Editing Stephanie Jacobsen

{{Cast Data
| image= Stephanie Jacobsen.jpg
| character= [[Kendra Shaw]]
| series= TRS
| born_month= 06
| born_day= 22
| born_year= 1980
| nationality= AU
| site=
| imdb= 1089338
| sortkey= Jacobsen, Stephanie
|image2=KendraShaw.jpg}}

'''Stephanie Jacobsen''' (also credited as '''Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen''' and '''Stephany Jacobsen''') is a Hong Kong-born Australian actress who portrays [[Kendra Shaw]] in "[[Razor]]," a television movie feature of the [[Re-imagined Series]].

== Career ==

Born in British Hong Kong to a multicultural family of Chinese, Portuguese, Norwegian, and English descent, Jacobsen moved to Australia with her family when she was twelve years old.<ref group="external" name="wikipedia_jacobsen_biography">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Jacobsen#:~:text=Stephanie%20Chaves%2DJacobsen%20(born%201980),Norwegian%20and%20English%20descent|title=Stephanie Jacobsen|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She attended the University of Sydney, graduating with a double-major Bachelor of Arts in English literature and philosophy.<ref group="external" name="wikipedia_jacobsen_education">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Jacobsen#:~:text=She%20attended%20the%20University%20of,English%20literature%20and%20philosophy|title=Stephanie Jacobsen|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

Jacobsen began her acting career in Australian television, appearing in the SBS comedy series ''[[w:Pizza (TV series)|Pizza]]'' and the soap opera ''[[w:Home and Away|Home and Away]]'', playing Charlotte Adams from 2001 to 2002.<ref group="external" name="wikipedia_jacobsen_early_career">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Jacobsen#:~:text=Jacobsen%20began%20her%20career%20in,Home%20and%20Away|title=Stephanie Jacobsen|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She also had a brief appearance as Nurse Froy in the science fiction series ''[[w:Farscape|Farscape]]''.<ref group="external" name="wikipedia_jacobsen_early_career" />

In 2007, Jacobsen launched the North American phase of her career by landing the role of [[Kendra Shaw]] in "[[Razor]]," the television movie feature of the [[Re-imagined Series]].<ref group="external" name="wikipedia_jacobsen_biography" /> This role marked her breakthrough into American science fiction television.

Jacobsen described the complexity of her character as fundamentally challenging, noting that Kendra Shaw was "almost sterile" and required her to "go against all of those instincts, pull them right back and cover them up," which was "an enormous challenge" but "very, very fulfilling."<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_character_complexity">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=Fundamentally%2C%20I%20would%20just%20say,very%2C%20very%20fulfilling|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> In a more detailed interview, she elaborated that Kendra was "almost a dream role" because of "the direness of her circumstance" and how she had been "rendered unemotive, almost inhuman by what she'd seen and done."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_dream_role">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=it%20was%20almost%20a%20dream,she%27d%20seen%20and%20done|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

The challenge of playing Kendra was that "she never laughed, she never cried, she rarely even smiled, she seldom regretted anything," which Jacobsen compared to "being told to build a house without a hammer, without any wood, without any nails."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_acting_challenge">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=she%20never%20laughed.%20She%20never,without%20any%20nails|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She found joining the established ensemble cast to be welcoming, stating that "everyone was helpful, accommodating, welcoming, very open, very generous with me in every way," though she acknowledged that being "completely new to the environment" created a correlation with her character's experience.<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_ensemble_cast">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=everyone%20was%20helpful%2C%20accommodating%2C%20welcoming,was%20akin%20to%20the%20character|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

Working closely with [[Michelle Forbes]] ([[Helena Cain]]), Jacobsen described Forbes as "almost like a force of nature" and praised her intensity and focus, saying that "responding to what she provides on set as a fellow actor is absolutely effortless."<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_michelle_forbes">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=She%27s%20almost%20like%20a%20force,is%20absolutely%20effortless|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She also worked extensively with [[Katee Sackhoff]] ([[Kara Thrace]]), whom she called "possibly the easiest person I've ever worked with" and "completely no maintenance."<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_katee_sackhoff">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=Katee%20Sackhoff%20is%20possibly%20the,completely%20no%20maintenance|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> 

