Editing Rachel Hayward

{{Cast Data|
  image= BSG-TRS - Torn - Blonde Woman.jpeg
| credit= 
| character= Blonde Woman
| born_month= 8
| born_day= 7
| born_year= 1968
| death_month= 
| death_day= 
| death_year=
| nationality= CA
| imdb= 0371787
|sortkey=Hayward, Rachel}}
'''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 [[w:Toronto|Toronto]], [[w:Ontario|Ontario]], Canada.<ref name="imdb_bio">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371787/bio/#:~:text=Rachel%20Hayward%20was%20born%20and%20raised%20in%20Toronto%2C%20Ontario%20and%20landed%20her%20first%20acting%20role%20in%20the%20feature%20Breaking%20All%20the%20Rules%20(1985)%20at%20the%20age%20of%2017.|title=Rachel Hayward - Biography|date=|accessdate=15 December 2025|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref> As a child and teenager, Hayward was involved in modeling and commercials but always thought she would become a doctor.<ref name="sgcommand">{{cite_web|url=https://stargate.fandom.com/wiki/Rachel_Hayward#:~:text=As%20a%20child%20and%20teen%2C%20Hayward%20was%20involved%20in%20modeling%20and%20commercials%20but%20always%20thought%20she%20would%20become%20a%20doctor.|title=Rachel Hayward|date=29 October 2024|accessdate=15 December 2025|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

She graduated from the [[w:Ontario College of Art and Design University|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.<ref name="sgcommand"/>

Hayward landed her first acting role in the feature film ''[[w:Breaking All the Rules (1985 film)|Breaking All the Rules]]'' (1985) at the age of 17.<ref name="imdb_bio"/>

== Training ==

Hayward studied with Mel Tuck at the [[w:Gastown Actors Studio|Gastown Actors Studio]], [[w:The Groundlings|The Groundlings]], and with renowned acting teacher [[w:Larry Moss (acting coach)|Larry Moss]] in [[w:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]].<ref name="imdb_bio"/>

== 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), ''[[w:Knight Moves|Knight Moves]]'' (1992), and the romantic comedy ''Apartment Hunting'' (2000).<ref name="tmdb">{{cite_web|url=https://www.themoviedb.org/person/68764-rachel-hayward#:~:text=Her%20feature%20film%20and%20TV%20movie%20credits%20include%20Stranger%20in%20the%20Mirror%2C%20Under%20the%20Gun%2C%20Breaking%20All%20the%20Rules%2C%20Deadfire%2C%20She%20Woke%20Up%20Pregnant%2C%20Convergence%2C%20Knight%20Moves%20and%20the%20romantic%20comedy%20Apartment%20Hunting.|title=Rachel Hayward|date=|accessdate=15 December 2025|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

=== Harsh Realm ===

Hayward was a series regular as Florence in [[w:Chris Carter (screenwriter)|Chris Carter]]'s series ''[[w:Harsh Realm|Harsh Realm]]'' (1999) for [[w:Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]].<ref name="imdb_bio"/><ref name="tmdb"/>

=== Science fiction television ===

Hayward is remembered by many science fiction fans as the [[w:United States Air Force|USAF]] Sergeant who is abducted by [[w:Apophis (Stargate)|Apophis]] in the opening moments of the ''[[w:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]'' pilot episode "[[w:Children of the Gods|Children of the Gods]]" (1997).<ref name="tmdb"/><ref name="sgcommand"/> In the original version of the episode, she was credited as Rachael Hayward, which was later corrected in the re-released version in 2009.<ref name="sgcommand"/>

