These 10 roles played by Ariel Winter reflect the actor's potential

Ariel Winter is probably best known as the bright and sarcastic Alex Dunphy from Modern Family. Starting so young in the business, Ariel Winter quickly demonstrated that she is capable of so much more than just sitcom comedy. Whether voice acting for animated classics, doing heartfelt indie films, or jumping into quirky teen comedies, she has given full range to characters.

She has grown into a confident actor who takes risks both on and off the screen. Her roles portray heart, might, and vulnerability, making all her characters real—even the smallest ones.

These top ten picks, from child cameos to hard-edged dramas, shine a spotlight on Ariel Winter’s talent and why she should be heavily considered for the future in film and television.

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These 10 roles played by Ariel Winter reflects the actor's potential

1. Modern Family (2009–2020)

Ariel Winter didn’t merely act Alex Dunphy—she became the voice of every child who was invisible for being intelligent. As the rest of the Dunphy clan went along with mayhem, Alex was the voice of reason, frequently serving up the most side-splitting lines with a mere raise of an eyebrow.

And yet, aside from the humor, Ariel infused Alex’s isolation, stress, and disconnection with emotional gravity. This was not only fantastic TV—it was a demonstration of an actor growing up before our eyes as she brought unexpected depth to what would otherwise have been a typical brainiac role.

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2. Sofia the First (2013–2018)

Ariel Winter gave voice to Sofia, and in doing so, she helped usher in a different kind of Disney princess—one that was kind, courageous, and intelligent. The show was admired for its positive messages and had guest visits from old-time princesses such as Cinderella and Belle. Ariel’s voice carried the warmth and honesty of the young royal; hence, kids of all colors found her endearing and relatable.

This proved that she could carry a leading role even in animation. It also gave her a faithful younger fan base and demonstrated that she could imbue life and heart into stories outside of the sitcom realm.

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3. Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Ariel Winter proved that she could make a cartoon adversary unforgettable. Penny started off as a sharp-tongued bully, but Ariel gave her different dimensions: bossy yet courageous. As the story jumped through history, Ariel’s voice never lost that spark that made Penny seem real. Raging through ancient Egypt and toward the looser settings of the Trojan War, she infused emotion and meaning into all the hysterics.

Penny’s growth into a loyal friend never seemed too fast with Ariel’s perfect delivery. Amidst all the jokes, humor, and science references, Ariel made the time-traveling adventure very heartfelt.

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4. The Chaperone (2011)

In The Chaperone, Ariel Winter wasn’t merely acting a grumpy teen—she brought Carrie an edge of genuine hurt and confusion. As the daughter of an ex-con attempting to regain her trust, Ariel combined attitude with vulnerability that felt authentic rather than rehearsed. Her exchanges with Triple H provided a lighthearted odd-couple chemistry, but it was the quiet little moments—her wordless reactions or eye rolling—that spoke the loudest.

Even though the movie had a straight-ahead plot, Ariel added nuanced emotional complexity to a defiant character who was simply looking for answers.

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5. Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred (2011)

Ariel Winter portrayed Talia, a mysterious and clever girl who joins forces with Fred to find out if their teacher is a vampire in this weird horror-comedy sequel. Although the role might seem faintly ridiculous, Ariel turned Talia into a character who could hold her own amidst the madness with charm. She brought an easygoing confidence to the role, especially considering the film was targeted toward children.

It also said much about her willingness to take on offbeat projects and showcase her humorous skills, which few could expect from her acting résumé. This one can be considered one of the odd credits in her portfolio.

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6. Law & Order: SVU ( Season 21, Episode 2)

Ariel Winter portrayed Raegan James, a woman struggling with trauma following a ride-share accident. The episode explores themes of consent and memory, and Ariel lends intense emotional truth to Raegan’s conflict, particularly in riveting courtroom-style sequences with Detective Benson. She even introduced a dramatic strawberry blonde new ’do for the role, catching fans off guard who barely recognized her.

Critics and audiences alike admired her work as “brilliant,” pointing out how boldly she handled heavy, adult material.

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7. Speed Racer (2008)

In Speed Racer, Ariel portrayed the younger incarnation of Trixie, the film’s central female character. Albeit her appearance was brief, the film’s excessive visuals and substantial budget provided her with early exposure to high-scale filmmaking. Her scenes were packed with energy and charm and contributed to establishing the lighthearted tone of the film’s flashbacks.

Despite having little to say, she remained well in her presence. The role provided her with a glimpse of blockbuster filmmaking and indicated that she had the capacity to handle quick-paced, visually intense films.

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8. Opposite Day (2009)

In this comedy of manners, Ariel portrayed Carla, one of the children in a world where kids suddenly grow up and become adults. The movie was goofy and campy, but Ariel Winter showed real energy amidst the mayhem. She made Carla a humorist and a charmer, perfectly suited for a film that required young performers to play adult-like.

It also provided her with the opportunity to excel in an environment where children needed to carry the movie—something she was able to do with poise and charm.

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9. Tripped Up (2023)

In Tripped Up, Ariel Winter is Kai, a young ambitious chef who embarks on a wild food road trip with friends. This new independent comedy offered Ariel a mature role away from child-star status. She portrayed a character juggling friendship, work pressure, and self-doubt—something most viewers could identify with.

The movie was a low-budget but heartwarming one, and both humor and emotion were brought by Ariel Winter to Kai. It’s one of her best performances and demonstrates just how far she’s progressed since Modern Family.

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10. Safelight (2015)

Safelight was a turning point in Ariel Winter’s dramatic acting. She starred as Kate, a rebellious teenager desperate to leave a painful existence behind. The film is about her connection to a disabled photographer on a road trip across the desert. Ariel Winter was raw, emotional, and unlike her usual parts in this performance.

She conveyed Kate’s blend of fear and hope in an honest way and displayed that she could play quiet, character-driven roles. It is one of her most underappreciated performances and fully demonstrated she could carry serious, adult dramas.

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Ariel Winter’s career proves she’s far more than a former child star—she’s a performer with serious emotional range and screen presence. From animated royalty to emotionally deep teens, each role has revealed a new aspect of her talent. Be it voice acting, comedy, or drama, Ariel brings authenticity and heart to every character. Each of these ten roles isn’t just a highlight—it’s proof of just how much she can do.

Since she keeps picking new, daring roles, it’s obvious that Ariel Winter has barely scratched the surface of showing the world what she is capable of.