Station 19

How To Recover When You’re On The Precipice Of Quitting

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Jasika Nicole fell in love with performing at a young age. She landed her first audition in fourth grade and went on to grace the stage in school and local theatre productions in her hometown. After graduation, Nicole attended Catawba College in North Carolina, where she continued to nurture her passion for the arts by studying Theatre, Dance, and Studio Art. In 2003, Nicole made the decision to leave the South behind to pursue her musical theatre dreams in New York City, where she showcased her talent in Off Broadway musicals and plays. Eager to hone her craft, Nicole made the decision to head west to Los Angeles in search of opportunities in television and film.

Nicole is perhaps best known for her role as Astrid Farnsworth, an FBI agent turned scientists’ assistant, on the hit FOX series Fringe. The cast also included Joshua Jackson and John Noble. She also made her mark on the small screen with large roles in Scandal and Underground. Other television credits include guest spots on Station 19 and Major Crimes to name just a few.

Nicole showcased her talent on the hit ABC medical drama The Good Doctor. She played Dr. Carly Lever, the head of pathology at St. Bonaventure Hospital, who formed a friendship with Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore). Nicole was upped to a series regular for Season 3, which allowed fans to get to know her character on a deeper level as she navigated the ups and downs of a budding romantic relationship with Dr. Murphy. The storyline made television history as one of the first to explore romance between neurotypical and neurodivergent partners, which earned praise from fans and critics alike.

Things aren’t slowing down for Nicole. She can currently be seen as Cherie’s girlfriend Lauren, a fun-loving and self-assured lawyer on the Punky Brewster reboot. The cast also includes Soleil Moon Frye, reprising her role as Punky, Cherie Johnson and Freddie Prinze Jr. The series is streaming now on Peacock.

In addition to her success onscreen, she has also brought her talent in the world of voiceover. Nicole lent her voice to the popular fictional podcast Welcome to NightVale, which followed the story of a small desert town where conspiracy theories run rampant. Recognizing her natural talent in this medium, the creators started another podcast, Alice Isn’t Dead, specifically with Nicole in mind for the role of narrator Keisha Taylor. The podcast gained such a following that it also became a best-selling novel. Nicole is an Audio Book award winner for her narration of the novel. Nicole has gone on to voice other audiobooks and has also voiced characters on several animated shows.

When she is not acting, Nicole enjoys bringing her creativity to other mediums. She loves to sew and makes her own clothes and shoes, which she shares on her Try Curious blog. The platform allows her to document her process of making and share pattern reviews with her readers. She also loves to knit, make pottery, and is constantly looking for new ways to express herself through new projects. Nicole is also an accomplished writer who has had several personal essays published with various outlets over the years.

Nicole also loves giving back. As a proud queer woman, she is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community. She supports Project Q, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that aims to provide gender affirming haircuts and a safe space for youth to find their identity.

In her spare time, Nicole loves to travel, cook, bake, and draw to name just a few of her favorite activities. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her partner, Claire.

Resources

LINKS:

• WEBSITE: JasikaNicole.com
• IMDB: Jasika Nicole
• INSTAGRAM: @jasikaistrycurious
• TWITTER: @thejasikanicole

QUOTES:

“Being an actor feels like such a privilege, but it’s not a privilege if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing.”

“I try to remember that just because it isn’t on my timeline, doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to happen.”

“Actors have totally different ideas and mottos and ways of working and there’s no right or wrong way.”

VIDEOS:

Credits:

• WRITER: Lizzy Dalla Betta
• SOUND DESIGN: Zachary Jameson
• WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
• ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
• SOCIAL OUTREACH: Bebe Katsenes