Zoe McLellan — Acting | Biography, Movies & Career

Biography

Zoe McLellan (born November 6, 1974) is an American actress known for roles in JAG, Dirty Sexy Money, NCIS: New Orleans and Designated Survivor.

McLellan was born in La Jolla, California, and raised in Washington. In 1992, she was homecoming queen at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Washington. In 1995, she began her career on television, appearing over the next five years on episodes of Sliders, Diagnosis: Murder, and Star Trek: Voyager. In 2000, McLellan had her first major movie role, in the fantasy film Dungeons & Dragons. In 2001, McLellan joined the cast of CBS procedural JAG, in a recurring role as Navy Petty Officer Jennifer Coates. For the final season of the show she was elevated to series regular. After the series ended, McLellan was cast as the wife of Peter Krause's character, in the ABC soapy comedy-drama series Dirty Sexy Money. The series was canceled after two seasons in 2009. McLellan later guest-starred on House and The Mentalist, and also had roles in Lifetime TV movies. In 2014, she began playing the female leading role in the CBS procedural drama NCIS: New Orleans. In July 2016, it was reported that she would not return for season three. In 2017, McLellan was cast in a series regular role in the second season of ABC's Designated Survivor as White House Counsel Kendra Daynes.

McLellan was married to actor Jean-Pierre Guy Gillain until 2016. They have a son. In April 2019, McLellan allegedly disappeared with her son Sebastian amid a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband, Jean-Pierre "J.P." Gillain. Gillian reported that he had not seen or heard from McLellan and their son since that time. In May 2021, a felony warrant for kidnapping was issued for McLellan, with charges including child custody deprivation and child stealing. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children lists Sebastian as missing since April 16, 2019, and indicates that he was allegedly abducted by his mother. Despite the warrant, she has not been located, and her whereabouts remain unknown.