Alexis Bledel has been busy since starring in Gilmore Girls, playing diverse roles across big blockbusters, fluffy rom-coms and two of the best TV shows the past two decades have seen. Considering her prolific career, it's almost hard to believe Bledel had hardly acted before playing Rory in Gilmore Girls. The actress's progression almost mirrors that of the character's - a shy, wide-eyed student who goes on to become a true force to be reckoned with.
Getting a starring role in what will become a multi-season, award-winning TV show as an amateur is the kind of success story most actors can only dream of, but Bledel truly owned it. So much so, that she will always be Rory Gilmore in fans' hearts. She even reprised the role for the 2016 revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Nevertheless, her acting chops go far beyond the iconic character.
Bledel's work since Gilmore Girls has covered a wide range of mediums (she has 31 acting credits on IMDb), and includes a couple of stints in theater and a starring role in a music video for ska band Less Than Jake. However, it's in movies and television where Bledel is leaving her mark. Here are some of her most celebrated roles:
Alexis Bledel's Biggest Movie Roles
Bledel's first major film role following her Gilmore Girls debut was Tuck Everlasting (2002), a Disney fantasy feature. It was followed by Sin City in 2005. The neo-noir couldn't be further from Gilmore Girls in terms of, well, everything. Bledel plays leather-clad prostitute Becky, who sells out her pals to a bunch of murderous mercenaries. Like Rory, Becky loves her mom, so at least that's one thing they have in common. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants was released the same year. In it, Bledel played shy artist Lena Kaligaris, a role she reprised for the 2008 sequel.
As well as big Hollywood features, Bledel has also worked on short films and indies throughout her career, including Funny or Die's The Ballad of G.I. Joe and Katherine Heigl's rom-com Jenny's Wedding.
Alexis Bledel's Biggest TV Roles
After a brief stint in ER and a starring role in the failed American adaptation of Brit comedy Gavin & Stacey, Bledel landed on her feet with a small role in Mad Men. Her character, Beth, only appeared in three episodes, but they were certainly enough to showcase Bledel's skill. Most recently, Bledel has been doing amazing work on Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale, where she plays rebellious handmaid Emily/Ofglen.
It's with The Handmaid's Tale that Bledel has finally achieved the recognition she deserves as an actress. The role earned her an Emmy win in 2017, and she was promoted to series regular following her harrowing performance in season 1. With season 4 already confirmed, fans can expect Bledel to continue delivering outstanding work.