Maya Erskine

Maya Erskine (born May 7, 1987) is an American actress, singer and writer. She is known for her roles as Maggie in Man Seeking Woman,[1] Mikki in Betas, and Mizu in Blue Eye Samurai. From 2019 to 2021, she starred in Hulu's original TV comedy series PEN15 alongside Anna Konkle;[2] the duo, who co-created, co-wrote, and co-executive produced the series, played fictional versions of their 13-year-old selves.[3] The series received critical acclaim and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2024, she began starring as Jane Smith in the Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Maya Erskine
Erskine on the set of Heartbeat (2016)
Born (1987-05-07) May 7, 1987
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationNew York University (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, writer
Years active2010–present
SpouseMichael Angarano (c. 2023)
Children1
Parent

Early life and education

Erskine was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of Mutsuko Nigatawa and jazz drummer Peter Erskine.[4] Her mother is Japanese, from Tokyo. Her mother also plays the role of her character's mother on PEN15.[5]

Erskine attended Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences[5] and graduated from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.[6] She then attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts.[7] Erskine initially studied musical theater but shifted to the school's Experimental Theater Wing.[8] During her time at NYU, she met Anna Konkle while they were both studying abroad at a theater program in Amsterdam.[9][10]

Career

Erskine has performed with the Los Angeles–based theater groups the East West Players[11] and the Geffen Playhouse.[12] In 2019, she appeared in Amy Poehler's directorial debut, Wine Country, opposite a slate of comedians including Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Rachel Dratch.[4] The same year, she began starring in the Hulu series PEN15, which she created with Konkle. She received two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series nominations for her work on the series.

Personal life

In September 2019, she confirmed her relationship with actor Michael Angarano. On November 2, 2020, the couple revealed they were engaged and expecting a child. Their son was born in 2021.[13][14] In 2024, Erskine revealed that she and Angarano had married.[15] In April 2024, Erskine announced her second pregnancy.[16]

Filmography
Maya Erskine film work
Year Title Role Notes
2015 Frankenstein Wanda
2018 6 Balloons Cameron
When Jeff Tried to Save the World Samantha
2019 Plus One Alice Mori
Wine Country Jade
2020 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Maya
Scoob! Judy Takamoto Voice role
2022 DC League of Super-Pets Mercy Graves Voice role
2024 Sacramento TBA Post-production[17]
2025 Wildwood Darla Thennis Voice role; in production
Maya Erskine television work
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Hart of Dixie Nessie 2 episodes
Project Reality Miniseries
High School USA! Student Voice role, 4 episodes
2013–2014 Betas Mikki Main cast
2014 Next Time on Lonny Charika Episode: "Lonny is Famous"
2015 Stone Quackers various Voice role, 2 episodes
Man Seeking Woman Maggie Main cast (season 1)
Big Time in Hollywood, FL Venice Episode: "What Dreams May Come"
2016 Heartbeat Ji-Sung Main cast
Son of Zorn April Lee Episode: "A Taste of Zephyria"
2016–2017 Insecure Diane Nakamura Recurring role (seasons 1–2)
2017 Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special Susan TV special
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Ginny 3 episodes
2017–2018 Casual Rae Recurring role (seasons 3–4)
2019–2021 PEN15 Maya Ishii-Peters Main cast, also creator, writer, and executive producer
2020 BoJack Horseman Ivy Tran Voice role, episode: "Good Damage"
Robot Chicken College Girl #4 Voice role, episode: "Buster Olive in: The Monkey Got Closer Overnight"
Big Mouth Cafeteria Girl Misha Voice role, episode: "Cafeteria Girls"
2020–2021 Crossing Swords Princess Blossom Recurring voice role
2020–2022 Bob's Burgers Kaylee Voice role, 3 episodes
2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi Sully Stark Miniseries, 3 episodes
2023–present Blue Eye Samurai Mizu Main cast, voice role
2024 Mr. & Mrs. Smith Jane Smith Title role

References
  1. "'Man Seeking Woman's Maya Erskine on "Dating Hitler"". Kore Asian Media. April 30, 2015. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  2. Davis, Allison P. (February 14, 2019). "How PEN15 Made Two 30-Year-Olds Look 13". The Cut. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  3. Villarreal, Yvonne (February 8, 2019). "'PEN15' creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle on playing their uncool 13-year-old selves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  4. Tauer, Kristen (May 10, 2019). "Maya Erskine Breaks Out With a Little Help From Her Friends". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  5. Fallon, Kevin (May 1, 2019). "Maya Erskine Is About to Be Hollywood's Biggest Comedy Star". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  6. "SM Drama Student Wins Major Award". Santa Monica Mirror. July 20, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  7. "The Classical Studio Alumni". New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  8. Wetmore, Brendan (March 13, 2019). "'PEN15' Stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle in Conversation". Paper. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  9. Carlin, Shannon (February 15, 2019). "How Re-Living The Horrors Of Middle School Changed The Stars Of 'PEN15' For The Better". Bustle. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  10. Villarreal, Yvonne (February 8, 2019). "'PEN15' creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle on playing their uncool 13-year-old selves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  11. Yap, Audrey Cleo (April 13, 2016). "Celebrating Its 50th Theatre Season, East West Players Looks to the Future". NBC News. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  12. "Media Center Cast". Geffen Playhouse. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  13. Mizoguchi, Karen (November 2, 2020). "Maya Erskine Is Pregnant and Engaged! PEN15 Star and Michael Angarano Expecting Their First Child". People. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  14. VanHoose, Benjamin; Ushe, Naledi (May 7, 2021). "Pen15 Star Maya Erskine and Fiancé Michael Angarano Welcome First Child". People. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  15. Gibson, Keslie (February 5, 2024). "Maya Erskine and Michael Angarano's Relationship: All About the Actors' Marriage". People. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  16. "Maya Erskine and Husband Michael Angarano Expecting Second Baby Together: 'Baby Sister Coming This Summer'". Peoplemag. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  17. Padilla, Cecilio (May 25, 2023). ""Sacramento" film wrapping up production: Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of stars at these spots". CBS News. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
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