as Talia Carew

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Moonlight(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Simone Walker

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Private Practice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Rachel

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Mad Men(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Suzanne Farrell

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Backyards & Bullets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • The Wedding Bells (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Angela's Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 13 episodes · as Angela Clinton

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Cindy Brown

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Killer Instinct (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • How I Met Your Mother(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Carol

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Phillipa Fitz

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Fathers and Sons(2005)

    as Clarissa

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 15 episodes · as Megan Hunt

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Truth and Dare(2003)

    as Skye

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Campfire Stories(2001)

    as Melissa

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Becky Lester

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Megan

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Michelle Burns

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Here and Now (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles, 55 of them dated from 1990 to 2026; peak year 2013.

Biggest box office

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

$493M worldwide

Highest rated

Rectify (2013)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Timeless (2016)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19902026

Peak 2013 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 56: 54 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thProducing2 of 56: 2 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

1990s1 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s28 · 27 acting · 1 crew2020s7 · 6 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 0% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Abigail Spencer's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 33rd percentile, the median of all 19; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 32nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 45 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 45 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Buttons, A New Musical Film (2018)

85th percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

True Detective (2014)

Midcredits 98th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Abigail Spencer's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles28–53 · median 46 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles11–56 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles14–79 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles22–48 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles26–75 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Abigail Spencer work with?

People who share at least 2 of Abigail Spencer's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Zach Braff shares the most, 2.

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles