2601:485:4100:67:A9EE:4505:6398:EDCA at 05:14, 17 October 2021

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{{short description|American actress}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Janina Gavankar
| image = File:Janina_Gavankar,_Star_Wars_The_Last_Jedi_premiere,_Dec_2017.jpg
| caption = Gavankar at the premier of ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'' in 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1980|11|29}}
| birth_place = [[Joliet, Illinois]], U.S.
| occupation = Actress, musician
| yearsactive = 2001–present
| birth_name = Janina Zione Gavankar
| website = {{URL|janinagavankar.com}}
}}

'''Janina Zione Gavankar''' ({{IPAc-en|dʒ|ə|ˈ|n|iː|n|ə|_|ɡ|ə|ˈ|v|ɑː|ŋ|k|ər}}; born November 29, 1980)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fhm.com/girls/covergirls/janina-gavankar |title=Janina Gavankar — Shape shifting Stunner |publisher=[[FHM]] |access-date=2012-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626072902/http://www.fhm.com/girls/covergirls/janina-gavankar |archive-date=2012-06-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/stephen-moyer-is-such-a-proud-father-2012204#ixzz1sdwiOwUC | title=Stephen Moyer is Such A Proud Father |work=[[Us Weekly]]|access-date=2012-06-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Fashion/Desi-designer-wear-at-Grammys-red-carpet/Article1-815933.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125062751/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Fashion/Desi-designer-wear-at-Grammys-red-carpet/Article1-815933.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-25 |title=Desi designer wear at Grammys red carpet |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=2012-06-27 }}</ref> is an American [[actress]] and [[musician]]. Gavankar is trained as a pianist, vocalist, and orchestral percussionist.<ref name='Nguyen'>{{cite news|first=Bernie|last=Nguyen|title=Ask Janina|date=2006-11-06|url=http://niralimagazine.com/2006/11/ask-janina|work=Nirali Magazine|page=Arts|access-date=2007-01-28}}</ref> She majored in Theatre Performance at the [[University of Illinois at Chicago]].<ref name='Swartz'>{{cite news|first=Shauna |last=Swartz |title=Interview With The L Word's Janina Gavankar |date=January 4, 2007 |publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom International Inc.]] |url=http://www.afterellen.com/node/4478 |work=AfterEllen.com |access-date=2007-05-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512200026/http://www.afterellen.com/node/4478 |archive-date=May 12, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uiaa.org/chicago/uicalumni/ctxt0405e.html|title=Recent Grads Find Success|access-date=2006-11-10|date=September–October 2004|work=UIC Alumni}}</ref>

Gavankar's roles include a police officer on ''[[The Gates (TV series)|The Gates]]''; [[Ms. Dewey]], the personification of a [[Microsoft]] branded search engine who commented on the user's searches; [[The League#Recurring characters|Shiva]], the namesake of the sought-after trophy on ''[[The League]]''; shapeshifter [[List of True Blood characters#Luna Garza|Luna Garza]] on [[HBO]]'s ''[[True Blood]]''; McKenna Hall on [[The CW]]'s ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]''; and Meredith Bose on [[NBC]]'s ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]''. She also played Diana Thomas on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s [[supernatural]] drama ''[[Sleepy Hollow (TV series)|Sleepy Hollow]]''.<ref name=NotJustAPrettyFace/>

==Early life==
Gavankar was born in [[Joliet, Illinois]], to Mohra Gavankar, from [[Punnam|Punnam, Andhra Pradesh]], who immigrated to the U.S. from [[India]] – she is half-Indian and half-Dutch<ref name="Khan">{{cite news|first=Natasha|last=Khan|title=Janina Gavankar profile|access-date=January 3, 2016|url=http://sapnamagazine.com/2010/janina-gavankar|work=SAPNA Magazine|page=Arts + Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101134337/http://sapnamagazine.com/2010/janina-gavankar/|archive-date=2016-01-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> – and Peter Ganesh Gavankar, an engineer from [[Mumbai]], who traveled to the U.S. to pursue a master's degree.

