If you’ve spent any time on the Hallmark Channel over the last decade, you know Emilie Ullerup. She has that specific kind of screen presence—warm, a bit sharp, and entirely believable—that makes you feel like you're watching a real person rather than a scripted character. Most people immediately think of her as Bree O’Brien from Chesapeake Shores, but her filmography is actually a wild ride through sci-fi cult classics, intense indie dramas, and even some high-octane action.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ullerup didn't just stumble into Hollywood. Her father was a diplomat—the Lord Chamberlain for the Danish Royal Family, actually—so she grew up living all over the world, including a stint in Vietnam. That international upbringing gave her a certain edge. When she finally landed in Vancouver to attend film school, she hit the ground running. She didn't just "try" to be an actress; she became one of those faces you see everywhere because she can handle basically any genre you throw at her.
The Sci-Fi Roots: Sanctuary and Battlestar Galactica
Before she was the queen of cozy coastal dramas, Ullerup was a major player in the Pacific Northwest’s booming sci-fi scene. Honestly, her early work is where she really proved her range. Her first professional gig was a guest spot on the Battlestar Galactica reboot. It was small, sure, but it put her on the map.
Then came Sanctuary.
If you haven't seen it, the show started as a web series before jumping to Syfy. Ullerup played Ashley Magnus, the tough-as-nails, monster-hunting daughter of Dr. Helen Magnus. She was incredible in it. She did her own stunts and brought a gritty, leather-clad energy to the screen.
However, fans were absolutely gutted when her character was written out early in the second season. It was a controversial move at the time. There were rumors and theories, but Ullerup later mentioned in interviews that it was a network decision that caught her off guard. It was a tough break, especially because she was dealing with some massive personal health hurdles right around the same time.
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A Real-Life Battle Most Fans Missed
While her career was taking off, Ullerup was privately dealing with something terrifying. In 2008, doctors found a benign but aggressive tumor wrapped around her spinal nerves.
Think about that for a second.
She’s filming action scenes and monster-hunting while her body is fighting a tumor. In 2009, she underwent a grueling surgery to remove it, which involved removing her coccyx and part of her sacrum. It’s the kind of surgery that could easily end a career. But five months later? She was back at work. That level of grit is exactly what she pours into her roles, even the "lighter" ones.
The Hallmark Era: Why We Love Bree O’Brien
It’s impossible to talk about Emilie Ullerup movies and tv shows without spending some time in Chesapeake Shores. Playing Bree O’Brien for six seasons really changed the trajectory of her career.
Bree was the "middle sister" energy personified: a playwright with a bit of a chip on her shoulder and a lot of heart. Fans loved her because she felt messy in a way Hallmark characters usually aren't allowed to be. She had writer's block, she had awkward romances, and she had that classic sibling friction with Abby and Jess.
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Aside from the series, she’s basically a permanent resident of the Hallmark movie rotation. You've probably seen her in:
- Winter Castle (which is actually filmed at a real ice hotel in Quebec—yes, it was freezing).
- Nature of Love
- Christmas Bells Are Ringing
- Don't Forget I Love You
She has this knack for making the "girl returns to her small town" trope feel fresh. It’s not just a paycheck for her; she’s often spoken about how much she appreciates the positive, family-oriented nature of these stories after spending her early career fighting CGI monsters.
Branching Out: Action and "Ripped from the Headlines"
Lately, Ullerup has been zig-zagging between genres again. She popped up in the Netflix film True Memoirs of an International Assassin alongside Kevin James, and worked with John Travolta in the electrical-storm drama Life on the Line.
One of her most surprising recent turns was in the 2024 Lifetime movie Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story. She played the lead role of Ruby Franke, the disgraced parenting vlogger. It was a massive departure from her Hallmark persona. It was dark, uncomfortable, and showed that she still has that "Sanctuary-era" intensity when she needs it.
What's Coming in 2026?
If you're looking for where to catch her next, the schedule is already filling up. As of early 2026, she’s back in the Hallmark fold with a new project called Missing the Boat, co-starring Kristoffer Polaha. It’s part of the "Winter Escape" lineup and was filmed on location in southern Italy.
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Basically, the plot follows two strangers who miss their cruise ship and have to race across the Italian countryside to catch up. It looks like a classic rom-com with high stakes, and honestly, seeing her pair up with Polaha is a win for anyone who likes "best-in-class" Hallmark chemistry.
Emilie Ullerup: A Quick Career Snapshot
| Key Project | Role | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary | Ashley Magnus | Sci-Fi / Action |
| jPod | Kaitlin Joyce | Dark Comedy |
| Arctic Air | Astrid Poulsen | Drama / Adventure |
| Chesapeake Shores | Bree O'Brien | Family Drama |
| Brazen | Kathleen | Thriller (Netflix) |
| Tidsrejsen 2 | Helene Storm | Danish Sci-Fi |
She’s also been doing more work back in Denmark recently, appearing in Tidsrejsen 2. It’s cool to see her reconnecting with her Danish roots while still being a staple of North American TV.
Why Her Filmography Matters
Ullerup is a "working actor" in the truest sense. She didn't wait for a Marvel movie to make her famous; she built a massive, loyal following by being consistently good in everything from Syfy to Lifetime. She speaks three languages (Danish, English, and Vietnamese), is a dedicated vegan, and has been very open about the realities of motherhood and health in the industry.
If you’re just starting to dive into her work, don’t just stick to the Christmas movies. Go back and find jPod—it’s based on a Douglas Coupland novel and it’s weird and wonderful. Or check out Arctic Air, where she plays a Swedish pilot. You’ll see a totally different side of her.
To keep up with her latest work, your best bet is to follow her social media where she’s surprisingly candid about behind-the-scenes life, or keep an eye on the Hallmark+ streaming app, which has archived basically all of Chesapeake Shores. If you want to see her more intense side, Brazen on Netflix is a solid weekend watch.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the early stuff: Track down Sanctuary Season 1 to see her action-hero origins.
- Check the 2026 schedule: Set a reminder for Missing the Boat on the Hallmark Channel this month.
- Explore her range: Watch Mormon Mom Gone Wrong on Lifetime to see her play a complex, dark role that is the polar opposite of Bree O'Brien.