Video: Jordana Brewster Stakes Her Claim at Southfork

Lovely Jordana Brewster talks of playing "Elena Ramos" on the iconic Dallas series, remembering co-star Larry Hagman, gearing up for the sixth edition of The Fast and the Furious and more, during her gorgeous Emmy magazine feature photo shoot. Watch video and read full story below.

Produced By Juliana Bolden • Camera Operator: Chris Lakin
Editors: Chris Lakin, Joel Buenavista, Andrew Swaner • PA: Oscar Munoz
Photographed by John Russo at Edge Grip Studio

Story By John Griffiths

Even the mighty Ewing clan of TNT's Dallas update would be impressed by the pedigree of sultry actress Jordana Brewster.

Her Brazilian mom is a former supermodel, dad is a U.S. investment banker and her paternal grandfather was an ambassador to England, as well as president of Yale. (Top that, Sue Ellen!)

On Dallas, Brewster plays Elena Ramos, the earnest daughter of the cook on Southfork ranch, whose heart is torn between Stalwart Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and his less scrupulous cousin, John Ross (Josh Henderson). And on the big screen, as the speed-loving Mia, Brewster helps keep the Fast and the Furious franchise in gear (sequel number five hits this summer).

Born in Panama and raised in London, Rio and New York, this bi-lingual beauty is both humble and good-humored. Moving around so much, she learned to “sit back and observe people. I’m still that way,” she says.

She took to acting early on, landing a bit part on All My Children, then a five-year spin on As the World Turns. Horror flicks (1998’s The Faculty) and a recurring gig on NBC’s Chuck also pepper her past. Of her current role, she says: “I like that Elena’s not willing to sacrifice her morals to get ahead, like some of the Ewings, but I think her guy-picker could be better!”

Brewster herself is happily married to movie producer, Andrew Form (they met while making the 2006 Texas Chainsaw Massacre).

When she’s not on location, she’s often throwing barbecues for friends, walking her labs Ella and Henry or filling her L.A. home with orchids. She also charts her life goals on vision boards.

J.R. himself, the recently departed Larry Hagman, no doubt appreciated her spirit. The actress recalls that when the cast was promoting Dallas in England last summer, “I mentioned something about jet lag and he said, ‘Well, i just flew in from Germany!’ he had more energy than anyone else.”

But, there’s no denying Brewster’s gung-ho DNA from her dad. She says she gets her drive from her mom, “every sort of beauty trick” and this classic bit of advice: “if you don’t feel confident, fake it.”

J.R. probably couldn’t agree more.

Entertainment journalist John Griffiths is a longtime contributor with Emmy magazine.

Juliana Bolden is Editor, Digital Content, for Emmys.com/Emmy magazine and tweets at @julianajbolden.

Follow Emmys.com on Twitter @primetimeemmys.