==Career==
Gavankar has acted in theatre, film, television, and online. Her most notable roles include [[List of Star Wars characters|Iden Versio]], a [[Canon (Star Wars)|canon Star Wars]] character and the protagonist of ''[[Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)|Star Wars: Battlefront II]]''; shapeshifter [[List of True Blood characters|Luna Garza]] in ''[[True Blood]]'', [[Papi (The L Word character)|Papi]] in ''[[The L Word]]''; [[Ms. Dewey]], the personification of a [[Microsoft]] live search engine; and [[The League#Recurring characters|Shiva]], the namesake of the sought after trophy on ''[[The League]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1232470/|title=Janina Gavankar|website=IMDb|access-date=2017-12-28}}</ref> She regularly appears in [[Funny or Die]] shorts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.funnyordie.com/janina_gavankar|title=Janina Gavankar profile |publisher=funnyordie.com |access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

In 2006 she joined the cast of ''[[The L Word]]'' as a series regular, and shot all of the clips used for [[Ms. Dewey]].<ref name=NotJustAPrettyFace/> In 2007, she landed a lead in CW pilot ''Dash 4 Cash''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2007/04/05/development-update-wednesday-thursday-april-4-5-24125/7349|title=Breaking News - Development Update: Wednesday-Thursday, April 4–5|publisher=thefutoncritic.com}}</ref> In 2008, Gavankar appeared in the TV series ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'', ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'', ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'', ''[[My Boys]]'', and ''[[Factory]]''. In 2009, she appeared in the TV shows ''[[The Cleaner (American TV series)|The Cleaner]]'', ''[[Dollhouse (TV series)|Dollhouse]]'', ''[[Three Rivers (TV series)|Three Rivers]]'', and ''[[The League]]'', as well as indie movies ''Men, Interrupted'', ''Indian Gangster'', and ''[[Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey]]''. Gavankar played the voice of Nikki in ''Quantum Quest''. She landed a lead role in ''[[The Gates (TV series)|The Gates]]'', since cancelled, on ABC.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i6c8a99484479c6febe5ff11275dabad3|title='Prison Break' actor joins ABC's 'Gates'|work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2010-10-13|access-date=2011-09-05}}</ref> She appears on CW's ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'' as a [[vice squad]] police officer and brief girlfriend to [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]].

Gavankar is an admitted [[gamer]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/54885/janina-gavankar-talks-true-blood-video-games-more/?quality=hd|title=Janina Gavankar Talks True Blood, Video Games & More|work=G4tv.com}}</ref> and has appeared on, as well as co-hosted, [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV's]] ''[[Attack of the Show!]]'', Epileptic Gaming's ''Up All Night'', where she helped review ''[[Rock Band (video game)|Rock Band]]'', ''[[Burnout Paradise]]'', and ''[[Army of Two]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wire.ggl.com/category/video/shows/up-all-night |title=Epileptic Gaming's "Up All Night" |publisher=Wire.ggl.com |access-date=2011-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002091545/http://wire.ggl.com/category/video/shows/up-all-night/ |archive-date=2011-10-02 }}</ref>

In 2011 Gavankar became a series regular in HBO's ''[[True Blood]]'' as a public school teacher and [[Shapeshifting|shapeshifter]], [[List of True Blood characters#Luna Garza|Luna Garza]], who gets romantically involved with one of the main characters of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tvguide.com/News/True-Blood-Tuck-1026065.aspx|title= True Blood Promotes Jessica Tuck; Adds Three New Actresses|publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wetpaint.com/true-blood/articles/janina-gavankar-on-comiccon-playing-a-shapeshifter-and-why-shed-totally-love-to-watch-true-blood-with-you--exclusive|title=Janina Gavankar on Comic-Con, Playing a Shapeshifter, and Why She'd Totally Love to Watch True Blood with You - Exclusive - True Blood|publisher=Wetpaint.com|date=2011-07-21|access-date=2011-09-05}}</ref>

