Before Alexandra Breckenridge was ever Melinda “Mel” Monroe on Virgin River, the actress made an appearance in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Sarah Kent.
The star’s appearance takes place in season 20, in an episode titled “Mea Culpa,” and a screencap from the episode was shared on the fan page @alexb.channel. Breckenridge decided to share this image to her own story with a shoutout to fellow actress Mariska Hargitay.
Hargitay portrays Olivia Benson on the series and the two worked closely together when Breckenridge guest starred. Along with the screencap, Breckenridge said, “This is fantastic.” She added, “Mariska Hargitay is so kind, so intelligent and such a powerful force. I was profoundly inspired by her.”
But Hargitay isn’t just a talented actress. Breckenridge points out that the star contributed in other significant ways to the series. “She directed this episode,” Breckenridge said. “Hope to become like her someday.”
Throughout her time on Law & Order: SVU, Hargitay has been nominated eight times for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, winning once. She has also earned a Golden Globe, a People’s Choice Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But it seems that Hargitay’s inspiration may have worked out well for Breckenridge. Only a year after her appearance on the crime show, Breckenridge nabbed her role on Virgin River, which was a runaway success. The series has received positive reviews from critics (its second season has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes) and has pulled in millions of viewers on Netflix.
We’d love to see these powerful actresses team up on screen again. Maybe a cameo from Hargitay on Virgin River? We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