She had a recurring role in ''[[w:Jake 2.0|Jake 2.0]]'' (2003-2004).<ref name="tmdb"/> Her other science fiction television credits include ''[[w:Andromeda (TV series)|Andromeda]]'', ''Bliss'', ''[[w:Cold Squad|Cold Squad]]'', ''[[w:First Wave (TV series)|First Wave]]'', ''[[w:Highlander: The Series|Highlander: The Series]]'', ''[[w:Millennium (TV series)|Millennium]]'' (1998), ''[[w:Mutant X (TV series)|Mutant X]]'', ''[[w:Sliders|Sliders]]'', ''[[w:The Dead Zone (TV series)|The Dead Zone]]'', ''[[w:The L Word|The L Word]]'', ''[[w:Tru Calling|Tru Calling]]'', ''[[w:Viper (TV series)|Viper]]'', ''Welcome to Paradox'', and ''[[w:Xena: Warrior Princess|Xena: Warrior Princess]]''.<ref name="tmdb"/><ref name="sgcommand"/>

=== Film work ===

Hayward's notable film credits include ''[[w:Hellraiser: Hellseeker|Hellraiser: Hellseeker]]'' (2002), ''[[w:While She Was Out (film)|While She Was Out]]'' (2008), ''[[w:12 Rounds 2: Reloaded|12 Rounds: Reloaded]]'' (2013), and ''[[w:Wonder (film)|Wonder]]'' (2017) as Miranda's Mom.<ref name="liveaction">{{cite_web|url=https://live-action.fandom.com/wiki/Rachel_Hayward#:~:text=Wonder%20(2017)%20%2D%20Miranda%27s%20Mom|title=Rachel Hayward|date=|accessdate=15 December 2025|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

=== Television movies and continuing work ===

Hayward has continued to work prolifically in television movies and series. Her television movie work includes ''[[w:Cruel and Unusual (2001 film)|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.<ref name="imdb_credits">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371787/#:~:text=A%20Reason%20for%20the%20Season-,7.3,-%C2%B7TV%20Movie%20%C2%B7%20Claire%20Bedford%20%C2%B7%202024|title=Rachel Hayward|date=26 October 2011|accessdate=15 December 2025|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>

Hayward has guest starred on [[w:Disney+|Disney]]'s ''[[w:Turner & Hooch (TV series)|Turner & Hooch]]'' and ''Gabby Duran & the Unsittables''.<ref name="imdb_bio"/> She has also appeared in ''[[w:Supernatural (American TV series)|Supernatural]]'' ([[w:The CW|The CW]]) in multiple episodes, playing Tara (2014) and Sheriff Dignan (2019).<ref name="liveaction"/>

=== Recent work ===

In 2025, Hayward appeared as Detective Lestrade in the [[w:CBS|CBS]] series ''[[w:Watson (TV series)|Watson]]'', a medical drama series that premiered in January 2025 and was renewed for a second season in March 2025.<ref name="tvinsider_lestrade">{{cite_web|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1184539/watson-lestrade-rachel-hayward-morris-chestnut-photos/#:~:text=Rachel%20Hayward%20will%20guest%20star%20as%20Detective%20Lestrade%2C%20who%27s%20with%20the%20Pittsburgh%20Police|title='Watson' Exclusive: Rachel Hayward Cast as Lestrade, See Photos With Morris Chestnut|date=2 April 2025|accessdate=15 December 2025|last=Jacobs|first=Meredith|format=|language=}}</ref> Hayward's portrayal of the female version of the iconic [[w:Inspector Lestrade|Detective Lestrade]], who works with the Pittsburgh Police rather than [[w:Scotland Yard|Scotland Yard]], debuted in the April 20, 2025 episode "The Man with the Alien Hand."<ref name="tvinsider_lestrade"/>

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."<ref name="tvinsider_lestrade"/> He described the detective and Watson's collaboration as "very much … an ongoing relationship."<ref name="tvinsider_lestrade"/>

Hayward appeared in two episodes of the series in 2025.<ref name="imdb_credits"/>

== Personal life ==

Hayward is based in [[w:Vancouver|Vancouver]] and [[w:Qualicum Beach|Qualicum Beach]], [[w:British Columbia|British Columbia]], Canada.<ref name="imdb_bio"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cast]]
[[Category:Cast (RDM)]]
[[Category:Former Stargate Cast and Crew]]
[[Category:RDM]]