Skip to content
Motif
Nicky Whelan

Nicky Whelan

Actor, also producer · Born May 10, 1981 (45) · Cranbourne, Victoria, Australia

Nicky Whelan (born 10 May 1981) is an Australian actress and model. She became known in Australia with the role of Pepper Steiger, which she played in the soap opera Neighbors, during a hundred episodes, broadcast between 2006 and 2007. She arrived in Hollywood with two projects: first with the choral comedy Hollywood & Wine, where she played an aspiring actress arriving in Hollywood. Then by landing a recurring role in the ninth season of Scrubs, that of Maya, a very sexy medical student. However, the series is suddenly stopped. The actress then continues with the filming of a comedy by the Farrelly brothers, Good to shoot, worn by the tandem Jason Sudeikis / Owen Wilson, then appearances in series, short films and B series films. The year 2013 allowed her to land more exposed projects: she appeared in six episodes of the detective series Franklin and Bash, then landed her first regular role in the web-series Chosen, carried by Milo Ventimiglia. She plays in the first two seasons of the series, also giving the reply to Chad Michael Murray. The following year, she followed up with supporting roles in two fantastic feature films set in airplanes: one was a television film for the SyFy channel, Flight 7500: One Way Back, with a cast of actors from television series ; and the other is the action movie Le Chaos, carried by Nicolas Cage. She plays a flight attendant. But above all, she shares the poster for a new television series, entitled Matador with Gabriel Luna. This thriller series, where the actors embody CIA agents, and produced by director Robert Rodriguez, however, does not exceed a season of 13 episodes. She continues with the pilot of another series, which however does not succeed. In 2015, she therefore shared the poster for a B-series romance, Borrowed Moments, with Brian Krause, then appeared in the comedy Witness for Rent, worn by Kevin Hart, Josh Gad and Kaley Cuoco. She is also part of the very large distribution of the experimental Knight of Cups, by Terrence Malick. She also appears in five episodes of the Satisfaction series. She continues to appear in minor projects, including the thriller Usurpation, which she shares with Nicolas Cage and Gina Gershon. Source : Wikipedia

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 10, 1981 (45)
From
Cranbourne, Victoria, Australia
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
51 on Motif · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28

What are Nicky Whelan's films like?

Across their 38 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Action12 titlesTypical Motif score: 10th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy8 titlesTypical Motif score: 30th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Thriller7 titlesTypical Motif score: 13th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Motif score: 20th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Motif score: 9th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Motif score: 37th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Fantasy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
28%
Survival
27%
Self
17%
Morality
13%
Society
8%
Ideas
4%
Power
2%
Survival11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 38 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 14 · Dark 13

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 26 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 8 · Charged 11 · Intense 19

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 7

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 25 · Relentless 5

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 14 · Engaged 20 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 15 · Affecting 15 · Heavy 8

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 9 of 14 analyzed roles.

Hero
9 of 14
Shadow
2 of 14
Ally
2 of 14
Shapeshifter
1 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
28
Dread
21
Absurd
10
Thrilling
6
Warm
5
Other
28

How their films linger

Unsettling14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 12 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous10

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Nicky Whelan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 51 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Nicky Whelan's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 51 with a Motif page.

  • A Crime Story(2026)

    Actor

    Motif score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Dating App Nightmare(2026)

    as Kate

    Motif score: 60th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bring the Law(2026)

    as Melinda

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • On the Hunt(2026)

    as Tammy Fenton

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Straight Shot(2026)

    as River

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Speed Train(2025)

    as Scarlet

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Last Tenant(2025)

    as Jill

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Seclusion(2025)

    Co-Producer · as Madeline

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Devil's Play(2025)

    as Helen Kennedy

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • 72 Hours(2024)

    Actor

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Crescent City(2024)

    as Jaclyn Waters

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Nana Project (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    as Jennifer

  • The Flood(2023)

    as Sheriff Jo Newman

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Best Man(2023)

    as Brook

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Maneater(2022)

    as Jessie Quilan

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Dangerous Methods(2022)

    as Sharon Warman

    Motif score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Girl in the Window(2021)

    as Valerie

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Last Night in Rozzie(2021)

    as Pattie

    Motif score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Famous Adjacent (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    as Nicky

  • Dear Christmas(2020)

    as Emma

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Love by Drowning (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    as Lee Anne

  • InstaPsycho(2020)

    as Gwen Reynolds

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Trauma Center(2019)

    as Madison Taylor

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Secrets at the Lake (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Amy Pruitt

  • Sins and Seduction(2018)

    as Leslie Reynolds

    Motif score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Pretty Little Stalker(2018)

    as Lorna Sisco

    Motif score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • A Christmas Arrangement(2018)

    Co-Producer · as Poppy Benson

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Middle of X(2018)

    as Emily Prescott

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Romance at Reindeer Lodge(2017)

    as Molly Clark

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Tragedy Girls(2017)

    as Mrs. Kent

    Motif score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Valentine's Again(2017)

    as Katherine

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Inconceivable(2017)

    as Katie

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Dog Eat Dog(2016)

    as Daniece

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Rebirth(2016)

    as Naomi

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Second Chance(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Bettina

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Life in Pieces(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Kaeli

    Motif score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Knight of Cups(2015)

    as Nicky

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Robinson (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Kelly

  • Borrowed Moments (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as Melissa

  • The Wedding Ringer(2015)

    as Nadia

    Motif score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Left Behind(2014)

    as Hattie Durham

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Matador (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 13 episodes · as Annie Mason

  • Flight 7500(2014)

    as Liz Lewis

    Motif score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Paranormal Movie(2013)

    as Cindy

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Power of Few(2013)

    as Marti

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Chosen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as Laura Mitchell

  • House of Lies(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Klare

    Motif score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Friends with Benefits(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Colleen

    Motif score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Franklin & Bash(2011)

    Show 6 episodes · as Charlie

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Hollywood & Wine(2011)

    as Jamie Stephens / Diane Blaine

    Motif score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Workaholics(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Naomi

    Motif score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Hall Pass(2011)

    as Leigh

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Suite 7(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Nicky

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The League(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as L-E

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Melrose Place(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Kira

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Halloween II(2009)

    as Wendy Snow

    Motif score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Russell Coight's Celebrity Challenge (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    as Chrissie Grant

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Air Hostess

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Scrubs(2001)

    Show 10 episodes · as Maya

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Love Meets in the Sunshine (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Zombie Plane

    as Nicky Whelan

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles, 59 of them dated from 2001 to 2026; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Hall Pass (2011)

$86M worldwide

Highest rated

The Wedding Ringer (2015)

Motif 59th

Most popular right now

Left Behind (2014)

Film career

20012026

Peak 2018 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 8 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 61: 59 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Motif score22ndProducing2 of 61: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

2000s6 · acting2010s31 · 31 acting · 1 crew2020s22 · 22 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 29% of 21 roles
1116

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Nicky Whelan's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 17th percentile, the median of the 39 of 40 with a score; across their 38 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 16th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

16thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Approval · how many liked their films

18thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 38

Motif score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th26

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 50 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned5
  • Divisive9
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed24

Most divisive · actor

Devil's Play (2025)

99th percentile spread · 41% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Scrubs (2001)

Motif 96th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 47/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 26. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Nicky Whelan's work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 Motif titles with content scores, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles37–91 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles7–74 · median 23 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity8 titles34–82 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles25–69 · median 45 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles12–66 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Nicky Whelan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Nicky Whelan's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Carolina Brasil shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles