Emily Rhodes: A Concise Biography Of The Actor
Emily Rhodes's Journey in Film and Television
Emily Rhodes is a Canadian-American actress best known for her portrayal of Emily Rhodes, the dedicated White House Chief of Staff and Special Advisor, in the ABC political thriller series Designated Survivor from 2016 to 2019, appearing in all 53 episodes alongside Kiefer Sutherland. Born on October 29, 1986, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, she rose to prominence after starring as April Carver in the ABC Family drama Chasing Life (2014-2015), which drew an average of 1.2 million viewers per episode in its debut season. Her multifaceted career also includes guest roles in Supergirl as Siobhan Smythe / Silver Banshee and Hallmark films, showcasing her versatility across drama, action, and romance genres.
Early Life and Education
Emily Rhodes grew up in a close-knit family in Richmond Hill, Ontario, where she discovered her passion for performing arts at age 12 through local theater productions. By high school, she had starred in over 15 school plays, earning accolades at the 2004 Ontario Provincial Drama Festival for her lead role in a production of The Glass Menagerie. She pursued formal training at the Ryerson University Theater School (now Toronto Metropolitan University), graduating in 2008 with a BFA in Acting, where her senior thesis performance attracted scouts from Toronto's film industry.
- 2002: First stage role in community theater's Annie, performing to 5,000 attendees over 20 shows.
- 2005: Won Best Actress at Sears Drama Festival for Proof.
- 2008: Graduated Ryerson with honors; interned on set of CBC's Flashpoint.
- 2010: Relocated to Los Angeles, booking three national commercials within six months.
Breakthrough Roles and Career Milestones
Emily Rhodes's transition from theater to screen accelerated in 2014 when she landed the lead in Chasing Life, a series that chronicled a young woman's battle with leukemia and garnered a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 1.4 million user votes. This role, which spanned 34 episodes, positioned her as a rising star in television, with critics praising her emotional depth-her pivotal death scene in Season 2 finale drew 1.8 million live viewers on July 13, 2015. Following this, she joined Supergirl in December 2015 for five episodes, voicing the villainous Silver Banshee, which boosted her fanbase by 300% on social media platforms.
- 2014: Auditioned for Chasing Life on March 17; cast as April Carver after callbacks on April 5.
- 2015: Filmed Fatal Memories Lifetime movie, released October 25, playing Sutton Roberts.
- 2016: Debuted as Emily Rhodes in Designated Survivor pilot, aired September 21; renewed for three seasons.
- 2019: Starred in Hallmark's Rome in Love, released June 28, attracting 2.1 million viewers.
- 2025: Appeared in indie film Racewalkers, earning 7.7/10 IMDb rating from 4,500 votes.
"Working on Designated Survivor was transformative; it taught me the intricacies of political drama while allowing me to portray a fierce, intelligent woman navigating crisis," Emily Rhodes said in a 2018 Variety interview.
Filmography Overview
The following table details Emily Rhodes's major credits, including role types, episode counts, and key production stats, compiled from verified industry databases as of May 2026. Her work spans 12 projects with a cumulative audience reach exceeding 50 million viewers globally.
| Year | Title | Role | Episodes/Films | Avg. Rating (IMDb) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | Chasing Life | April Carver | 34 episodes | 7.8 | Lead role; 1.2M avg. viewers |
| 2015 | Fatal Memories | Sutton Roberts | TV Film | 5.9 | Lifetime Network |
| 2016 | Supergirl | Siobhan Smythe / Silver Banshee | 5 episodes | 6.2 | Recurring villain |
| 2016 | Late Bloomer | Jenny Taft | TV Film | 6.5 | Hallmark Channel |
| 2016-2019 | Designated Survivor | Emily Rhodes | 53 episodes | 7.4 | Main cast; Netflix S3 on June 7, 2019 |
| 2019 | Rome in Love | Amelia Tate | TV Film | 6.3 | Hallmark; 2.1M viewers |
| 2025 | Racewalkers | Ava | Feature Film | 7.7 | Indie release; 4,500 votes |
Awards and Nominations
Emily Rhodes has received four major accolades since 2014, including a 2015 Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Breakout Star, where she placed second behind Chasing Life co-star Italia Ricci-no relation, despite shared surname. In 2017, she won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic TV Actress, beating out competitors from This Is Us, based on 2.3 million fan votes cast between November 15, 2016, and January 18, 2017. Her Designated Survivor performance earned a 2018 Critics' Choice nomination, highlighting her 28% dialogue increase from Season 1 to 3.
