11 Amazing Bodies of Virgin River Stars

Get ready to dive into the world of the "Virgin River" stars and discover the secrets behind their amazing bodies and wellness routines. From skincare rituals to fitness regimens, these talented individuals, including Alexandra Breckenridge, Stacey Farber, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Kandyse McClure, Kai Bradbury, and Daniel Gillies, share their insights on staying in shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Join us as we explore the stories behind the characters and the real-life practices that help these actors look and feel their best, both on and off the screen.

1. Alexandra Breckenridge

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Alexandra Breckinridge plays the lead role of Mel Monroe on the show. She talked about her skincare secrets in an interview with New Beauty. “I am definitely doing a lot more now though to try to keep up with my skin, my fine lines and everything else—nothing crazy, but I want to keep my skin looking healthy and whatnot. I use the NuFace at home and I use it a lot while I’m working. I also have one of those LED lamps. I try to use that more frequently now. I’m basically just trying to take better care of my skin. I’m also very interested in lasers. I guess I’m looking forward to the point where I am not as concerned about aging, and I just kind of embrace it. I’m getting there; I don’t I have any other choice!”

2. Stacey Farber

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In addition to playing Tara Anderson, Stacey Farber also played Ellie Nash on Degrassi. She revealed to Kryptonsite.com that she is very protective of the character, which means not always going back on the show. “There was a reunion thing years ago, but I didn’t feel like it was right for me to go back to it,” she recalls. “I’m very defensive of her. If she were to come back, I’d want it to be great, and I’d want it to be worth it.”

3. Martin Henderson

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Martin Henderson plays Jack Sheridan on the show. He likes to go hiking to stay in shape. Henderson shared this set of photos of himself hiking on Instagram. He captioned the post, “Soakin’ in the green of NZ bush. And blessed by the presence of a Kererū (New Zealand Wood Pigeon). I love to be immersed in the simple yet overflowing abundance of nature. It heals. It inspires. Thank you for all the kind messages of late. Love you guys x.”

4. Colin Lawrence

Amy Graves/Getty Images

Colin Lawrence plays John “Preacher” Middleton on the show. He likes to go paddleboarding to keep himself in shape. Lawrence shared this photo of himself on the water for his birthday on Instagram. He captioned the post, “Thank you for all the Birthday wishes!!! Had a great time on the water. It seems @hollingsworthb and I had the same idea on how to spend the day!!!!”

5. Jenny Cooper

Lilly Lawrence/Getty Images

Jenny Cooper plays Joey Barnes on the show. She tells Cliche Magazine that she joins projects based on the people who are there. “The longer I am in this business, the more I want to be surrounded by like minded people I can trust and grow with. And of course the script and relationships depicted are key. I love it when a theme or role mirrors an experience I have had or grown from, something I can recognize.”

6. Annette O’Toole

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Annette O’Toole plays Hope McCrea on the show, and she enjoys it. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had because when I started out, I was really young and I was sort of the ingenue, and then I was the leading lady in some things, and then you start to age,” O’Toole told AP News about playing the role. “Now I just find it so freeing. I don’t worry about it, and that’s in life, too. So Hope and I feel the same way about it. It’s like, who are we trying to kid? Especially an actress, they can look you up (online) and see how old you are, see all the things you’ve done, look at all your pictures.”

7. Tim Matheson

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In addition to playing Vernon “Doc” Mullins on the show, Tim Matheson is a former marine. He talked about what he took from the experience to Military.com. “Boot camp in the Marine Corps was one of the most profound occurrences in my life," he said. "As its purpose is to teach you that you can do a lot more than you think you can. You can do much, much more, and it'll whip you into shape.”

8. Benjamin Hollingsworth

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Benjamin Hollingsworth plays Dan Brady on the show. He revealed to JustJared.com that he eats a plant-based diet. “My wife is a vegan and was raised a vegetarian; never eaten meat in her life. She was a big influence in me choosing to go plant-based. When the pandemic hit, I started gardening. So addictive; I had almost three dozen different plants growing. We had so many fresh veggies around the house it was easy to make the transition.”

