Pollyanna McIntosh Bio: Age, Movies, TV Shows & Net Worth
Pollyanna McIntosh is a Scottish actress, director, writer, and producer. She has built a diverse career across film, television, theater, and independent cinema.
Many viewers recognize her as Jadis, also known as Anne, in The Walking Dead. Her performance made her one of the franchise’s most memorable supporting characters.
However, McIntosh built her reputation before joining the zombie drama. She earned attention through films such as Exam, The Woman, and Let Us Prey.
She also directed and wrote the horror film Darlin’. The project marked her feature directorial debut and expanded her creative career.
More recently, McIntosh appeared in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Vikings: Valhalla, Scavengers Reign, and Outer Banks.
Pollyanna McIntosh Age and Early Life
Pollyanna McIntosh was born on March 15, 1979, in Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She spent parts of her childhood living outside Scotland.
Her family lived in Portugal when she was young. Later, they moved to Colombia before returning to Scotland.
These international experiences exposed McIntosh to different cultures during her childhood. Eventually, she settled in Edinburgh and discovered her passion for performance.
Her father also worked as an actor before moving into business. That background gave McIntosh an early connection to the entertainment industry.
She attended St. George’s School for Girls in Edinburgh. Later, she moved to London and began developing her acting career.
How Old Is Pollyanna McIntosh?
Pollyanna McIntosh is 47 years old in 2026. She celebrates her birthday on March 15 each year.
Her career has now lasted more than two decades. During that period, she has worked across several entertainment industries.
She has also expanded her work beyond acting. Her credits now include directing and writing.
Pollyanna McIntosh Early Acting Career
McIntosh began performing publicly when she was only 16. She appeared on stage during the Edinburgh Festival.
Afterward, she moved to London and pursued professional acting opportunities. She also became involved in independent filmmaking and theater.
Her early work included projects connected to writer Irvine Welsh. IMDb notes that her first paid acting job involved The Acid House.
McIntosh also worked as a stage actress and director. Therefore, she developed an understanding of performance from both sides of production.
In 2004, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in American entertainment.
That move eventually led to her first major American film roles.
Pollyanna McIntosh Modeling Career
Before focusing fully on acting, McIntosh also worked as a model.
She modeled professionally between the ages of 15 and 24. Her modeling work included appearances connected to major fashion publications.
She worked with brands and publications that helped establish her presence within the fashion industry.
However, acting remained her long-term passion. Eventually, she shifted her attention toward film, television, and theater.
Her early modeling experience also helped her become comfortable in front of cameras.
Pollyanna McIntosh Movies
Pollyanna McIntosh has built an impressive filmography across horror, drama, comedy, and independent cinema.
Her early American movie credits included Headspace in 2005. She later appeared in Sex and Death 101 and Land of the Lost.
She gained greater recognition through Exam in 2009. The psychological thriller placed her alongside several performers in a tense examination room.
McIntosh also appeared in Offspring and Burke and Hare. Later, she starred in The Woman.
Her film credits continued with Love Eternal, Filth, Let Us Prey, and Tales of Halloween.
More recent credits include Double Blind and Apocalypse Clown.
Pollyanna McIntosh in Exam
One of McIntosh’s important early performances came in the 2009 psychological thriller Exam.
The film follows several candidates competing for a mysterious corporate position.
McIntosh played Brunette, one of the candidates facing the unusual examination.
The movie received positive attention within the British independent film scene. McIntosh also received award recognition for her performance.
She earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Performance by a Newcomer. She also received a British Independent Film Award nomination.
The project helped establish her as a serious dramatic performer.
Pollyanna McIntosh in The Woman
McIntosh’s performance in The Woman became one of her career-defining roles.
She played the mysterious title character in Lucky McKee’s 2011 horror film.
The story follows a family that captures and attempts to control a feral woman.
McIntosh delivered a physically demanding performance throughout the film. Her portrayal attracted significant attention within the horror community.
The role also earned her a Fangoria Chainsaw Awards nomination for Best Actress.
The movie later became an important part of McIntosh’s horror film legacy.
