Actress Mary Mara, who starred in TV shows including ER, Dexter and Ray Donovan, has died aged 61 in New York state.

She was found just after 8am on Sunday in a river near the Canadian border and is believed to have drowned while swimming, authorities said.

Known for her role as Inspector Bryn Carson on Nash Bridges, Mara was described by her manager Craig Dorfman as an “electric, funny, and a true individual” who was well-loved, as well as a tremendous actress.

Police said an official cause of death is still pending, but that there were no signs of foul play.

Mara’s earliest acting credit goes back to the 1989 movie The Preppie Murder.

The New York native worked regularly ever since, in a combination of repeat characters in some shows and appearances in others.

She acted in movies including Mr Saturday Night with Billy Crystal and Prom Night.

Her last credit was in 2020, in a movie called Break Even.