Most people think of Miranda Rae Mayo and immediately see a helmet, a heavy jacket, and the smoky halls of Firehouse 51. It makes sense. Since 2016, she’s basically lived and breathed the role of Stella Kidd on Chicago Fire. But if you think her career started and ended with the One Chicago universe, you're actually missing some of the weirdest, coolest, and most diverse credits in modern TV.
Honestly, Miranda’s path to becoming a household name wasn't exactly a straight line. She didn't just wake up as a lieutenant. Before the fire trucks, there were soaps, teen dramas, and even a brief stint in a horror movie produced by Wes Craven.
The "Stellaride" Phenomenon and Chicago Fire
Let’s get the big one out of the way. When we talk about Miranda Rae Mayo movies and tv shows, Chicago Fire is the undisputed heavyweight. She joined in Season 4 as a recurring character, but fans latched onto her energy so fast that the writers had no choice but to make her a series regular by Season 5.
What's wild is how her character, Stella, changed the DNA of the show. Her chemistry with Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide) birthed "Stellaride," one of the most intense fan-fished ships in NBC history. But Miranda brings more than just romance to the screen. She’s portrayed Stella’s rise from a "floater" firefighter to a Lieutenant leading Girls on Fire, a program designed to get young women into the service.
As of early 2026, Miranda is still a cornerstone of the show. In the current 14th season, her character is navigating some of the most complex leadership challenges we've seen yet, especially following the major cast shifts and the introduction of Dom Pascal (played by Dermot Mulroney).
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Before the Fire: Pretty Little Liars and Blood & Oil
If you were a fan of Pretty Little Liars back in 2015, you probably remember Talia Sandoval. She was the chef at The Brew who became a complicated love interest for Emily Fields. It was a short seven-episode arc, but it showed Miranda’s ability to play someone grounded and slightly mysterious.
That same year, she jumped into a completely different world: the high-stakes oil fields of North Dakota. In the ABC drama Blood & Oil, she played Lacey Briggs, the illegitimate daughter of a ruthless tycoon played by Don Johnson. The show didn't last long—it was canceled after ten episodes—but it was a huge "I've arrived" moment for her. Playing opposite a legend like Don Johnson isn't exactly a low-pressure gig.
The Early Days and Soap Opera Roots
Like a lot of actors who eventually "make it," Miranda’s early resume is a mix of "wait, she was in THAT?" and classic industry stepping stones.
- Law & Order: LA (2011): Her first real screen credit. She played a character named Anna in an episode called "El Sereno."
- The Game (2013): She had a five-episode run as Patreece Sheibani. This was a BET comedy-drama that had a cult following.
- Days of Our Lives (2014-2015): She spent about 15 episodes playing Zoe Browning. If you can survive the pace of a daily soap opera, you can survive anything in Hollywood.
Exploring the Big Screen: Miranda Rae Mayo Movies
While she’s definitely a titan of the small screen, Miranda has dipped her toes into film. It’s a shorter list, but the choices are interesting.
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She played Rose in the 2015 horror flick The Girl in the Photographs. It’s a bit of a trivia nugget because it was the final film executive-produced by the legendary Wes Craven before he passed away. It’s a dark, stylish slasher that didn't get a massive theatrical release but remains a must-watch for Mayo completists.
Around that same time, she had a small role in We Are Your Friends, the EDM-focused movie starring Zac Efron. She played Courtney. It wasn't a lead role, but being part of a major studio production helped bridge the gap between "tv actor" and "movie star."
More recently, she’s been exploring independent projects. In 2024, she executive produced and starred in Here She Comes, a series where she drew on her real-life training as a Somatica-trained coach. Then there's the 2025 film Going Places, where she plays a character named Jules. It’s clear she’s moving toward projects where she has more creative control.
Why She’s Different
Miranda isn't just an actress who reads lines. She’s a musician and a trained relationship coach. She’s queer and uses she/her and they/them pronouns, often speaking openly about mental health and the "shadow work" involved in being a public figure.
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You can see that depth in her performances. There’s a certain weight she carries in her scenes—a mix of Fresno-raised grit and a very modern kind of empathy.
What to Watch Next
If you want to see the full range of Miranda Rae Mayo movies and tv shows, don't just stick to the Wednesday night NBC lineup.
- Watch Blood & Oil: It’s a fun, soapy relic of the mid-2010s that shows her playing a rich, powerful character very different from Stella Kidd.
- Track down The Girl in the Photographs: If you like horror, it's a unique look at her earlier work.
- Catch her in True Detective: She appeared in Season 2 as Vera Machiado. It’s a small role, but being in a prestige HBO drama is always a badge of honor.
The best way to stay updated is to follow her production ventures. She's clearly leaning into the "creator" space. Keep an eye on her indie work like Here She Comes—that’s where the most "real" Miranda Rae Mayo performances are happening right now.