April Parker Jones (born March 6, 1976) is an American television actress, best known for her roles as Darcy Hawkins in the CBS post-apocalyptic drama series Jericho from 2006 to 2008,[1] and as Natalie Henning in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera, If Loving You Is Wrong (2014–2020). In 2018, she starred in the CW superhero series, Supergirl as Colonel Lauren Haley.

April Parker Jones
Parker at 2014 Pioneer of African American Achievement Awards Gala
Born (1976-03-06) March 6, 1976 (age 48)
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
Spouse
Joseph J. Jones
(m. 2007)
Children2

Life and career

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Parker was born in Durham, North Carolina and attended North Carolina Central University before moving to New York.[2] After guest-starring role on CSI: Miami, in 2006 she won the series regular role of Darcy Hawkins in the CBS series Jericho.[1] The series was canceled after two seasons and Parker Jones later appeared on Lost, The Unit, NCIS, Scandal, and had recurring roles in 90210 and The Fosters.[1]

In 2014, Parker Jones was cast as one of leads in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera, If Loving You Is Wrong.[3][4][5] She plays the role of Natalie Henning, the single working mother. The series also stars Edwina Findley, Zulay Henao, Heather Hemmens, and Amanda Clayton. In 2015, she also had the recurring role as detective Claire Bryce in the ShondaLand's legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder, and the following year on Lifetime comedy-drama, Devious Maids.

In 2018, Parker starred as Gen. Anita DuFine in the final season of TNT drama series, The Last Ship, and later was cast in a series regular role as Lauren Haley in the fourth season of The CW superhero series, Supergirl.[6][7] In 2022, Parker was cast in a recurring role on the Peacock drama series, Bel-Air,[8] and co-starred opposite Joey King in the romantic drama film The In Between.[9] Later she was cast as title character's mother in the CW series, Tom Swift.[10]

Personal life

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In June 2007, Parker married fellow actor Joseph J. Jones; they have two children together.[2] Their son, Will, died in 2018.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Joy Bayo
2004 Love Aquarium Gayl Short
2007 Spider-Man 3 Test Site Technician
2008 Sleeping Mrs. Winter Short
2010 Nose Candy Jada Short
2011 Have a Little Faith Wilma Covington TV movie
2012 Heaven Heaven Short
2014 Return to Zero Dr. Campbell's Nurse
2022 The In Between Jasmine
Hunther Morgan

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 CSI: Miami Dr. Medby Episode: "Fade Out"
2006–08 Jericho Darcy Hawkins Recurring Cast
2007 ER Joyce Episode: "300 Patients"
2007–08 The Young and the Restless Doctor Regular Cast
2008 Lost Dr. Erica Stevenson Episode: "Something Nice Back Home"
The Unit Principal Green Episode: "Sex Trade" & "The Conduit"
2009 Lie to Me Head Mistress Jonas Episode: "A Perfect Score"
NCIS Elaine Davis Episode: "Bounce"
2009–10 90210 Dana Bowen Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2
2010 NCIS: Los Angeles Susan Brosnan Episode: "Hunted"
The Defenders AAG Rowe Episode: "Nevada v. Dennis"
2011 The Chicago Code Bernadette Prentiss Episode: "St. Valentine's Day Massacre"
Prime Suspect Nancy Episode: "Underwater"
2013 Scandal Doctor Episode: "Truth or Consequences"
Masters of Sex Mrs. Katcher Episode: "Race To Space"
2013–17 The Fosters Captain Roberts Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 4
2014 Legends Special Agent Diane Kitson Episode: "Chemistry"
2014–19 If Loving You Is Wrong Natalie Henning Main Cast: Season 1-4
2015 How to Get Away with Murder Detective Claire Bryce Recurring Cast: Season 1
2016 Mad Dogs Paris Episode: "Needles"
Devious Maids Detective Shaw Recurring Cast: Season 4
2018 The Resident Dr. Jen Kays Recurring Cast: Season 1
The Last Ship Gen. Anita DuFine Main Cast: Season 5
2018–19 Supergirl Lauren Haley Main Cast: Season 4
2019 All American Therapist Episode: "Coming Home"
2019–22 S.W.A.T. Winnie Harrelson Recurring Cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4-5
2022 NCIS: Hawai'i Valerie Dalies Episode: "Spies, Part 1"
Tom Swift Lorraine Swift Main Cast
2022–23 Bel-Air Viola 'Vy' Smith Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2
2023 The Michael Blackson Show Ms. Randolf Main Cast
The Other Black Girl Present Day Kendra Rae Episode: "Down with Disease"
2024 Tracker Dr. Iris Blair Episode: "Ontological Shock"

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Overview for April Parker Jones". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "7 Surprising Facts to Know About Actress April Parker Jones". October 22, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2014-06-05). "OWN Sets Cast For New Tyler Perry Drama Series 'If Loving You Is Wrong'". Deadline. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  4. ^ "OWN Announces Cast for New Drama Series 'If Loving You is Wrong' From Tyler Perry". Shadow and Act. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  5. ^ "Durham native stars in Tyler Perry drama". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (21 July 2018). "'Supergirl' Adds Nicole Maines As Transgender Superhero; April Parker Jones & David Ajala Also Cast – Comic-Con". Deadline. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  7. ^ "'Supergirl' Season 4 Adds April Parker Jones as Series Regular". Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (January 20, 2022). "'Bel-Air': Karrueche Tran, Duane Martin & Joe Holt Among 7 Cast In Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot".
  9. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (April 15, 2021). "'The In Between': April Parker Jones, Celeste O'Connor & Donna Biscoe Join Paramount+ Movie Starring Joey King".
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (February 17, 2022). "'Tom Swift': Marquise Vilsón, April Parker Jones & Albert Mwangi Round Out Series Regular Cast On CW Series".
  11. ^ Thomas, Michael. "If Loving You Is Wrong's April Parker Jones Suffers Heartbreaking Family Loss!".
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