If you’ve spent any time watching gritty dramas over the last decade, you’ve probably seen her. Maybe you didn’t know the name immediately, but that face—usually etched with a mix of desperation and steel—is hard to forget. We’re talking about Vanessa Giselle. She’s one of those "working actors" who actually works. Hard. From the brutal streets of Mayans M.C. to the high-octane world of S.W.A.T., the Vanessa Giselle movies and tv shows list is a masterclass in how to build a career out of intense, memorable character work.
Honestly, she doesn't do "fluff." Most of her roles involve a level of emotional nakedness that would make a lot of A-listers flinch.
The Breakthrough: Hope in Mayans M.C.
You can’t talk about her without talking about Hope. For sixteen episodes, Giselle didn’t just play a heroin addict; she lived in the skin of a woman drowning in the lifestyle of the San Bernardino charter. It’s arguably her most haunting performance. Fans of the Sons of Anarchy spinoff remember the visceral Season 4 "grocery store breakdown." It’s a scene that went viral for a reason.
She plays a woman trying to hold onto a "normal" life after years of addiction, and the way she snaps at a customer is both terrifying and heartbreaking. It’s the kind of performance that makes you want to reach through the screen and help her, even while you’re backing away.
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Navigating the Starz and FX Universe
Before she was Hope, Giselle was putting in time across some of the best-written dramas on cable.
- Sons of Anarchy (2012-2013): She popped up in episodes like "Orca Shrugged" and "The Mad King." It’s funny looking back now, seeing her in the original universe before she became a cornerstone of the sequel.
- Vida (2018-2019): She played Lucky. If you haven't seen Vida, you're missing out on some of the most authentic Latinx storytelling out there. She was a recurring guest, and even in a crowded cast, her presence felt grounded.
- American Horror Story (2019): She landed a co-star spot in the "1984" season. It was a brief stint in the "True Killers" episode, but getting into the Ryan Murphy orbit is basically a rite of passage for versatile actors.
The Film Side: Indie Grit and Genre Fun
While she’s definitely a "TV regular," her filmography has some weirdly interesting turns. She was in The Hungover Games (2014), which is exactly what it sounds like—a parody. It’s a total 180 from her dramatic work.
But then you look at something like American Outlaws (2023), where she plays Shelby Stanton. It’s a crime thriller about three siblings who start robbing banks. It’s fast, it’s low-budget in that charming way, and she brings a level of seriousness to it that anchors the whole thing. She’s also got credits in The American King and indie projects like The Insomniac.
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Why Vanessa Giselle Movies and TV Shows Keep Trending
People are searching for her because she’s relatable. In an era of overly polished "influencer-actors," Giselle feels like someone who actually went to the Meisner program at Baron Brown (which she did) and put in the years of improv at UCB.
She’s got this "rock and roll" energy—she used to be a vocalist in metal and hardcore bands. You can see that edge in her acting. She isn't afraid to look messy, to have the smeared mascara, or to scream until her veins pop. That authenticity is why she keeps getting booked on shows like Shameless and Ray Donovan.
A Quick Reality Check on the "Other" Giselle
Let’s clear one thing up. If you’re searching for "Gisele movies" and seeing The Devil Wears Prada, you’re looking at Gisele Bündchen. Totally different human. Vanessa Giselle is the one you see in the gritty FX dramas. Don't mix them up, or you'll be very confused when a supermodel doesn't show up in a drug house scene in Mayans.
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What’s Next?
She’s recently been involved in experimental theater projects with Shia LaBeouf at the Slauson Rec Center. That tells you everything you need to know about her vibe. She’s interested in the "new work," the stuff that pushes boundaries.
If you want to catch the best of her work right now:
- Watch Mayans M.C. Season 4 for the rawest performance.
- Check out Vida on Starz to see her earlier recurring work.
- Look for American Outlaws if you want a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde style thriller.
The most actionable way to support actors like Giselle is to actually watch the indie films they headline. Most of these are available on VOD or Tubi. Digging into those smaller credits is where you find the real range of a character actress who is clearly just getting started.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Track her on Backstage: If you're an aspiring actor, looking at her resume is a great roadmap. She didn't skip steps; she did the guest spots, the co-stars, and the training before hitting the major recurring roles.
- Watch the "Death Scene" in Mayans: If you want to see a masterclass in "the exit," find the Season 5 footage. It’s a gut-punch that ended her character's arc with incredible dignity.
- Follow the Indie Path: Keep an eye on her upcoming credits in independent film, as that is where she tends to get the most "lead" screen time compared to her ensemble TV work.
The career of Vanessa Giselle is a reminder that you don't need to be a household name to be one of the most compelling people on screen. You just have to be real.