{{short description|American actor}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Lexi Underwood | birth_date = <!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> | birth_place = | occupation = Actress, Singer | years_active = 2013–present }} '''Lexi Underwood''' (born August 28, 2003) is an American actress and singer, best known for her role as Pearl Warren in ''Little Fires Everywhere''. She also played Athena in ''Will vs the Future,'' a comedic science fiction series created and executive produced by Tim McKeon and Kevin Seccia, and directed by Joe Nussbaum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/amazon-debuts-kids-pilots-sept-1-168284|title=Amazon Debuts Kids Pilots Sept. 1|website=NextTV|date=August 31, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bckonline.com/2017/09/05/coming-actress-lexi-underwood-scores-big-new-amazon-prime-hit/|title=UP-AND-COMING ACTRESS LEXI UNDERWOOD SCORES BIG WITH NEW AMAZON PRIME HIT|date=September 5, 2017|work=BCK Online|access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref>
==Career== Underwood made her professional theatrical debut in November 2013 at age ten, at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. in their acclaimed production of Charles Dickens’ ''A Christmas Carol'' as Want/Urchin Girl.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fords.org/performances/past-productions/a-christmas-carol-2013/artistic-team/|title=Artistic Team|website=Ford's Theatre|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204114540/https://www.fords.org/performances/past-productions/a-christmas-carol-2013/artistic-team/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On December 15, 2014, Underwood performed in ''Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol'' for the Actors Fund of America's one night only benefit concert, which was directed by Peter Flynn and musically directed by John McDaniel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/mr-magoos-christmas-carol-with-douglas-sills-joshua-henry-christopher-sieber-robert-cuccioli-janet-dacal-and-more-held-tonight-com-337337|title=Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, With Douglas Sills, Joshua Henry, Christopher Sieber, Robert Cuccioli, Janet Dacal and More, Held Tonight|website=Playbill|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/full-mr-magoo-christmas-casting_70901.html|title=Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, Starring Douglas Sills, Announces Full Casting|work=TheaterMania.com|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref> In November 2015, Underwood was cast as Young Nala in the Disney Theatrical Productions’ ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/bio/Alexandra-Underwood/|title=Alexandra Underwood|website=Broadway World|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref> Underwood performed with the North-American Touring Company from January to August 2015 and covered Broadway in the same role.
On October 14, 2014, Underwood made her television debut on the CBS series ''Person of Interest'' in the role of Queen Bee. Underwood went on to appear in ''Code Black'' as Emily Campbell, Dr. Campbell's daughter, ''Henry Danger'' as Narlee, ''Walk the Prank'' as Nice Nancy,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kids-on-tour.net/2017/10/10/lexi-underwood-walk-prank-tonight-pictures-les-miserables/|title=Lexi Underwood on 'Walk the Prank' Tonight, Pictures From LES MISERABLES, and more!|date=October 10, 2017|work=Kids on Tour|access-date=October 19, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> ''Raven's Home'' as Shannon Reynolds, ''David S. Pumpkins’ Halloween Special''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/david-s-pumpkins-snl-saturday-night-live-tom-hanks-animated-halloween-special-1202178915/|title='SNL's David S. Pumpkins Sketch Gets Animated Halloween Special; Tom Hanks To Voice Character|last=Evans|first=Greg|date=September 28, 2017|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref> as Paige (voice)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.superpoweredfancast.com/2017/10/26/david-s-pumpkins-thing-clip-halloween-special/|title=David S Pumpkins is 'His Own Thing' in this clip from his Halloween Special – The Super Powered Fancast|date=October 26, 2017|work=The Super Powered Fancast|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204222831/https://www.superpoweredfancast.com/2017/10/26/david-s-pumpkins-thing-clip-halloween-special/|url-status=dead}}</ref> animated by Bento Box Entertainment; and ''Will Vs The Future'' as Athena,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wherever-i-look.com/will-vs-the-future-season-1-episode-1-pilot-series-premiere-overview-commentary-with-spoilers|title=Will vs. The Future: season 1/ Episode 1 "Pilot" [Series Premiere] – Overview/ Commentary (with Spoilers)|date=September 2, 2017|work=Wherever I Look|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061243/https://wherever-i-look.com/will-vs-the-future-season-1-episode-1-pilot-series-premiere-overview-commentary-with-spoilers|url-status=dead}}</ref> a time traveling, warrior rebel from the future. She has a recurring role on Criminal Minds as Keeley Mendoza-Smith, Emily Prentiss's stepdaughter. Her role in ''Little Fires Everywhere'' was called "excellent" by the ''New York Times,''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hale|first=Mike|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/arts/television/little-fires-everywhere-review.html|title=Review: 'Little Fires Everywhere' Ignites Over Race and Class|date=2020-03-17|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-03-18|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> which said, "The scenes between [her mother] Mia and Pearl, both the tender and the angry ones, are the show’s highlights."
==Filmography== '''Television''' {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Network !Notes |- |2014 |''Person of Interest'' |Queen Bee |CBS |Episode: "Brotherhood" |- |rowspan=2|2016 |''The Crooked Man'' |Young Charlotte |Syfy |TV movie |- |''Code Black'' |Emily Campbell |CBS |Episode: "Ava Maria" |- |rowspan=6|2017 |''Henry Danger'' |Narlee |Nickelodeon |3 episodes |- |''The Nerd Posse'' |Jennifer | |Pilot |- |''Walk the Prank'' |Nice Nancy |Disney XD |4 episodes |- |''Raven's Home'' |Shannon Reynolds |Disney Channel |Episode: "You're Gonna Get It" |- |''Will Vs The Future'' |Athena |Amazon Video |Pilot |- |''The David S. Pumpkins Animated Halloween Special'' |Paige (voice) |NBC |Saturday Night Live |- |2018 |''The Good Doctor'' |Spirit Garcia |ABC |Episode "Heartfelt” |- |2019 |''Family Reunion'' |Ava |Netflix |4 episodes |- |rowspan=2|2020 |''Criminal Minds'' |Keely Mendoza-Smith |CBS |Episode “Rusty” |- |''Little Fires Everywhere'' |Pearl Warren |Hulu |Main role, 8 episodes |- |2021 |''Just Beyond'' |Ella |Disney+ |Episode "We've Got Spirits, Yes We Do" |- | 2022 | ''The First Lady'' | Malia Obama | Showtime | 5 episodes |- |2023 |''Cruel Summer'' | Isabella LaRue |Freeform | Main role (season 2) |}
'''Film''' {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2014 |''Forgotten Happiness'' |Alexis |Student Film |- |2014 |''Dance-Off'' |Dancer | |- |2016 |''Half-Caste''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.halfcastefilm.com/media/|title=News|website=HALF-CASTE FILM|access-date=October 19, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |Amelia |rowspan=2|Short film |- |rowspan=2|2017 |''Girl Minus'' |Koko |- |''Dirt'' |Voice role | |- |2018 |''If Not Now, When?'' |Jillian | |- |2022 |''Sneakerella'' |Kira King | |- |2024 |''I Wish You All the Best'' |Meleika | |}
'''Theater''' {| class="wikitable" !Year !Production !Role !Production company !Notes |- |2013 |A Christmas Carol |Want/Urchin Girl |Ford's Theatre | |- |2014 |Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol |Belinda Cratchit |Actors Fund of America | |- |2015 |The Lion King (musical) |Young Nala |Disney Theatrical Productions |Gazelle National Tour |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|6304242}} * [http://lexiunderwood.com Official website]
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Underwood, Lexi}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American actresses Category:21st-century American actresses Category:African-American child actresses Category:American child actresses Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American stage actresses