Who played Dr. Maeve Donovan in Criminal Minds? Actress’s career and notable projects explored

Matthew Gray Gubler’s character in Criminal Minds has experienced several traumatic events that have changed the course of his life. From being forced to take drugs to being kidnapped or imprisoned, he has faced one of the most tragic arrays of events in his lifetime. However, seeing his own girlfriend die was among the most heartbreaking moments of his life.

Dr. Maeve Donovan, played by Beth Riesgraf, was introduced in Season 8 of Criminal Minds. While she appeared in just six episodes in the procedural series, she is still one of the most beloved characters of Criminal Minds. Apart from the CBS series, the talented actress has also appeared in many more popular TV shows and movies.

Here is a look at Beth Riesgraf’s notable projects.

Who played Dr. Maeve Donovan in Criminal Minds? Actress’s career and notable projects explored

Born on August 24, 1978, in Minnesota, Beth Riesgraf started her career in the industry in 2001. Her first lead role on a TV show came in the same year when she played Loretta in the anthology series Undressed Season 4. The show focuses on the relationships between young adults and depicts frank discussion on topics s*x and identity.

She has also appeared in popular shows such as Spin City and How I Met Your Mother. In 2005, she appeared as Natalie Duckworth in the sitcom My Name Is Earl with her former partner, Jason Lee.

Her biggest break came in 2008, when she appeared in TNT’s action drama series, Leverage, as Parker. The series follows a group of thieves led by Nathan Ford, a former insurance investigator, who carry out heists to fight back against injustice by powerful corporate and government bodies against ordinary people.

Riesgraf’s character, Parker, is one of the members of the team and a thief. However, she is not a regular thief, as Parker is known for her talent in safe-breaking, pickpocketing, and cat-burgluring. While she thrives in carrying out heists with the team, she lacks in building social relationships due to her awkwardness. Her childhood was spent in various foster homes, which left her with an underdeveloped understanding of social cues.

Her teammates tried to teach her how to interact, but failed several times. However, even with limited ability to converse with them, they gradually became an important part of her life, so much so that at the end, Nate made her the leader of the team after his retirement. Riesgraf has been reprising her roles in the revival of the show titled Leverage: Redemption, which premiered in 2021, and has also directed several episodes of the series.

The 47-year-old actress joined Criminal Minds in 2012 and played the character of Maeve Donovan, Reid’s mysterious girlfriend. However, her death at the hands of her stalker, while Reid tried to rescue her. She has later appeared in a couple of episodes in Reid’s dream sequences, and is also regarded as one of the crucial characters in the series, even with limited presence.

Beyond Criminal Minds

Apart from appearing in Criminal Minds, Riesgraf has also been part of numerous other shows, which include Complications, 68 Whiskey, and The Librarians. She has also appeared in Netflix’s popular horror show, Stranger Things Season 3, Legends of Tomorrow, and The Mentalist, among numerous others.

Other than TV shows, the American actress has also displayed her versatile acting prowess in movies such as In Search of Fellini, Intruders, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, among others.

From action thrillers, procedurals to horror, Beth Riesgraf has appeared in projects covering numerous themes and genres. She is also among a few actors who don’t need extended screen times to gain the attention of the viewers. Her performances showcase her remarkable talent, which captivates viewers’ attention even with minimal screen time.

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