Model and actress Rachel Emily Nichols was born in Augusta, Maine to Alison and James Nichols, a teacher. She has English, French-Canadian, German, Irish, Italian and Scottish ancestry. After graduating from high school, she attended Columbia University in New York City, where she eventually graduated with a double major in math and economics. Whilst at Columbia, she began modeling, launching a successful career with work for such high-profile companies as Guess?, Abercrombie & Fitch and L'Oreal. She moved into acting, snagging a role on Sex and the City (1998) with her very first audition. She made her film debut as Jessica Matthews in the prequel Dumb & dumberer - quand Harry rencontra Lloyd (2003). Success continued with roles in such projects as Amityville (2005), The inside - Dans la tête des tueurs (2005), Alias (2001), G.I. Joe - Le réveil du Cobra (2009), Esprits criminels (2005) (a recurring role as FBI Agent Ashley Seaver) and Conan (2011). She played the lead role of Kiera Cameron on the science fiction series Continuum (2012).
