You’ve probably seen her face and thought, "Wait, I know her." Maybe it was the bright red dress in La La Land or the panicked breathing in Alien: Covenant. But if you’re looking for tv shows with callie hernandez, you’re likely realizing she isn't just a "movie person" anymore. She’s become this weirdly specific fixture of prestige TV and experimental streaming projects. Honestly, she has a vibe that’s hard to pin down—sort of a mix between a classic 1940s noir actress and someone who just got off a tour bus with an indie band.
It’s not just about her being "talented." Everyone in Hollywood is talented. It’s the fact that she picks projects that feel a bit dangerous or, at the very least, visually obsessed. From the neon-soaked streets of Los Angeles to the high-altitude chaos of HBO, her TV resume is a roadmap of where "cool" television has been heading over the last decade.
The Big Breakout: Soundtrack and the Lip-Sync Gamble
If we’re talking about tv shows with callie hernandez, we have to start with Soundtrack. This show was a massive swing for Netflix in 2019. Basically, it’s a romantic musical drama where the characters lip-sync to famous pop songs to express their inner feelings.
Callie played Nellie O'Brien. It was a role that required her to be incredibly vulnerable while essentially performing a series of high-end music videos. She’s mentioned in interviews that the process was bizarre; she thought they’d be singing for real, but once she realized it was lip-syncing, she treated it like a "language" the audience had to learn.
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The show didn’t get a second season, which is a shame. It had this raw, earnest energy that felt different from the polished gloss of Glee. If you haven't seen it, find the clips of her performing. It’s where you really see her range—she can go from bubbly to absolutely devastated in the span of a three-minute track.
Why Graves is the Forgotten Gem of Her Career
Before the Netflix deals and the Ridley Scott movies, there was Graves. This was an Epix original series (back when Epix was trying to be the next HBO) starring the legendary Nick Nolte.
Hernandez played Samantha Vega. Her character was a liberal waitress who somehow becomes the "muse" or sounding board for a former GOP president (Nolte) who is having a mid-life crisis about his legacy.
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- The Chemistry: Watching a newcomer like Callie go toe-to-toe with a gravel-voiced titan like Nick Nolte was a masterclass.
- The Tone: It was a political satire that didn't feel mean-spirited.
- The Look: This was one of the first times TV audiences really got to see her "cool girl" aesthetic—messy hair, sharp wit, and a total refusal to be intimidated.
It’s a bit hard to find on streaming these days, but if you’re a completionist looking for tv shows with callie hernandez, this is the foundation. It ran for two seasons (2016–2017) before getting the axe.
Taking Flight with Kaley Cuoco
Fast forward to 2022. The Flight Attendant on HBO Max (now just Max) was a certified hit, and for Season 2, they brought Callie in as Gabrielle Diaz.
Gabrielle wasn't exactly a "nice" person. She and her partner (played by J.J. Soria) were essentially bounty hunters/antagonists tracking Cassie Bowden. It was a total 180 from the romantic lead in Soundtrack. She was cold, calculated, and dressed in these incredible, sharp outfits that made her look like she stepped out of a high-fashion heist movie.
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What’s interesting is how she fits into an ensemble. Even in a show as fast-paced and chaotic as The Flight Attendant, she managed to steal scenes just by staring someone down.
Other Notable TV Appearances
- Too Old to Die Young (2019): This was a miniseries directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (the guy who did Drive). If you know his work, you know it’s slow, violent, and drenched in neon. Callie played Amanda. It’s not for everyone—it’s very "art house"—but it proves she’s a favorite for directors who care more about "vibe" than traditional plot.
- From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014): A very early role for her. She played Jessie for a couple of episodes. It’s fun, campy, and a great look at her before she became a leading lady.
- I Love LA (2025): One of her more recent ventures into the "indie-feel" comedy world. Working with people like Rachel Sennott, she’s leaning back into her comedic roots.
The "Callie Hernandez" Acting Style: What Makes Her Different?
There’s a specific "intensity" she brings to her roles. She’s been open about her past—she was a cellist, she lived in her car for a bit in New York, she’s dealt with the "bottom" of the industry. You can see that in her eyes. She doesn't play "damsels." Even when her characters are in trouble (like in Blair Witch), there’s a sense of agency there.
In her 2025 film Invention, which she also wrote, she blurred the lines between her real life and fiction, using archival footage of her late father. This "meta" approach to acting is starting to bleed into her TV choices, too. She seems less interested in being a "star" and more interested in being an artifact—someone who belongs in a specific, weird world created by a director.
Where to Start if You're a New Fan
If you’re just diving into tv shows with callie hernandez, don't just click on the first thing you see. Start with The Flight Attendant Season 2 to see her at her most polished and modern. Then, go back to Soundtrack. Yes, the lip-syncing is weird at first. Give it two episodes. By the time she’s "singing" a Sia song in the middle of a grocery store, you’ll get it.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check Max: The Flight Attendant is the easiest point of entry right now.
- Search "Soundtrack" on Netflix: It's a hidden gem that many people missed because the marketing was a bit confused.
- Follow Indie News: Since she’s moving into writing and producing (check out her work on the film Jethica), keep an eye on film festivals. She’s likely going to be the "creative force" behind her next big TV project rather than just an actor for hire.
She’s one of those rare performers who feels like she’s from another era but fits perfectly into the digital age. Whether she’s playing a ghost, a waitress, or a bounty hunter, Callie Hernandez is consistently the most interesting person on the screen.