Tessa Thompson

Nikki Barnes

Familiar to television audiences for her role as Jackie Cook on "Veronica Mars," Tessa Thompson stars in The CW's new drama "Hidden Palms." Thompson plays Nikki, a Los Angeles party girl with a history of alcohol abuse, whose affluent family has written her off as a lost cause.

Born in Los Angeles, Thompson made her stage debut in a fifth-grade play, starring as a tap-dancing wolf, opposite Amber Tamblyn. More recently, Thompson was nominated for a NAACP Image Award for her stage performance as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet," her first Shakespeare production. Subsequently, she has appeared in "The Tempest" and "Twelfth Night," as well as "Summertime," "Grease" and "Guys and Dolls." Thompson was also the lead in "Indoor/Outdoor" at The Colony Theater in Burbank, California.

In addition to her role on "Veronica Mars," Thompson has guest starred on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Cold Case." She also appeared in the television movie "The Initiation of Sarah."

Her feature films credits include "Everyday People," "When a Stranger Calls" and "He Got Game," with Denzel Washington.

Currently residing in Los Angeles, Thompson is the daughter of singer/songwriter Marc A. Thompson of the New York-based band Chocolate Genius, and granddaughter of actor/musician Bobby Ramos ("Latin Cruise"), one of the first Latin Americans to have his own television show. She enjoys dance, choreography and sports, including tennis, swimming, volleyball, surfing and cheerleading.

Hidden Palms is a trademark of Lionsgate Television and Outerbanks Entertainment.
Images and Audio copyright 2007 Lionsgate Television/Outerbanks Entertainment.