Rachel Brosnahan’s Best Roles

Rachel Brosnahan has become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors known for her incredible range and captivating performances. She first started gaining notice with smaller roles in television and film where she consistently stood out even with limited screen time. Her ability to transition seamlessly between intense drama and sharp comedy has defined her career making her a versatile and sought after talent in the industry.

Her journey from supporting player to leading lady is a testament to her dedication and undeniable skill. With major awards like an Emmy and two Golden Globes under her belt she has solidified her status as a powerhouse performer. She continues to choose complex and interesting characters whether on the stage or screen. Exploring her filmography reveals a pattern of strong memorable women who navigate difficult circumstances with grace and determination.

‘The Unborn’ (2009)

Rachel Brosnahan made her feature film debut in this supernatural horror movie. She played the character of Lisa who is the best friend of the main protagonist Casey Beldon. Lisa tries to support Casey as she experiences terrifying supernatural events and uncovers a dark family secret involving a dybbuk a malevolent spirit from Jewish folklore.

Her character is central to a particularly memorable and frightening scene in the film. While having a sleepover with Casey Lisa is horrifically attacked by the supernatural entity that is tormenting her friend. This moment is a key turning point in the movie as it demonstrates the real physical threat the spirit poses to everyone close to the main character.

‘Beautiful Creatures’ (2013)

In this fantasy romance film Rachel Brosnahan portrayed Genevieve Duchannes a powerful witch from the Civil War era. The character appears in flashbacks that reveal the history of the magical Casters and the curse that affects the main character Lena Duchannes. Genevieve’s story is crucial to understanding the central conflict of the film.

Genevieve’s fateful decision to resurrect her deceased love a mortal soldier sets in motion the curse that plagues her family for generations. Her tragic tale of love and loss serves as a cautionary example for the film’s modern-day protagonists. Brosnahan’s performance brings a sense of historical weight and gravity to the magical world of the story.

‘A Bag of Hammers’ (2011)

This independent comedy-drama features Rachel Brosnahan in the role of Tam. The story centers on two slacker best friends who run a valet parking scam and end up becoming unlikely guardians to a neglected young boy. Tam is a high school student who becomes involved with one of the main characters.

Her character adds another layer to the chaotic lives of the two protagonists. She is a sharp and witty teenager who sees through their schemes but is also drawn into their unconventional world. Her interactions help highlight the main characters’ immaturity and their slow journey toward taking responsibility for their actions and for the young boy they care for.

‘Crisis in Six Scenes’ (2016)

In this limited series created by Woody Allen Rachel Brosnahan played Ellie a sweet and somewhat naive debutante. The show is set in the 1960s and follows a suburban family whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a radical young activist. Ellie is the fiancée of the family’s young son a character played by John Magaro.

Ellie represents the traditional and conservative values of the era which stand in stark contrast to the revolutionary ideals of the activist character. Her polite and proper demeanor creates comedic tension as she interacts with the more radical elements that have invaded the family’s quiet home. Her character helps to illustrate the cultural clashes of the turbulent decade.

‘The Finest Hours’ (2016)

Rachel Brosnahan took on the role of Miriam Pentinen in this historical disaster drama. The film tells the true story of the 1952 United States Coast Guard rescue of the SS Pendleton after the ship split in two during a ferocious storm off the coast of Cape Cod. Miriam is the wife of a local fisherman and a friend of the main female character.

She plays a crucial supportive role within the community of women who wait anxiously on shore for news of their loved ones at sea. Miriam provides comfort and strength to her friend who is the fiancée of the Coast Guard coxswain leading the dangerous rescue mission. Her character helps to show the emotional toll the event took on the entire tight-knit town.

‘I’m Your Woman’ (2020)

In this 1970s-set crime drama Rachel Brosnahan stars as Jean a suburban housewife who is forced to go on the run after her criminal husband betrays his partners. Left with a baby she has never met before Jean must navigate a dangerous new world with the help of a man assigned to protect her. The film follows her transformation from a sheltered wife to a resourceful survivor.

The role required Brosnahan to portray a character who starts out completely passive and unaware of the realities of her husband’s life. As the story unfolds Jean learns to be tough and independent discovering a strength she never knew she possessed. The performance is a quiet yet powerful exploration of a woman’s journey to find her own identity in the face of sudden and violent upheaval.

‘Louder Than Bombs’ (2015)

In this English-language debut from director Joachim Trier Rachel Brosnahan plays Erin a former girlfriend of one of the main characters. The film explores the complex emotional landscape of a family trying to cope with the death of their matriarch a famous war photographer. Erin re-enters the life of the older son adding another layer of emotional complication.

Her character carries a secret about the deceased mother which she eventually reveals creating a pivotal moment in the film. Erin’s presence forces the characters to confront uncomfortable truths about their past and their relationships with one another. Brosnahan’s nuanced performance contributes to the movie’s contemplative and melancholic tone.