9. Kandyse McClure

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images

Kandyse McClure plays Kaia Bryant, and joined the show in season 5. McClure shared some of her wellness secrets in an interview with Women Fitness. “I try and balance strength and flexibility. Both are so important, especially as women get older. I like high intensity interval training and do that three times a week, with a couple of days of hot yoga in between. I love hot yoga and also enjoy taking cold showers afterwards. They make me feel like I can conquer anything the day brings.”

10. Kai Bradbury

kaibury/Instagram

Kai Bradbury has played Denny Cutler since season 3. He is Japanese and Scottish, and is very proud of that. Bradbury talked about this to Mixed Asian Media, and gave advice for other mixed-race people. “There’s so much beauty in who we are, and although identifying as Hapa is a beautiful thing, I think our world is stuck in labeling ourselves, our races, our sexuality, and our genders, so identifying and sharing these things are important. I hope that we could all just end up being us and be loved and celebrated for who we are so let us keep sharing our stories and our love.”

11. Daniel Gillies

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Daniel Gillies plays the recurring role of Mark Monroe. He likes to spend time outside. Specifically, Gillies likes to go hiking. He shared this set of photos of himself walking in the woods of Stanley Park on Instagram. Gillies also posted this photo of himself hiking in Sherman Oaks.

Get ready to dive into the world of the "Virgin River" stars and discover the secrets behind their amazing bodies and wellness routines. From skincare rituals to fitness regimens, these talented individuals, including Alexandra Breckenridge, Stacey Farber, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Kandyse McClure, Kai Bradbury, and Daniel Gillies, share their insights on staying in shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Join us as we explore the stories behind the characters and the real-life practices that help these actors look and feel their best, both on and off the screen.

1. Alexandra Breckenridge

Shutterstock

Alexandra Breckinridge plays the lead role of Mel Monroe on the show. She talked about her skincare secrets in an interview with New Beauty. “I am definitely doing a lot more now though to try to keep up with my skin, my fine lines and everything else—nothing crazy, but I want to keep my skin looking healthy and whatnot. I use the NuFace at home and I use it a lot while I’m working. I also have one of those LED lamps. I try to use that more frequently now. I’m basically just trying to take better care of my skin. I’m also very interested in lasers. I guess I’m looking forward to the point where I am not as concerned about aging, and I just kind of embrace it. I’m getting there; I don’t I have any other choice!”

2. Stacey Farber

Shutterstock

In addition to playing Tara Anderson, Stacey Farber also played Ellie Nash on Degrassi. She revealed to Kryptonsite.com that she is very protective of the character, which means not always going back on the show. “There was a reunion thing years ago, but I didn’t feel like it was right for me to go back to it,” she recalls. “I’m very defensive of her. If she were to come back, I’d want it to be great, and I’d want it to be worth it.”

3. Martin Henderson

Shutterstock

Martin Henderson plays Jack Sheridan on the show. He likes to go hiking to stay in shape. Henderson shared this set of photos of himself hiking on Instagram. He captioned the post, “Soakin’ in the green of NZ bush. And blessed by the presence of a Kererū (New Zealand Wood Pigeon). I love to be immersed in the simple yet overflowing abundance of nature. It heals. It inspires. Thank you for all the kind messages of late. Love you guys x.”

4. Colin Lawrence

Amy Graves/Getty Images

Colin Lawrence plays John “Preacher” Middleton on the show. He likes to go paddleboarding to keep himself in shape. Lawrence shared this photo of himself on the water for his birthday on Instagram. He captioned the post, “Thank you for all the Birthday wishes!!! Had a great time on the water. It seems @hollingsworthb and I had the same idea on how to spend the day!!!!”

5. Jenny Cooper

Lilly Lawrence/Getty Images

Jenny Cooper plays Joey Barnes on the show. She tells Cliche Magazine that she joins projects based on the people who are there. “The longer I am in this business, the more I want to be surrounded by like minded people I can trust and grow with. And of course the script and relationships depicted are key. I love it when a theme or role mirrors an experience I have had or grown from, something I can recognize.”

