Sarah Desjardins has spent over a decade quietly becoming one of the most reliable and versatile presences in modern television. From her early days in Canadian television movies to her pivotal roles in some of the most-talked-about streaming hits of the mid-2020s, her filmography offers a fascinating look at an actress who can navigate high-stakes political thrillers, gritty supernatural dramas, and high-concept science fiction with equal ease. For anyone tracking her career, the sheer variety of projects highlights a deliberate move toward complex, often morally ambiguous characters.

The Breakthrough Hits: Yellowjackets and The Night Agent

In the current landscape of television, few shows have captured the public imagination like Showtime's Yellowjackets. Sarah Desjardins plays Callie Sadecki, the daughter of Shauna and Jeff. Initially introduced as a recurring character in the first two seasons, her role evolved into a main cast position by the third season, a shift that mirrored her character's increasing involvement in her mother’s dark and complicated past.

In Yellowjackets, Callie serves as a crucial grounded element in a story that often veers into the surreal and the horrific. Her portrayal captures the cynicism of a modern teenager who slowly realizes that her parents are not just flawed, but potentially dangerous. The dynamic between Callie and Shauna provides some of the show's most tense moments, as the boundaries between mother and daughter blur through shared secrets. Watching her progression from a rebellious teen to a strategic ally (or antagonist, depending on the episode) is one of the more rewarding character arcs in recent drama.

Almost simultaneously, Desjardins reached a massive global audience through the Netflix thriller The Night Agent. Starring as Maddie Redfield, the daughter of the Vice President, she occupied the center of one of the show's most intense subplots. Maddie isn't just a "damsel in distress"; her character deals with the immense pressure of living under constant Secret Service surveillance while trying to forge her own identity. Her performance managed to balance the vulnerability of a young woman seeking connection with the resilience required to survive a kidnapping plot involving high-level government conspiracies. For many viewers, The Night Agent was the definitive introduction to her ability to hold the screen in a fast-paced action setting.

Sci-Fi Depth in Impulse and Tron: Ares

Before she was navigating political conspiracies or cannibalistic survivalists, Desjardins was a standout in the cult-favorite YouTube Premium series Impulse. Set in the same universe as the 2008 film Jumper, the series is a much darker, more character-driven exploration of teleportation. She played Jenna Hope, the stepsister of the lead character, Henry.

Jenna is a character that could have easily been a trope—the popular girl with a perfect life. However, Desjardins imbued her with a surprising amount of depth, especially as Jenna deals with her own traumas and the shifting family dynamics caused by Henry’s emerging powers. The show’s cancellation after two seasons was a disappointment for many, but it remains a essential watch for fans who want to see her early work in high-concept sci-fi.

This experience in the genre likely served as a foundation for her role in the major blockbuster Tron: Ares. Released in 2025, this project marked a significant step into large-scale cinematic franchises. Playing the character Erin, she stepped into a world of advanced visual effects and iconic synth-wave aesthetics. While the Tron universe is often defined by its technology, the strength of Ares lies in its human elements, and her performance helped anchor the digital spectacle in a relatable reality.

The Villainous Turn: Riverdale and Genre Fluency

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Sarah Desjardins' career is her willingness to play the antagonist. In the fourth and fifth seasons of the CW’s Riverdale, she appeared as Donna Sweett, a student at Stonewall Prep and a formidable rival to Jughead Jones. Donna was a classic "preppy" villain—brilliant, calculating, and utterly ruthless.

Playing a villain in the heightened, stylized world of Riverdale requires a specific kind of energy, and she delivered a performance that was both menacing and sophisticated. Donna Sweett was a master of psychological manipulation, and the battle of wits between her and the core characters provided some of the most engaging mystery elements of the show’s later years. This role demonstrated that she could handle stylized dialogue and theatrical plotting just as well as she could handle the realism of a show like Yellowjackets.

Beyond these major titles, her filmography includes a wide array of guest spots and television movies that showcase her range:

  • Van Helsing: In this post-apocalyptic horror series, she played Catherine, a character navigating a world overrun by vampires. It’s a gritty, physical role that contrasts sharply with her more polished characters.
  • Project Mc²: On the opposite end of the spectrum, she played Maddy McAlister in this Netflix series aimed at younger audiences. As a top spy and the older sister of the protagonist, she got to play with themes of STEM and espionage in a lighthearted, educational context.
  • Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Though a smaller role, her appearance as Katie in the final part of the series allowed her to touch the world of supernatural horror once again.
  • Under the Banner of Heaven: In this acclaimed miniseries, she portrayed the younger version of Emma Smith, showing her ability to handle period pieces and heavy, faith-based subject matter.

