Alexandra Neil (born April 7, 1955) is an American stage, film and television actress. She is also an activist – co-founder of Downtown Women for Change in New York City. Earlier in her career, she was credited as Dianne Thompson-Neil.
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Life and career
Neil was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She attended middle school and high school at University-Liggett School in Grosse Pointe, MI. She graduated Cum Laude from Williams College in 1977 with a BA in English/Theatre. She also attended the National Theatre Institute in 1975. She has worked in television, film, and theatre. She is also a playwright, director and acting teacher. She lives in New York City.
Neil made her Broadway debut in Match, (opposite Frank Langella) and played Candida in the Broadway production of Tom Stoppard’s Rock’n’Roll.
Film credits include: Listen Up Phillip, The Longest Week, Simon Killer, Afterschool, Twelve, nonames, Something’s Gotta Give, and others.
Television: guest stars and guest leads on Madoff, The Blacklist, Forever, Blue Bloods, all the Law & Orders, Madigan Men, Ed, The Sopranos, Dudley and she is well-known for five major roles in daytime drama, including Ruby Wright Wheeler on Texas.
Neil is a member of the Actors Center Workshop Company in NYC. She is included in the 2012 book Now you tell me! – 12 Actors Give the Best Advice They Never Got, by Sheridan Scott and Chris Willman.
Her play Moucheron was read in the Miranda Theatre Company’s Liz Smith Reading Series at the Cherry Lane in March 2019. Her play Strange Fits was read at the Atlantic Theater in 2009, and done in a workshop in 2010 at New York Stage and Film.
She has directed her original work at the Williams College Summer Theater Lab, Williams College Theater, the Friday Series at Michael Howard Studios, and the NY Poetry Project.
Neil has taught acting at The Freeman Studio, Michael Howard Studios, NYU Tisch, the National Theater Institute, the Williams College Summer Theater Lab, the MFA Acting Program at Brooklyn College, Connecticut College, and Marymount College.
Activism
In 2016, Neil co-founded (with writer and chef Eugenia Bone) the organization Downtown Women for Change in New York City. DWC is a grassroots organization committed to preserving and advancing women's rights, mentoring women who choose careers in public policy, and working to elect pro-choice, Democratic women and allies to city, state and national office.
Stage credits
Broadway
Rock’n’Roll (Tom Stoppard — 2010) – as Candida (also u/s Eleanor/Esme) – Dir: Trevor Nunn
Match (Stephen Belber — 2004) – as Lisa – (u/s and played) – Dir: Nicholas Martin
Off and Off-Off Broadway
Reparations (2019) – Billie Holiday Theatre, as Ginny Pleasance
Mystery of Love and Sex (2015) – Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center, as Lucinda (u/s)
An Oak Tree (2007) – Barrow Street Theatre, as The Father
Marien’s Kammer (1985) – Ensemble Studio Theatre Marathon, as Marie
The Cruelties of Mrs. Schnayd (1984) – NY Theatre Studio, as Madeleine
Asian Shade (1983) – WPA Theatre, as Jean
The Matchmaker (1980) – Jewish Repertory Theatre, as Ermengarde
Rocket to the Moon (1979) – Jewish Repertory Theatre, as Cleo Singer
Clear the Range (1979) – Theatre at St. Clements, as The Girl
Sexy St. James (1979) – LaMama ETC, as Arden Amici
The Ride Across Lake Constance (1978) – Theatre at St. Clements, as Elisabeth Bergner
Four Little Girls (1978) — SoHo Rep, as Marie
Regional
Stag's Leap (2019) – Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse
20th Century Blues (Susan Miller – 2018 – World Premiere) CATF, as Sil
Now or Later (Christopher Shinn – 2012 – US Premiere) – Huntington Theatre Co., as Jessica
In (Bess Wohl – 2011 – World Premiere) – Pioneer Theatre, as Pammie
Balm in Gilead (1987) – Alley Theatre, Houston, as Darlene
Of Mice and Men (1987) –Syracuse Stage, as Curley’s Wife
Old Sins, Long Shadows (1986) – Philadelphia Theatre Company, as Delorah
Sweet Bird of Youth (1985) – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, as Heavenly
Bus Stop (1982) – Actors Theatre of Louisville, as Cherie
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (1980) – Hartman Theatre, as Dockdaisy
Filmography
Film
Listen Up Philip (2014) – Chelsea
The Longest Week (2014) — Maribel Valmont
Pretty Happy (2010) — Cheryl Jacobs
Nonames (2010) – Mrs. Ellis
Twelve (2010) – Mimi Kenton
Afterschool (2008) – Gloria Talbert
508 Nelson (2006) – Tammy Millar
Marci X (2003) – Woman at Auction
The Science of Love (2003 short) – Ileana
Something's Gotta Give (2003) – Harry's Old Flame
Suits (1999) – Sally Parkyn
Longtime Companion (1989) – Soap Actress
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) – Sally
Wall Street (1987) – Elevator Person
Manhunter (1986) – Eileen
Television
Prodigal Son – “Wait & Hope” (2020) as Connie
Blue Bloods – “Thicker Than Water” (2018) as Joan McCandless
Madoff (2016)
“Redemptions” (2016) as Monica Noel
“Fallout” (2016) as Monica Noel
“Catch Me If You Cancer” (2016) as Monica Noel
“Millions to Billions” (2016) as Monica Noel
Forever (2014)... “New York Kids“ (2014) as Beth Forester
The Blacklist – “The Kingmaker” (2014) as Ginny Mitchell
Law & Order: Criminal Intent – “Playing Dead” (2009) as Josie Hayes-Fitzgerald
Law & Order (1997-2009, 2026)
“Never Say Goodbye“ (2026) as Claire Turner
“Lucky Stiff” (2009) as Patricia Klein
“Ego” (2001) as Alice Marner
“Shadow” (1997) as Lisa Harmon
One Life to Live (2004-2007) as Paige Miller (71 episodes)
One Life to Live (1985-1985) as Jeannie Johnson (24 Episodes)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – “Taboo” (2006) as Mrs. Drake
All My Children (2002-2003) as Casey Wexler (16 episodes)