6. Annette O’Toole

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Annette O’Toole plays Hope McCrea on the show, and she enjoys it. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had because when I started out, I was really young and I was sort of the ingenue, and then I was the leading lady in some things, and then you start to age,” O’Toole told AP News about playing the role. “Now I just find it so freeing. I don’t worry about it, and that’s in life, too. So Hope and I feel the same way about it. It’s like, who are we trying to kid? Especially an actress, they can look you up (online) and see how old you are, see all the things you’ve done, look at all your pictures.”

7. Tim Matheson

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In addition to playing Vernon “Doc” Mullins on the show, Tim Matheson is a former marine. He talked about what he took from the experience to Military.com. “Boot camp in the Marine Corps was one of the most profound occurrences in my life," he said. "As its purpose is to teach you that you can do a lot more than you think you can. You can do much, much more, and it'll whip you into shape.”

8. Benjamin Hollingsworth

Shutterstock

Benjamin Hollingsworth plays Dan Brady on the show. He revealed to JustJared.com that he eats a plant-based diet. “My wife is a vegan and was raised a vegetarian; never eaten meat in her life. She was a big influence in me choosing to go plant-based. When the pandemic hit, I started gardening. So addictive; I had almost three dozen different plants growing. We had so many fresh veggies around the house it was easy to make the transition.”

9. Kandyse McClure

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images

Kandyse McClure plays Kaia Bryant, and joined the show in season 5. McClure shared some of her wellness secrets in an interview with Women Fitness. “I try and balance strength and flexibility. Both are so important, especially as women get older. I like high intensity interval training and do that three times a week, with a couple of days of hot yoga in between. I love hot yoga and also enjoy taking cold showers afterwards. They make me feel like I can conquer anything the day brings.”

10. Kai Bradbury

kaibury/Instagram

Kai Bradbury has played Denny Cutler since season 3. He is Japanese and Scottish, and is very proud of that. Bradbury talked about this to Mixed Asian Media, and gave advice for other mixed-race people. “There’s so much beauty in who we are, and although identifying as Hapa is a beautiful thing, I think our world is stuck in labeling ourselves, our races, our sexuality, and our genders, so identifying and sharing these things are important. I hope that we could all just end up being us and be loved and celebrated for who we are so let us keep sharing our stories and our love.”

11. Daniel Gillies

Shutterstock

Daniel Gillies plays the recurring role of Mark Monroe. He likes to spend time outside. Specifically, Gillies likes to go hiking. He shared this set of photos of himself walking in the woods of Stanley Park on Instagram. Gillies also posted this photo of himself hiking in Sherman Oaks.

Staying fit in Star Wars isn't just about lightsaber training. Herewe delve into the wellness routines and secrets of six remarkable Ahsoka stars who not only grace our screens with their talent but also inspire us with their dedication to health and self-care. From Rosario Dawson's practical approach to Natasha Liu Bordizzo's go-to meals, Mary Elizabeth Winstead's intense training regimen to Diana Lee Inosanto's love for nature, David Tennant's unique take on public image to Eman Esfandi's artistic pursuit of a more empathetic world – prepare to be impressed with how they stay slimmer than a Purrgil.

1. Rosario Dawson

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Rosario Dawson talked about her wellness routine to Us Weekly. She says that because of her schedule, she needs her wellness secrets to be easy and consistent. “I walk everywhere. I drink a lot of water. I try to get as much sleep as possible. Everything else about my schedule and routine is inconsistent, so if those types of things I can do, they’re really important… I can always take the stairs rather than use the elevator or the escalator.”

2. Natasha Liu Bordizzo

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Natasha Liu Bordizzo shared her go-to meals in an interview with Byrdie. “For breakfast, I'll usually have muesli with coconut milk or eggs and avocado (the Aussie classic). For lunch, I'll eat at a cafe as I'm always out and about. For dinner, it's a simple stir-fry with veggies, tofu and a heap of tamari. Or a prawn pasta with a tomato base.”

