If you spent any time watching Lifetime in the late 2000s, you know exactly who Sally Pressman is. You probably remember her as Roxy LeBlanc. She was the firecracker bartender at the Hump Bar who married a soldier after dating him for about five seconds. Honestly, that role in Army Wives defined an entire era of cable drama. But if you think that’s where her credits start and end, you’re missing the best parts of her filmography.
Sally isn’t just a "TV wife." She’s a Yale-educated theater nerd who somehow ended up in everything from Shondaland political thrillers to indie horror flicks about zombies.
The Army Wives Phenomenon and Roxy LeBlanc
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Army Wives ran for seven seasons, and Sally was the heart of the show for 106 episodes. Roxy LeBlanc was the "fish out of water" character we all rooted for. She wasn't the polished, perfect officer’s wife; she was the one trying to figure out how to navigate military protocol while raising kids and keeping a bar running.
The chemistry between her and Drew Fuller (who played Trevor) was so good that fans are still obsessed with them. Fun fact: Sally and Drew actually launched a rewatch podcast called Fort Life in 2024. It’s kinda great because they spill behind-the-scenes tea that makes you realize just how tight-knit that cast actually was.
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Transitioning to the Shondaland Universe
Most actors dream of getting into one Shonda Rhimes show. Sally Pressman managed to hit the trifecta. After Army Wives wrapped, she didn't slow down.
- Scandal: She played Candace Marcus, the daughter of Lisa Kudrow’s character. It was only three episodes, but it proved she could handle the fast-talking, high-stakes dialogue that Shonda is famous for.
- Grey’s Anatomy: This was a big one. She stepped into the shoes of a young Ellis Grey. Taking over a role previously played by Sarah Paulson is no small feat, but Sally nailed the intensity of a young, ambitious surgeon in the 70s.
- The Catch: She appeared as Stephanie Duncan. It was a smaller role, but it solidified her status as a Shondaland regular.
The Comedy Pivot: Good Girls and Younger
People often forget that Sally is actually really funny. She has this dry, slightly neurotic timing that works perfectly in "dramedies."
In Good Girls, she played Nancy—the wife of Gregg (Annie’s ex). Most shows would make the "other woman" a villain, but Sally played Nancy with this weirdly lovable, high-strung energy. Watching her interact with Mae Whitman was easily one of the highlights of the early seasons.
Then there’s Younger. She played Malkie, a recurring character who was a love interest for Debi Mazar’s Maggie. It was a departure from her more traditional "suburban" roles and showed off her range.
A Quick Look at the Deep Cuts
- 400 Days (2015): A sci-fi thriller where she stars alongside Brandon Routh and Dane Cook. It’s about four astronauts sent on a simulated mission that goes sideways.
- My Best Friend's Girl (2008): A minor role, but she was in the mix with Jason Biggs and Kate Hudson right as her TV career was blowing up.
- Once Upon a Time: She played Princess Helga. If you blinked, you might have missed her in the "Snow Queen" arc, but she brought a lot of regal grace to the part.
- I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: This is arguably her most "2020s" credit. She played Janeane in the "everyone just needs to be more in the moment" sketch. If you know the show, you know how absurd it is. Seeing a dramatic actress like Sally in that world is a trip.
Why She’s the Ultimate Guest Star
If you look at her IMDb, it’s a list of basically every major show of the last 15 years. Criminal Minds, Person of Interest, iZombie, 13 Reasons Why, and even the recent Acapulco on Apple TV+.
She’s what people in the industry call a "pro." She shows up, delivers a grounded performance, and moves on. There’s no ego, just solid work.
Honestly, the most interesting thing about her career lately isn't just the acting. It's the fact that she's leaning back into the Army Wives community. In an era where everything is getting a reboot, her podcast feels like a bridge to whatever might come next for the franchise.
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What to Watch Next
If you want to see the best of Sally Pressman, don't just stick to the hits.
- For the drama: Watch her episodes as Young Ellis Grey in Grey’s Anatomy (Season 11, Episodes 1 and 4).
- For the laughs: Binge her arc in Good Girls.
- For the nostalgia: Go back to the Army Wives pilot. It still holds up surprisingly well.
Basically, Sally Pressman is one of those actresses you recognize immediately but might not realize just how much she’s actually done. Whether she's playing a princess, a surgeon, or a bartender in a military town, she brings a specific kind of human warmth to the screen that's hard to fake.
Check out the Fort Life podcast if you’re a die-hard Roxy fan. It’s the best way to keep up with what she’s doing now while celebrating the show that made her a household name.