# Azie Tesfai

Azie Tesfai is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is known for her television roles, including Jane the Virgin and Supergirl.

## Early life and education

Azalech (Azie) Tesfai was raised in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Eritrean immigrants who grew up in Ethiopia. She is an only child. Tesfai received a degree in business administration from UC Berkeley.. While at Berkeley she began attending auditions and acting classes.

## Career

Tesfai's first role was Cherry Milton in Wicked Wicked Games on MyNetworkTV, where she appeared in 30 episodes over two seasons. She has appeared in Melrose Place, Law & Order: SVU, Franklin & Bash and Royal Pains. In 2014 she was cast as recurring detective Nadine Hanson in the CW's Jane the Virgin. She appeared in season 3 of Silicon Valley in 2016.
She was cast as Kelly Olsen, the sister of DC Comics character James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), on the fourth season of The CW series Supergirl. Prior to her debut appearance in the fourth season, it was announced that Tesfai would be promoted to series regular for the fifth season. She co-wrote episode 12 of the sixth and final season ("Blind Spots"), making her the first Arrowverse actor to receive a writing credit on an Arrowverse series. Through her focus on writing and producing, Tesfai currently has two series in development: The Chase, which landed with Universal Television for NBC, and Sheba a drama series about the first queen on the continent of Africa, which landed at Onyx Collective for Hulu with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media producing.

## Fortuned Culture

Tesfai founded jewelry company Fortuned Culture in Los Angeles. Proceeds from sales help children in developing countries like Mexico, Ethiopia and Cambodia.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006–2007 | Wicked Wicked Games | Cherry Milton | Main (30 episodes) |
| 2007 | Sands of Oblivion | Jamie | (TV Movie) |
| 2008 | The Cleaner | Ananda | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2009 | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead | Zadeska | (Movie) |
| 2009 | Sutures | Kristen | (Movie) |
| 2009–2010 | Melrose Place | Nurse Mandy | Guest (3 episodes) |
| 2010 | Acts of Violence | Betsy | (Movie) |
| 2010 | 15 Minutes | Arora | (TV Movie) |
| 2010 | Nathan vs. Nurture | Julie | (TV Movie) |
| 2011 | Two for Hollywood | Vicky | (Short) |
| 2011 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Kendra | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2012 | Harry's Law | Debbie | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2012 | This American Housewife | Nellie Swift | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2012 | Breakout Kings | Chelsea | Guest (2 episodes) |
| 2014 | Franklin & Bash | Meg | Guest (4 episodes) |
| 2014 | Backlash | Michelle | (Short) |
| 2014–2016 | Jane the Virgin | Nadine Hanson | Recurring (21 episodes, Seasons 1–2) |
| 2015 | Me Him Her | Kempy Blook | (Movie) |
| 2015 | A Kind of Magic | Lacy | (Movie) |
| 2015 | Home & Family | Unknown | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2015 | Royal Pains | Aubrey Wolfhouse | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2016 | Silicon Valley | Dawn Simon | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2016 | Powers | Dr. Michelle Marrs | Recurring (2 episodes) |
| 2016 | Rosewood | Lil Kim | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2016 | Superstore | Naomi | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2017 | Knock Knock Head Lock | Misty Copeland | (Short) |
| 2017 | The Real O'Neals | Heather | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2017 | Ghosted | Kirsten | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2017–2018 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Dana King | Guest (2 episodes) |
| 2018 | The Kominsky Method | Lynda | Guest (2 episodes) |
| 2019–2021 | Supergirl | Kelly Olsen | Recurring (Season 4) Main (Season 5–6) |
| 2020 | The Wretched | Sara | Movie |
| 2021 | A Million Little Things | Cassandra Thomas | Recurring Role (3 episodes) |