Her indie movie, ''Satellite of Love'',<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.satelliteoflovemovie.com|title= Official Site of "Satellite of Love"|access-date= 2012-05-02|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120909035303/http://www.satelliteoflovemovie.com/|archive-date= 2012-09-09|url-status= dead}}</ref> premiered at the [[Dallas International Film Festival]] in 2012, and her 2012 indie ''I'm Afraid of Virginia Wolf'' is currently in post-production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt1992278|title=IMDb page for "I'm Afraid of Virginia Wolf"}}</ref> On December 20, 2012, Gavankar was the last person interviewed for the now cancelled ''[[Attack of the Show!]]'' which aired on [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]].{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

On August 3, 2013, Gavankar landed a role as a witch named Qetsiyah in the fifth season of ''[[The Vampire Diaries]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/885542/true-blood-star-janina-gavankar-joins-the-vampire-diaries|title='True Blood' Star Janina Gavankar Joins 'The Vampire Diaries'|work=The Inquisitr News}}</ref> She guest starred in the third season of ''[[Husbands (TV series)|Husbands]]''.<ref name="TV GUIDE; casting">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Husbands-CW-Seed-Janina-Gavankar-Elaine-Carroll-1069193.aspx|title=Exclusive: CW's Web Series Husbands Adds Cast Members from True Blood, CollegeHumor|first=Liz|last=Raftery|date=August 14, 2013|publisher=tvguide.com|access-date=August 14, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, she starred as Amita in the video game, ''[[Far Cry 4]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Janina Gavankar talks about her role in Far Cry 4 |url=http://www.gamecrate.com/janina-gavankar-far-cry-4-interview |access-date=November 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120041602/http://www.gamecrate.com/janina-gavankar-far-cry-4-interview/ |archive-date=November 20, 2014 }}</ref> She also played Detective Meredith Bose on ''[[The Mysteries of Laura]]'' from 2014 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/janina-gavankar-joins-the-mysteries-of-laura-brandon-smith-in-one-big-happy-698253/|title=Janina Gavankar Joins 'The Mysteries Of Laura', Brandon Smith In 'One Big Happy'|publisher=Deadline.com|date=March 13, 2014|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>

She starred as [[Iden Versio]], the main character in the campaign mode of the 2017 [[Electronic Arts]] video game ''[[Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)|Star Wars Battlefront II]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt5710996/?ref_=m_nm_knf_t3|title=Star Wars: Battlefront II (Video Game 2017)|website=IMDb|language=en|access-date=2017-11-18}}</ref>

In 2018, she was in two films. ''[[Blindspotting]]'' premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sundance-film-festival-2018-lineup-program-1202625522/|title=Sundance Film Festival Unveils Full 2018 Features Lineup|last=Debruge|first=Peter|date=2017-11-29|work=Variety|access-date=2017-12-28|language=en-US}}</ref> and ''[[The Vanishing of Sidney Hall]]'' was distributed by [[A24 (company)|A24]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/logan-lerman-sidney-hall-acquired-a24-directv-sundance/|title=A24, DirecTV Acquire Logan Lerman Sundance Mystery 'Sidney Hall' (Exclusive)|date=2017-04-04|work=TheWrap|access-date=2017-12-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

In late 2019 Gavankar had a supporting role in the new Apple TV+ series ''The Morning Show''.

===Music===
Gavankar returned to music with a cover of [[Kanye West]]'s "[[Love Lockdown]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjzaJ3mw_uw|title=Janina Gavankar - Love Lockdown|publisher=YouTube|date=2010-06-17|access-date=2011-09-05}}</ref> Gavankar's former all female singing group, Endera, was signed to [[Cash Money Records]] [[Universal Records (defunct record label)|Universal Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anokhimagazine.com/entertainment/sexy-successful-2011-janina-gavankar|title=Anokhi Sexy & Successful - Janina Gavankar|work=Anokhi Magazine|access-date=2011-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123203810/http://www.anokhimagazine.com/entertainment/sexy-successful-2011-janina-gavankar|archive-date=2011-01-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>

