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Who Is Alexandra Breckenridge, AKA the Star of Netflix’s ‘Virgin River’?

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

If you’re anything like us, you've definitely experienced that moment when you're watching your favorite television show and someone in the cast looks quite familiar. Naturally, you needed to know more, so you quickly pulled out your phone to Google said actor.

Well, this was precisely the case for the main character, Mel, on Netflix’s Virgin River. Turns out, the actress’s name is Alexandra Breckenridge, and she has a pretty impressive resume. In honor of the season 5 premiere on September 7, here’s everything we know about the hit show’s female lead.

alexandra breckenridge virgin river
Courtesy of Netflix

1. Who Is Alexandra Breckenridge?

Breckenridge is an actress, singer, photographer, voice artist, wife and mother. She is best known for her role as Melinda Monroe (Mel, for short) on Netflix’s series, Virgin River.

The 41-year-old actress was born in Connecticut and at 13, relocated to Los Angeles with her mother. She is married to professional guitarist, Casey Hooper, with whom she shares two children.

In an interview with New Beauty, Breckenridge discussed her struggle to maintain a work-life balance. “I try to keep that balance, but there’s only so many hours in a day,” she told the outlet. “It gets overwhelming. I think the trick is not to beat yourself up over all of the little things and just try to improve on what you can, right?”

alexandra breckenridge
Courtesy of Netflix

2. What Is Virgin River?

Season one of the hit Netflix series centers around Melinda “Mel” Monroe, who answers an ad to work as a nurse practitioner in the remote California town of Virgin River to get a fresh start on life. She quickly realizes that small town living isn't quite as simple as she expected, and she soon learns that her past secrets can only stay buried for so long.

In season four, Mel learns that she’s pregnant with Jack’s child. Things get complicated when Doc hires a new doctor at the clinic, Cameron, who doesn’t approve of Mel’s relationship with Jack.

And in the upcoming fifth season, Mel is forced to choose between her pregnancy and her career. Meanwhile, a nearby wildfire threatens the town of Virgin River.

3. What Else Has She Starred In?

Actually, quite a lot.

Breckenridge began acting in her teenage years and has had a fairly successful career since. She had supporting roles in teen movies such as Big Fat Liar and She's the Man.

Her career really began to take off when she starred in the series Dirt in 2007. She’s landed a recurring role in the first season of the popular series American Horror Story and came back to guest star in a completely different role during season three. Not long after, she joined the cast of The Walking Dead and also appeared in HBO’s True Blood.

And with all of that under her belt, it’s no surprise that Breckenridge snagged what was supposed to just be a part-time role on the NBC favorite This Is Us, though she eventually became one of the lead cast members. Not to mention, she’s also done a handful of voice over projects. Pretty impressive.

4. Is She on Social Media?

Breckenridge isn’t super active on social media, but she does have an official Instagram account. Her feed is filled with selfies, food photos and rare snaps of her personal life.

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greta

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...