Rachel Hayward

Rachel Hayward
PerformerTRS
Portrays:	Blonde Woman
Date of Birth:	August 7, 1968
Date of Death:	Missing required parameter 1=month! ,
Age:	57
Nationality:	CAN
Related Media
		@ BW Media
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IMDb profile

Rachel Hayward (born 7 August 1968) is a Canadian actress who portrayed an unnamed blonde woman that Saul Tigh encounters in the corridors of Galactica in "Torn."

Early life and education

Hayward was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As a child and teenager, Hayward was involved in modeling and commercials but always thought she would become a doctor.

She graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design, having studied graphic design and fine arts. From there she freelanced as a designer and simultaneously began working in acting, beginning to pursue a serious acting career in her early twenties.

Hayward landed her first acting role in the feature film Breaking All the Rules (1985) at the age of 17.

Training

Hayward studied with Mel Tuck at the Gastown Actors Studio, The Groundlings, and with renowned acting teacher Larry Moss in Los Angeles.

Career

Early film and television work

Hayward's feature film and television movie credits include Stranger in the Mirror (1989), Under the Gun (1995), Deadfire (1992), She Woke Up Pregnant (1996), Convergence (1999), Knight Moves (1992), and the romantic comedy Apartment Hunting (2000).

Harsh Realm

Hayward was a series regular as Florence in Chris Carter's series Harsh Realm (1999) for FOX.

Science fiction television

Hayward is remembered by many science fiction fans as the USAF Sergeant who is abducted by Apophis in the opening moments of the Stargate SG-1 pilot episode "Children of the Gods" (1997). In the original version of the episode, she was credited as Rachael Hayward, which was later corrected in the 2009's re-released version.

She had a recurring role in Jake 2.0 (2003-2004). Her other science fiction television credits include Andromeda, Bliss, Cold Squad, First Wave, Highlander: The Series, Millennium (1998), Mutant X, Sliders, The Dead Zone, The L Word, Tru Calling, Viper, Welcome to Paradox, and Xena: Warrior Princess.

Film work

Hayward's notable film credits include Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002), While She Was Out (2008), 12 Rounds: Reloaded (2013), and Wonder (2017) as Miranda's Mom.

Television movies and continuing work

Hayward has continued to work prolifically in television movies and series. Her television movie work includes Cruel and Unusual (2001) as Kate O'Conner, Stolen Daughter (2015) as Martha Dixel, Autumn Dreams (2015), Over the Moon in Love (2019), Made for You, with Love (2019), and A Reason for the Season (2024) as Claire Bedford.

Hayward has guest starred on Disney's Turner & Hooch and Gabby Duran & the Unsittables. She has also appeared in Supernatural (The CW) in multiple episodes, playing Tara (2014) and Sheriff Dignan (2019).

Recent work

In 2025, Hayward appeared as Detective Lestrade in the CBS series Watson, a medical drama series that premiered in January 2025 and was renewed for a second season in March 2025. Hayward's portrayal of the female version of the iconic Detective Lestrade, who works with the Pittsburgh Police rather than Scotland Yard, debuted in the April 20, 2025 episode "The Man with the Alien Hand."

Executive producer and showrunner Craig Sweeny stated: "Lestrade (played with deadpan brilliance by Rachel Hayward) is initially wary of Watson, but she comes to appreciate his unique mind and the two of them wind up eager to collaborate again." He described the detective and Watson's collaboration as "very much … an ongoing relationship."

Hayward appeared in two episodes of the series in 2025.

Personal life

Hayward is based in Vancouver and Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada.