You probably know her as the girl in the corset. Or maybe the girl with the glowing werewolf eyes. Honestly, Adelaide Kane has one of those careers where you’ve definitely seen her face, even if you can't quite place the name immediately. She’s been a queen, a resident surgeon, a villainous stepsister, and a survivor of a dystopian purge.
She isn't just another actress moving through the Hollywood machine. There is a specific, sharp energy she brings to her roles. It's usually a mix of "I could kill you with a look" and "I am actually very tired of everyone's nonsense." That’s the Kane brand. From her early days in Australia to her current stint in the high-stakes halls of Grey Sloan Memorial, her filmography is a weird, wild, and surprisingly consistent journey through genre television.
The Reign Era and the Royal Burden
If we're talking about Adelaide Kane movies and TV shows, we have to start with the crown. Reign was... a lot. It was The CW doing historical fiction, which meant 16th-century France looked suspiciously like a Free People catalog. But here is the thing: Kane carried that show on her back for four seasons.
As Mary, Queen of Scots, she had to navigate a plot that involved everything from political assassinations to literal ghosts in the castle walls. It wasn't historically accurate. Not even close. But Kane played Mary with a groundedness that made you ignore the modern prom dresses. She captured that transition from a naive girl to a hardened monarch who realized that "love is a luxury" she couldn't afford.
Most people forget that Reign was a massive global hit. It’s still a huge draw on streaming platforms because Kane made Mary Stuart relatable to a modern audience without losing the character's inherent steel.
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From Beacon Hills to Hyperion Heights
Before she was a queen, she was a Hale. Teen Wolf fans still have a bit of a grudge about how Cora Hale was handled. Kane joined in Season 3 as Derek’s long-lost sister, and she was basically a female version of him—brooding, athletic, and perpetually annoyed.
The rumor mill always suggested Cora was meant for a much bigger arc, specifically a romance with Stiles Stilinski. But then Reign called. Kane left, and Cora was shipped off to South America, never to be seen again. It’s one of those "what if" moments in TV history that fans still debate on Reddit.
Then came Once Upon a Time. Playing Drizella (or Ivy Belfrey in the "real world") allowed her to lean into her "millennial mean girl" energy. She was snappy, sarcastic, and had a wardrobe that would make anyone jealous. She wasn't just a flat villain; she played the character as someone deeply traumatized by a controlling mother, which added layers that the show’s final season desperately needed.
The Grey's Anatomy Renaissance
Currently, Kane is having a major moment as Dr. Jules Millin on Grey's Anatomy. Joining a show in its 19th season is basically like jumping onto a moving freight train, but she managed to carve out a space for herself.
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Jules is a "zen" resident who was raised by drug-addled hippies and had to be the only adult in the room from age five. It’s a complete departure from the royal robes of her past. What’s really resonating with fans right now is her vulnerability. The recent storylines involving her character's heartbreak—specifically after the departure of Midori Francis’s character, Mika Yasuda—have shown a much softer, more fractured side of Kane’s acting.
She’s spoken openly about how much it meant to her as a bisexual woman to play out an organic queer relationship on screen. It wasn't a stunt; it felt real because she and Francis are close friends in real life, and that chemistry was undeniable.
Adelaide Kane Movies: The Big Screen Hits
While she is definitely a TV queen, her film work shouldn't be overlooked. She was in the original The Purge (2013) as Zoey Sandin. If you haven't rewatched it lately, it’s wild to see her as a terrified teenager caught in a home invasion.
- The Purge (2013): The role that proved she could handle high-tension horror.
- Cosmic Sin (2021): A sci-fi venture alongside Bruce Willis.
- Acquainted (2018): A much more grounded, indie drama that she actually helped produce.
- The Devil's Hand (2014): A cult-themed horror flick that leans into her supernatural roots.
She’s also done the Hallmark/Lifetime circuit with titles like A Sweet Christmas Romance. Honestly, it’s a vibe. Seeing the woman who played a ruthless Scottish queen bake cookies for a small-town festival is the kind of range we love to see.
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What to Watch Next
If you’re looking to dive into her work, don’t just stick to the hits.
- Watch Reign for the drama. It’s campy, it’s beautiful, and it’s peak Kane.
- Check out Power Rangers RPM. She played Tenaya 7, a cyborg villain. It is surprisingly dark for a Power Rangers show and really showcases her ability to play "detached and dangerous."
- Keep up with Grey's Anatomy. Season 21 and beyond are looking to be big for Jules Millin as she navigates life as a "legacy" resident.
Adelaide Kane has managed to survive the "teen star" transition that breaks so many others. She’s moved from soaps like Neighbours to international stardom by being consistently good at playing women who are a little bit sharper than everyone else in the room. Whether she’s holding a scalpel or a scepter, she’s usually the person you’re watching.
To stay updated on her career, follow her social media channels where she’s known for being incredibly candid about the realities of the industry, or keep an eye on the ABC Thursday night lineup for her latest rounds at Grey Sloan.