While she may not be a household name yet, Kelsey Asbille is undoubtedly a star on the rise with plenty of memorable roles already filling her impressive resume. Making her debut in the 2000s in various teen and child roles, Asbille turned heads with her mix of humor and dramatic chops that made her perfect for many of the hit young adult shows of the time. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Asbille has been able to transition to more adult roles successfully, and she has evolved as a performer which isn’t always easy to do for a former teen idol.
Her creative partnership with TV producer and film director Taylor Sheridan has opened new doors for the young actor, and she is quickly becoming a go-to performer in nearly any type of role. Shows like Yellowstone propelled her into the spotlight, and it is only a matter of time before Asbille is competing for major Hollywood roles where she could finally make the jump to the big screen permanently. In 2023, Asbille was tapped to star in the Sam Raimi-produced horror film Don’t Move which promises to garner her even more attention as she becomes a bona fide movie star.
Splitting Up Together (2018-2019)
- Currently not available to stream
Hanging on for two seasons before being ultimately canceled, Splitting Up Together had all the trappings of a hit sitcom, but couldn’t pull the pieces together. A divorced couple, Lena (Jenna Fischer) and Martin (Oliver Hudson) find that their relationship is rekindled when they decide to still live together for the sake of their kids. Kelsey Asbille appeared in the episode “Street Meat” as Charlotte, a playful dance instructor who has a thing for Martin. Though the somewhat ditzy role wasn’t anything groundbreaking, Asbille stole the show in her limited screen time and called on her previous sitcom experience.
Baby Daddy (2012-2017)
- Stream on Fubo TV, Hulu, and Freeform
The sitcom Baby Daddy cast Kelsey Asbille in a one-episode role, but she pulled out all the stops and made the most of her single appearance on the somewhat forgotten Freeform series. In the show, a free-spirited bartender named Ben (Jean-Luc Bilodeau) becomes a father when an ex-girlfriend leaves a baby at his doorstep. Asbille played Stephanie in “An Affair Not to Remember” a girl who goes on a date with Tucker (Tahj Mowry) despite having no recollection of dating Ben in the past. Her character was appropriately goofy, but Asbille excelled at elevating the show’s somewhat cheesy writing and making it hilarious.
Brimming With Love (2018)
- Currently not available to stream
Taking a page from some of the best Hallmark Channel movies, the indie romance Brimming With Love featured many of the standard plot points found in any meet-cute film. A workaholic journalist named Allie (Asbille) agrees to be matched by coffee shop owner and matchmaker Sam (Jonathan Keltz) but she soon finds her real match is the matchmaker himself. Even if it didn’t set the world on fire, Brimming With Love proved that Asbille had what it took to anchor a movie, and she turned in a convincing performance.
Embeds (2017)
- Currently not available to stream
Almost no one saw the 2017 political comedy series Embeds, but the six-episode show offered up some of Kelsey Asbille’s best humorous work so far. A handful of young embedded reporters follow around a long-shot presidential candidate as he caucuses in Iowa. Asbille’s turn as Marissa was the perfect combination of pluck and determination, and the show’s writing actually gave its youthful cast a lot to work with. Even if it only stuck around for six episodes, Embeds gave actors like Asbille a chance to shine.
Pair of Kings (2010-2013)
- Stream on Disney +
Though she had made a mark in teen shows before her Disney Channel stint, Kelsey Asbille’s turn in the sitcom Pair of Kings was proof she had officially made it as a young star. Average teens Brady (Mitchell Musso) and Boomer (Doc Shaw) find their lives turned upside down when they learn they are heirs to the throne of the nation of Kinkow. Asbille co-starred as Mikayla, the royal advisor’s daughter, and she represented a force for good in the young boys’ lives. Even if she had done more mature work before, the underrated Disney Channel series was a symbol of Asbille’s flexibility as a performer.
Teen Wolf (2011-2017)
- Stream on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Paramount +
The role of Tracy Stewart on Teen Wolf could have been a challenge for a less experienced actor, but Kelsey Asbille was ready for a strong character arc. The show follows teen Scott (Tyler Posey) who is bitten by a werewolf and enters the mysterious world of monsters and mayhem while trying to be a normal high schooler. Asbille’s Tracy role played out across the show’s fifth season, and her rise and fall as a chimera was gripping stuff. Teen Wolf had a tendency to get a bit silly at times, but Asbille’s dramatic performance sold the over-the-top storyline.
One Tree Hill (2003-2012)
- Stream on Hulu and Max
Shows like One Tree Hill came to define the teenage TV genre for most of the 2000s and 2010s, and Kelsey Asbille took a major step forward in her career as a memorable recurring character. Brothers Nathan (James Lafferty) and Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) share and compete over the trials and tribulations of being a teenager in their small North Carolina town. Asbille played the long-running role of Gigi, a fellow student who sporadically dates Mouth (Lee Norris). As her first major role, Asbille had the look of a seasoned veteran, and she gave Gigi a realistic edge that went far beyond the show’s writing.
Wind River (2017)
- Stream on Netflix, Fubo TV, and Tubi TV
Just a year or so before the debut of Yellowstone, Kelsey Asbille worked with director/producer Taylor Sheridan on his film Wind River. In the movie, wildlife guide Cory (Jeremy Renner) teams up with FBI Agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) to investigate the murder of a girl on a Native American reservation. Asbille played Natalie, the young victim, and she flourished in the movie’s abundant flashback sequences. Though she drew controversy because of her purported indigenous heritage which turned out to be untrue (via Business Insider), Asbille still gave a powerhouse performance.
Fargo (2014-Present)
- Stream on Hulu
Anthology series like Fargo utilize dozens of cast members because of the constant change from season to season, and Kelsey Asbille managed to leave a mark on the show that already had such an impressive cast list. The series chronicles various stories of crime set in different time periods and different towns in the American Midwest. Season 4 featured Asbille as Swanee Capps, a small-time bandit who is best remembered for her flatulent misadventure. For an actor who usually plays attractive characters, Asbille’s turn showed her sense of humor and proved that she didn’t take herself too seriously.
Yellowstone (2018-Present)
- Stream on Peacock, Fubo TV, and The Paramount Network
Kelsey Asbille’s career before 2018 had seen her simmering just below the surface of stardom, but her turn in Yellowstone changed that forever. The Taylor Sheridan neo-western series follows the Dutton clan as they try to maintain control of their family’s ranch. Playing Kayce Dutton’s wife, Monica Long-Dutton, Asbille has fully come into her own as an actor in mature roles and has shed her label as a teen idol. Though her heritage once again caused controversy within the indigenous community, Monica’s character arc has allowed Kelsey Asbille to turn in the best acting of her entire career.
