Detective Bianca Holloway, portrayed by Jenny Mollen, made a brief but powerful impact during her arc on Chicago Fire. Introduced in Season 4’s episode “What Happened to Courtney,” Holloway’s storyline was both heartfelt and heartbreaking. Her undercover work placed her in mortal danger, leaving her son, J.J. (Maxwell Jenkins), under the care of Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). Severide formed a touching bond with J.J., making Holloway’s tragic death during emergency surgery all the more devastating.
Holloway’s exit marked one of the many emotional moments that Chicago Fire fans have come to expect. But while her story was brief, Jenny Mollen’s performance left fans wondering why she seemed so familiar. The answer lies in Mollen’s extensive career, which spans a variety of memorable roles in television and film.
Jenny Mollen’s Supernatural Days: Nina Ash on Angel
One of Mollen’s earliest and most notable roles was as Nina Ash, a werewolf introduced in the fifth season of Angel. A spin-off of the cult hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel followed the titular vampire (David Boreanaz) as he sought redemption in Los Angeles.
Mollen’s character Nina was a college art student turned werewolf after a nighttime attack. Rescued by Angel, she learned to manage her supernatural transformation under his guidance. Their relationship blossomed into a romantic connection, though by the series finale, they had reverted to being just friends. Nina’s arc added a unique emotional layer to Angel’s final season, showcasing Mollen’s ability to navigate complex, layered characters.
Guest Star Extraordinaire
Jenny Mollen has built a reputation as a versatile guest star, appearing on a variety of popular television shows. Following her Angel role, she made appearances on Medium, Law & Order, CSI, Suits, and Hawaii Five-0.
Mollen also ventured into darker comedy with a guest role in Wilfred, where she played Kim, a quirky love interest for Elijah Wood’s character. In Girls, she appeared in two episodes as Courtney, a flirtatious friend of Adam (Adam Driver). Her ability to shine in both dramatic and comedic settings has kept her in demand across genres.
From Film to Memoir: A Dynamic Career
In 2008, Mollen starred in the romantic comedy My Best Friend’s Girl, where she met her future husband, Jason Biggs (American Pie). The two married in 2008 and have since become a collaborative duo, working together on the comedy Amateur Night and the reality competition show My Partner Knows Best.
Mollen is also a celebrated writer. Her essays about motherhood and relationships have been published in outlets like Cosmopolitan and Parents, and her memoir, I Like You Just the Way I Am, was adapted into a sitcom pilot starring Mollen and Biggs.
Collaborations with Chelsea Handler
Mollen has frequently collaborated with comedian Chelsea Handler. The pair first worked together on Cattle Call, a raunchy comedy, before reuniting on Handler’s shows Chelsea Lately and Chelsea. In 2016, they appeared together in Handler’s Netflix docuseries Chelsea Does, where they shared an intense experience experimenting with the hallucinogenic drug ayahuasca in Peru.
Why Fans Recognize Jenny Mollen
Jenny Mollen’s expansive filmography has allowed her to explore everything from supernatural drama to edgy comedy. Her ability to seamlessly switch between genres has made her a memorable presence in every project, including her short but impactful stint on Chicago Fire. For fans of Detective Bianca Holloway, Mollen’s past roles offer plenty of other performances to explore.
