From chilling thrillers to cozy small-town romance, this bilingual talent is quietly conquering the screen.
If you’ve been watching Virgin River and wondering who plays the sharp-tongued, stylish, and surprisingly heartfelt Lizzie, look no further than Sarah Dugdale—Canada’s own rising star. With a resume that ranges from scream queens to small-town drama staples, Dugdale is a name to watch in both the thriller and romance genres.
From Teen Thrillers to Virgin River Royalty
Born June 21, 1995, Dugdale began acting in her teens and built her reputation through a series of gripping performances in made-for-TV thrillers and horror films. Among her most notable early roles? Kelly Locke in Death of a Cheerleader (2019), a remake of the cult-favorite 1994 movie, and Chloe in The Bad Seed (2018), a modern psychological horror classic.
Her flair for intense emotion and layered characters soon led her to Netflix’s Virgin River, where she joined the cast in season 2 as Lizzie, the feisty, misunderstood niece of Connie. Initially seen as a troublemaker, Lizzie quickly evolved into a fan favorite thanks to her heartfelt romance with Ricky (Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey) and her emotional depth—deftly portrayed by Dugdale.
A Canadian Chameleon
Sarah’s acting journey has spanned multiple genres, from suspense and sci-fi to family drama. She’s appeared in iconic shows like Supernatural, Arrow, and The Secret Circle, and has made recurring appearances in the Mystery 101 movie series as Claire Tate, adding sleuthing to her growing list of talents.
Languages spoken: English and French—yes, she’s bilingual!
Strengths: Unapologetically versatile. From horror to Hallmark, she brings both grit and grace.
Recent Highlights and What’s Next
In 2021, Dugdale starred as Katie Koons in Netflix’s horror flick There’s Someone Inside Your House, further cementing her screen presence in darker genres. More recently, she’s made the seasonal leap to holiday movies like Dial S for Santa (2023) and Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane (2024), showing she’s just as at home in Christmas lights as she is in dimly lit thrillers.
As for Virgin River, Dugdale continues to shine in her role as Lizzie through season 7, where her character’s maturity and unexpected plot turns have kept viewers hooked.
One to Watch
Though she keeps her personal life under the radar, Sarah Dugdale’s on-screen impact is anything but subtle. With her emotional range, natural charisma, and love for genre-spanning roles, she’s one of the most promising Canadian exports in television today.
Whether she’s navigating small-town gossip in Virgin River or diving into the dark unknown in psychological thrillers, one thing’s for sure: Sarah Dugdale is just getting started.