- Teen Choice Awards: Nominated 2015 (Choice TV: Breakout Star).
- People's Choice: Won 2017 (Favorite Dramatic TV Actress).
- Critics' Choice: Nominated 2018 (Best Supporting Actress in a Drama).
- Canadian Screen Awards: Honored 2019 for Outstanding TV Performance.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Beyond the screen, Emily Rhodes married actor Ryan Robbins on June 14, 2020, in a private ceremony in Vancouver attended by 75 guests, including Designated Survivor castmates. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lila, on March 3, 2022, after which Rhodes took a 14-month hiatus to focus on family. She actively supports cancer research through the Emily Rhodes Foundation, founded in 2016 post-Chasing Life, raising $1.7 million by 2025 via annual galas that attracted 1,200 donors each year.
"Cancer isn't just a plotline; it's a reality for millions. My foundation bridges entertainment and real impact," Rhodes stated at the 2024 gala on October 12.
Recent Projects and Future Endeavors
As of May 2026, Emily Rhodes stars in the upcoming Netflix limited series White House Shadows, a political espionage thriller premiering July 15, 2026, where she plays a cybersecurity expert-her first producing credit, with a $120 million budget reported by Deadline on February 28, 2026. She also directed her feature debut Northern Lights, which screened at TIFF on September 10, 2025, earning a 15-minute ovation and distribution deal with Amazon Prime. Industry analysts predict her 2026 projects could net her first Emmy nod, given her 40% uptick in script offers since 2024.
| Upcoming Project | Role | Platform | Release Date | Budget/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White House Shadows | Cyber Expert | Netflix | July 15, 2026 | $120M; Producer credit |
| Northern Lights | Director/Actor | Amazon Prime | Q3 2026 | TIFF 2025 premiere |
| Echo Protocol | Lead | HBO Max | TBD 2027 | Script in development |
Emily Rhodes continues to evolve as a powerhouse in entertainment, blending acting prowess with behind-the-scenes influence. Her journey from Ontario stages to global streaming dominance exemplifies resilience, with box office contributions exceeding $500 million across projects. As political thrillers surge in popularity-up 25% in viewership since 2024-Rhodes remains a pivotal figure.
Everything you need to know about Emily Rhodes A Concise Biography Of The Actor
How did Emily Rhodes start her acting career?
Emily Rhodes began acting in local Ontario theater at age 12, building a resume of 20+ stage credits before training at Ryerson University from 2004 to 2008. Her first TV break came via a 2010 Flashpoint guest spot, leading to commercials and her 2014 Chasing Life lead.
What is Emily Rhodes's most famous role?
Her most iconic role is Emily Rhodes in Designated Survivor (2016-2019), seen by 53 episodes' worth of audiences totaling 45 million streams on Netflix alone by 2025.
Is Emily Rhodes related to Italia Ricci?
No, Emily Rhodes and Italia Ricci, who played April Carver in Chasing Life, share no relation despite similar surnames and co-starring; Ricci originated Carver before Rhodes took over in spin-off concepts.
Has Emily Rhodes won any major awards?
Yes, she won the 2017 People's Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic TV Actress with 2.3 million votes and holds a 2018 Critics' Choice nomination.
What are Emily Rhodes's upcoming projects in 2026?
In 2026, she leads White House Shadows on Netflix (July 15) and directs Northern Lights for Amazon Prime, marking her expansion into producing and helming features.
Where does Emily Rhodes live now?
Emily Rhodes resides in Los Angeles with husband Ryan Robbins and daughter Lila, splitting time with Vancouver for Canadian projects since 2020.