Which actress played Betty Draper, Don Draper's first wife, on Mad Men?

January Jones played Betty Draper, Don Draper’s first wife, on Mad Men.

Betty is introduced as Elizabeth “Betty” Draper, née Hofstadt, a former model and suburban mother whose carefully composed appearance contrasts with the emotional strain of her marriage. After separating from Don, she becomes Betty Francis when she marries Henry Francis, but remains closely associated with her earlier surname in the show’s cultural memory.

Jones was not originally auditioning for Betty. She was initially considered for Peggy Olson, the secretary-turned-copywriter ultimately played by Elisabeth Moss. Creator Matthew Weiner later added scenes for Betty to the pilot, and Jones won the role after auditioning. The character’s cool blonde appearance was shaped partly by classic Hollywood images, especially Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock’s “icy blonde” archetype.

Jones played Betty throughout Mad Men’s 2007–2015 run. Her performance earned Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations, while the ensemble won two Screen Actors Guild Awards.