Essence Atkins stars as Dee Dee, Mona's younger half-sister and a privileged honor-roll college student who grew up in a two-parent home, but who is now searching for her own identity, on UPN's new comedy series HALF AND HALF.

She is best known for her role as Yvette Henderson on "The Smart Guy" and her recurring role as Marnie on "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch." Atkins, a trained dancer, has been a series regular on several television shows including "Malibu Shores," and has made guest star appearances on "For Your Love," "Moesha," "The John Larroquette Show," "The Wayans Brothers," "The Parent'Hood," "Family Matters" and "The Cosby Show."

Her film career includes the title role in the independent film "Nikita's Blues." In addition, she starred with singer Monica in the MTV film "Love Song." Her most recent film is "Deliver Us from Eva," starring Gabrielle Union and L.L. Cool J.

Deliver Us from Eva (2003) .... Kareenah 
"Half & Half" (2002) .... Dee Dee
Looking Through Lillian (2002) .... Andrea 
How High (2001) .... Jamie 
XCU: Extreme Close Up (2001) .... Tamikah
Nikita Blues (2001) .... Nikita 
Love Song (2000) (TV) .... Toni
"Smart Guy" (1997) .... Yvette
"Malibu Shores" (1996) .... Julie
"Under One Roof" (1995) .... 'Charlie'
Sunday in Paris (1991) (TV) .... Allison

 TV Guest Appearances 
"Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" - "Marnie"
"Moesha" -  "Piper Davis"
"Promised Land -  "Rachel"
"John Larroquette Show" - "Jocelyn"
"Parent 'Hood" -  "Chantel"
"Wayans Bros." -  "Kim"
"Saved by the Bell: TCY" -  "Danielle Marks"
"Family Matters" -  "Becky"
"Charlie Hoover"
"Cosby Show" -  "Paula Young"