Abigail Spencer (born August 4, 1981) is an American actress whose career spans daytime soap, primetime television and feature films. She first became known for portraying Rebecca Tyree on the daytime drama All My Children (1999–2001), and later appeared in notable television series such as Mad Men before taking on a lead role in the NBC time‑travel drama Timeless.

Spencer was born in Gulf Breeze, Florida, near Pensacola. She moved into professional acting as a young adult and worked steadily in television, building a résumé of guest spots, recurring parts and series regular assignments that led to film opportunities and higher-profile television roles.

Her film credits include mainstream studio productions and independent features. Examples are the romantic action comedy This Means War (2012), the fantasy adventure Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and the drama The Sweet Life (2016). On television, Spencer has alternated between guest appearances, recurring arcs and leading parts, with her portrayal of Lucy Preston on Timeless bringing her a wider national audience.

Observers have described Spencer's acting as adaptable and grounded: she often plays pragmatic, emotionally layered characters who can anchor both serialized melodrama and genre stories. Early work in the fast pace of daytime television trained her for demanding shooting schedules, while later projects have allowed subtler, character-driven performances.

Selected credits

  • Television
    • All My Children — Rebecca Tyree (1999–2001)
    • Mad Men — guest appearance (2009)
    • Timeless — Lucy Preston (2016–2018)
  • Film
    • This Means War (2012) — supporting role
    • Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) — supporting role
    • The Sweet Life (2016)

Beyond these credits, Spencer has balanced studio features with smaller, independent projects and continues to work across film and television. Her career illustrates a path from soap opera roots to ensemble and lead work in contemporary American television, and she remains a recognizable performer to fans of both drama and genre series.