Beyond Alex Dunphy: 7 Must-Watch TV Shows & Roles Starring Ariel Winter (Updated 2025)

The character of Alex Dunphy, the sardonic, hyper-intelligent middle child from the Emmy-winning sitcom Modern Family, became a cultural touchstone for a generation of smart, often overlooked teens. Since the series concluded in 2020, fans have been eagerly tracking the career of the actress who brought her to life, Ariel Winter. As of December 15, 2025, Ariel Winter has strategically navigated the post-sitcom landscape, branching out from scripted drama and comedy into reality television, voice work, and independent film projects, proving her versatility extends far beyond the Dunphy household.

This article details the complete list of television shows and roles featuring Ariel Winter, focusing heavily on her latest, most current projects to give fans the most up-to-date look at her career trajectory, including her surprising 2023 reality TV stint and her highly anticipated 2025 film slate.

Ariel Winter: Complete Biography and Profile

Ariel Winter Workman, professionally known as Ariel Winter, has been a fixture in Hollywood since she was a child. Her career began at a remarkably young age, leading her to become one of the most recognizable faces on television for over a decade.

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• Full Name: Ariel Winter Workman
• Date of Birth: January 28, 1998
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Occupation: Actress, Voice Actress, Singer
• Known For: Playing Alex Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020)
• Siblings: Shanelle Workman (sister) and Jimmy Workman (brother), both actors.
• Career Start: Landed her first commercial at age four and made her film debut in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) at age seven.

The Definitive Alex Dunphy Legacy: 11 Seasons of Intellectual Comedy

For 11 seasons, Ariel Winter was synonymous with Alex Dunphy, the middle daughter of Claire and Phil Dunphy. Her portrayal earned her critical recognition and a permanent place in the pantheon of iconic TV characters.

The Role That Defined a Generation

The character of Alex Dunphy was often portrayed as the brainy, socially awkward foil to her popular older sister, Haley, and her goofy younger brother, Luke. Her storylines consistently revolved around academic pressure, her quest for intellectual stimulation, and her eventual attendance at the prestigious Caltech.

• Show Title: Modern Family (2009–2020)
• Character Name: Alex Dunphy
• Episodes: 250 (Main Cast)
• Key Themes: Alex’s development explored themes of academic burnout, the pressure of being a gifted student, and finding a balance between her intellectual life and her family’s chaotic world.
• Accolades: Winter and the ensemble cast won four consecutive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

The success of Modern Family, and specifically the depth of Alex’s character arc, has made the transition to new projects a significant challenge, as fans often struggle to separate the actress from the beloved role. This phenomenon is a common hurdle for child and teen stars who grow up on a long-running, hit series.

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Ariel Winter’s New Era: Post-Modern Family TV Shows and Appearances

Since the final episode of Modern Family aired, Ariel Winter has made calculated moves to diversify her portfolio, including taking on a surprising reality television role and pursuing a high-profile, albeit ultimately unproduced, scripted comedy. Her recent work focuses on exploring new genres and moving away from the family sitcom formula.

1. Stars on Mars (2023) — The Reality TV Pivot

In a major departure from scripted acting, Winter joined the cast of the Fox reality competition series, Stars on Mars, in 2023. This move was a significant indicator of her willingness to experiment with her public persona and career path.

• Show Title: Stars on Mars (2023)
• Role: Celebrity Contestant (as herself)
• Premise: Celebrities live together in a simulated Mars colony, competing in various missions to earn the title of "Base Commander."
• Impact: Her appearance allowed the public to see a more candid, unscripted side of Winter, which was a strategic move to break the "Alex Dunphy" mold. She was even elected as a Base Commander during one of the missions.

2. Hungry (NBC Pilot, 2022) — The Scripted Comeback That Wasn't

One of the most anticipated potential TV shows for Winter was the NBC comedy pilot Hungry, which was executive produced by Demi Lovato. Winter was set to star in the project, replacing Lovato due to scheduling conflicts.

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• Show Title: Hungry (Pilot)
• Role: Lead Character (Specific role was a member of a food-issues support group)
• Status: The pilot was filmed but was not picked up to series by NBC in May 2022. This decision marked a missed opportunity for Winter to immediately jump back into a network sitcom lead role.

3. R.L. Stine's Story Club (2021) — The Voice Work Return

Immediately following the end of Modern Family, Winter returned to her extensive background in voice acting, a field where she has had continuous success since childhood.

• Show/Platform: Podcast Series
• Role: Guest Voice Actor
• Significance: This project demonstrated her continued commitment to voice work, a less public but consistently rewarding part of her career.

Ariel Winter: Essential Voice Acting and Early TV Roles

Before and during her time as Alex Dunphy, Ariel Winter built an impressive resume in animation and episodic television, lending her voice to some of the biggest children's franchises and appearing in popular dramas. This extensive background provides the topical authority that bolsters her credentials beyond the Modern Family set.

The Power of Voice: Animated Television Roles

Winter’s distinctive voice has been a staple in animated programming, often portraying smart, determined young characters.

• Sofia the First (2013–2018): Winter voiced the titular character, Princess Sofia, for the entire run of the Disney Junior series, a role that spanned over five years and multiple movies.
• Phineas and Ferb (2007–2015): She voiced the recurring character Gretchen, one of the Fireside Girls.
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates (2011–2015): Winter provided the voice for Marina the Mermaid.
• The Penguins of Madagascar (2011): She voiced a character named Squeaky.

Early Live-Action TV Appearances

Her early career included guest spots on major network television shows before she landed the career-defining role of Alex Dunphy.

• ER (2006): Appeared in an episode as a character named Lucy.
• Ghost Whisperer (2006): Played a young girl named Natalie.
• Monk (2007): Guest-starred in the episode "Mr. Monk and the Sneeze."
• Bones (2007): Played a character named Liza.
• The Haunting Hour: The Series (2011–2012): Appeared in multiple episodes of the anthology horror series.

While Ariel Winter’s name remains inextricably linked to the brilliant Alex Dunphy, her recent work on Stars on Mars and her continuous pursuit of new film projects like the upcoming 2025 movie Like Father Like Son, demonstrate a dedicated effort to forge a new, multi-faceted career path in the entertainment industry. The journey from child star to versatile adult actress is rarely easy, but Winter is clearly committed to exploring every dimension of her talent.