Alexandra Breckenridge has spent years becoming a comforting constant for audiences as Mel Monroe on Netflix’s Virgin River—a character defined by empathy, quiet strength,

and emotional grace. But for her latest holiday film, My Secret Santa, the fan-favorite actress stepped far outside her comfort zone, embracing a transformation so extreme

it left her physically exhausted, emotionally exhilarated, and creatively reenergized. The result is a festive romantic comedy that demanded everything from Breckenridge—

especially her willingness to disappear beneath 15 pounds of prosthetics, padding, and a full Santa Claus suit.

On screen, the transformation is whimsical and charming. Behind the scenes, it was anything but. “It’s the most uncomfortable thing in the world,” Breckenridge, 43, admitted in a candid interview. The glued-on beard, mustache, wig, and oversized belly created a suffocating experience that tested her endurance day after day. Her skin reacted badly to the constant adhesives, leaving it irritated and “really angry,” while basic activities like eating became nearly impossible during long filming sessions.

The physical challenges were relentless. The hours spent in makeup felt endless, and once the suit was on, there was no escape. While the bulky costume helped keep her warm during outdoor scenes filmed in freezing, below-zero temperatures, indoor shoots presented a different kind of misery altogether. “In Santa’s Village, I was so hot,” Breckenridge recalled. To survive, she relied on ice packs stuffed inside the suit and a vigilant prosthetics team who fanned her between takes. The behind-the-scenes photos, she joked, are “hysterical”—a humorous contrast to the discomfort she was enduring.

Yet for all the physical strain, My Secret Santa offered Breckenridge something she hadn’t felt in years: pure creative joy. In the film, she plays Taylor, a single mother struggling to make ends meet who disguises herself as an elderly Santa Claus to secure a job. The premise alone pushes the story beyond a standard holiday romance, and Breckenridge reveled in the complexity of the role. “I got to play a character within a character,” she explained. “It was the most fun I’ve had acting in a long time. I got to be silly and ridiculous.”

That sense of freedom was not without fear. Taking on such an exaggerated, physically demanding role came with the risk of alienating audiences if the performance didn’t ring true. “I thought, ‘This could go terribly wrong if people don’t believe the character,’” she admitted. The concern was real—but so was the reward. For Breckenridge, challenging herself was essential. “That’s part of life,” she said. “You have to do things that scare you.”

Finding Santa didn’t happen all at once. Breckenridge looked to Tim Allen’s iconic performance in The Santa Clause for inspiration, studying how physicality and posture can instantly communicate character. Ultimately, though, it was the costume itself that unlocked the transformation. “Once everything was on, I found a walk,” she said. “That’s when it clicked.” The heavy suit dictated her movement, slowing her down and reshaping her presence in a way that made Santa feel authentic.

The film also includes a memorable musical moment—one that Breckenridge approached with a mix of humor and honesty. While she does not sing the song herself, she had no problem admitting why. “It’s not my voice,” she laughed. “Singing scared me more than playing Santa!” She did, however, play the guitar on screen, a task that proved unexpectedly difficult. Cold weather stiffened her fingers, and her “tiny pinkies,” as she joked, struggled with the challenging chords. Still, she pushed through, determined to honor the character’s emotional journey.

At the heart of My Secret Santa is a warm, romantic dynamic made even richer by Breckenridge’s chemistry with co-star Ryan Eggold. The ease between them is no accident—the two actors have been friends for decades. That long-standing relationship translated effortlessly to the screen, allowing their banter and emotional beats to feel natural and lived-in. Taylor’s romantic arc is layered, complicated by her feelings for Matthew and the surprising connection she forms while in disguise as Santa. “If you share a similar sense of humor, you fall into rhythm quickly,” Breckenridge said. “It’s like rallying a tennis ball.”

That sense of rhythm anchors the film, grounding its more whimsical elements in genuine emotion. Beneath the prosthetics and holiday spectacle lies a story about vulnerability, identity, and the courage it takes to be seen—both by others and by oneself. Taylor’s disguise allows her to move through the world unnoticed, yet it also forces her to confront what she truly wants. Breckenridge’s performance captures that tension beautifully, balancing comedy with heartfelt sincerity.

Early buzz suggests My Secret Santa is already being embraced as one of Netflix’s standout holiday offerings this year. Viewers have praised its charm, humor, and Breckenridge’s fearless dual performance, which carries the film with warmth and authenticity. For an actress so closely associated with the quiet intensity of Virgin River, the role marks a refreshing—and necessary—departure.

“I love Virgin River,” Breckenridge said, acknowledging the series that has defined much of her recent career. “But I wanted a role I could really sink my teeth into.” With My Secret Santa, she found exactly that—a project that demanded physical sacrifice, emotional range, and a willingness to look utterly ridiculous for the sake of storytelling. “And this was definitely that.”

As My Secret Santa begins streaming on Netflix, audiences are discovering the joy behind the struggle. Beneath the layers of prosthetics and padding is an actress rediscovering her love for play, risk, and transformation. Miserable at times? Absolutely. But for Alexandra Breckenridge, it was also the most fun she’s had in years—and it shows in every frame.