With My Secret Santa lighting up the holidays and Virgin River moving confidently toward its landmark eighth season, Alexandra Breckenridge finds herself in a rare place: creatively fulfilled and unafraid to stretch. Playing Santa — a role traditionally reserved for men — reconnected her to what first drew her to acting as a child: transformation, imagination, and freedom.

Breckenridge credits the magic of holiday filmmaking to immersive sets and shared energy. Surrounded by twinkling lights and snow-dusted décor, the cast quickly forgot it wasn’t December. Yet the most meaningful moments came quietly, when her character spoke to children about what they truly wanted in their hearts. “That,” she reflects, “is the real spirit of Christmas.”

Returning to Mel in Virgin River remains equally meaningful. The show’s success, she believes, lies in its sense of community — a town where friends become family and romance grows slowly, honestly. Her easy chemistry with co-star Martin Henderson continues to anchor the series.

Beyond the screen, Breckenridge balances acting with creative passions — cooking, podcasting, sewing, and photography — choosing projects that move her rather than define her. Whether wrapped in a Santa suit or a cozy small-town sweater, she enters this season grateful, fearless, and ready for whatever transformation comes next.