{{Short description|British-American actress}} {{Other people}} {{Use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Alice Evans | image = Alice Evans and Peter Jason, DOD crop.jpg | image_size = | caption = Evans during a tour of the Pentagon in 2006 | birth_name = Alice Jane Evans | birth_date = <!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> | birth_place = New Jersey, U.S. | citizenship = {{hlist|United Kingdom|United States<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151224113447/http://www.mtv.com/artists/alice-evans/biography/ Alice Evans' biodata], mtv.com; accessed 25 September 2014.</ref>}} | occupation = Actress | years_active = {{ubl|1996–2018}} | spouse = {{marriage|Ioan Gruffudd|2007|2023|reason=divorced}} | children = 2 | parents = David Evans }} '''Alice Evans''' is a British-American actress. She played Chloe Simon in the film ''102 Dalmatians'' and Esther Mikaelson in the third season of the CW's ''The Vampire Diaries'' and its spin off ''The Originals''.
==Early life== Evans was born in New Jersey, U.S.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ioan-gruffudd-expecting-first-child-2113206|title=Ioan Gruffudd expecting first child|first=Robin|last=Turner|date=21 April 2009|website=Wales Online}}</ref> the daughter of a professor in applied mathematics and a teacher of English literature, and was raised in Bristol, England. She attended Henbury School, along with her two brothers.<ref name="ES">"Meet La Belle Anglaise" by Anna Pursglove, ''Evening Standard'', 15 December 2000.</ref> She graduated from University College London with a degree in French and Italian.<ref name="ES"/>
==Career== After graduation, she enrolled at the Cours Florent in Paris. She gained work in French television, with her breakthrough role as French student Susan in the French sitcom, ''{{ill|Elisa Top Model|fr|Élisa, un roman photo}}'', which ran for 18 months. Next, she went to Italy to play "Nathalie", in the 1998 Italian miniseries ''Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna''. Her first English-speaking role was in the ''Highlander'' episode 'Patient Number 7'. After making her first film, ''{{ill|Monsieur Naphtali|fr}}'' (1999), director Claude Lelouch cast Evans as Macha in ''Une pour toutes'' (1999), alongside Samy Naceri and Anne Parillaud.
In 1999, Disney cast Evans alongside Glenn Close, Gérard Depardieu, and her later husband, Ioan Gruffudd, in ''102 Dalmatians''.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Mia Sulpor|url=https://variety.com/2000/scene/vpage/disney-lets-dogs-out-1117789265|title=Disney lets dogs out|magazine=Variety|date=15 November 2000|access-date=2 June 2016|archive-date=16 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816122255/https://variety.com/2000/scene/vpage/disney-lets-dogs-out-1117789265/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=102 Dalmatians (2000)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/102-dalmatians-2000-2|publisher=British Board of Film Classification|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025811/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/102-dalmatians-2000-2|url-status=dead}}</ref>
After appearing in ''Blackball'', she moved to Los Angeles in 2003. She has since appeared in both in films and in television series, including ''The Mentalist'', ''Brothers & Sisters'', ''Lost'', and ''Grimm''. Evans also had a recurring turn as the villainous Esther on ''The Vampire Diaries''<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Shaunna Murphy|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/02/09/vampire-diaries-esther-arrives-alice-evans|title='The Vampire Diaries': Talk tonight's shocking twist, and find out what's next from producer Julie Plec|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=9 February 2012|access-date=2 June 2016|quote=When Original vampire mama Esther (Alice Evans) returned to Mystic Falls after spending the last millennium six feet under, we knew she’d have some deeply hidden tricks up her sleeve.|archive-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108041826/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/02/09/vampire-diaries-esther-arrives-alice-evans|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''The Originals''.
==Personal life== Evans met actor Ioan Gruffudd during the filming of ''102 Dalmatians''.<ref name="late2007">Ioan Gruffudd, ''Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'', 21 February 2007.</ref> They became engaged on New Year's Day 2006 and married on 14 September 2007 in Mexico.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Mary Margaret|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20057165,00.html|title=Fantastic Four Star Ioan Gruffudd Gets Married|magazine=People|date=15 September 2007|access-date=23 September 2014|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031044336/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20057165,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> They have two daughters, born in 2009 and 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Andrew Asare|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2013/10/02/ioan-gruffudd-alice-evans-baby|title=Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans welcome second child|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2 October 2013|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref> In January 2021, Evans announced their separation, which Gruffudd initiated.<ref>{{cite web|last=Juneau|first=Jen|date=26 January 2021|url=https://people.com/movies/ioan-gruffudd-leaving-family-wife-alice-evans-split/|title=Alice Evans Tweets Husband Ioan Gruffudd 'Has Announced He Is to Leave His Family': We Are 'Confused and Sad'|publisher=People|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205182309/https://people.com/movies/ioan-gruffudd-leaving-family-wife-alice-evans-split/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2021, Gruffudd filed for divorce from Evans.