Raised in Alexandria, Virginia, actress Garretson took a winding yet enriching path toward her career in performance. She attended James Madison University, initially exploring a broad academic palette that included photojournalism, pre-med, anthropology, and Spanish. However, it was during this time that her interest in acting began to take precedence. Following her undergraduate studies, she relocated to New York City to pursue acting in earnest, training in the Meisner technique at the Maggie Flanigan Studio and later earning her MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2017.

Garretson’s career began with a series of guest appearances on high-profile television dramas. She appeared in episodes of The Good Fight, Fosse/Verdon, and Prodigal Son, gradually establishing herself as a versatile and compelling screen presence. Her breakout came with a recurring role on Syfy’s Resident Alien, a science fiction comedy-drama that introduced her to a broader audience and showcased her talent in genre storytelling.

In 2021, Garretson landed the role of actress Ali MacGraw in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, which dramatizes the making of The Godfather. Her performance earned attention for its poise and period accuracy. The following year, she continued her television streak with a guest appearance in the DC superhero series Stargirl, signaling her continued rise in both mainstream and niche entertainment spheres. With a rich educational background and steadily growing list of credits, Garretson is a rising talent to watch.