Molly Kathleen Burnett (born April 23, 1988)[1][2] is an American actress, singer and producer. She has been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards: twice for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series, and once for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series.

Molly Burnett
Born
Molly Kathleen Burnett

(1988-04-23) April 23, 1988 (age 36)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, producer
Years active2007–present

Burnett is known for playing Melanie Jonas on the soap opera Days of Our Lives (2008–2012, 2014–2016), Kelly Ann on the crime drama series Queen of the South (2017–2021), and Grace Muncy on the crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2022–2023).

Early life

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Burnett is the first born child of Katie and David Burnett, and was raised in the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colorado along with her younger brother Will. While attending Littleton High School, she took on numerous roles at both school and theater companies in the greater Denver area. Her credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Noises Off, and the title role in Annie.[2] After graduating with honors from Littleton High School, Burnett enrolled at Wagner College, a private liberal arts school on Staten Island.[1]

Career

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In 2008, Burnett landed the role of heroine Melanie Jonas on the daytime serial Days of Our Lives.[1] In 2012, she left daytime television to pursue other roles, landing guest spots on such prime time series as CSI: NY and Major Crimes. She also landed her first movie role, portraying Ashley Bloom in the MTV Original Film Ladies Man: A Made Movie, as well as the role of Justine Gable in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film This Magic Moment. In late 2015, Burnett appeared in the multi-episode role of Nina Moore on CSI: Cyber. Burnett's indie film credits include the roles of Lex in the sci-fi thriller Ctrl+Alt+Del, Lisa in The Wedding Party, and of Southern Belle Kate Stenson in Shattered.[citation needed]

Burnett returned to Days of Our Lives for a six-month stint in late 2014.[3] In mid-2016, she temporarily played the role of Maxie Jones on the daytime serial General Hospital.[4] In mid-2018, Burnett once again stepped in for an ailing Kirsten Storms on General Hospital as Maxie Jones.[5][6] From 2017 to 2021, Burnett played Kelly Ann on USA Network's Queen of the South. In 2022, she began recurring as Detective Grace Muncy, on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, for the show's 24th season, before being promoted to series regular beginning with the season's seventh episode. On May 19, 2023, it was announced that Burnett would be leaving the series after only one season.[7]

Filmography

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Film

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List of film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Ladies Man: A Made Movie Ashley Bloom
2014 Parking Sarah
2015 Hiker Brooke Ferrio
2016 Ctrl Alt Delete Lex
2016 The Wedding Party Lisa
2017 Mommy I Didn't Do It Gail Saverin
2017 Shattered Kate Stinson

Television

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List of television roles and appearances
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Life Josie Episode: "Serious Control Issues"
2008–2012,
2014–2016
Days of Our Lives Melanie Layton Kiriakis Jonas Main role
2009–2014 True Blood Amanda Jane Episode: "Keep This Party Going"
2010 Good Luck Charlie Madison Episode: "Boys Meet Girls"
2011–2012 Venice: The Series Sarah Main role; web series
2012 CSI: NY Molly Byrne Episode: "Slainte"
2012 Cameras Molly Main role; web series
2013 Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous Deb Episode: "Zach Stone Is Gonna Be The Zacthelor"
2013 Major Crimes Kim Riley Episode: "Jailbait"
2013 This Magic Moment Justine Gable Television film
2013 Addicts Anonymous Haley Meyers Main role; web series
2013, 2015 Jessie Darla Shannon Episodes: "GI Jessie", "A Close Shave"
2015 Longmire Sarah Episode: "Four Arrows"
2016, 2018 General Hospital Maxie Jones Temporary replacement; 11 episodes[4][5][6][8]
2016–2017 Relationship Status Laura Episodes: "The Good Guy", "The Match", "The Ring Bearer"
2015–2016 CSI: Cyber Nina Moore Recurring role; 4 episodes
2017–2021 Queen of the South Kelly Anne Van Awken Recurring role; 21 episodes
2018 The Love in the Attic: A True Story Dolly Oesterreich Television film
2022 Chicago P.D. Raquel Landry Episode: "Fool's Gold"
2022–2023 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Detective Grace Muncy Main role
2023 Law & Order: Organized Crime Detective Grace Muncy Episode: "With Many Names"

Music videos

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Awards and nominations

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List of awards and nominations received by Molly Burnett
Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Daytime Emmy Award 2010 Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series Days of Our Lives Nominated [9]
2012 Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series Days of Our Lives Nominated [10]
2018 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series Relationship Status Nominated [11]

References

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  1. ^ a b Rabinowitz, Naomi (October 21, 2008). "Focus on ... Molly Burnett". Soap Opera Digest. 33 (#43). United States: American Media Inc.: 68.
  2. ^ a b Husted, Bill (June 20, 2009). "Husted: Colorado girls dream big, dazzle stage and screen". The Denver Post. Denver: Digital First Media. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  3. ^ "Exclusive: Molly Burnett Dishes Her Return to Days of Our Lives". TV Guide. November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Giddens, Jamey (May 27, 2016). "It's Official: Molly Burnett Steps in For Kirsten Storms at General Hospital". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  5. ^ a b SOD (May 18, 2018). "EXCLUSIVE! MOLLY BURNETT FILLS IN FOR GH'S STORMS". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media Inc. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Soaps SheKnows (May 18, 2018). "Molly Burnett temporarily fills in for Kirsten Storms". Soaps.com. United States: SheKnows Media. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  7. ^ Roots, Kimberly (May 19, 2023). "Law & Order: SVU's Molly Burnett Leaving Ahead of Season 25". TVLine. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Mason, Charlie (May 27, 2016). "General Hospital: Kirsten Storms' Maxie Recast Temporarily With Days Vet". TVLine. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  9. ^ "The 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". New York City: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  10. ^ "Daytime Emmy Award - 2012 nominations". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. North Hollywood, Los Angeles. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  11. ^ "Daytime Emmy Nominations: General Hospital Leads Programs & CBS Tops Networks". Deadline Hollywood. March 21, 2018.
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