If you spent any time on Tumblr or Reddit around 2013, you definitely knew Kira Manning. She was the kid in Orphan Black who seemed to have a weird, almost psychic connection to her "aunts" (the clones) and a healing factor that would make Wolverine jealous. But if you look up Skyler Wexler movies and tv shows today, you might be surprised by how relatively quiet her filmography has been since that massive sci-fi hit wrapped up.
It’s a weird phenomenon.
Usually, when a kid stars in a cult classic for five seasons, they’re immediately funneled into the Disney-to-Marvel pipeline. Skyler didn't do that. She didn't become a "professional celebrity." Instead, she's one of the few child actors who seemingly chose a normal-ish life while still keeping her toes in the creative waters of Toronto.
The Orphan Black Era: More Than Just a Plot Device
Most people know Skyler Wexler as the biological daughter of Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany). Honestly, being a kid on a set where your lead actress is playing ten different people must be a trip. Wexler was only about six or seven when she started, and by the time the show ended in 2017, she had basically grown up in the "Clone Club" spotlight.
Kira wasn't just a background character. She was the emotional tether for Sarah Manning. Without Kira, Sarah probably would have just kept running. Skyler had to play these heavy, traumatic scenes—getting hit by a car, being kidnapped by Proletheans, and dealing with the Dyad Institute.
What’s wild is that her performance holds up. Usually, child acting in sci-fi is... let's say "hit or miss." But Wexler had this eerie stillness that actually made you believe Kira was something different.
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Skyler Wexler Movies and TV Shows: Beyond the Clone Club
Before she was Kira, Skyler was already working in the busy Toronto production scene. Toronto is basically "Hollywood North," so there’s always a demand for talented kids who can handle long hours.
Here is the breakdown of where else you've probably seen her:
- Warehouse 13 (2009): She made a guest appearance as Catie. This was super early in her career.
- Alphas (2011): She played Zoe in the episode "Anger Management."
- Against The Wall (2011): She had a small role as Casey Whiteside.
- Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town (2012): This was a TV movie based on Stephen Leacock's writing. She played Young Lillian.
- The Captured Bird (2012): This is actually a really cool credit. It was a short horror film executive produced by Guillermo del Toro. If you've seen it, you know it’s creepy as hell.
- Saving Hope (2012): A quick guest spot as a young girl.
- Rewind (2013): A TV movie where she played Young Karen.
- The Christmas Switch (2014): Your classic holiday fare where she played a character named Riley.
She also did some voice work. If you have kids or younger siblings, you might recognize her voice as Peppermint Patty in the Peanuts shorts from around 2014. It’s a random but very cool trivia point.
The Horror Connection
One thing you’ll notice about Skyler Wexler movies and tv shows is a recurring theme: horror and thrillers. Aside from The Captured Bird, she was in a short called We Wanted More (2013) and a segment in The ABCs of Death 2.
There is something about her expressive, slightly intense look that worked perfectly for the genre. She can do "scared but brave" better than most adults.
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Why Didn't She "Go Big" After 2017?
This is where the nuance comes in. Many fans expected her to land a massive Netflix series or a blockbuster film once Orphan Black ended. But if you look at her path, it seems very intentional.
She attended the Claude Watson School for the Arts in Toronto. This is a big deal. It’s a prestigious program for drama and music. Instead of moving to LA to chase pilots, she stayed in Canada to actually study the craft.
Honestly? That’s smart.
The industry chews up child stars who don't have a foundation. By focusing on her education and musical theater, she avoided the typical "former child star" burnout. She's been active in the Toronto theater scene and has done quite a bit of singing, which shows a lot of range that we didn't necessarily see when she was playing the somber Kira Manning.
The Echoes Question: Where Was She?
When AMC announced Orphan Black: Echoes, everyone's first question was: "Is Skyler coming back?"
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As we now know, the show is set decades into the future. The character of Kira Manning is the lead, but she's played by the incredible Keeley Hawes. It makes sense chronologically, but it was a bit of a bummer for fans who wanted to see Skyler return to the role.
While Skyler didn't appear in the first season of Echoes, her DNA (literally and figuratively) is all over that show. It’s weirdly poetic that the character she built as a child is now the anchor of a whole new series.
What to Watch if You Miss Kira
If you're looking to dive back into her work, don't just stick to the main series.
- The Captured Bird: It’s short, but the Del Toro influence is heavy. It shows her range in the horror genre.
- Orphan Black (Rewatch S1-S5): Seriously, watch her growth. She goes from a tiny kid to a teenager over those five seasons. The episode "Nature Under Constraint and Vexed" is a standout for her.
- The Peanuts Shorts: Just to hear her voice acting. It’s a total 180 from the dark, brooding world of clones.
Is she still acting?
Yes, but she's selective. She’s more of a multi-hyphenate now—acting, singing, and performing in theater. She isn't chasing the "influencer" lifestyle, which makes her one of the more authentic young actors out there.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to support her current work, the best thing to do is keep an eye on the Toronto theater circuit. She often performs in stage productions that don't always get international press. Also, if you haven't seen the spin-off Orphan Black: Echoes, watch it through the lens of what Skyler established. It makes the transition to Keeley Hawes' version of the character much more rewarding.