Riley Emilia Voelkel (born April 26, 1990) is an American-born Canadian actress. She is known for portraying Freya Mikaelson on The CW television series The Originals and Legacies. Voelkel also played the role of Jenna Johnson on the HBO television series The Newsroom. In 2013, she played the younger version of Jessica Lange's character, the witch Fiona Goode in the FX series American Horror Story: Coven.
Early life Voelkel was born in Elk Grove, California but raised in Calgary, Alberta.
Just a month away from going to college, a modeling scout came to her town and she decided to try her luck. The scout picked her and she went to Los Angeles where she was very much liked by several agents. She moved to Los Angeles to model, but, soon after, she joined an acting class recommended by an agent.
Career Voelkel's first role was of a club girl in The Social Network, winning the part by audition. Afterwards, she signed with an agent, and booked her first starring role, as Carrie in the independent film, The Secret Lives of Dorks, released in 2013. In 2012, she joined the HBO series The Newsroom only for the pilot episode, but later became the character of Jenna. In 2014, she was cast as one of the leads in the Amazon pilot Point of Honor.
In the fall 2014, Voelkel was cast in an unnamed recurring role on The CW series The Originals during its second season. Her character on The Originals, Freya Mikaelson, was upgraded to a series regular for the show's third season.
Personal life Since 2022, Voelkel has been married to her longtime partner, photographer Mike C. Robertson. In September 2025, she announced the birth of her first child.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 The Social Network Final Club Girl Uncredited 2011 Prom Claire 2012 Hidden Moon Christine Brighton 2013 Synthesizers Club Girl Short film The Secret Lives of Dorks Carrie Smith 2016 Scrambled Cristina
Television Year Title Role Notes 2010 Glory Daze Caroline Episode: Pilot 2012 The Mentalist Tristan Episode: "Red is the New Black" 2012–14 The Newsroom Jenna Johnson Recurring, 15 episodes 2013 American Horror Story: Coven Young Fiona Goode 3 episodes 2014 Glee Sam Episode: "New New York" 2014–2018 The Originals Freya Mikaelson Recurring role (season 2)Series regular (season 3–5); 60 episodes 2015 Point of Honor Lorelei Sumner Unsold television pilot 2016 Advance & Retreat Alison Sinclair TV movie 2019–2022 Roswell, New MexicoJenna Cameron Recurring role Legacies Freya Mikaelson Special guest star (3 episodes) 2020–2024 HightownRenee SegnaSeries regular 2022 Chicago Med Milena Jovanovic Recurring role (season 7)Guest role (season 8)9 episodes
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