There’s something about an actor who can go from playing a stranded teen on a deserted island to embodying one of the most photographed women of the 1990s. Sarah Pidgeon, now 28, is doing exactly that: after two seasons as Leah Rilke in Amazon’s The Wilds, she’s set to portray Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Hulu series Love Story (2026).
Born: July 7, 1996 · Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, USA · Known for: The Wilds (2020–2022), Love Story (2026) · Instagram followers: 669K · Age (2025): 28
Quick snapshot
- Born July 7, 1996 in Detroit, Michigan (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Began acting in local theater (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Breakout role in The Wilds (2020-2022) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Portrayed Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story (2026) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Upcoming film I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Rumored relationship with Joe Alwyn (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Active on Instagram with 669K followers (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Love Story (2026) – Hulu series (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) – film (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Seven key facts about Sarah Pidgeon, one pattern: she’s built a career that moves from stage to screen without missing a beat.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Pidgeon |
| Birth Date | July 7, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 2020–present |
| Notable Works | The Wilds, Love Story |
| Instagram Followers | 669K |
What is Sarah Pidgeon famous for?
Sarah Pidgeon is best known for her role in the Amazon Prime series The Wilds (2020–2022) and for portraying Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in the Hulu series Love Story (2026) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What are her most notable roles?
- The Wilds (2020–2022): She played Leah Rilke, one of a group of teen girls stranded on an island after a staged plane crash. The show earned a loyal following and was praised for its ensemble cast (Marie Claire (culture & entertainment magazine)).
- Love Story (2026): In Ryan Murphy’s FX/Hulu series, Pidgeon takes on the role of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. The series traces the couple’s relationship from their early days to their tragic death (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Broadway and film: She made her Broadway debut in Stereophonic in 2024, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)). She also appeared in the films Lazareth (2024) and The Friend (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What is her breakout role?
Pidgeon’s first major television role was in The Wilds in 2020, which brought her widespread recognition (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)). She had previously appeared in smaller roles, including a guest spot on Gotham in 2019 and the series One Dollar in 2018 (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Pidgeon’s career trajectory shows a deliberate shift from ensemble TV to prestige drama and Broadway. The leap from The Wilds to a Ryan Murphy period piece signals that industry gatekeepers see her as a leading-lady caliber talent.
The pattern: each new role adds a layer of complexity, from survivalist teen to historical icon.
How did Sarah Pidgeon get famous?
She began her career in Detroit theater before landing her first major television role in The Wilds in 2020, which brought her widespread recognition (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What was her first major role?
Her first major role was Leah Rilke in The Wilds, a series that premiered on Amazon Prime in December 2020. The show ran for two seasons and established Pidgeon as a rising star in the streaming era (Marie Claire (culture & entertainment magazine)).
How did she start acting?
Pidgeon grew up in Michigan and started acting in local theater productions. She later attended the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, where she honed her craft before moving to Los Angeles to pursue television and film work (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Carnegie Mellon’s drama program has a reputation for producing versatile actors. Pidgeon’s training there gave her the stage foundation that later earned her a Tony nomination in her first Broadway season.
The implication: her foundation in theater provides a distinct advantage for period roles like Bessette-Kennedy.
Who has Sarah Pidgeon dated?
There have been rumors linking her to actor Joe Alwyn, but no official confirmation is available (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Is she dating Joe Alwyn?
Rumors surfaced in early 2025 after Pidgeon and Alwyn were reportedly seen together in New York. Neither party has publicly commented on the nature of their relationship, and the reports remain unconfirmed (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Who is her current partner?
As of 2025, Pidgeon has not publicly disclosed a current partner. Her social media presence focuses on her work and advocacy, with no visible romantic affiliations (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Is Sarah Pidgeon a natural blonde?
Based on available photos and interviews, she appears to be a natural blonde; however, no definitive statement from her is in the provided sources (YouTube interview (entertainment interview)).
What is her natural hair color?
In early publicity photos and her role in The Wilds, Pidgeon is shown with blonde hair. She has not publicly stated whether she dyes it, but her recent appearances in Love Story promotion show a darker, more muted blonde, possibly to match the look of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Marie Claire (culture & entertainment magazine)).
Has she changed her hair color for roles?
It is common for actors to adjust their hair for period pieces. For Love Story, Pidgeon’s hair was styled to emulate Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic look, but the actor has not discussed whether she uses wigs or extensions (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What famous actress does Sarah Pidgeon look like?
She has been compared to Meryl Streep by some, although the resemblance is subjective (YouTube interview (entertainment interview)).
Is she compared to Meryl Streep?
Online comments and some entertainment features have noted a similarity in facial structure and bone structure. Pidgeon herself has not addressed the comparison directly (YouTube interview (entertainment interview)).
What are the similarities?
Both have strong jawlines, light eyes, and a similar hair color. The comparison is largely superficial, as Pidgeon’s career is still in its early stages compared to Streep’s decades-long body of work (YouTube interview (entertainment interview)).
Timeline signal
- 1996: Born in Detroit, Michigan (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- 2020: First major role as Leah Rilke in The Wilds (Amazon Prime) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- 2022: The Wilds concludes after two seasons (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- 2025: Stars in film I Know What You Did Last Summer (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- 2026: Portrays Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story (Hulu) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
The pattern: each step builds on the last, from ensemble streaming to prestige period drama.
What we know vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth date: July 7, 1996 (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Roles: The Wilds (2020-2022), Love Story (2026) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Instagram followers: 669K (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What’s unclear
- Height: not officially listed in provided sources.
- Dating status: only rumors, no confirmation (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
- Natural hair color: not explicitly stated by Pidgeon.
- Wig use: not addressed in provided sources.
- Exact birthplace: some sources say Birmingham, Michigan, others say Ann Arbor (Wikipedia (French) (community encyclopedia)).
- Education: attended Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.
- Tony Award nomination for Stereophonic.
“There’s so much mystery about Carolyn. My familiarity with her was through paparazzi images.”
— Sarah Pidgeon to Vogue (as reported in Marie Claire (culture & entertainment magazine))
deadline.com, pagesix.com, promiflash.de, pagesix.com, youtube.com, yahoo.com, wwd.com, nationaltoday.com, corriere.it, kaupunkilinja.fi
For a deeper look into her background and filmography, check out Sarah Pidgeons biography and career.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sarah Pidgeon’s age?
Sarah Pidgeon was born on July 7, 1996, making her 28 years old in 2025 (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What is Sarah Pidgeon’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is not publicly listed in the available sources, but she has 669K followers on the platform (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What is Sarah Pidgeon’s role in The Wilds?
She plays Leah Rilke, one of the teen girls stranded on a deserted island after a staged plane crash (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
What is Sarah Pidgeon’s upcoming movie?
She will star in the horror reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) and the Hulu series Love Story (2026) (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Was Sarah Pidgeon in any other TV shows?
Yes, she appeared in Gotham (2019), One Dollar (2018), and the Hulu miniseries Tiny Beautiful Things (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
How did Sarah Pidgeon start acting?
She began in Detroit theater and later studied at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Is Sarah Pidgeon related to any famous person?
There is no public information suggesting she is related to any famous person (Wikipedia (French) (community encyclopedia)).
What is Sarah Pidgeon’s education?
She attended Carnegie Mellon School of Drama (YouTube (FX/Hulu promo interview)).
Related: Simone Ashley Biography: Ethnicity, F1 Cut, Relationship · Ariana DeBose: Biography, Ethnicity, Partner, and Career Highlights
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.