It’s been two years since This Is Us aired its tearful farewell, but Alexandra Breckenridge just reminded everyone why her role as Sophie still holds such a special place in viewers’ hearts. The Virgin River star recently surprised fans by posting her original audition tape for NBC’s hit family drama — and let’s just say, it’s pure Sophie magic.
On August 3, Alexandra shared the intimate behind-the-scenes clip on Instagram, showing her standing in front of a blank wall, reading lines that would later appear in the Season 1 episode “I Call Marriage.” Helping her off-camera? None other than her husband, musician Casey Hooper, who fed her the dialogue and created the spark that eventually landed her the role.
“This is us,” Alexandra captioned the post, adding a heart emoji. “Audition tape for Sophie. ❤️”
Fans Are Feeling All the Feels
The second Alexandra hit “post,” fans of both This Is Us and Virgin River flooded the comments with love.
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“This is totally Sophie. I miss her ❤️. You’ve done an amazing job portraying her, and I get why they picked you!!”
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“So good! We can feel your feelings! Thanks for sharing Alex. Such an amazing character: Sophie!! ✨♥️”
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“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Alex is so amazing. That’s just the audition… and I can see Sophie right there! Chef’s kiss 💋.”
It’s rare that actors share these kinds of raw, career-defining moments, which makes the video feel like a gift for longtime fans.
Sophie + Kevin: A Love Story That Endured
Over six seasons, Breckenridge turned Sophie into one of This Is Us’s most enduring characters. As Kevin Pearson’s (Justin Hartley) on-again, off-again love, Sophie’s story was filled with heartbreak, second chances, and — finally — resolution.
In the show’s moving finale, Kevin and Sophie rekindled their romance for good, ending the series together, raising Kevin’s kids, and giving fans a bittersweet but hopeful conclusion.
Could Sophie and Kevin Return Someday?
With so much nostalgia swirling after Alexandra’s throwback, some fans can’t help but wonder: could we ever see Sophie and Kevin again in a spinoff?
The pairing was one of the most beloved in This Is Us history, and the undeniable chemistry between Breckenridge and Hartley made their scenes unforgettable. While NBC hasn’t announced anything, fans are already daydreaming about seeing them share the screen again — maybe even in a crossover with Virgin River. (Can you imagine Kevin Pearson showing up in town as Jack Sheridan’s long-lost cousin? Netflix, call us!)
From This Is Us to Virgin River
Of course, Alexandra is now fully immersed in her role as Mel Monroe on Netflix’s Virgin River, another emotionally rich drama that thrives on love, loss, and community. With Season 7 on the horizon, Mel’s journey continues to anchor the series — much like Sophie’s presence helped ground This Is Us.
It’s clear that whether she’s playing Sophie or Mel, Alexandra Breckenridge has a gift for creating characters who feel deeply real, flawed, and worth rooting for.
✨ After watching Alexandra’s audition, one thing’s certain: she didn’t just book Sophie. She embodied her. And now, years later, fans are getting to fall in love with that performance all over again.
