# Susan Kelechi Watson

Susan Kelechi Watson (born November 11, 1981) is an American actress. She is known for her work on the television show Louie and for her role as Beth Pearson in This Is Us. She was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the latter.

## Early life

Watson was born in Brooklyn on November 11, 1981. Her parents were born in Jamaica. Watson's middle name "Kelechi" means "Thank God" in Nigeria's Igbo language. Watson obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program.

## Career

Watson had a recurring role on the television show Louie from 2012 through 2014. She has had recurring roles on NCIS, The Following, and The Blacklist. She appeared in a play at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City by playwright Richard Greenberg entitled A Naked Girl on the Appian Way in 2005. From 2016 to 2022, she starred in the NBC drama series This Is Us as Beth Pearson.
Watson played Andrea Vogel in the Fred Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood alongside Tom Hanks in 2019. In September 2022, she appeared in the European premiere of Eureka Day at The Old Vic theatre in London.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Hack | Paula | Episode: "Extreme Commerce" |
| 2004 | The Jury | Andrea Davis | Episode: "Lamentation on the Reservation" |
| 2004–2005 | Third Watch | Emma St. Claire | 12 episodes |
| 2005 | Law & Order: Trial by Jury | Jill Tolbert | Episode: "Blue Wall" |
| 2007 | Medium | Subordinate | Episode: "Joe Day Afternoon" |
| 2007 | Kidnapped | Elle King | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Private Practice | Beth O'Brien | Episode: "In Which Sam Receives an Unexpected Visitor..." |
| 2007 | Alibi | Genevieve Egan | Television movie |
| 2007–2008 | NCIS | NCIS Intel Analyst Nikki Jardine | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Numb3rs | Nina Hunter | Episode: "Pay to Play" |
| 2004, 2009 | Law & Order | Tanya Ware / Thea Curry | Episodes: "Can I Get a Witness?", "The Drowned and the Saved" |
| 2010 | Futurestates | Tia | Episode: "Tia & Marco" |
| 2011 | Eden | Det. Monica Lopez | Episode: Pilot |
| 2011 | The Good Wife | Lauryn Fisher | Episode: "What Went Wrong" |
| 2013 | Golden Boy | April McGee | Episode: "Vicious Cycle" |
| 2014 | And, We're Out of Time | Diana | Television film |
| 2012–2014 | Louie | Janet | 12 episodes |
| 2014 | Royal Pains | Naomi | Episode: "I Did Not See That Coming" |
| 2013–2016 | The Blacklist | Ellie | 4 episodes |
| 2014 | The Following | Cindy | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Blue Bloods | Detective | Episode: "Sins of the Father" |
| 2015 | Veep | Sue's friend | Episode: "Election Night" |
| 2015 | Happyish | Sandy | Episode: "Starring Rene Descartes, Adweek and HRH the Princess of Arendelle" |
| 2016 | Billions | Wilma 'Billie' Keen | Episode: "YumTime" |
| 2016 | Limitless | Elo | Episode: "Fundamentals of Naked Portraiture" |
| 2016–2022 | This Is Us | Beth Pearson | Main role |
| 2016 | Divorce | Victoria Tuckson | Episode: "Counseling" |
| 2019 | A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood | Andrea Vogel | |
| 2021 | Ada Twist, Scientist | Mom Twist (voice) | Main role |
| 2021 | Rumble | Maggie (voice) | |
| 2022 | Great Performances: Merry Wives | Madam Nkechi Ford | Episode: S49 Ep28 |
| 2024 | Will Trent | Cricket Dawson | S2: Ep1 "Me Llamo Will Trent" |
| 2025 | The Residence | Jasmine Haney | |