Melissa McCarthy :: Character Guides

Sookie St. James is Lorelai’s klutzy and lovable best friend. Sookie and Lorelai worked together at the Independence Inn, where they met, and have been best friends ever since. Being the remarkable chef that she is, Sookie has gained a national reputation as one of the top chefs in the United States and works hard to keep that standing, often working late into the night to make the perfect dish.

During the first season, Sookie fell for her produce man, Jackson Melville, and after dating for two seasons, the couple tied the knot at the end of season two. Together, Sookie and Jackson have two children – Davey and Martha (whose middle name is Janice-Lori-Ethan-Rupert-Glenda-Carson-Daisy-Danny) – though Jackson originally wanted to have seven children. During season 6, they had their children baptized in order to please Jackson’s family, though Sookie does not get along with the Melville (whose last names often inexplicably change to Belville) clan.

After the Independence Inn caught fire and was ultimately closed down, Lorelai and Sookie, along with Michel Gerard, went into business together and opened The Dragonfly Inn at the end of season 4. They continue to run the Inn together, Sookie running the food aspects, and remain each other’s best friend.