If you’ve spent any time at all watching The CW or scrolling through Hallmark’s holiday lineup, you’ve definitely seen Natalie Dreyfuss. She has one of those faces. You know the one—the kind where you’re mid-episode and you suddenly blurt out, "Wait, wasn't she the witch in that other thing?"
She was. Probably.
Natalie Dreyfuss is Hollywood royalty by blood, but she’s spent the last two decades building a career that feels entirely her own. She is the niece of Richard Dreyfuss and the daughter of actor Lorin Dreyfuss, but she didn’t just walk into a lead role because of a last name. Honestly, her path was way more "working actor" than "nepo baby." Before she ever stepped in front of a camera, she was a hardcore ballerina training with the American Ballet Theatre. Then, an Achilles injury basically nuked that dream, and she had to pivot.
The Flash and the Sue Dearbon Spark
Most people searching for Natalie Dreyfuss movies and tv shows these days are coming straight from the Arrowverse. Her stint as Sue Dearbon on The Flash was a total game-changer for the show's later seasons.
When she first showed up in Season 6, fans expected the comic book version of Sue—a socialite who eventually marries Ralph Dibny. What they got was a snarky, high-kicking, international woman of mystery who could out-thief the best of them. Dreyfuss brought a specific kind of "spitfire" energy that the show honestly needed at the time. She wasn't just a love interest; she was a genius with an MIT degree who could take down Ultraviolet in a street fight.
There was this great dynamic between her and Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen, too. While everyone else was being super serious about "The Speed Force," she was just there to get the job done and maybe steal a diamond or two. It’s arguably her most recognizable role to date, especially since she stuck around until the series wrapped in 2023.
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That Time She Was a Mikaelson (Sorta)
Before she was a superhero thief, she was messing with the most dangerous vampires in history. If you’re a fan of The Originals, you remember the "Cassie" arc.
This is where things got complicated. Natalie played Cassie, a young witch who was unfortunately chosen as a vessel for Esther Mikaelson—the matriarch of the original vampire family. Playing a teenager who is actually a thousand-year-old, vengeful mother is a massive acting challenge. She had to switch between "innocent harvest girl" and "terrifying ancient witch" with just a look.
It was creepy. It was effective. And it’s a huge reason why she’s a staple at fan conventions now.
The "Must-Watch" List
If you're looking to binge her work, her filmography is a weird, wonderful mix of gritty dramas, teen soaps, and cozy rom-coms. Here is the breakdown of the essential Natalie Dreyfuss credits:
- Rita Rocks (2008-2009): This was her big break. She played Hallie Clemens, the daughter of a mom who starts a garage band. It’s classic 2000s sitcom energy.
- The Secret Life of the American Teenager: She played Chloe, the girl who befriended Shailene Woodley’s character. If you survived the drama of this show, you remember her.
- Excision (2012): This is for the horror fans. It’s a super stylized, gruesome indie movie. She plays Abigail, the "perfect" sister who stands in contrast to the lead’s spiraling madness. It’s dark. Very dark.
- Fixing Up Christmas (2021): On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, she stars as Holly in this ION/Hallmark-style flick. It’s pure comfort food.
- The Nanny Express (2008): An early Hallmark movie where she plays a rebellious teen trying to get rid of her dad’s new nannies. It’s basically The Sound of Music but with more 2000s angst.
Why She’s the Ultimate Guest Star
One of the most impressive things about Dreyfuss is her "one-and-done" track record. She has popped up in almost every major procedural of the last 15 years.
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You can find her in House (Season 8, "Holding On"), where she plays a patient’s sister. She was in New Girl as Skyler, a girl Nick tries to date to prove he’s "cool." She showed up in 2 Broke Girls, Burn Notice, The Shield, and even Weeds.
Basically, if a show was popular between 2007 and 2017, there is a 40% chance Natalie Dreyfuss was in at least one episode. She’s the ultimate "I know that girl!" actress because she can fit into a gritty crime drama as easily as a multi-cam sitcom.
What's Up with Her Lately?
Since The Flash ended, Natalie has leaned more into the "Leading Lady" space for TV movies. A Snapshot of Forever (2022) is a great example—she plays a photographer who finds love in a small town. It’s a lane she’s very good at because she has a natural, grounded warmth that makes those often-cheesy scripts feel a bit more real.
She’s also pretty open about her life on social media. She’s a yoga teacher and a "baby whisperer," and she’s talked a lot about the reality of being an actress in Los Angeles. It’s not all red carpets; it’s a lot of auditions and "waiting for the miracle," as she’s put it in interviews.
The Verdict
Natalie Dreyfuss is one of those rare actors who has survived the transition from "child of the industry" to "prolific veteran." Whether you love her as the sassy Sue Dearbon or the sinister Esther-in-Cassie’s-body, she always brings a layer of intelligence to her roles.
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If you want to dive deeper into her work, your best bet is to start with The Flash Season 6 for the action, or The Originals Season 2 if you want something a bit more atmospheric and supernatural.
Pro-tip: If you’re watching National Treasure: Book of Secrets, keep your eyes peeled. She has a tiny, uncredited cameo as an "Angry College Girl." Everyone starts somewhere, right?
The next time you're browsing through your favorite streaming app, keep a lookout for her name. She’s probably in that pilot you just started.
Next Step for You: Go to your streaming service of choice and search for The Flash Episode 6x12, "A Girl Named Sue." It's the perfect introduction to her best work and will give you a clear sense of why she’s become such a fan favorite in the superhero world.