You probably know her as Michaela Stone. Maybe you’ve seen her face plastered across Netflix banners while scrolling for something to watch at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday. But if you think Melissa Roxburgh is just "the girl from that plane show," you’re honestly missing about 80% of the story.
She’s been around. Like, really around. From surviving a leprechaun attack to navigating the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, Roxburgh has one of those "wait, she was in that?" resumes that makes you want to double-check IMDb every five minutes.
The Hunting Party: Why It’s the Role She Was Born For
Right now, everyone is talking about The Hunting Party. It’s the big NBC procedural that just kicked off its second season in January 2026. Melissa plays Rebecca “Bex” Henderson, a former FBI profiler.
Kinda funny, right?
Before she ever stepped onto a film set, Roxburgh actually studied criminology in Vancouver. She wanted to be a journalist or maybe work in the legal system. She basically spent years learning how to think like the people she now plays on TV. When you see Bex profiling a serial killer in The Hunting Party, that’s not just "acting face"—that’s a woman who actually understands the psychological mechanics behind the script.
The show itself is a wild ride. It's about an elite team tracking down killers who escaped from a secret "off-the-books" prison. It’s gritty. It’s fast. And honestly, it feels a lot more grounded than some of her earlier sci-fi work.
The Manifest Paradox
We have to talk about Manifest. We just have to.
For four seasons (and a massive Netflix rescue), Roxburgh anchored the mystery of Flight 828. She played Michaela Stone, the detective haunted by "Callings." What’s wild is how much that show changed the trajectory of her life. It wasn't just a job; it turned her into a global face for one of the most dedicated fanbases in modern TV history.
A lot of people think Manifest is totally over and done with. But as of 2026, things are getting weird again. Jeff Rake, the creator, just released a novel called Detour set in that same universe. There are constant rumors about a spinoff. Melissa herself has been pretty coy about it, basically saying "never say never" in recent interviews. Even if she doesn't come back full-time, her DNA is all over that franchise.
The "Wait, Was That Her?" Phase
Before the lead roles started rolling in, Roxburgh was the ultimate utility player in "Hollywood North" (Vancouver).
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Take Diary of a Wimpy Kid, for example. This is a great trivia fact: she played two different characters in the same franchise. In Rodrick Rules, she was Rachel Lewis. Then, a year later in Dog Days, she came back as Heather Hills. Usually, when a movie does that, it’s a mistake, but she was just that good at shifting her vibe.
Then there was Star Trek Beyond.
She played Ensign Syl. You might not recognize her because she was under a massive amount of alien prosthetic makeup. She spent hours in a chair just to stand on the bridge of the Enterprise. Most actors would find that frustrating, but for her, it was a masterclass in big-budget filmmaking.
A Quick Look at the Deep Cuts:
- Supernatural: She appeared twice—once as Lila Taylor and later as Violet Duval in the "Bloodlines" spinoff attempt.
- Valor: A short-lived but intense military drama where she played a CIA officer.
- Tracker: This is a more recent one. She showed up as Dr. Dory Shaw, the sister of Justin Hartley’s character. Fans loved the chemistry there, and there’s been a ton of noise about her making more appearances in the new season.
Why She’s Not Your Average Celebrity
Melissa isn't exactly the type to chase paparazzi. She’s quiet. Her dad is a pastor, her mom played professional tennis at Wimbledon, and she grew up traveling the world. That kind of upbringing usually leads to two things: a very grounded ego and a genuine interest in people.
She’s heavily involved with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). She doesn't just post a link once a year; she actually goes on the ground. She’s spent time in places like Ethiopia, working with refugees. When you see her play characters who are deeply empathetic or burdened by a sense of justice, that isn't coming out of thin air. It’s her.
What’s Next?
If you want to keep up with what she’s doing, the path is pretty clear.
- Watch The Hunting Party on NBC: It’s currently airing, and the ratings are solid. It’s the best place to see her current range.
- Keep an eye on Tracker: The producers know they have gold with the "Shaw family" dynamic. Expect more Dory Shaw.
- The Manifest "Spinoff" Watch: Stay tuned to Jeff Rake’s social media. If a 2026 spinoff happens, she’ll likely at least have a cameo or a directing credit (she directed an episode of Manifest called "Lift/Drag" and loved it).
Melissa Roxburgh has moved past the "up-and-coming" phase. She’s a staple now. Whether she’s solving a crime or outrunning a plane mystery, she’s become one of those actors you just trust to deliver the goods.
To stay ahead of her latest projects, check out the official NBC press site for The Hunting Party episode schedules or follow the IRC's updates to see her humanitarian work in action.