Elizabeth Dean Lail, born on March 25, 1992, in Williamson County, Texas, has established herself as a versatile American actress known for her compelling performances across television and film. She rose to prominence with her breakout role as the spirited Anna in the fantasy series Once Upon a Time in 2014, a character that introduced her to a broad audience and showcased her ability to bring beloved literary figures to life. From this early success, Lail transitioned into darker, more complex roles, most notably as Guinevere Beck in the psychological thriller series You, where she starred opposite Penn Badgley from 2018 through the show’s conclusion in 2025. Her portrayal of the ambitious and vulnerable graduate student earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following, solidifying her status as a leading talent in the thriller genre.

Lail’s career continued to expand with a variety of projects that demonstrated her range. She appeared in the horror series Dead of Summer in 2016, a summer camp thriller from the creators of Once Upon a Time, and later joined the ensemble of the Gossip Girl spin-off in 2021, bringing a fresh energy to the iconic franchise. She also took on a leading role in the NBC drama series Ordinary Joe from 2021 to 2022, a unique series that explored three alternate timelines of its protagonist’s life, and later recurred on the CBS legal drama Elsbeth from 2024 to 2025. These television roles were complemented by her work in film, where she starred in the horror movie Countdown in 2019, a supernatural thriller about a deadly app, and the comedy Mack & Rita in 2022, opposite Diane Keaton.

Perhaps her most significant film role to date came with the horror franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s, in which she portrayed Vanessa Afton across multiple installments beginning in 2023. The first film, directed by Emma Tammi and based on the popular video game series, was a massive commercial success, and Lail’s performance as the haunted security guard further cemented her reputation as a genre star. She reprised the role in the sequel, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, released in 2024, with additional films planned through 2027. Throughout her career, Lail has demonstrated a knack for selecting projects that challenge her, moving seamlessly from fairy tale fantasy to psychological horror to light comedy. Her ability to anchor complex narratives with emotional depth and authenticity continues to make her a sought-after performer in both television and film, and she remains an active and influential figure in the entertainment industry.