3. Mary Elizabeth Winstead

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While promoting her Netflix film, Kate, Mary Elizabeth Winstead shared how she got in shape to do some of the stunts in the role. “Working with 87North, they give you a really good baseline in jiu jitsu,” she said on Netflix's website. “Then they throw in boxing drills and things like that. And that's one of those examples, when I said I didn't really know that I was learning the choreography. It became: ‘Ok, you're punching like we've been doing in these boxing drills. but with a knife in your hand this time.’ So I'm using the proper power behind the force of the punch now it's a knife." They're just really smart, in terms of building it into your body in a way that you don't even realize what's happening.”

4. Diana Lee Inosanto

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In an interview with The Inner Circle, Diana Lee Inosanto shared some of her fitness and wellness secrets. “I love doing Yoga,” she says. “I love writing and reflecting on my life. I also love taking long scenic walks by the ocean or hiking in outdoor places. I am a nature lover!”

5. David Tennant

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In an interview with the DailyMail’s Weekend Magazine, David Tennant talked about things people might not know about him. “I don't think very much about my public image,” he revealed. “I once saw the same photo of me in two magazines in the same week. One had captioned it, 'This man knows how to dress!' The other said, 'What on earth is he wearing?' Ever since then, I've chosen to follow my own spirit.”

6. Eman Esfandi

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In an interview with Voyage LA, Eman Esfandi talked about his approach to acting, creating art, and making movies. “The end goal is to perpetuate a more understanding, empathetic, and selfless society through whichever means/medium possible. I hope one day I can look back on my work and feel confident knowing that it was always in pursuit of that goal. I hope one day you can look back on my work and feel anything at all.”

The Rookie stars know how to stay fit. Nathan Fillion reflects on career longevity, while Jenna Dewan emphasizes the importance of rest. Niecy Nash-Betts enjoys acupuncture and sauna treatments. Britt Robertson shares her hair care secrets. Alyssa Diaz trains rigorously for her role, and Mercedes Mason discusses cultural representation in media. Mekia Cox advises aspiring actors, Lisseth Chavez loves hiking, and Melissa O’Neil combines hiking with pet companionship. Kevin Zegers focuses on outdoor workouts, and Sara Rue shares her journey towards self-acceptance and physical comfort.

1. Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion plays John Nolan. He talked about his career to The Toronto Sun. “For me, it seems like each project I do I’m saying to myself, ‘Oh my God, I finally made it.’ Here I am, I’m about to turn 52 and I’ve been in this business for 30 years. I’m still experiencing firsts. This is my first time on a prime-time, 8 o’clock show of my very own. This is my first time with a spinoff show. This is my first time where they are really building out an evening with the kinds of entertainment we’re trying to bring.”

2. Jenna Dewan

Jenna Dewan plays Bailey Nune on the show, and joined in the fourth season. She tells Shape Magazine that she makes sleep and rest a priority. "Rest is the hardest thing for me to come by, as I'm sure most people can relate, but I try to get as much as I can. Making time for myself within working, within family, within all of that is very, very important for me and not the easiest to do, but I make it a priority."

3. Niecy Nash-Betts

Nicey Nash-Betts/Instagram

Niecy Nash-Betts played the lead role of Simone Clark on the show’s spin off. She shared some of her wellness habits with Parade. “I've started a new life in acupuncture. It’s a weekly thing and that is something that I enjoy. And then I also bought an in-home or travel sauna. So maybe I cannot get down to a day spa to go sit in the sauna but I have one that I can travel with. And so, that's an end of day routine cause once I sit in that sauna, forget about it! I’m toast after that. Having acupuncture I have found to just be a lovely gift to myself. Therapy is a wonderful gift.”

4. Britt Robertson

Britt Robertson played Laura Stensen on the spin off. She shared some of her favorite products in an interview with Women’s Health. Robertson says she uses Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray on her hair. "I'll put it on really thick, then throw my hair in a bun and let it sink in during my workout. I'll wash it out afterward; it gives my hair hold, makes it soft, and smells really nice."

5. Alyssa Diaz

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Alyssa Diaz played Angela Lopez on the first three seasons. She talked about her training process for the show to Starry Constellation Magazine. “We learned how to clear rooms. We learned how to arrest people. I do a lot of running and kickboxing to kick down doors and I learned how to walk with a weapon, how to load it and unload it.”