She collaborated on a project for a song called "Tell Me What" in India with Pratichee Mohapatra of [[Viva (band)|Viva]], Deep, and Navraaz. She has had songs licensed to movies and television, and has sung and played [[marimba]] on film scores. Gavankar was featured in Russian artist [[Ella Leya]]'s music video for "Wish I Could",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFdOKkL7A1w|title=Ella Leya's "Wish I Could"|publisher=Youtube.com|date=2010-12-01|access-date=2011-09-05}}</ref> in the music video by [[San Francisco]]-based band Recliner for their single "Float Away",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sausagefilms.com/float.html|title=Recliner's "Float Away"|publisher=sausagefilms.com|access-date=2011-09-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826180530/http://sausagefilms.com/float.html|archive-date=2011-08-26}}</ref> as well as the music video for [[Manu Narayan]]'s band Darunam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livevideo.com/video/F7ADB5C281AD4576802B933B4C5EBEA6/all-that-s-beautiful-must-die.aspx|title=Darunam's "All That's Beautiful Must Die"|publisher=Livevideo.com|access-date=2011-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930095033/http://www.livevideo.com/video/F7ADB5C281AD4576802B933B4C5EBEA6/all-that-s-beautiful-must-die.aspx|archive-date=2011-09-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2012, she released the single for her upcoming EP, entitled ''Waiting for Godot'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/08/premiere-janina-gavankar-waiting-for-godot|title=Premiere: Janina Gavankar "Waiting For Godot"|first=Andrew|last=Martin|work=Complex}}</ref> and in November, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' premiered the official music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/features/true-blood-s-janina-gavankar-exclusive-video-1007991422.story|title=True Blood's Janina Gavankar: Exclusive Video Premiere|work=Billboard}}</ref> It went on to win numerous film festival awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/simplicity-makes-waiting-for-godot-a-top-music-video-of-2013/article/363972|title=Simplicity makes 'Waiting for Godot' top music video of 2013 (Includes interview)|work=digitaljournal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://winterfilmawards.com/2013-official-selections/waiting-for-godot|title=WAITING FOR GODOT|work=Winter Film Awards|access-date=January 9, 2016}}</ref>

While in high school, Gavankar auditioned for the front ensemble of the [[Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps]] of [[Rockford, Illinois]]. Before hearing whether she had made the corps, she was accepted for the [[Yale University|Yale School of Drama's]] summer camp, and went there. "I fell in love with drum corps when I was 13 years old", Gavankar has stated, and remains a strong fan of the activity. When she heard the [[Martin Garrix]]/Usher collaboration, "Don't Look Down", she had the idea of performing it as marching music. With assistance from [[Drum Corps International]], she contacted the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps and arranger Colin Bell. She went into the studios in New York with fifty members of Jersey Surf and recorded the music video "Don't Look Down- #JustAddDrumCorps Edition" that was released in April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Drum Corps International|title=Jersey Surf helps Janina Gavankar unleash her inner band geek|url=http://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=33500&ATCLID=210053698&SPID=166025&SPSID=965782|date=April 15, 2015|access-date=July 1, 2015}}</ref>

On May 20, 2015, Gavankar performed a percussion duet at [[Carnegie Hall]] with [[Questlove]] for the Best Buddies charity benefit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2015/5/20/0800/PM/Best-Buddies-New-York-Benefit-Concert-Elaine-Kwon-and-Friends|title=Best Buddies New York Benefit Concert - Elaine Kwon and Friends - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - Carnegie Hall|work=carnegiehall.org|access-date=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429005121/http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2015/5/20/0800/PM/Best-Buddies-New-York-Benefit-Concert-Elaine-Kwon-and-Friends/|archive-date=April 29, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Technology===
Gavankar was the first actress to use [[Twitter]], signing up on [[Richard Branson]]'s computer on [[Necker Island (British Virgin Islands)|Necker Island]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bilton|first=Nick|date=September 30, 2014|title=Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal|location= USA|publisher=Portfolio|page=102|isbn=978-1591847083}}</ref><ref>[http://www.trueblood-news.com/janina-gavankar-cements-geek-cred-on-g4s-attack-of-the-show Janina Gavankar Cements Geek Cred on Attack of the Show!] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120913052117/http://www.trueblood-news.com/janina-gavankar-cements-geek-cred-on-g4s-attack-of-the-show |date=2012-09-13 }}, trueblood-news.com; accessed January 9, 2016.</ref>