Pollyanna McIntosh in Let Us Prey
In 2014, McIntosh starred in the horror thriller Let Us Prey.
She played Rachel Heggie, a police officer working in a remote Scottish town.
The film combined supernatural horror with psychological drama.
McIntosh delivered a strong performance as a character facing increasingly disturbing events.
Her role further established her as a prominent performer within the horror genre.
Pollyanna McIntosh in Hap and Leonard
McIntosh joined SundanceTV’s series Hap and Leonard in 2016.
She played Angel, a dangerous and unpredictable character.
The series starred James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams. It combined crime, dark comedy, and Southern Gothic storytelling.
McIntosh’s performance allowed her to explore another intense character.
Her work on the series also helped prepare audiences for her later role in The Walking Dead.
Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis in The Walking Dead
Jadis remains Pollyanna McIntosh’s most famous television role.
She joined The Walking Dead in 2017 as the leader of the Scavengers.
The character initially used the name Jadis. Later, viewers learned that she had another identity, Anne.
Jadis first appeared as a mysterious and calculating community leader. Her unusual speech patterns and unpredictable behavior quickly attracted attention.
McIntosh brought a distinctive style to the character. She balanced toughness, intelligence, vulnerability, and secrecy.
The character also developed an important connection with Rick Grimes.
Eventually, Jadis played a major role in Rick’s disappearance. Her actions connected the main series to the wider Walking Dead universe.
McIntosh appeared in the original series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
Pollyanna McIntosh in The Walking Dead: World Beyond
McIntosh returned as Anne in The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
The series expanded the franchise’s mythology and introduced new survivors.
Her appearance provided additional information about the mysterious Civic Republic Military.
McIntosh’s return also connected the series to the original Walking Dead storyline.
Her character remained important because she possessed knowledge about Rick Grimes’ fate.
Pollyanna McIntosh in The Ones Who Live
McIntosh reprised Jadis Stokes in the 2024 miniseries The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
The series focused on Rick Grimes and Michonne’s journey after their separation.
McIntosh’s return allowed the franchise to revisit Jadis’ complicated history.
She appeared alongside Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira.
The series gave fans additional context surrounding the Civic Republic and Rick’s disappearance.
According to current listings, McIntosh appeared in all six episodes of the miniseries.
Pollyanna McIntosh in Vikings: Valhalla
McIntosh joined Netflix’s historical drama Vikings: Valhalla in 2022.
She played Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark.
The role allowed her to move away from contemporary horror and survival dramas.
Instead, she portrayed a powerful historical figure within a Viking-era political story.
McIntosh remained with the series through its later seasons. She appeared in 11 episodes between 2022 and 2024.
Pollyanna McIntosh in Scavengers Reign
McIntosh also expanded her work into animation.
She voiced Kris in the critically acclaimed animated science-fiction series Scavengers Reign.
The series premiered in 2023 and follows survivors stranded on a mysterious alien planet.
McIntosh’s voice performance demonstrated another aspect of her acting range.
The project also allowed her to explore science fiction without relying on live-action performance.
Pollyanna McIntosh in Outer Banks
In 2024, McIntosh appeared in Netflix’s popular teen drama Outer Banks.
She played Dalia, a mysterious and dangerous character connected to the show’s fourth season.
Her role added another recognizable name to the show’s expanding ensemble.
The appearance also introduced McIntosh to a younger streaming audience.
IMDb currently lists her in seven episodes of Outer Banks.
Pollyanna McIntosh as a Director
McIntosh has also established herself as a filmmaker behind the camera.
Her most important directorial project is Darlin’.
The 2019 horror film served as her feature directorial debut. McIntosh also wrote the screenplay and starred in the movie.
The film continues the story introduced in The Woman.
McIntosh’s involvement extended beyond directing. She also handled writing and performed the lead role.
The project premiered at South by Southwest in 2019.
Her work on Darlin’ demonstrates her commitment to independent filmmaking.
Pollyanna McIntosh Writing Career
McIntosh has written for several publications throughout her career.
Her writing has appeared in outlets including Loaded, Flux, Honeysuckle, and Talkhouse.com.
She also maintained a long-running column for Crave.