6. Mercedes Mason

Mercedes Mason played Zoe Andersen in season one. She talked about wanting to represent the Iranian community and wanting more representation in the media to The Persian Observer. “As Iranians we have been overlooked by Hollywood. We aren’t considered white ethnically yet we aren’t considered diverse enough either so we end up falling between the cracks. It’s been one of the biggest frustrations for me as an actress. As much as Hollywood talks about inclusivity, I feel as though Iranians have been left by the wayside. I can’t think of a single show that showcases Iranian families. Or Iranian leads of TV shows. I’m hopeful that this will change. We have such a beautiful and warm culture. Saddens me that most people don’t know much about the Persian culture. There’s still so much stigma surrounding Iran.”

7. Mekia Cox

Mekia Cox joined the show as Nyla Harper in the second season. She shared her advice for aspiring actors with Cliche Magazine. “If it’s your dream, then you gotta go full steam ahead. And you have to love it in whatever form it comes. I always thought performing is what I’d do no matter what, even if that meant I spent my whole life doing regional theater in some small city no one ever heard of. If it made me happy, that’s what I’d do.”

8. Lisseth Chavez

Lisseth Chavez joined the cast in season five, playing Celina Juarez. She loves to go hiking to stay in shape. Chavez recently took a trip to Zion Narrows National Park, and shared highlights on Instagram. She shared this photo and video of herself wading in a river, captioning it, “Don’t let this smile fool you, I nearly froze to death.”

9. Melissa O’Neil

Melissa O’Neil plays Lucy Chen on the show. She loves to go on hikes, and she sometimes takes her dog with her. O’Neil shared these videos on Instagram of herself hiking in the woods with her dog. She captioned it, “I Love this nug so much. We celebrated by going to Millard Canyon Falls. It’s a 50-ft waterfall not even a 30min drive away from home. Kind of blows my mind how beautiful it is here some times. With all the recent rain the water is flooowwwiinng. We had a blast criss crossing the creek that was at several points pretty precarious but she is a brave pupperoni and let me backpack her around the trickier crossings.”

10. Kevin Zegers

Kevin Zegers played Brandon Acres on the spin off. He does a lot of outdoor workouts to stay in shape, and shares some of his favorites on Instagram. One thing Zegers likes to do is swim. He shared this underwater photo of himself snorkeling.

11. Sara Rue

Sara Rue has a recurring role as Nell Forester. Rue is open about her struggles with weight, and talked about her journey with Cosmopolitan. “Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows it's such an emotional, complicated thing. As an actor, there are certain roles that you really can't play or be cast in when you're overweight. But I don't want to sensationalize it; my weight loss was more of an internal thing, and it was about mentally and physically wanting to be in a place where I could feel really comfortable in my own skin. When I turned 30, I had this image of myself and where I wanted to be in five, in 10 years — but the reality of my situation just didn't match up. So it was as simple as that — and as complex as a thousand other things going into it.”

Sink your teeth into the fitness secrets and healthy habits of the supernatural stars of "True Blood." From Sookie Stackhouse's enchanting workouts to Jason Stackhouse's resilient spirit, this article reveals how the cast of this vampiric saga maintained their amazing bodies. Anna Paquin's on-the-road workouts, Anna Camp's snack-hoarding strategies, and Joe Manganiello's 80/20 diet plan will leave you thirsting for more. Rutina Wesley's agile dance-based regimen and Jurnee Smollett's jump rope prowess prove that vampires aren't the only ones with killer moves. Whether they're riding horses in the wild west like Luke Grimes or juggling auditions like Denis O'Hare, these actors have secrets to staying in shape.

1. Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin played lead character Sookie Stackhouse on the show. She shared some of her fitness secrets in a 2010 interview with SELF. "I had this really amazing trainer in New York, who I worked out with for years," she said. "He got me in amazing shape and taught me how to work out by myself and on the road. Half the time, I'd be in a hotel room somewhere and there would be a gym - if you could call it that - with not much more than a treadmill and some weights. He would write out workouts for me that I could do anywhere."

