Actors who played the 'girl next door' perfectly

The ‘girl next door’ is one of the most enduring tropes of film and TV, and though the character can seem a bit old-fashioned, there are several examples of girls next door who redefine the characteristics of the figure.

The girl next door often actually lives next door (or across the street) from the male protagonist and is sometimes his childhood friend. Often portrayed in contrast to a more outwardly seductive, outgoing woman in the narrative, she is sweet, down-to-earth, supportive and approachable. The examples we’ve featured here range from film to TV.