If you’ve ever sat down for a weekend binge of procedural dramas or cult-classic comedies, you’ve probably seen Hailey Sole without even realizing it. She’s one of those actresses who grew up right in front of the camera, moving from heartbreaking childhood roles to intense, high-stakes thrillers. Honestly, looking back at Hailey Sole movies and TV shows, it’s kind of wild how much she’s covered for someone who started so young.
She isn't just a face in the background. Whether she was playing the niece of a federal agent or a camper in a weirdly nostalgic summer camp, she has a way of making her characters feel grounded. Most people recognize her from Criminal Minds or Private Practice, but her filmography actually stretches back into some pretty interesting corners of network TV and streaming.
The Criminal Minds Era: Meg Callahan’s Dark Arc
Most fans of the BAU will immediately point to Hailey’s run on Criminal Minds. She played Meg Callahan, the niece of Agent Kate Callahan (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt). This wasn't just a "show up and smile" kind of role. Over the course of Season 10, the writers built a slow-burn tension around Meg that eventually exploded in a pretty terrifying finale.
Basically, Meg was a typical teenager—smart, a little rebellious, and unfortunately, a target. The storyline dealt with the very real and scary world of online predators. It culminated in the two-part finale where Meg and her friend were kidnapped by a human trafficking ring. It was heavy stuff. Hailey’s performance was genuinely stressful to watch, mostly because she managed to capture that transition from "invincible teen" to "terrified victim" so convincingly. If you're looking through Hailey Sole movies and TV shows for her most impactful work, this is the one that sticks with people.
From Grey’s Spinoffs to Haunted Webisodes
Before she was getting kidnapped on CBS, Hailey was breaking hearts over on ABC. In Private Practice—the Grey's Anatomy spinoff—she played Betsey Parker. This was arguably her big break.
The character of Betsey was at the center of some of the show's most tragic writing. After her father (Dell Parker) died, the show followed her through a grueling foster care arc. It was the kind of role that required a lot of emotional heavy lifting from a child actor. She was even nominated for a Young Artist Award for this performance back in 2011.
Stepping into the Supernatural
Around that same time, she dipped her toes into the "spooky" genre. Most people don't know that Ghost Whisperer had a web series called The Other Side. Hailey played Daisy Tyler. It was a smaller project, but it showed she could handle more than just hospital dramas. She even talked in interviews back then about how she used to believe in monsters under the bed, which probably helped her get into character for a show about spirits.
Breaking Into Comedy: Wet Hot American Summer
After years of doing "sad" or "serious" TV, Hailey took a hard left turn into pure, absurd comedy. She joined the cast of Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp on Netflix in 2015.
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She played Amy, part of the new generation of campers.
Think about the cast of that show for a second: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper. It’s a comedy powerhouse. For a young actress, being on that set must have been like a masterclass in improv and timing. Hailey mentioned in interviews that before this show, she was actually kind of a shy kid. Working with Michael Showalter and Marguerite Moreau apparently helped her find a bit more confidence. It’s a completely different vibe from her work on Criminal Minds, showing that she isn't just a one-note dramatic actress.
A Quick Look at the Full List
If you're trying to track down her entire career, here is the breakdown of the projects Hailey has been involved in:
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- Criminal Minds (2014-2015): Her most recurring role as Meg Callahan.
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015): Playing Amy in the Netflix cult classic prequel.
- The Caterpillar's Kimono (2012): A rare film credit where she played the character Elsie.
- Parks and Recreation (2012): She had a guest spot in the episode "How a Bill Becomes a Law."
- Private Practice (2008-2011): Her emotional run as Betsey Parker.
- Franklin & Bash (2013): A guest appearance in the episode "Control."
- The Middle (2011): Appearing in the episode "Halloween II."
- Harry's Law (2012): Another guest spot during her busy 2012 run.
- Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side (2010): The digital companion to the main series.
What Makes Her Career Interesting?
Hailey Sole represents a specific kind of Hollywood journey. She started as a child actor in the mid-2000s, survived the transition into her teens while working on major sets, and managed to avoid the "child star" tropes we usually see in the tabloids.
She’s also a bit of a polymath. While she was filming these shows, she was also a competitive cheerleader and was studying both Mandarin and Spanish. It’s rare to see that kind of balance. Usually, kids in the industry are either entirely home-schooled and isolated or they burn out. Hailey seemed to keep one foot in the "real world" while building a solid resume.
Why You Should Care About These Roles
Looking at Hailey Sole movies and TV shows gives you a glimpse into the "golden age" of 2010s network television. She was part of the shows that defined that era—Parks and Rec, Criminal Minds, and the Shonda Rhimes universe.
If you're a fan of procedural dramas, re-watching her Criminal Minds arc is a must. It’s one of the few times the show allowed a sub-plot involving a team member’s family to breathe over an entire season rather than just resolving it in 42 minutes. It adds a layer of stakes to Kate Callahan’s character that wouldn't be there without Hailey's performance.
To see the full range of her work, start with the Criminal Minds Season 10 finale "The Hunt" to see her dramatic chops, then jump over to Wet Hot American Summer on Netflix to see her in a completely different, comedic light.