Gavankar was the personification of [[Microsoft]]'s interactive search engine [[Ms. Dewey]].<ref name=NotJustAPrettyFace/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketplace.org/topics/tech/spending-time-ms-dewey#|title=Spending time with Ms. Dewey|publisher=NPR Marketplace Tech|date=2006-12-13|access-date=2012-04-01}}</ref>

In 2011 she created a free template for actors and artists to help them control their online presence<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhumphrey/2011/11/09/janina-gavankar-true-blood-shapeshifter-goes-posterous-on-her-industry|title=Janina Gavankar: 'True Blood' Shapeshifter Goes Posterous On Her Industry|work=Forbes|date=2011-11-05|access-date=2011-11-05}}</ref> and in 2012, spoke at the Suits and Spooks Conference about how she discovered a solution for data challenges faced by actors through the use of open source tools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://suitsandspooks.taiaglobal.com|title=Suits and Spooks|work=taiaglobal.com|access-date=January 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011035707/http://suitsandspooks.taiaglobal.com/|archive-date=October 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2017, she launched a private discussion forum for members of the games industry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/neogaf-the-forum-janina-gavankar|title=Battlefront 2 actor and DeviantArt founder launch NeoGAF competitor: The Forum|work=PCGamesN|access-date=2017-12-28}}</ref>

In 2018, she produced the first narrative film to use the [[Arri Alexa|ARRI Alexa]] LF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fdtimes.com/pdfs/free_previews/88FDTimes-June2018-150p.pdf|title=Logan Schneider on ARRI Alexa LF and Signature Primes|last=Schneider|first=Logan|date=June 2018|website=FDTimes.com}}</ref>

Gavankar is a first round investor in [[ClassPass]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/04/star-wars-battlefront-iis-janina-gavankar-straddles-being-a-fan-actress-and-gamer/2/|title=Star Wars: Battlefront II's Janina Gavankar straddles being a fan, an actress, and a gamer page 2 {{!}} GamesBeat|website=venturebeat.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-28}}</ref>