Jacobsen interpreted her character's relationships with both Cain and Starbuck through the lens that "Cain replaced [[Marta Shaw|her mother]]," and noted that Kendra "didn't necessarily like either of them but she respected them both," with respect being "the closest thing to affection that she was capable of."<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_cain_relationship">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=Cain%20replaced%20her%20mother,she%20was%20capable%20of|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She elaborated that Kendra "never actually liked or disliked people" but "either respected them, or she didn't, and she respected Starbuck."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_starbuck_respect">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Kendra%20never%20actually%20liked%20or,and%20she%20respected%20Starbuck|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> Regarding the conflict between the two characters, Jacobsen explained that Kendra and Starbuck were "very different" - while Starbuck's core "was always very human and very noble," Kendra's was "quite cold and quite desensitized."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_starbuck_contrast">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=they%20were%20very%20different,quite%20cold%20and%20quite%20desensitized|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> Following her ''Battlestar Galactica'' appearance, Jacobsen secured recurring roles in major American television series. She played Commander Jesse Flores, a Resistance fighter from the future, in ten episodes of ''[[w:Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles|Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]'' during its second season.<ref group="external" name="imdb_jacobsen">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1089338/|title=Stephany Jacobsen|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> Coincidentally, this character also served as an executive officer, but on the nuclear submarine USS ''Jimmy Carter''.

Discussing the differences between her two science fiction characters, Jacobsen noted that while both Kendra and Jesse had "seen some horrible things and had some hard times," they dealt with their traumas differently.<ref group="commentary" name="gizmodo_jacobsen_character_comparison">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/why-stephanie-jacobsen-is-our-favorite-robot-fighting-n-5072660#:~:text=They%27ve%20obviously%20both%20seen%20some,had%20some%20hard%20times|title=Why Stephanie Jacobsen Is Our Favorite Robot-Fighting Ninja|publisher=Gizmodo|date=October 31, 2008|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> While Kendra "cut herself off from people (except for Admiral Cain) and turned to drugs," Jesse was "really just clinging to a sense of humanity and a sense of connection with Derek."<ref group="commentary" name="gizmodo_jacobsen_trauma_response">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/why-stephanie-jacobsen-is-our-favorite-robot-fighting-n-5072660#:~:text=Kendra%2C%20on%20Battlestar%2C%20cut%20herself,of%20connection%20with%20Derek|title=Why Stephanie Jacobsen Is Our Favorite Robot-Fighting Ninja|publisher=Gizmodo|date=October 31, 2008|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She described Jesse as having "an interest in experiencing the more privileged aspects of pre-apocalyptic life," including staying in fancy hotels and lounging by the pool.<ref group="commentary" name="gizmodo_jacobsen_jesse_lifestyle">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/why-stephanie-jacobsen-is-our-favorite-robot-fighting-n-5072660#:~:text=has%20an%20interest%20in%20experiencing,hotels%20and%20lounging%20by%20the%20pool|title=Why Stephanie Jacobsen Is Our Favorite Robot-Fighting Ninja|publisher=Gizmodo|date=October 31, 2008|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

Regarding her transition to playing Jesse on ''Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'', Jacobsen noted this was "the first time that I've really played a pseudo villain" and "the first time I've played a character who was, in a lot of ways, intended to be misunderstood."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_pseudo_villain">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=it%27s%20the%20first%20time%20that,intended%20to%20be%20misunderstood|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She explained that while Kendra "did a lot of, or a few at least, outrageous things but she was still positioned as a protagonist in Razor," her character on ''The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' was "an antagonist."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_protagonist_antagonist">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Kendra%2C%20obviously%20did%20a%20lot,was%20an%20antagonist|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

