 Whelan quickly began to win television roles, first appearing on screen in an April 8, 1996 episode of the drama series "Nowhere Man".Whelan was first introduced to a broader audience in the 1998 TV movie "Fifteen and Pregnant" as the younger sister of Kirsten Dunst, who portrayed the movie's pregnant protagonist.In 1999 Whelan landed the role for which she is currently best known, playing insecure teenager Grace Manning on the family drama "Once and Again".