== Awards ==
In 2008, Gavankar was nominated for an Asian Excellence Award.<ref>[http://www.asianexcellenceawards.com/Nominees/2008]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2012, Gavankar received the Gravity Summit Award for Excellence in Social Media.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gravitysummit.com/2011/12/true-blood-and-social-media-star-janina-gavankar-to-receive-gravity-summit%E2%80%99s-excellence-in-social-media-entertainment-award |title=True Blood and Social Media Star Janina Gavankar to Receive Gravity Summit's Excellence in Social Media/Entertainment Award |access-date=2012-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129045658/http://www.gravitysummit.com/2011/12/true-blood-and-social-media-star-janina-gavankar-to-receive-gravity-summit%E2%80%99s-excellence-in-social-media-entertainment-award/ |archive-date=2012-01-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Filmography ==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2001
| ''Why Is God...''
| Mina
| Short film
|-
| 2003
| ''Dark''
| Kaya
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Barbershop 2: Back in Business]]''
| Field Reporter
|
|-
| 2005
| ''Just Speak''
| Melody
| Short film
|-
| 2005
| ''Cup of My Blood''
| Iona
|
|-
| 2008
| ''Shattered!''
| Maria
|
|-
| 2009
| ''Indian Gangster''
| Geeta
| Short film
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey]]''
| Niki (voice)
|
|-
| 2010
| ''Men, Interrupted''
| Cece Twain
| Short film
|-
| 2011
| ''{{sortname|The|Custom Mary|nolink=1}}''
| Ms. Rime
|
|-
| 2011
| ''Victory or Death''
| Selah
| Short film
|-
| 2012
| ''Satellite of Love''
| Michelle
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Who's Afraid of Vagina Wolf?]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1992278/|title=Who's Afraid of Vagina Wolf?|access-date=11 May 2019|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
| Katia Amour / The Stud
|
|-
| 2013
| ''{{sortname|The|Final Moments of Karl Brant|nolink=1}}''
| Detective Hostetler
| Short film
|-
| 2014
| ''Code Academy''
| Madame Counselor
| Short film
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Think Like a Man Too]]''
| Vanessa
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Pee-Wee's Big Holiday]]''
| Herself
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[The Vanishing of Sidney Hall]]''
| Gina
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Blindspotting]]''
| Val
|
|-
| 2018
| ''White Orchid''
| Tina
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Way Back (2020 film)|The Way Back]]''
| Angela
|
|-
| 2020
| ''Stucco''
| 'J'
| Short film<br>Also director, writer, and producer
|-
| TBA
| ''Cortex''
| Sama
| Post-production
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Invasion (upcoming film)|Invasion]]''
| Piya
| Post-production
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Borderlands (film)|Borderlands]]''
| Commander Knoxx
|
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Strong Medicine]]''
| Nurse Juni
| Episode: "Omissions"
|-
| 2007–2009
| ''{{sortname|The|L Word}}''
| [[List of The L Word characters#P|Eva 'Papi' Torres]]
| Recurring role
|-
| 2008
| ''[[My Boys]]''
| Terri
| Episode: "The Transitioning"
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Factory (TV series)|Factory]]''
| Laura
| TV series
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]''
| Sergeant 'Dusty' Mehra
| Episode: "Whispers"
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''
| Intern Lisa
| Episode: "There's No 'I' in Team", "Life During Wartime"
|-
| 2009
| ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]''
| Angela Lopez
| Episode: "Caged"
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Dollhouse (TV series)|Dollhouse]]''
| Lynn
| Episode: "Epitaph One"
|-
| 2009
| ''{{sortname|The|Cleaner|The Cleaner (American TV series)}}''
| Usha Patel
| Episode: "The Projectionist", "Trick Candles"
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Three Rivers (TV series)|Three Rivers]]''
| Ada Rahimi
| Episode: "Place of Life"
|-
| 2009–2015
| ''{{sortname|The|League}}''
| Shivakamini Somakandarkram
| Recurring role
|-
| 2010
| ''{{sortname|The|Gates|The Gates (TV series)}}''
| [[List of The Gates characters#Leigh Turner|Leigh Turner]]
| Main role
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Traffic Light (TV series)|Traffic Light]]''
| Alexa
| Recurring role
|-
| 2011–2013
| ''[[True Blood]]''
| Luna Garza
| Main role (seasons 4–5), recurring role (season 6)
|-
| 2012
| ''{{sortname|The|Exes}}''
| Kerry
| Episode: "My Dinner with Phil"
|-
| 2012
| ''Choke.Kick.Girl: The Series''
| Katie
| Episode: "Hammerfist, Knee, Guillotine Fiend"
|-
| 2013
| ''Love Is Dead''
| Marisol Rajagopal
| TV film
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]''
| Detective McKenna Hall
| 4 episodes
|-
| 2013
| ''{{sortname|The|Goodwin Games}}''
| Hannah
| Episode: "The Birds of Granby"
|-
| 2013
| ''Just Face It''
| Ava
| TV miniseries
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Husbands (TV series)|Husbands]]''
| Kajal
| Episode: "I Dream of Cleaning"
|-
| 2013
| ''{{sortname|The|Vampire Diaries}}''
| Qetsiyah / Tessa
| Recurring role (season 5)
|-
| 2014
| ''Nikki & Nora: The N&N Files''
| Lea Sadina
| Recurring role
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Garfunkel and Oates (TV series)|Garfunkel and Oates]]''
| Dr. Sharma
| Episode: "Third Member"
|-
| 2014–2016
| ''{{sortname|The|Mysteries of Laura}}''
| Meredith Bose
| Main role
|-
| 2015
| ''{{sortname|The|History of Us|nolink=1}}''
| Sabrina
| TV film
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Sleepy Hollow (TV series)|Sleepy Hollow]]''
| [[List of Sleepy Hollow characters#Diana Thomas|Diana Thomas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/sleepy-hollow-janina-gavankar-cast-ichabod-cranes-new-partner-1201791280/|title='Sleepy Hollow': Janina Gavankar Cast As Ichabod Crane's New Partner|last=Petski|first=Denise|work=Deadline|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref>
| Main role (season 4)
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Hell's Kitchen (U.S. TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]''
| Herself
| Guest diner; Episode: "Stars Heating Up Hell"
|-
| 2018
| ''Daddy Issues''
| Unknown
| TV Movie
|-
| 2019
| ''[[You're The Worst]]''
| Rachel
| Episode: "Zero Eggplants"
|-
| 2019
| [[Better Things (TV series)|''Better Things'']]
| Nikki
| Episodes: "Holding", "Monsters in the Moonlight"
|-
| 2019–present
| ''[[The Morning Show (American TV series)|The Morning Show]]''
| Alison Namazi
| Recurring role
|-
| 2020
| ''Echo''
| Mel Goodwin
| Principal role
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Space Force (TV series)|Space Force]]''
| Hannah Howard
| Episode: "EDISON JAYMES"
|-
| 2020–present
| ''[[The Mighty Ones]]''
| Kensington (voice)
| Recurring role
|-
|2021-present
|''[[Big Sky (American TV series)|Big Sky]]''
|Ren
|Recurring role
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Far Cry 4]]''
| Amita
| Voice
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Horizon Zero Dawn#The Frozen Wilds|Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds]]''
| Tatai
| Voice, DLC for the original game
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game)|Star Wars Battlefront II]]''
| [[Iden Versio]]
| Voice, likeness, and motion capture
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Afterparty (video game)|Afterparty]]''
| Lola
| Voice
|-
| 2022
|''[[Forspoken]]''
| Tanta Sila
| Voice<ref name="PS Blog September">{{cite web|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/09/09/journey-with-frey-to-forspokens-fantastical-world-next-spring/|title=Journey with Frey to Forspoken's fantastical world next spring|last=Mitsuno|first=Raio|work=[[PlayStation Blog]]|publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]|date=2021-09-09|accessdate=2021-09-14}}</ref>
|-
|}