2. Anna Camp

Anna Camp played Sarah Newlin on seasons two, six, and seven. She tells People that she takes healthy snack options with her when she’s working. “I’m on the run a lot in L.A. Whether I’m hiking with my dog Rocky or driving from meetings to sets, having good snacks on hand is a top priority. I always carry almonds, fruit and water with me to fight the afternoon crash.”

3. Joe Manganiello

Joe Manganiello played Alcide Hervaux from season three on. His trainer, Ron Matthews, told Men’s Health that he has the actor on an 80/20 plan. “We never do less than 80 percent of full capacity with the diet and the workouts. But that means he can still have a cheat meal and enjoy life the other 20 percent.”

4. Rutina Wesley

Rutina Wesley played Tara Thornton on all seven seasons of the show. She shared some of her favorite workouts with Fitness Magazine. “I do a mix of cardio and strength — the elliptical machine and weight lifting — three times weekly. But a lot of my agility comes from being a dancer; I trained at Juilliard. I also do yoga. It helps me relax and let go of the crazy character I play.”

5. Ryan Kwanten

Ryan Kwanten played Jason Stackhouse on all seven seasons. He revealed in an interview with FOX News that he’s developed a lot of resilience, which has helped with his career. "I have that sporting background where I want to be the best, I want to be the champion. If I'm knocked down, you're damn sure I'm getting back up again. A lot of actors who may very well be more talented than me don't have that kind of tenacity in the face of rejection. That resilience gives me a distinct advantage."

6. Christopher Meloni

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Christopher Meloni played Roman Zimojic in season five. He shared his approach to eating with Men’s Health. “I have to juggle the correct kinds of foods, but I have to ingest enough calories to push the weight that I need to push in order to kind of maintain…whatever this thing is. I really eat everything. My philosophy—well, my diet—is I’m basically horse-trading all day. I like to pick and choose where I’m going to ingest my cholesterol or my heavy fats or starches.”

7. Denis O’Hare

Denis O’Hare played Russell Edgington on seasons three and five. He shared how he approaches an audition with Backstage.com. “I try, when I go in, to not let the director talk to me. I don’t want them putting any ideas in my head before I’ve done what I’m doing. Afterward, it’s fine. And I don’t tend to banter—I don’t tend to chat. I don’t try to make friends. I just come in, do my job, and leave. And I also don’t hang around. Once I’m done, I get out of there so fast. I don’t want anybody to see me. I don’t want to have another conversation. I don’t want to have a second audition. I just leave.”

8. Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett played Nicole Wright on the final two seasons. She shared some of her favorite exercises with SELF. Smollett says that she makes sure to workout when traveling. “If I have a jump rope and a resistance band, I can work out anywhere. Even without a jump rope. If you do 200 jumping jacks, then drop and do some crunches, and then do some squats, you’re good.”

9. Luke Grimes

Luke Grimes played James Kent in season six. He also appears on the hit series, Yellowstone, and revealed to Monsters & Critics that he did a lot of riding to prepare for the role. “When we got to Utah, where we filmed the first season, a lot of us went on a cowboy camp where we went on a pack trip that went out for three nights. Taking these horses up mountains, jumping creeks, and doing a lot of stuff that a lot of us had never done before just to try to get us into the feel of the place and of the world.”

10. Lizzy Caplan

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Lizzy Caplan played Amy Burley on season one of the series. She opened up about finding fulfillment in her career to Variety. “It seems rare to know, for me, what a whole year is going to look like,” she says. “I keep it moving, jumping from lily pad to lily pad. I feel extremely lucky that I get to bounce around so much and do the things that I personally find meaningful or scary or a challenge.”

11. Carrie Preston

Carrie Preston played Arlene Fowler Bellefleur on the entire series. She shared some of her wellness secrets in an “A Day In My Life” interview with Us Weekly. Preston revealed that she makes smoothies for breakfast. “My smoothies are legendary. I start with pea milk, avocado and kale, and then I throw in every kind of berry, flaxseed, cacao nibs powder and nut combo it can handle.”