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
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Erskine on the set of Heartbeat (2016)
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Born | Maya Nigatawa Erskine (1987-05-07) May 7, 1987 (age 37)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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Education | New York University (BFA) |
Occupation(s) | Actress, writer |
Years active | 2010–present |
Spouse | Michael Angarano (c. 2023) |
Children | 1 |
Parent |
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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]
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. She is recognized by Gold House as the A100 Honoree.[13]
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.[14][15] In 2024, Erskine revealed that she and Angarano had married.[16] In April 2024, Erskine announced her second pregnancy.[17]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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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[18] |
2025 | Wildwood | Darla Thennis | Voice role; in production |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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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–present | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Jane Smith | Title role |
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