===Audiobooks===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2017
| ''Star Wars Battlefront II: Inferno Squad''
| Narrator<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Battlefront-II-Audiobook/B06ZY1VRRH?ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=4ZC91SY1YFVKJYW1VZY8&|title=Battlefront II Inferno Squad (Star Wars) Audiobook|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref>
|
|-
| 2019
| ''Randomize: Forward''
| Narrator<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Randomize-Andy-Weir-audiobook/dp/B07X7K7DVS|title=Randomize: Forward Audiobook|access-date=September 9, 2020}}</ref>
| Short Story
|-
|}

===Crew work===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Mandalorian]]''
| Assistant Puppeteer (uncredited)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/mandalorian-season-2-battlefront-2-janina-gavankar-cameo/|title=The Mandalorian's Secret Battlefront 2 Cameo Revealed|website=Screenrant|first=Cooper|last=Hood|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref>
| Episode: "[[Chapter 11: The Heiress]]"
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=NotJustAPrettyFace>
{{cite news
| url = https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/46617/Miriam_Sweeney.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
| title = Not just a pretty (inter)face: A critical analysis of Microsoft's 'Ms. Dewey'
| work = [[University of Illinois]]
| first = Miriam E.
| last = Sweeney
| year = 2013
| access-date = 2017-11-27
| quote = As one of my co-workers typed in different words and phrases, the "Ms. Dewey" character (pre-recorded film footage of actress, Janina Gavankar) engages in flirtatious banter, sometimes becoming irritated or condescending if too much time passes before entering a search term: "Hellloooo... type something here!"
}}
</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official|http://www.janinagavankar.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1232470|name=Janina Gavankar}}
* [http://lesbicanarias.es/tag/janina-gavankar/ Janina Gavankar profile], Lesbicanarias.es (in Spanish)
* [http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/sep/07sld1.htm Interview], Rediff.com (September 7, 2007)
* [https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhumphrey/2011/11/09/janina-gavankar-true-blood-shapeshifter-goes-posterous-on-her-industry Interview], forbes.com (November 2012)

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gavankar, Janina}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from Joliet, Illinois]]
[[Category:Actresses from Illinois]]
[[Category:American actresses of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American video game actresses]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Joliet, Illinois]]
[[Category:University of Illinois at Chicago alumni]]

Janina Gavankar - Revision history

2601:485:4100:67:A9EE:4505:6398:EDCA at 05:14, 17 October 2021