Philadelphia-born, British-educated actress Lauren Cohan studied drama and English literature at the University of Winchester and King Alfred's College in England, then spent a healthy amount of time touring with a theatrical ensemble that she had co-established before moving into film and television work. Ever a versatile performer, Cohan showcased her talents in both classically oriented fare (such as the big-screen historical saga Casanova, in 2005) and more commercially oriented outings, such as 2006's National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj. In 2007, the actress secured a role as Bela in the cult TV series Supernatural.