In April 2009, she was cast as medical student Lauren Yung in The CW's revamped ''[[w:Melrose Place (2009 TV series)|Melrose Place]]'' series.<ref group="external" name="wikipedia_jacobsen_melrose">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Jacobsen#:~:text=In%20April%202009%2C%20Jacobsen%20was,medical%20student%20Lauren%20Yung|title=Stephanie Jacobsen|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> Reflecting on the transition from science fiction to drama, Jacobsen stated that "it was time for me to learn how to use some new tools" and appreciated the "change of pace," though she hoped to return to sci-fi in the future.<ref group="commentary" name="tvaddict_jacobsen_genre_transition">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetvaddict.com/2009/09/29/exclusive-interview-melrose-place-star-stephanie-jacobsen/#:~:text=I%20feel%20that%20it%20was,to%20do%20again%20someday|title=Exclusive Interview: MELROSE PLACE Star Stephanie Jacobsen|publisher=The TV Addict|date=September 29, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She described Lauren as "such a paradox, so torn" and considered it "an honour to be entrusted with this character."<ref group="commentary" name="tvaddict_jacobsen_lauren_character">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetvaddict.com/2009/09/29/exclusive-interview-melrose-place-star-stephanie-jacobsen/#:~:text=Lauren%20is%20such%20a%20paradox,entrusted%20with%20this%20character|title=Exclusive Interview: MELROSE PLACE Star Stephanie Jacobsen|publisher=The TV Addict|date=September 29, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> Jacobsen was also originally cast as Maya, Sam Tyler's girlfriend, in the original pilot of ''[[w:Life on Mars (U.S. TV series)|Life on Mars]]'' but was replaced by [[w:Lisa Bonet|Lisa Bonet]] when the show was retooled.<ref group="commentary" name="gizmodo_jacobsen_life_on_mars_cast">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/why-stephanie-jacobsen-is-our-favorite-robot-fighting-n-5072660#:~:text=Jacobsen%20played%20Sam%20Tyler%27s%20(ex)girlfriend,in%20favor%20of%20Lisa%20Bonet|title=Why Stephanie Jacobsen Is Our Favorite Robot-Fighting Ninja|publisher=Gizmodo|date=October 31, 2008|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She was philosophical about the experience, noting that when the entire cast was replaced, "it obviously wasn't a personal slight towards anyone who was involved in the original pilot" and that "all's well that ends well" since she was enjoying her work on ''Terminator'' at the time.<ref group="commentary" name="gizmodo_jacobsen_life_on_mars">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/why-stephanie-jacobsen-is-our-favorite-robot-fighting-n-5072660#:~:text=At%20least%2C%20when%20the%20whole,enjoying%20doing%20the%20Terminator%20show|title=Why Stephanie Jacobsen Is Our Favorite Robot-Fighting Ninja|publisher=Gizmodo|date=October 31, 2008|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

Her other television appearances include guest roles in ''[[w:NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'', ''[[w:Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]'', ''[[w:Revenge (TV series)|Revenge]]'', and ''[[w:Star-Crossed (TV series)|Star-Crossed]]''.

Jacobsen has also appeared in several films, including ''[[w:Alex Cross (film)|Alex Cross]]'' (2012) as businesswoman Fan Yau Lee, the first victim of the antagonist Picasso (Matthew Fox), and the science fiction film ''Occupation'' (2018) as Amelia Chambers.<ref group="external" name="imdb_jacobsen" />

=== Voice Acting ===

In recent years, Jacobsen has expanded into voice acting. From 2021 to 2022, she voiced the character Drysi in six episodes of the Netflix animated series ''[[w:Dota: Dragon's Blood|Dota: Dragon's Blood]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_jacobsen_dota">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1089338/#:~:text=Dota%3A%20Dragon%27s%20Blood,6%20episodes|title=Stephany Jacobsen|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> This marked her entry into animation voice work.

