Italia Ricci (born October 29, 1986 ) is a Canadian-American actress. She is known for starring as April Carver in the 2014–2015 ABC Family television series Chasing Life, for playing Siobhan Smythe / Silver Banshee in Supergirl from 2015 to 2016 and for playing White House Chief of Staff and Special Advisor Emily Rhodes in the television drama series Designated Survivor from 2016 to 2019.

Early life and education

Italia Ricci was born Stephanie-Italia Ricci in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and is of Italian descent. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts and Science in 2008 from Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario), where she undertook charitable work for causes such as Water Can, a non-profit organization creating waterholes in Africa. Ricci was a Stand Up To Cancer ambassador and supporter of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Career

Ricci made her major acting debut in 2007, in the American Pie direct-to-video film, Beta House. She then went on to have a recurring role on the Disney XD series Aaron Stone. In 2006, Ricci also appeared in the music video Hate (I Really Don't Like You) by Plain White T's as the ex-girlfriend. During 2009, Ricci began appearing in American productions with minor roles in How I Met Your Mother, House, and Greek. During that same year, she had a recurring role in the Comedy Central series Secret Girlfriend as Sasha. In 2010, she co-starred in the Cartoon Network live-action series Unnatural History as Maggie Winnock. She also appeared in a Clean & Clear commercial as herself. In 2011, she appeared in the short film Valediction. In 2013, Ricci appeared in a small role in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut film Don Jon. From 2014 to 2015, she starred as April Carver in the ABC Family series Chasing Life. Ricci joined the cast of Supergirl in December 2015 as Siobhan Smythe / Silver Banshee. In September 2016, Ricci joined the ABC political drama Designated Survivor, as Emily Rhodes. The show was renewed by Netflix for a third season which was released on June 7, 2019 but was not renewed by Netflix for a fourth season. She has also appeared in films for the Hallmark Channel, including Rome in Love and Love in Winterland. In 2022, Ricci starred in The Imperfects as Dr. Sydney Burke. The ten-episode first season premiered on Netflix on September 8 in the United States. In 2023, Ricci started in the Hallmark Channel film Catch Me If You Claus.

Personal life

Ricci began dating Canadian actor Robbie Amell in July 2008 after meeting whilst filming American Pie Presents: Beta House. They became engaged on August 19, 2014, and were married on October 15, 2016. Their first child, a son, was born in September 2019. Ricci and Amell both became United States citizens in January 2020.

Filmography

Film

Television