Early Career: The Foundation in TV Movies

Like many successful actors from Vancouver, Sarah Desjardins built her initial resume through a variety of made-for-TV movies. These projects, while often smaller in scope than a Netflix global original, are where she honed her craft.

Her first professional role was in the 2011 Lifetime movie Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story, where she played the younger version of Rowling’s sister, Diane. That same year, she starred in the miniseries Clue, based on the famous board game, playing Whitney Burrows. These early roles established her as a reliable young talent capable of carrying significant screen time.

Throughout the mid-2010s, she appeared in several Hallmark and Lifetime productions, such as Unleashing Mr. Darcy (a modern Pride and Prejudice remake) and Drink, Slay, Love (a unique take on teenage vampires). While these films are often lighter in tone, her performances remained grounded. Even in a film titled Drink, Slay, Love, she approached the character with a level of sincerity that elevated the material.

Recent Film Work: Float and Beyond

In 2023, she starred in the film Float, an adaptation of a popular Wattpad story. Playing Isabel Hamilton, she contributed to a story about family, secrets, and romance set in a small lakeside town. The film offered a different pace than her thriller and sci-fi work, allowing for a more quiet, introspective performance. It serves as a reminder that she is equally effective in smaller, character-driven independent films as she is in massive studio productions.

As we look at her status in 2026, it is clear that she has moved into a new tier of her career. The success of Tron: Ares and the continued prestige of Yellowjackets have made her a recognizable face in both mainstream and "prestige" circles.

Recommendation Guide: What to Watch Based on Your Interests

Because her work spans so many different genres, the "best" Sarah Desjardins project depends largely on what you typically enjoy. Here is a breakdown to help you decide:

If You Like High-Stakes Thrillers

  • The Night Agent: This is the most straightforward recommendation. It’s a classic page-turner in TV form. Her role as Maddie Redfield is central to the emotional stakes of the first season.
  • Yellowjackets: If you prefer your thrillers with a heavy dose of psychological horror and mystery, this is the superior choice. It requires more patience but offers a deeper thematic experience.

If You Like Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • Impulse: This remains a hidden gem. It’s more of a "grounded" sci-fi show, focusing on the trauma and consequences of having powers rather than just the spectacle of using them.
  • Tron: Ares: For those who want the big-budget, cinematic experience. It’s a visual feast and showcases her ability to work within a legendary franchise.
  • Drink, Slay, Love: For something a bit more fun and campy. It’s a vampire story that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still benefits from her solid acting.

If You Like Mystery and Teen Drama

  • Riverdale: Specifically seasons 4 and 5. Her turn as Donna Sweett is a highlight of the "Stonewall Prep" arc. It’s fun to watch her play someone so unapologetically intelligent and manipulative.
  • Clue (2011): A nostalgic pick for those who enjoy a classic ensemble mystery. It’s aimed at a younger audience but has a certain charm.

If You Like Gritty Horror

  • Van Helsing: It’s dark, bloody, and relentless. Her role here is a great example of her versatility in a high-pressure, survival-focused setting.
  • Dead Boy Detectives: Her guest appearance as Shelby Kahn in this Netflix series (set in the Sandman universe) is a great entry point into her more recent genre work.

Final Thoughts on Her Career Trajectory

As of April 2026, Sarah Desjardins has successfully navigated the transition from a "teen actor" to a respected adult performer. The pattern in her choice of movies and TV shows suggests a preference for projects that challenge the audience's perception of her. She rarely plays the same type of character twice—moving from the victim to the villain, from the ordinary sister to the extraordinary spy.

Her filmography is a testament to the longevity that comes from being a "working actor" who consistently delivers high-quality performances regardless of the project's scale. Whether she is the lead in a sci-fi blockbuster or a supporting player in an ensemble drama, she has a knack for making her characters feel lived-in and essential to the narrative. For those looking for a deep dive into a modern actor's career, exploring the various roles of Sarah Desjardins offers a surprisingly varied and rewarding journey through the best of current television and film.