=== Character Development and Motivation ===

Jacobsen brought considerable depth to her interpretation of Kendra Shaw's character arc and psychological development. She viewed Kendra's transformation from the "bright eyed optimist" seen in early flashbacks as an inevitable progression, explaining that Kendra "had sort of pledged herself to Cain sooner than" the pivotal scene aboard the civilian ship ''[[Scylla]]''.<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_character_progression">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=she%20had%20sort%20of%20pledged,sooner%20than%20that|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> The significance of the ''Scylla'' incident was that "there was no coming back from it" - it represented Kendra going "past the point of no return."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_point_no_return">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=there%20was%20no%20coming%20back,point%20of%20no%20return|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

Regarding Kendra's family background, Jacobsen noted that "Kendra's mother had died" and "had been a prominent figure," suggesting that "familial legacy would have been there, irrespective of whether or not the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] attacked."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_family_background">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Kendra%27s%20mother%20had%20died,the%20Cylons%20attacked|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> However, she emphasized that Kendra was "never that vulnerable" and that while her attachment to Cain might have been "reflective of the loss of her mother in some indirect way," it wasn't "like a child looking for shelter."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_vulnerability">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=she%20was%20never%20that%20vulnerable,child%20looking%20for%20shelter|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

When discussing Kendra's relationship with [[Gina Inviere]], Jacobsen revealed that "she was curious about Gina" and "perceived Gina as a vulnerable point in Cain."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_gina_relationship">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=she%20was%20curious%20about%20Gina,vulnerable%20point%20in%20Cain|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> Interestingly, she felt that "Kendra, one to one, liked Gina" because "Gina was effective, she was good at what she did, they got along."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_gina_liked">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Kendra%2C%20one%20to%20one%2C%20liked,they%20got%20along|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> This complexity extended to Kendra's role in the torture and abuse of Gina - Jacobsen believed that "as that Colonial officer, she felt that she was justified in everything she did" and that "every officer around her was justified in everything that they did as well."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_justification">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=as%20that%20Colonial%20officer%2C%20she,they%20did%20as%20well|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

=== Acting Philosophy and Approach ===

Jacobsen has developed a distinctive approach to challenging material, particularly when dealing with dark or complex scenes. Regarding her work in "[[Razor]]," she explained that she approaches difficult scenes "without comment," focusing on "doing what is done in the scene and then maybe reflecting on or analyzing it later."<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_acting_approach">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=you%20just%20approach%20them%20without,analyzing%20it%20later|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She believes actors must "commit to whatever it is and get it done and then sort of worry about it afterwards," noting that every scene "amounts to a very clear and I guess quite a profound philosophy."<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_commitment_philosophy">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=commit%20to%20whatever%20it%20is,quite%20a%20profound%20philosophy|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

The introduction of Kendra Shaw as a completely new character so late in ''Battlestar Galactica'''s run was, in Jacobsen's view, "an act of boldness and an act of ingenuity" that enabled "an entirely new untainted alternative perspective of situations, people and events" that had already been established.<ref group="commentary" name="ugo_jacobsen_character_introduction">{{cite web|url=http://galactica-station.blogspot.com/2007/11/battlestar-galactica-razor-stephanie.html#:~:text=an%20act%20of%20boldness%20and,had%20already%20been%20told%20of|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Stephanie Jacobsen Interview|publisher=Galactica Station (sourced from UGO.com)|date=November 2007|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

Regarding the [[Battle of the Guardian Basestar|character's sacrifice]] at the end of "[[Razor]]," Jacobsen felt this was "creatively speaking, the best possible ending for her" because "that sacrifice at the very end was her redemption, it really, in a way, purified what she'd been through."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_character_redemption">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=that%20sacrifice%20at%20the%20very,she%27d%20been%20through|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She also noted that Kendra "was a character who, in essence, was a temporal POV [Point of View]" and that "it would have sort of been a bit odd for her to have come in for Razor and then sort of stuck around for season four."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_temporal_character">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=was%20a%20character%20who%2C%20in,stuck%20around%20for%20season%20four|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

=== Science Fiction Career and Genre Affinity ===

Jacobsen's attraction to science fiction stems from both personal background and professional considerations. She explained that it "was a genre that I always, I guess, felt a kind of affinity with because my father is a big Sci Fi fan, so I was exposed to it a lot when I was growing up."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_scifi_background">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=was%20a%20genre%20that%20I,when%20I%20was%20growing%20up|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> More importantly from a career perspective, she noted her attraction to "the kind of female characters that the Sci Fi genre tends to promote and to nurture," citing "very strong, competent women in Sci Fi like Cain, like Starbuck and like Lena Headey's character Sarah Connor."<ref group="commentary" name="galacticatv_jacobsen_strong_female_characters">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/stephanie-jacobsen-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=the%20kind%20of%20female%20characters,like%20Lena%20Headey%27s%20character%20Sarah%20Connor|title=Stephanie Jacobsen GALACTICA.TV interview|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=May 23, 2009|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