‘Spies in Disguise’ (2019)

Rachel Brosnahan lent her voice to the animated spy comedy ‘Spies in Disguise’. She voiced the character of Wendy Beckett a driven and intelligent security agent who is the mother of the young scientist Walter Beckett. Although her screen time is limited her character’s influence is felt throughout the entire film.

Wendy’s belief in embracing weirdness and finding non-violent solutions inspires her son’s unique approach to spycraft which involves gadgets that incapacitate rather than harm. Her philosophy is the heart of the movie’s message about solving conflict with creativity and empathy. Her loving and supportive nature shapes the hero of the story.

‘The Courier’ (2020)

In this Cold War spy thriller Rachel Brosnahan plays Emily Donovan a determined CIA agent. The film is based on the true story of Greville Wynne a British businessman who was recruited by MI6 to act as a courier for a Soviet intelligence source. Donovan is the American operative who helps orchestrate this dangerous espionage operation.

Her character is sharp and persuasive convincing Wynne of the importance of the mission and the massive stakes involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. She represents the American intelligence perspective in the joint US-UK effort to gain crucial information from behind the Iron Curtain. Brosnahan portrays her with a cool professionalism that masks the immense pressure of her job.

‘Patriots Day’ (2016)

This film depicts the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent city-wide manhunt for the terrorists. Rachel Brosnahan portrayed Jessica Kensky one of the real-life survivors of the attack. Kensky and her husband both lost limbs in the bombing and their story is one of the central emotional threads of the movie.

Brosnahan’s performance captures the immense pain and resilience of her character. The film follows Jessica and her husband through their harrowing experience on the day of the bombing and their difficult journey of recovery in the hospital. Her portrayal is a powerful tribute to the strength and spirit of the survivors.

‘The Blacklist’ (2013–2023)

Rachel Brosnahan had a memorable recurring role in the first season of this popular crime thriller. She was introduced as Jolene Parker a seemingly friendly and charming schoolteacher who is later revealed to be a clandestine operative with a hidden agenda. Her character becomes deeply involved with one of the main protagonists.

Her true identity and motivations are a major mystery for a significant portion of the season. It is eventually revealed that she is working for a shadowy organization that is an enemy of the show’s central anti-hero. Brosnahan’s ability to switch between an innocent facade and a calculating operative made the character’s eventual unmasking a shocking twist for viewers.

‘Manhattan’ (2014–2015)

In this historical drama series set during World War II Rachel Brosnahan played Abby Isaacs. The show is a fictionalized account of the Manhattan Project the secret mission to develop the first atomic bomb in Los Alamos New Mexico. Abby is the wife of one of the brilliant young scientists working on the project.

Her character’s journey is one of awakening as she transitions from a supportive housewife to a woman with her own ambitions and secrets. Living within the high-pressure isolated community she grapples with the moral implications of her husband’s work and the intense secrecy that strains their marriage. The role showcased Brosnahan’s ability to handle complex dramatic material.

‘The Good Wife’ (2009–2016)

Rachel Brosnahan appeared in a single but highly impactful episode of the legal and political drama ‘The Good Wife’. She played Brianne Cahan a client of the central law firm. Her character is a young woman who alleges that a popular and powerful musician sexually assaulted her.

The episode focuses on the firm’s efforts to build a case against the musician which proves difficult due to his fame and influence. Brosnahan’s performance was praised for its raw and believable portrayal of a survivor navigating the difficult and often traumatizing legal process. Her character’s story highlighted the challenges victims face when seeking justice against powerful figures.

‘House of Cards’ (2013–2018)

Rachel Brosnahan’s breakout role came in this acclaimed political thriller where she played Rachel Posner. Initially introduced as a sex worker she becomes a key pawn in the manipulative schemes of Congressman Frank Underwood and his ruthless chief of staff Doug Stamper. Her character’s story arc is a central and tragic thread in the show’s early seasons.

Forced into hiding by Stamper to cover up a political scandal Rachel’s life becomes a constant struggle for survival and freedom. Her complex and dependent relationship with Stamper is one of the most compelling dynamics in the series. The role earned Brosnahan her first Emmy nomination and established her as a rising star capable of immense dramatic depth.

‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ (2017–2023)

In her most iconic role Rachel Brosnahan stars as Miriam “Midge” Maisel a sharp and witty 1950s housewife who discovers a hidden talent for stand-up comedy after her husband leaves her. The series follows her journey as she pursues a career in the male-dominated world of comedy navigating everything from small clubs in Greenwich Village to the USO circuit.

Brosnahan’s performance as Midge is a tour de force blending rapid-fire comedic delivery with poignant emotional vulnerability. The character is celebrated for her resilience intelligence and groundbreaking ambition in an era that expected women to stay at home. The role has earned her widespread critical acclaim including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress.

Let us know which Rachel Brosnahan role is your favorite in the comments below.