Lumina Dress from the S/S 2026 collection, "Eden Re-Imagined."by Chuks Collins
BARBARA BUI - G4211MXH10 - Pull à écharpe intégrée en maille mérinos noir by BARBARA BUI
Zaya 100 Ankle-Wrap Sandals by Alexandre Birman
Earrings by Vintage

Taylor Jacobson isn’t dating right now. She’s too busy being Santa.

Brought to life by Alexandra Breckenridge, this new holiday rom-com My Secret Santa is not your cookie-cutter love story. Breckenridge, often recognized for her lush auburn hair and tender smile in Netflix’s Virgin River, is rather unrecognizable in her new role: a round-bellied, rosy-cheeked, bearded man who wears nothing other than a red suit.

But playing the North Pole’s head-honcho isn’t the only role this American actress is known for. Breckenridge starred as a young Moira O'Hara in the first season of FX's American Horror Story, and played Kaylee in the third season. She portrayed Jessie Anderson in the AMC series The Walking Dead and Sophie in the NBC series This Is Us. Breckenridge is also the voice of various characters in Family Guy, and starred in films such as Big Fat Liar and She's the Man.

Breckenridge pulls back the curtain on her upcoming roles in an exclusive with PhotoBook Magazine, and we’re feeling very merry and bright about what’s next.

**Left:**
Long Black Velvet Devoré Dress with a Slit and Deep Neckline by Redemption
Lucite Jeweled Pebble Necklace - Warm Grey by Alexis Bittar
Earrings by Vintage
**Right:**
Leather Belt Neck Trench Coat by Michael Kors Collection
Retailers that Carry the Item: www.michaelkors.com
Belts + Jewelry by Vintage

Alexandra, holiday rom-coms are staples this time of year. What makes My Secret Santa stand out?
The holidays are truly the perfect time of year for a rom-com. People want to get cozy and festive and watch something uplifting and fun. My Secret Santa is the perfect holiday watch. It’s light and fun, with a bit of slapstick comedy, romance and also grounded in the importance of family and what the holidays really mean for people. The fact that the main character is a woman who pretends to be Santa Claus adds extra comic relief and silliness you don’t always see.

Can you walk us through the prosthetics process required to transform into Santa?
We had the most amazing team bring Santa to life! Prosthetics were built at Todd Masters studio’s in Vancouver Canada, where some of the most intricate creations I've ever seen have been built by incredible artists. I was blown away on our first day of testing the Santa-look. This is a talent AI will never be able to replicate, in my opinion. My on-set artists Bre and Jen—the most talented and kind women I’ve had the pleasure to work with—were seamless every morning for the 2 hour transformation. They also went above and beyond to keep me cool with fans and ice packs during my santa hot flashes!

**Left:**
Amara Dress in Black (Silk Fabric), from Nne S/S 2025 collection by Chuks Collins
XL Molten Gold Bangle Bracelet by Alexis Bittar
Earrings by Vintage
**Right:**
Tobres Wool Jacket by CHIARA BONI *La Petite Robe*
Sobres Wool Pants by CHIARA BONI *La Petite Robe*
#CHIARABONILaPetiteRobe
Earrings by BRONXANDBANCO

What is it like being on set of a Christmas film, and how does that festive energy translate onto the screen?
When you're lucky enough to have an incredible set design team and decorators to bring Christmas to life, you forget it’s not actually Christmas! Which of course brings in the cheer on set.

Which part of the filming experience has felt the most magical to you?
I think the moment Taylor (Santa) starts actually talking to the kids about what they want in their hearts was a special moment—because that’s the real spirit of Christmas. It’s not just about the presents. I mean that's fun, but speaking from the heart is so human and touching. I really liked that theme.

Long Black Velvet Devoré Dress with a Slit and Deep Neckline by Redemption
Lucite Jeweled Pebble Necklace - Warm Grey by Alexis Bittar
Earrings by Vintage
Clarita Bell Slingback 60 Black by Alexandre Birman

You have been part of some huge fan favorite shows from This Is Us where you won a SAG Award, The Walking Dead, and American Horror Story. How do you feel these experiences shaped your career?
I feel really lucky to have been a part of so many beloved shows. It’s really special. This industry can be very hard to break into and even one step forward sometimes becomes two steps back. So for me to be lucky enough to have gone from one popular project to the next is a huge gift. I truly hope I continue that trend moving forward.

How does it feel to step back into the beloved character of Mel as Virgin River heads into its landmark eighth season—the longest-running scripted series in Netflix history?
I am so grateful to be able to play such a beloved character for so many seasons, I never imagined it would last as long as it has.

Dress by Silvia Tcherassi
Earrings by Vintage

What do you think has contributed to the success of Virgin River?
I've always felt a big part of the draw is the cozy atmosphere of the town being a real community and friends that become family. And of course, the romance!

How has your professional relationship with Martin Henderson evolved over the years, and how has that contributed to Mel and Jack’s chemistry on screen?
Luckily, Martin and I have always got along from day one and laugh a lot together. So that helps when you spend so much time with someone at work and playing romantic scenes. We tend to have that same humor and fun, playful banter that creates onscreen chemistry.

Beyond acting, you’re building a rich slate of projects, including your podcast and culinary content. What sparked your interest in pursuing these avenues?
I’ve been creating outside of acting for my entire life, so all of these things are just a part of my personality. I cook constantly and enjoy having interesting conversations in small groups of friends. I also sew, do pottery and photography. Though being a working mother, I have to pick my focus and can't do everything I love all the time. I have to choose something I'm passionate about when it moves me to go in that direction.

My Secret Santa just dropped this December 3rd and with the new Virgin River season ahead, what are you most excited for audiences to see from you next?
I was so excited to play someone so polar opposite of myself. It’s the reason I was interested in acting as a child. I'd watched actors like Gary Oldman completely transform himself and found it so inspiring. I wanted to play in that world of being someone different and the imagination that goes along with that process. When this role came to me, I was thrilled. There aren’t that many roles that are this transformative for females in my industry, so I was really excited that this part came to me. I hope to have more of these roles in the future.

Talent: Alexandra Breckenridge
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: David Cruz for Art Department using Oribe and T3 Micro
Makeup: Corey Jason Crysler
Set Design: Alex Peña
Fashion Stylist Interns: Laura Pico, Cassie Murphy
Fashion Market Intern: Rina Andreatta
Retoucher: Luka Ukropina
BTS: Fernanda Páramo
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Introduction by Brya Sheridan, Assistant to Editor-in-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Leonor Moreira, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

From 'Virgin River' to the North Pole: Alexandra Breckenridge Becomes Santa in New Holiday Rom-Com