Meet Stephanie Koenig, who plays Gwen Sanders in English Teacher
She began on Broadway, then landed a role on The Flight Attendant – now she’s married to her English Teacher co-star
Stephanie Koenig is killing it as an actress and writer on FX’s hit sitcom English Teacher. Created by Brian Jordan Alvarez (who also stars in the show as Evan Marquez), the show has quickly become a fan favourite for its comedy and relatability.
Premiering in 2024, the show, which received an impressive 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes after just two episodes of its first season, follows the teachers of Morrison-Hensley High School as they navigate their professional and private lives.
The show’s second season wrapped up its finale, “Graduation”, on October 16, and fans were left with a cliffhanger as Evan explored his romantic choices – but he isn’t the only one struggling with his love life. Koenig’s character Gwen Sanders, a history teacher, unknowingly becomes the centre of a love triangle in season 1 when it’s revealed that the gym teacher, Markie, has been nursing a crush on her. In season 2, fans watch on as Gwen’s relationship with her jobless boyfriend Nick deepens and Markie continues to pine for her.
While the show has yet to be renewed for a third season, here’s everything you need to know about Stephanie Koenig.
She has a background in dance
Koenig was born in September 1987 and hails from Rochester Hills, Michigan. Her father was an electrician and her mum was a secretary. Although she’s been an actress and writer in Hollywood for several years, Koenig actually started out as a dancer. She began competitive dancing at the age of just four, and continued until she graduated from high school.
She planned on taking the Broadway path to Hollywood
Koenig went on to major in theatre at Michigan State University and starred in a handful of indie films before moving to New York City to become a Broadway actress, per her interview with Golden State.