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 March 2021|title=Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd files for divorce from Alice Evans|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/19131357.welsh-actor-ioan-gruffudd-files-divorce-alive-evans/|work=South Wales Argus|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303095253/https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/19131357.welsh-actor-ioan-gruffudd-files-divorce-alive-evans/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2022, Gruffudd was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Evans; he was then granted a three-year permanent restraining order in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fernández|first1=Alexia|title=Ioan Gruffudd Files for Domestic Violence Restraining Order Against Estranged Wife Alice Evans|url=https://people.com/movies/ioan-gruffudd-files-for-domestic-violence-restraining-order-against-estranged-wife-alice-evans/|website=People|date=16 February 2022|access-date=18 February 2022|archive-date=18 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218223809/https://people.com/movies/ioan-gruffudd-files-for-domestic-violence-restraining-order-against-estranged-wife-alice-evans/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2023, Evans faced charges over allegedly breaching her restraining order on two occasions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Isobel |date=28 January 2023 |title=Alice Evans 'facing arrest after missing court appearance' over ex Ioan Gruffudd's restraining order |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/alice-evans-ioan-gruffudd-divorce-b2270432.html |website=independent |access-date=28 January 2023 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128083057/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/alice-evans-ioan-gruffudd-divorce-b2270432.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Evans pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were dropped in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alice Evans Thanks Fans After Charges Are Dropped in Ioan Gruffudd Restraining Order Case (Report) |url=https://people.com/movies/alice-evans-thanks-fans-after-charges-are-dropped-in-ioan-gruffudd-restraining-order-case-report/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816122252/https://people.com/movies/alice-evans-thanks-fans-after-charges-are-dropped-in-ioan-gruffudd-restraining-order-case-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2026, the restraining order was renewed for five years, due to repeated violations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stolworthy |first1=Jacob |title=Ioan Gruffudd wins restraining order court case against ex-wife Alice Evans |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/ioan-gruffudd-alice-evans-court-case-verdict-b2932370.html |access-date=7 March 2026 |work=The Independent |date=5 March 2026}}</ref>
In 2017, following a slew of sexual assault allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein, Evans claimed that Weinstein had made sexual advances towards her in 2002, which she had declined. Evans said that Weinstein insinuated that her rejection would affect her and Gruffudd's careers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kiefer |first1=Halle |title=Actress Alice Evans Wonders What Effect Rejecting Harvey Weinstein Had on Her and Her Husband's Careers |date=14 October 2017 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/alice-evans-pens-essay-about-rejecting-harvey-weinstein.html |access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |1998 |''Rewind'' |Helga | |- |1999 |''The Escort'' |Sue | |- |2000 |''One 4 All'' |Macha Desachy | |- | 2000 | ''102 Dalmatians'' | Chloe Simon | |- | 2001 | ''My Wife Maurice'' | Emmanuelle | |- | 2002 | ''The Abduction Club'' | Catherine Kennedy | |- | 2003 | ''Blackball'' | Kerry Speight | |- | 2004 | ''Fascination'' | Kelly Vance | |- |2005 |''Four Corners of Suburbia'' |Susan Harris | |- | 2006 | ''Hollywood Dreams'' | Vida | |- | 2006 | ''The Christmas Card'' | Faith Spelman | |- | 2006 |''Dangerous Parking'' | Etta | |- |2007 |''Save Angel Hope'' |Sonia Zeller | |- |2007 |''Agent Crush'' |Alex |Voice |- |2009 |''Reunion'' |Minerva | |- | 2013 | ''Liars All'' | Sandra | |- |2018 |''The Liquid Psychologist'' |Herself |Short |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1996–99 | ''Elisa Top Modèle'' | Clara | 22 episode; aka ''Elisa'' |- | 1996 | ''Strangers'' | Charlotte | Episode: "Crash" |- | 1997 | ''Highlander: The Series'' | Kyra | Episode: "Patient Number 7" |- | 1998 | ''Au cœur de la loi'' | Muriel Highsmith | Episode: "En vert et contre tous" |- | 1998 | ''H'' | Sabri's Girlfriend | Episode: "Une belle maman" |- | 1998–2000 | ''Le Ragazze di Piazza di Spagna'' | Nathalie | 6 episodes |- | 2001 | ''Best of Both Worlds'' | Diane Sullivan | 3 episodes |- | 2003 | ''CSI: Miami'' | Leslie Warner | Episode: "Bait" |- |2006 |''Mayo'' |Clair Wishart |Episode: "Killing Me Softly" |- | 2006 | ''The Christmas Card'' | Faith Spelman | Television film |- |2007 |''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' |Heather Mills |Voice; episode: "The Freak Book" |- | 2009 | ''Lost'' | Younger Eloise Hawking | 3 episodes |- | 2010 | ''The Mentalist'' | Ilsa Engels | Episode: “Red Letter” |- |2010 |''Brothers & Sisters'' |Dr. Evans |Episode: "Get a Room" |- | 2011–12 | ''The Vampire Diaries'' | Esther Mikaelson | 6 episodes |- |2011 |''Brothers & Sisters'' |Dr. Felicity Milton |Episode: "Brody" |- |2011 |''American Dad!'' |Birth Show Narrator |Episode: "Home Wrecker" |- | 2012 | ''Grimm'' | Mia Gaudot | Episode: "Over My Dead Body" |- | 2014–15 | ''The Originals'' | Esther Mikaelson | 3 episodes |}
===Video games=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1996 | ''MegaRace 2'' |Co-host of the racing show ''MegaRace 2'' |Her name is different each time it is mentioned.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alice Evans|url=https://lockerdome.com/7227497582574145/7227497582574150|publisher=Lockerdome|access-date=15 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104554/https://lockerdome.com/7227497582574145/7227497582574150|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MegaRace 2 (DOS)|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/megarace-2/credits|publisher=Moby Games|access-date=15 December 2015|archive-date=16 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816122320/https://www.mobygames.com/game/1049/megarace-2/credits/dos/?autoplatform=true|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{Commons category}} *{{Instagram|aliceevansgruff |Alice Evans}} *{{IMDb name|0262521}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Alice}} Category:Living people Category:Actresses from Bristol Category:Age controversies <!-- 1968 v 1971 --> Category:Alumni of University College London Category:British television actresses Category:British film actresses Category:British soap opera actresses Category:Actresses from New Jersey Category:20th-century English actresses Category:21st-century English actresses Category:20th-century births Category:Year of birth missing (living people)