Her writing interests demonstrate another creative dimension beyond acting.
She has also developed original screen projects.
AMC previously noted her involvement with projects including Reciprocal Beat and Perfect.
Pollyanna McIntosh Awards and Recognition
McIntosh has received recognition throughout her career.
Her performance in Exam earned major newcomer award nominations.
Meanwhile, The Woman earned her recognition from the horror community.
Her work has also attracted attention through independent film festivals.
She continues to receive praise for performances that combine physical intensity with emotional complexity.
Pollyanna McIntosh Personal Life
McIntosh generally keeps her private life away from the entertainment spotlight.
She previously married actor Grant Show in 2004. Their marriage ended in 2011.
In 2024, McIntosh married filmmaker and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait.
She has also supported charitable causes throughout her career.
McIntosh has served on the board of the Joshua Nolan Foundation. The organization supports mental health services in Scotland.
She previously worked with The Unusual Suspects, a Los Angeles organization supporting incarcerated and at-risk young people.
Pollyanna McIntosh Height
Pollyanna McIntosh stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall.
Her height has also supported her distinctive screen presence.
She previously worked as a model, which helped her develop confidence before cameras.
Is Pollyanna McIntosh Still Acting?
Yes, Pollyanna McIntosh continues to work as an actress and filmmaker.
Her recent credits include The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Outer Banks, and Vikings: Valhalla.
She also appeared in the 2025 short film Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting.
Her continued work demonstrates that she remains active across television and independent film.
Pollyanna McIntosh Career Highlights
- Full name: Pollyanna McIntosh
- Born: March 15, 1979
- Birthplace: Dunbartonshire, Scotland
- Age: 47 in 2026
- Nationality: Scottish
- Profession: Actress, director, and writer
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 10 inches
- Breakthrough role: The Woman
- Most famous character: Jadis/Anne in The Walking Dead
- Other major series: Hap and Leonard, Vikings: Valhalla, Scavengers Reign
- Directorial debut: Darlin’
- Recent role: Dalia in Outer Banks
Frequently Asked Questions About Pollyanna McIntosh
Who is Pollyanna McIntosh?
Pollyanna McIntosh is a Scottish actress, director, and writer. She is best known for playing Jadis in The Walking Dead.
How old is Pollyanna McIntosh?
Pollyanna McIntosh is 47 years old in 2026. She was born on March 15, 1979.
What is Pollyanna McIntosh famous for?
She is best known for playing Jadis, or Anne, in The Walking Dead franchise.
Who does Pollyanna McIntosh play in Outer Banks?
Pollyanna McIntosh plays Dalia in Outer Banks. She appears during the show’s fourth season.
Who does Pollyanna McIntosh play in Vikings: Valhalla?
She plays Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark in Vikings: Valhalla. She appeared in 11 episodes.
Is Pollyanna McIntosh married?
Yes. McIntosh married Bobcat Goldthwait in 2024. She previously married actor Grant Show.
Did Pollyanna McIntosh direct Darlin’?
Yes. McIntosh wrote, directed, and starred in Darlin’. The film marked her feature directorial debut.
What movies has Pollyanna McIntosh appeared in?
Her notable films include Exam, The Woman, Let Us Prey, Filth, Love Eternal, and Double Blind.
Is Pollyanna McIntosh Scottish?
Yes. Pollyanna McIntosh was born in Scotland and spent part of her childhood abroad.
Final Thoughts on Pollyanna McIntosh
Pollyanna McIntosh has built a distinctive career through fearless performances and creative independence.
Her journey began with theater before she moved into film and television.
She later gained recognition through Exam and The Woman. However, her role as Jadis in The Walking Dead brought worldwide attention.
She then expanded her franchise work through World Beyond and The Ones Who Live.
Meanwhile, projects such as Vikings: Valhalla and Outer Banks demonstrated her versatility.
Her work as a writer and director also separates her from many performers. McIntosh continues to prove that she can create compelling stories both in front of and behind the camera.
With an extensive filmography and continuing screen appearances, Pollyanna McIntosh remains an accomplished figure in modern television and independent film.
