Sasha Alexander, born Suzana Drobnjakovic in 1973 (via Turner Classic Movies), has built a diverse career, with numerous roles leading up to her breakout on Dawson’s Creek. This pivotal moment propelled her into the spotlight, but it was her role as Kate Todd on NCIS that cemented her place in the hearts of fans.
Over two seasons and 49 episodes, Alexander’s portrayal of the beloved character left a lasting impression, making her departure from the show a significant loss for viewers.
In NCIS, Kate Todd’s journey began as a law student who later joined the Secret Service. A romantic entanglement threatened her career, but she soon found a new path when recruited by Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon) into the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Initially surprised by the team’s willingness to bend the rules, Kate eventually adopted the same tactics she once questioned. Throughout her career, both before and after NCIS, Alexander has taken on a range of fascinating roles, leaving many curious about how she got her start and what lies ahead in her career.
#1. Alexander appeared in several TV shows
Sasha Alexander made her television debut in Wasteland, a young adult drama that aired in late 1999. The show centered around the lives, relationships, and sexual dynamics of a group of friends. Another early role for Alexander came with Presidio Med, a medical drama created by ER showrunners Lydia Woodward and John Wells.
Unfortunately, both shows were short-lived. Presidio Med was canceled after just 14 episodes and currently holds a disappointing 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Wasteland fares even worse with a mere 6%.
However, it was Dawson’s Creek that truly launched Alexander into the public eye. She portrayed Gretchen Witter, the sister of Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), who eventually dates Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) in Season 4.
Reflecting on her role in a 2001 interview with IGN, Alexander noted, “They weren’t sure about my role in the beginning, but then the chemistry kind of worked, and they really loved the storyline and began to go with it.” This role marked a turning point in her career, paving the way for future success.
#2. The actor also had supporting roles in several movies
Sasha Alexander also starred in several notable films between 2001 and 2009, including All Over the Guy (2001), Lucky 13 (2005), Yes Man (2008), The Last Lullaby (2008), and He’s Just Not That Into You (2009) (via IMDb). In All Over the Guy, a romantic comedy, Alexander’s character sets up two friends on a blind date, but things don’t go as planned.
Lucky 13, another romantic comedy, revolves around a young man reflecting on his past relationships to build the confidence to propose to his long-time crush. Alexander stars alongside Lauren Graham, Kaley Cuoco, and Harland Williams.
The Last Lullaby marked a shift for Alexander, playing the role of a librarian who becomes the target of a retired assassin, portrayed by Tom Sizemore. The film, a smaller independent production, earned positive reviews and holds a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Perhaps the most successful of these films was Yes Man, a comedy featuring Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, and Bradley Cooper, where Carrey’s character hilariously finds himself unable to say “no” to anything, creating a series of comedic misadventures.
#3. Alexander became a household name with NCIS
Throughout her career, Sasha Alexander has appeared in several more films, but it was her role on NCIS that truly made a lasting impact. From 2003 to 2005, she portrayed Special Agent Caitlin “Kate” Todd, a tough, rule-abiding, and initially private character who quickly became a fan favorite.
Though Alexander had signed a contract for six seasons, the demanding schedule of 24 episodes per year proved overwhelming. She decided to leave after just two seasons, explaining in an interview with TV Guide:
“People don’t realize that on a network show, you make 24 episodes a year — that’s 10½ months a year, 17 hours a day. It’s hardcore.”
Her character’s exit was a shock to viewers, as Kate was killed by a sudden bullet to the head, an event that had a significant emotional impact on fans.
Series creator Donald P. Bellisario noted the strong reaction, telling the Chicago Tribune: “Any time you kill a regular character on a show after it’s gone at least two full seasons and people have come to love the character, it’s bound to have a ripple effect.”
#4. Alexander made her mark with Rizzoli and Isles
After her success on NCIS, Sasha Alexander took on another lead role in the hit television series Rizzoli & Isles. The show, based on Tess Gerritsen’s novels, stars Alexander as Dr. Maura Isles alongside Angie Harmon as Detective Jane Rizzoli.
Together, they work for the Boston Police Department, with Rizzoli’s headstrong, impulsive nature contrasting with Isles’ calm and analytical personality. This dynamic became the heart of the show, earning it a dedicated fanbase and an impressive 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Airing on TNT, Rizzoli & Isles ran for seven seasons from 2010 to 2016. Reflecting on her time playing Isles, Alexander told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “I have really enjoyed playing Dr. Maura Isles… I never had a boring day playing her. She’s a sunny personality, curious, interested, and funny… I will miss playing her. We’ve had seven seasons to explore so many things, and creatively, I’m ready to move on.”
Since then, Alexander has continued her career with roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Shameless, Deathstroke: Knights and Dragons, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She’s also branched out into directing, most notably helming Episode 9 of Season 3 of Netflix’s You, titled “Red Flag” (via IMDb). While Alexander remains active in the industry, she’ll forever be remembered for her standout performances on NCIS and Rizzoli & Isles.
