You probably recognize her face from a dozen different places without even realizing it. Carey Lowell is one of those actresses who somehow manages to be everywhere and nowhere all at once. She’s the Bond girl who didn’t need saving. She’s the prosecutor who kept Jack McCoy in check. She’s even the ex-wife in one of the most famous rom-coms of the 90s.
Honestly, the range of Carey Lowell movies and tv shows is kind of wild when you actually look at the list. She didn't just play "the girl." She played the pilot, the lawyer, the judge, and the survivor.
Born in 1961, Lowell wasn’t just another model-turned-actress. Her father was a famous geologist, and she spent her childhood trekking through Libya and France. That kind of worldly background gives her a specific edge. It’s a groundedness you don't always see in Hollywood.
The Bond Girl Who Fired Back
Most people first took notice of her in 1989. She played Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill.
If you grew up on Roger Moore's Bond, Pam Bouvier was a total shock to the system. She wasn't just there for the scenery. She was an ex-Army pilot and a CIA informant who could hold her own in a bar fight. Remember the scene where she blasts a hole in the wall with a shotgun? Yeah. That was Carey.
She was the perfect foil for Timothy Dalton’s grittier, angrier James Bond. While previous Bond girls were often written as "damsels," Lowell’s Pam was a partner.
"I portrayed Pam as gritty and tough... She’s flinging men over her shoulder and smashing bottles on their heads," Lowell once remarked about the role.
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It’s a performance that has aged incredibly well. In a franchise often criticized for its treatment of women, Pam Bouvier stands out as a precursor to the more capable, independent women we saw in the Daniel Craig era.
Law & Order and the Legacy of Jamie Ross
If you didn’t see her on the big screen, you definitely saw her on NBC.
From 1996 to 1998, Lowell played ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order. It’s probably her most enduring role. Taking over for Jill Hennessy’s Claire Kincaid was no small feat—fans loved Kincaid. But Lowell brought something different.
She was a mother. She was a former defense attorney. She had a life outside the office that felt real.
The chemistry between her and Sam Waterston’s Jack McCoy was electric because she wasn't afraid to disagree with him. She brought a moral nuance to the "Order" half of the show that kept it from becoming a black-and-white procedural.
Why She Left and Why She Kept Coming Back
She left the main cast after Season 8. Why? Basically, she wanted to spend more time with her daughter. It’s a move she’s made a few times in her career, prioritizing family over the Hollywood grind.
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But Jamie Ross was too good a character to stay gone. She popped up again as a defense attorney in later seasons. Then, she showed up as a judge in the spin-off Law & Order: Trial by Jury.
Even more surprising? She returned for the 2022 revival of the original series. Seeing her back in the DA’s office felt like a total full-circle moment for long-time viewers.
The Hidden Gems: Beyond the Big Hits
Looking for Carey Lowell movies and tv shows beyond the obvious ones? There’s more there than you might remember.
- Sleepless in Seattle (1993): She plays Maggie Baldwin, Tom Hanks’ late wife. She’s mostly seen in flashbacks and photos, but her presence is the emotional engine for the whole movie.
- A League of Their Own (1993 TV Series): She actually played the lead role of Dottie Hinson in the short-lived TV adaptation of the hit movie.
- Fierce Creatures (1997): A comedy that reunited the A Fish Called Wanda cast. Lowell played a zoo marketing executive, proving she could do comedy just as well as drama.
- Leaving Las Vegas (1995): It’s a tiny role—a bank teller—but it’s a credit in one of the most critically acclaimed films of the decade.
She also did a lot of work in the early 2000s that flew under the radar. The miniseries Empire Falls is a great example. Based on the Richard Russo novel, it featured a powerhouse cast including Paul Newman and Ed Harris. Lowell held her own as the younger version of Francine Whiting.
A Career Defined by Balance
It’s sort of rare to see an actress who is so willing to step away.
Lowell took a significant hiatus in the mid-2000s. During that time, she was married to Richard Gere, and they had a son, Homer. She focused on her family and her interest in ceramics and Buddhism.
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When she did return, it was on her own terms. Guest spots on Blue Bloods and Bull showed she hadn't lost her touch. She still has that same calm, authoritative presence that made her so effective as an ADA.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive into her filmography today, start with Licence to Kill to see her action chops. Then, jump into Law & Order Season 7. That's the peak "Jamie Ross" era.
Interestingly, if you’re a gamer, you can actually hear her voice in the 2012 game 007 Legends. She reprised her role as Pam Bouvier, proving that the character is still iconic decades later.
Lowell’s career is a masterclass in longevity without overexposure. She chose roles that mattered, played them with a distinct lack of vanity, and wasn't afraid to walk away when life called. Whether she's playing a pilot in a tuxedo or a judge in robes, she brings a quiet strength that's hard to find in the 2026 media landscape.
To see more of her work, most of her Law & Order episodes are currently streaming on Peacock, and Licence to Kill frequently rotates through major platforms like Max or Prime Video. Keep an eye out for her guest spots on procedurals; she’s usually the best part of the episode.