- This article is about the fictional version of Nancy O'Dell depicted in the Scream universe. For the real-life version of the actress, see her Wikipedia page.
Nancy O'Dell portrays the recurring cameo character of an entertainment news reporter, credited simply as "Reporter". The character is introduced in Scream 2 (1997 film). Nancy herself in real-life is an American television anchorwoman.
She has three cameo appearances in the films, and her cameo appearances have been in all Scream sequels, except the most recent two, Scream (2022 film) and Scream VI (2023 film).
It is unknown whether the character she portrays is intended to be a fictional version of herself, or a new, unnamed character.
Biography[]
O'Dell first appears in Scream 2. She conducts an interview with Tori Spelling for her leading role as Sidney Prescott in Stab (1997; continuity error).
She declares Tori has received "rave reviews for the role". Randy and Dewey observe the interview, as they sit in a cafe to discuss potential suspects amid the Windsor College Murders.
Nancy O'Dell reprises her reporter role for the following sequel, Scream 3. The actual Sidney Prescott can be seen watching the reporter make a statement on the murders of Cotton Weary and Christine Hamilton. She also refers to Gale Weathers as the author of the "Woodsboro and Windsor College Murders".
It is unknown whether it is a reference to the books or the events itself; the former is more likely, but the fourth film reveals the book based on Scream 2 is named College Terror (but it could be a re-published name as a collective book series).
She makes her most recent appearance in Scream 4 where she does a sit-down interview with Sidney for her self-help book, Out of Darkness, which she refers to again as receiving "rave reviews".
She asks Sidney if the seven Stab films, all based on Gale Weathers' books about her life, have made it harder to go on. Sidney tells her that she does not blame Gale, and that it is all in the past.
Trivia[]
- While technically a real-life cameo, she is the first sequel character to re-appear in another sequel.