You probably remember the tension. That awkward, high-stakes moment in Wellsbury when a blonde whirlwind from the past shows up and threatens to blow Georgia Miller’s carefully constructed house of cards right over. That was Maddie. If you’ve been scrolling through IMDb or frantically Googling during a rewatch, you’re looking for Kelly McCormack, the actress who plays Maddie in Ginny and Georgia.
She didn’t just show up to grab a cup of coffee and head out. Maddie Atkins brought the trauma of Alabama right to the doorstep of Massachusetts. Kelly McCormack plays the role with a mix of desperation and street-smarts that makes her the perfect foil for Georgia. Honestly, seeing them together makes you realize just how much work Georgia has put into "cleaning up," while Maddie still feels like a raw nerve from their shared childhood.
Kelly McCormack: The Face Behind Maddie Atkins
Kelly McCormack is a Canadian powerhouse. While some fans only know her from the Netflix hit, she’s actually been a staple in the indie and prestige TV worlds for years. Born in Vancouver, she’s not just an actor; she’s a writer, producer, and musician. She basically does everything.
In Ginny and Georgia, she plays the adult version of Maddie. If you’re wondering about those gritty flashback scenes where the sisters are younger, that’s a different actress. Sarah Abbott plays the teenage Maddie, capturing the early days of their neglectful upbringing. But McCormack owns the modern-day version—the one who shows up with her son, Caleb, and a hidden agenda involving a private investigator.
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Where Else Have You Seen Her?
If McCormack looked familiar, it’s probably because she’s been in some heavy hitters lately.
- A League of Their Own (2022): She was incredible as Jess McCready, the tough-as-nails shortstop. It was a completely different vibe from Maddie, showing off her range.
- Letterkenny: She played Betty-Anne. If you’re a fan of the show, you know her for the legendary "hockey sister" chirps.
- Killjoys: She played Zeph, a fan-favorite nerd/scientist character.
- George & Tammy: She stepped into the world of country music history as Sheila Richey.
She’s also got some big stuff coming up. In late 2025 and 2026, she’s slated for projects like Sorry, Baby and Another Simple Favor. The woman stays busy.
Why Maddie Is the Ultimate "Mirror" for Georgia
The show uses Maddie to remind us that Georgia isn't just a "cool mom" with a dark secret—she’s a survivor of a cycle that Maddie is still very much trapped in. When Maddie shows up in Season 1, Episode 5 ("Boo, Bitch"), it’s a total culture shock for Ginny. Up until that point, Ginny thought her mom was an orphan.
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Finding out you have an Aunt Maddie and a cousin Caleb is a lot to process. Especially when Maddie drops the bombshell that Georgia’s parents aren’t even dead.
The dynamic between Kelly McCormack and Brianne Howey (Georgia) is electric because they play two sides of the same coin. Georgia chose to run and reinvent herself through manipulation and, well, murder. Maddie stayed closer to the fire. When Maddie admits that their stepfather abused her too after Georgia left, it’s one of the darkest moments in the series. It complicates the "hero" narrative Georgia tries to spin for herself.
The Controversy: Was Maddie Really the Villain?
Fans are kinda split on Maddie. On one hand, she was working with Gabriel Cordova, the private investigator trying to put Georgia in jail. She was literally selling out her sister for cash.
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On the other hand, she was broke, raising a kid, and had been left behind in a house of horrors when Georgia escaped. Most viewers feel a sort of "guilty sympathy" for her. She isn't a "bad" person so much as she is a product of her environment. Kelly McCormack plays this beautifully—she doesn’t make Maddie a mustache-twirling villain. She makes her a woman who is just trying to get a payday because she’s never been given a fair shake.
Key Facts About Maddie's Role:
- Arrival: She tracks down Georgia by following Ginny’s social media.
- The Betrayal: She stole money from Georgia in the past (revealed in flashbacks) and tries to sell her out to Cordova in the present.
- The Fallout: Georgia eventually kicks her out, but not before giving her a thick envelope of cash, proving that despite the hate, the sister bond is still there.
What’s Next for Maddie in Season 3 and 4?
With Ginny and Georgia officially renewed for Seasons 3 and 4, everyone is wondering if Kelly McCormack will return. In the Season 2 finale, Georgia was arrested for the murder of Tom Fuller. If there’s a trial—which seems certain—Georgia’s past is going to be dragged into the light.
Maddie is one of the only people alive who knows the "Mary Rose" version of Georgia. She could be a star witness, or she could be the one person who actually understands Georgia’s "survival at all costs" mindset.
If you want to keep up with the actress, you can follow Kelly McCormack on Instagram at @kellyandphyllis. She often shares behind-the-scenes looks at her projects and her life as a filmmaker.
Actionable Insight: If you’re doing a rewatch before the new season drops, pay close attention to the dialogue in Episode 5 of Season 1. The specific details Maddie shares about their mother’s addiction and their stepfather’s behavior are massive clues for the legal battles Georgia is about to face. You might also want to check out McCormack's film Sugar Daddy (2020), which she wrote and starred in—it gives you a real sense of her depth as a creator beyond the Wellsbury drama.