Nickname James
Height 5' 9" (1.75 m)
Is an American actress known for portraying Jessi on the TV series Kyle XY and Sif in the 2011 superhero film Thor, and its 2013 sequel, Thor: The Dark World.
Early life
Alexander was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and moved to Grapevine, Texas when she was four years old. She is the only girl in a family of four boys. Alexander first got into acting in grade school, where she took theater for fun. Alexander stated that she was actually kicked out of theater when she was in high school because she could not sing and went into sports. When she was 17, she substituted for a friend at a meeting with a scouting agency and she met her manager, Randy James, who sent her some scripts. After graduation, a year and a half later, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
Career
Her career was launched in 2003, when she was cast in the leading role of Hanna Thompson in the low budget award-winning film The Other Side. According to the movie's commentary, she was originally at the audition to help out by reading against the male actors, but the director Gregg Bishop decided to cast her in the leading role after hearing her perform the lines. Alexander’s first role was in the movie Squirrel Trap where she played 'Sara', the love interest of the main character, David, who is a socially introverted genius portrayed by Keith Staley. This was soon followed by a guest appearance in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where she portrayed a femme fatale in the role of 'Tammy', who through a combination of seduction and threats manipulates one of the main characters. She also has a small part in an episode of Standoff.
From there she proceeded to more significant roles. She appeared in the movie The Other Side as 'Hanna Thompson', the girlfriend of the main character; and in the series Watch Over Me where she portrayed the controversial character of 'Caitlin Porter'.
In 2006, she had her first lead role in the horror film Rest Stop where she portrayed 'Nicole Carrow', a girl who escapes from home and goes on a trip with her boyfriend, which is unexpectedly interrupted at a rest stop by a deranged serial killer. In 2007, she had her second lead role, also in a horror film. In Hallowed Ground she played 'Elizabeth Chambers', a girl stranded in a small town inhabited by a sect that plans to use her as a vessel for the rebirth of their founder. In both movies, her character is a strong character who fights back against her aggressors.
Her most famous part so far was that of 'Jessi' on the ABC Family television show Kyle XY. She portrays a troubled, show off girl with superhuman powers who is trying to find her way in the world, with increasing cooperation and eventual romance with her male counterpart Kyle. Her role generated a large fan base hoping to see a spin-off show for her character. She also has had guest roles on the show CSI: Miami where she played 'Jenna York', a flight attendant involved in a murder case; and in Bones where she played 'Molly Briggs', a student connected to the victim of the episode.
In September 2009, it was reported that Alexander would portray Sif in the live-action superhero film, Thor, directed by Kenneth Branagh and released in May 2011.She reprised the role in the sequel Thor: The Dark World, released in November 2013.
In July 2010, it was reported that Alexander had been cast in the independent comedy-drama film, Loosies co-starring Peter Facinelli and directed by Michael Corrente. In October 2010 it was reported that Alexander joined the cast of Nurse Jackie in a sizeable story arc as Jackie’s (Edie Falco) wild, immature sister-in-law, Tunie Peyton. In 2011, she joined the cast of Covert Affairs for three episodes of the second season.
Alexander appeared in the 2013 film Savannah directed by Annette Haywood-Carter, about Ward Allen (Jim Caviezel), a real-life early 1900s aristocrat who starts an unexpected partnership with Christmas Moultrie (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a freed slave. Also in 2013, she portrayed police officer Sarah Torrance in The Last Stand, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Other projects
Alexander has done a photo shoot with her co-star Matt Dallas from Kyle XY for the photographer Tyler Shields.
She also appeared in a Matthew Perryman Jones music video of the song "Save You" released in September 2009.
In 2010, Alexander appeared in a web series for MSN entitled Ultradome produced by Milo Ventimiglia. In the series Alexander portrayed Han Solo in battle against Indiana Jones for the title of best Harrison Ford character.
Personal life
Alexander has been dating actor Peter Facinelli since late 2012.
Filmography
Alexander at the Hollywood premiere of Thor in May 2011.
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Squirrel Trap Sara
2006 Rest Stop Nicole Carrow Direct-to-DVD
2006 The Other Side Hanna Thompson
2007 Hallowed Ground Liz Chambers
2010 Love and Other Drugs Carol Uncredited
2011 Thor Sif
2012 Loosies Lucy
2012 Savannah Lucy Stubbs
2013 The Last Stand Sarah Torrance
2013 Intersections Taylor Dolan
2013 Thor: The Dark World Sif
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Tammy
2006 Standoff Barrista
2007–2009 Kyle XY Jessi
2007 Watch Over Me Caitlin Porter
2009 Bones Molly Briggs
2009 CSI: Miami Jenna York
2011 Nurse Jackie Tunie Peyton
2011 Covert Affairs Reva Kline
2011 The Birds of Anger Short
2012 Perception Nikki
