10 Movies and TV Shows Alexandra Breckenridge Starred in Before ‘Virgin River’

We know and love Alexandra Breckenridge for her role as Melinda Monroe (Mel, for short) on Netflix’s Virgin River. However, the drama series isn’t the only thing on the 40-year-old’s resume.

Sure, we knew she played Sophie on This Is Us, but she’s also portrayed a handful of other impressive characters, both in television and film. For example, did you know she starred alongside Amanda Bynes (twice)? Or that she appeared on two seasons of FX’s American Horror Story?

In honor of the Virgin River season 4 premiere, keep reading for a full list of Breckenridge’s most memorable roles.

Perhaps her most well-known role (pre-VR) was as Sophie, Kevin’s (Justin Hartley) love interest, in the popular ABC drama, This Is Us. In the later seasons, she was demoted from series regular to guest star because she was busy working on other projects. But in the show’s sixth—and final—season, her character became a vital part of the story line.

While doing some research, we also discovered that the actress previously appeared in one episode of the popular series. She starred as Kit Holburn, a troublemaker student at Sunnydale High, in season seven, episode one. Kit was targeted by Manifest spirits on her first day of school alongside Dawn Summers (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Carlos Trejo (David Zepeda). Spoiler alert: Kit survived all thanks to Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar).

Yep—we’re talking about the 2000s comedy starring Channing Tatum and Bynes. She's the Man follows Viola Hastings (Bynes), a girl who pretends to be her twin brother so that she can play soccer at a boarding school. At one point in the flick, Viola runs into her brother’s ex-girlfriend, Monique Valentine, (played by Breckenridge). Naturally, Viola spends the whole movie trying to avoid Monique for fear that her cover will be blown.

In 2002, she appeared in the film Big Fat Liar, starring Frankie Muniz, as Jason Shepherd's older sister Janie. She was only 19 at the time, which explains why we nearly missed it.

The Connecticut-native also had a four-episode stint the popular vampire series, True Blood. Breckenridge portrayed Katerina Pelham, who originally introduces herself as a member of Marnie's Wiccan group, but soon reveals her true allegiance.

Breckenridge was only in one episode of Dawson's Creek, but her character was definitely memorable. In a season four episode, titled “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” Jack’s girlfriend, Kate Douglas (played by Breckenridge), makes a surprise visit while trying to mend her broken heart. Oh, and she also doesn’t know that Jack is gay.