You probably recognize her as a queen, a werewolf, or a doctor. Honestly, it’s hard to pin down Adelaide Kane because she’s basically lived ten different lives across our TV screens. From the soap opera drama of Australian suburbs to the high-stakes surgeries of Seattle, her career is a wild ride of period costumes and bloody horror.
Most people know her from Reign. That makes sense. It’s the show that turned her into a household name for anyone who loves historical fiction with a side of CW-style melodrama. But if you think that’s all there is to Adelaide Kane movies and shows, you're missing about eighty percent of the story. She’s not just "the girl in the crown." She’s a survivor of The Purge, a villain in Once Upon a Time, and currently, a surgeon fighting for her life (literally) on Grey’s Anatomy.
Let’s get into what really makes her filmography tick.
Why Everyone Still Talks About Reign (And Why It Isn't History)
If you go into Reign expecting a PBS documentary about Mary Stuart, you’re gonna have a bad time. It’s not "accurate" in the way historians want. Not even close. The dresses look like they came from a PromGirl catalog in 2014, and there’s a random bastard brother named Bash who never existed.
But here’s the thing: Adelaide Kane made it work.
She played Mary, Queen of Scots with this specific mix of steel and softness. You’ve got a teenage girl being sent to a foreign court where everyone basically wants her dead or married off for land. Kane’s performance wasn’t about being a perfect historical figure; it was about being a woman in a room full of men who didn't think she belonged there.
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The chemistry she had with Toby Regbo (who played King Francis) was the engine of that show. When he died—spoilers, but I mean, it’s been years—the show shifted. Kane had to carry the weight of a grieving widow, a queen returning to a cold Scotland, and a political chess player all at once. It’s easily her most iconic work, even if the "history" part is mostly vibes and gold headbands.
The Grey’s Anatomy Era: Dr. Jules Millin
Fast forward to 2026. If you’re watching TV right now, you’re seeing her as Dr. Jules Millin.
Joining Grey’s Anatomy in its 19th season was a huge pivot. She’s part of that "new intern" class that was supposed to save the show after it got a bit stale. And honestly? It worked. Jules is messy. She’s the daughter of "drug-loving hippies" (her words, basically), and she treats patients with this detached professionalism that masks a lot of trauma.
As of January 2026, we’re deep into Season 22. Things at Grey Sloan Memorial are, as usual, a total disaster. Just a few days ago, on January 15, we saw Jules struggling with some pretty heavy feelings for Winston Ndugu. It’s that classic Grey's formula: one part medical emergency, two parts "who is sleeping with who in the on-call room."
What’s cool about Jules is how different she is from Mary Stuart. No corsets. Just blue scrubs and a lot of coffee. It proves she can do the "grounded" stuff just as well as the "fantasy" stuff.
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The Roles You Forgot (Or Never Knew)
Before she was a queen, she was a Power Ranger. Seriously.
Back in 2009, she played Tenaya 7 in Power Rangers RPM. It’s actually one of the better seasons because it’s weirdly dark—like a post-apocalyptic Mad Max version of Power Rangers. She played a cyborg villain who eventually finds out she’s human. It’s campy, sure, but it showed off her range early on.
Then there’s Teen Wolf.
She showed up in Season 3 as Cora Hale. She’s Derek’s sister, she’s tough, and then... she just kinda left. Fans still complain about that. She was supposed to have a bigger arc, but Reign called, and you don't turn down the lead role in a major series for a supporting role on MTV. Still, Cora remains a fan favorite in the fandom.
The Villain Arc: Once Upon a Time
In the final season of Once Upon a Time, she played Drizella (Ivy Belfrey). This was peak Adelaide Kane. She got to be "buttoned-up and bitchy," which is how she described the character to Entertainment Weekly. Playing the wicked stepsister allowed her to lean into a more manipulative, wounded villainy that we hadn't seen from her before.
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Adelaide Kane Movies: Horror and Holidays
Her movie career is a bit of a mixed bag. You’ve got the high-profile stuff like The Purge (2013), where she played the daughter, Zoey Sandin. It was a massive hit, but she spent a lot of the movie being the "girl in trouble."
If you want to see her actually act in a movie, check out Blood Punch. It’s a low-budget, trippy, "Groundhog Day" style horror-thriller. She’s incredible in it. It’s dark, weird, and way more creative than your average slasher.
And because every actor needs a paycheck, she’s done the Hallmark/Lifetime thing too. A Sweet Christmas Romance (2019) is exactly what it sounds like. It’s cozy. It’s about a bakery. It’s fine. It’s the kind of thing you watch with your grandma while eating fudge.
What's Next for Adelaide?
She’s currently a staple on Grey’s Anatomy, which doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. But keep an eye on her indie projects. She’s been vocal about wanting to produce and do more character-driven work.
If you’re looking to binge her filmography, don’t just stick to the popular stuff. Start with Reign for the drama, hit Teen Wolf for the nostalgia, and then catch up on the current chaos of Grey’s Anatomy.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Watch the "Core Three": Start with Reign (Netflix/CW), then Teen Wolf (Hulu/Paramount+), then Grey's Anatomy (ABC/Hulu).
- Find the Hidden Gem: Look for Blood Punch. It's often on Tubi or Prime Video and is her best-kept secret.
- Stay Current: Since we're in early 2026, new episodes of Grey's Anatomy air Thursdays on ABC. The current Season 22 is dealing with the fallout of the hospital explosion, so it’s a good time to jump back in.
- Check Socials: She’s pretty active on Instagram and TikTok, often sharing behind-the-scenes clips from the Grey's set.
Adelaide Kane has managed to dodge the "one-hit-wonder" trap that catches a lot of CW stars. By jumping between genres—horror, soaps, medical dramas, and fantasy—she’s built a resume that’s actually pretty impressive when you look at it as a whole. She’s a worker. And in Hollywood, that’s usually what matters more than being a "star."