=== Recent Projects and Perspective on Science Fiction ===

In a 2018 interview about the film ''Occupation'', Jacobsen discussed her attraction to science fiction roles, explaining that as a mixed-race woman of Asian and Portuguese heritage, sci-fi offers her "the widest breadth in regards to the characters that I am allowed to play."<ref group="commentary" name="lrm_jacobsen_mixed_race_perspective">{{cite web|url=https://lrmonline.com/news/stephany-jacobsen-interview/#:~:text=it%27s%20because%20I%27m%20a%20woman,I%20am%20allowed%20to%20play|title=Occupation: Stephany Jacobsen on Sci-Fi and Aliens Performances [Exclusive Interview]|publisher=LRM Online|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She noted that the genre allows for more creative fulfillment because "the stakes tend to be higher" and often involve "saving the human race."<ref group="commentary" name="lrm_jacobsen_higher_stakes">{{cite web|url=https://lrmonline.com/news/stephany-jacobsen-interview/#:~:text=The%20stakes%20are%20always%20kind,preserving%20the%20human%20race|title=Occupation: Stephany Jacobsen on Sci-Fi and Aliens Performances [Exclusive Interview]|publisher=LRM Online|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

For ''Occupation'', Jacobsen particularly enjoyed playing the character arc "from civilian to soldier," as she had previously portrayed military characters but never had the opportunity to show the transformation from ordinary person to warrior.<ref group="commentary" name="lrm_jacobsen_civilian_to_soldier">{{cite web|url=https://lrmonline.com/news/stephany-jacobsen-interview/#:~:text=I%20loved%20that%20this%20character,going%20to%20be%20a%20first%20off%20for%20me|title=Occupation: Stephany Jacobsen on Sci-Fi and Aliens Performances [Exclusive Interview]|publisher=LRM Online|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She performed her own stunts throughout the film, noting that she "didn't have a double ever" during production.<ref group="commentary" name="lrm_jacobsen_own_stunts">{{cite web|url=https://lrmonline.com/news/stephany-jacobsen-interview/#:~:text=Pretty%20much.%20%5BLaughs%5D%20Now%20I,I%20didn%27t%20have%20a%20double%20ever|title=Occupation: Stephany Jacobsen on Sci-Fi and Aliens Performances [Exclusive Interview]|publisher=LRM Online|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

== Personal Life ==

Jacobsen has been living in the United States since 2007.<ref group="commentary" name="lrm_jacobsen_living_us">{{cite web|url=https://lrmonline.com/news/stephany-jacobsen-interview/#:~:text=but%20I%27ve%20been%20living%20in,the%20U.S.%20since%202007|title=Occupation: Stephany Jacobsen on Sci-Fi and Aliens Performances [Exclusive Interview]|publisher=LRM Online|date=July 23, 2018|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, she is reportedly single and maintains a private personal life while focusing on her acting career.<ref group="external" name="mabumbe_jacobsen_current_status">{{cite web|url=https://mabumbe.com/people/stephanie-jacobsen-life-story-achievements-and-more/#:~:text=As%20of%20December%202024%2C%20Stephanie,on%20her%20acting%20career|title=Stephanie Jacobsen: Life Story, Achievements, and More|publisher=Mabumbe|date=January 7, 2025|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref> She is passionate about environmental issues and actively promotes sustainable living, while also participating in charity work and fundraising events.<ref group="external" name="mabumbe_jacobsen_environmental_work">{{cite web|url=https://mabumbe.com/people/stephanie-jacobsen-life-story-achievements-and-more/#:~:text=Beyond%20her%20acting%20career%2C%20Jacobsen,to%20support%20various%20causes|title=Stephanie Jacobsen: Life Story, Achievements, and More|publisher=Mabumbe|date=January 7, 2025|accessdate=August 14, 2025}}</ref>

== References ==

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}