Sarah Wayne Callies has made an indelible impression on television audiences by portraying strong, independent women in adverse circumstances. Most recently, Callies starred as ‘Lori Grimes’ in the highly acclaimed AMC series “The Walking Dead,” about a group of survivors navigating a post-apocalyptic world. Her character was the emotional center of the story as she sought to protect her family. “The Walking Dead” premiered in October 2010 and garnered the largest number of viewers for any series premiere that year. Additionally, the show was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 2011 for Best Television Series – Drama. The second season of “The Walking Dead” premiered in October 2011 and broke cable records with 7.3 million viewers. The midseason premiere later broke that record with 8.1 million viewers.

Sarah is also an IRC Voice for the International Rescue Committee and works to bring attention to the humanitarian needs of refugees and others affected by war and natural disaster.

Throughout her career, Sarah Wayne Callies has moved between television, film and theatre with ease, quickly establishing herself as a talent to watch.

Callies will soon be seen in “Black November,” directed by Nigerian filmmaker, Jeta Amata. She stars as ‘Kate Summers’ alongside Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Anne Heche, Akon and Wyclef Jean. The movie depicts the fragility of the oil producing regions in the Niger Delta and the Nigerian Government’s tireless efforts to find a durable solution to this problem. “Black November” premiered at the Library of Congress, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC and most recently, the film was screened in September 2012 for the United Nations. The film is scheduled for release on December 7, 2012.

Callies recently wrapped production on “Black Sky” in Detroit with director, Steven Quayle. In the span of a single day, the town of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes. The film tells the story through the eyes and lenses of professional storm chasers, thrill-seeking amateurs, and courageous townspeople. The film is scheduled for a 2013 release.

From 2005 to 2009, Callies starred in the hit Fox television drama “Prison Break,” as ‘Dr. Sara Tancredi,’ a prison doctor and the love interest of the protagonist and prisoner, ‘Michael Scofield,’ played by Wentworth Miller. The show aired four seasons and in 2006, won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite New Television Drama and that same year was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Dramatic Television Series.

Prior to “Prison Break,” Callies had multiple recurring roles such as ‘Kate O’Malley’ on the CBS series “Queens Supreme,” which aired from 2003-2005, and as ‘Jane’ in the Warner Brothers series “Tarzan” from producer Laura Ziskin. In addition, Callies starred in and co-produced CBC pilot “Tangled.”

In 2011, Callies starred in the independent feature film “Foreverland” where she stars opposite Juliette Lewis. The drama is centered on a dying man with cystic fibrosis who goes in search of a healing shrine in Mexico with the sister of his fallen friend.

In 2010, Callies starred opposite Rupert Friend and Forest Whitaker in “Lullaby for Pi,” a film about a washed-up musician who befriends a reclusive artist with an unusual name. This film gave Callies the opportunity to highlight her passion for music by contributing to the soundtrack, writing and performing an original song for the film.

In 2006, Callies made her feature film debut as the female lead in the adaptation of James Redfield’s international, best-selling novel, “The Celestine Prophecy.” In this mystical adventure film, which chronicled the discovery of ancient scrolls in the rainforests of Peru, Callies starred alongside Annabeth Gish, Hector Elizondo and Jurgen Prochnow.

Further contributing to her list of achievements, Callies most recently sold her first feature screenplay, “Elena’s Serenade,” to producer Cameron Lamb and The Film Farm. Adapted from Campbell Geeslin's award-winning children's book, “Elena’s Serenade” centers on a girl who crosses the Mexican desert to become a glass blower.

Callies was born in Illinois to two college professors and spent most of her childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii. Throughout her youth, she expressed her interest in acting by participating in numerous plays at the independent Punahou School. In 2002, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in classical acting from the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver. During her time there, Callies appeared in several stage productions with the Denver Center Theatre Company. Callies received a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Dartmouth College with a minor in Women’s Studies and a Senior Fellowship in Indigenous Theology.

In 2002, Callies became affiliated with the International Rescue Committee, (IRC) which helps to raise awareness about the humanitarian needs of refugees worldwide. They offer life-saving care and life changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. As the granddaughter of a refugee, this is a cause very close to her heart. In 2011, Callies was named an IRC “Voice” for the organization.

Callies currently resides in British Columbia, Canada.

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