LGBTQ+ Actresses Who Can Play Heroes, Villains, And Everything In Between

The entertainment industry has seen a significant rise in open representation among performers who bring diverse experiences to the screen. These talented actresses identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community and demonstrate incredible range in their film and television roles. Their careers encompass high-stakes action blockbusters alongside intimate character dramas that challenge social norms. They seamlessly transition between portraying noble protagonists and menacing antagonists with equal conviction.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart gained global fame as the protagonist in the ‘Twilight’ saga before transitioning to critically acclaimed indie films. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the biographical drama ‘Spencer’. The actress demonstrated her ability to play gritty action roles in movies like ‘Underwater’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels’. Her performance in the romantic thriller ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ showcased her intensity as a lead character. Stewart continues to choose diverse projects that challenge her public image and acting range.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is widely recognized for her versatile work in the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’. She has played everything from a terrifying supreme witch to conjoined twins and a distressed medium. Her portrayal of the villainous Nurse Ratched in the series ‘Ratched’ cemented her ability to play menacing characters. She also delivered a compelling performance as a prosecutor in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’. Paulson consistently brings depth to both heroic and villainous roles in television and film.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has maintained a legendary career that spans decades of diverse and complex performances. She won an Academy Award for her role as a tenacious FBI trainee in the thriller ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. Her work in ‘True Detective’ showcased her ability to play a hardened law enforcement officer investigating dark crimes. Foster also directed and starred in films that explore intricate family dynamics and psychological tension. Her legacy includes iconic roles that range from vulnerable victims to steely power players.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson commanded the screen as the heroic Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. She displayed a different kind of strength as a corporate executive in the science fiction series ‘Westworld’. Her performance in ‘Passing’ highlighted her ability to handle subtle and dramatic period pieces. Thompson also starred as an agent protecting the galaxy in ‘Men in Black: International’. She balances major blockbuster action roles with nuanced performances in independent dramas.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza became a comedy icon with her deadpan performance in the sitcom ‘Parks and Recreation’. She shifted gears to play a chaotic and powerful antagonist in the superhero series ‘Legion’. Her role in the thriller ‘Emily the Criminal’ proved her capability to carry a tense and dramatic film. Plaza also garnered critical praise for her complex character work in the second season of ‘The White Lotus’. She frequently chooses roles that blur the line between likable protagonists and unsettling antiheroes.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood captivated audiences as a sentient android discovering her consciousness in the series ‘Westworld’. She earned early acclaim for her role as a troubled teenager in the drama ‘Thirteen’. Her voice acting work includes the heroic Queen Iduna in the animated hit ‘Frozen II’. Wood has also portrayed villains such as the vampire queen Sophie-Anne Leclerq in ‘True Blood’. Her career is defined by a willingness to tackle psychologically demanding and intense characters.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo delivered a powerhouse performance as the abolitionist hero Harriet Tubman in the biopic ‘Harriet’. She showcased her darker side as a disgraced detective in the film ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’. Her role as Elphaba in the film adaptation of ‘Wicked’ allows her to explore the origin story of a famous villain. Erivo also played the Genius of Soul Aretha Franklin in the anthology series ‘Genius’. She utilizes her immense vocal and acting talent to embody commanding figures.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose gained international attention for her role as an inmate in the dramedy ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She stepped into the superhero genre as the titular vigilante in the series ‘Batwoman’. Her action credentials include playing a mute assassin in ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’. Rose also appeared as a sniper in the blockbuster film ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’. She frequently takes on physically demanding roles that require a tough and imposing screen presence.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne transitioned from modeling to acting with her role as the villainous Enchantress in ‘Suicide Squad’. She played a heroic space agent in the science fiction adventure ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’. Her television work includes a lead role as a fairy refugee in the fantasy series ‘Carnival Row’. Delevingne also appeared as a mysterious artist in the mystery comedy ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Her filmography covers a wide spectrum of fantasy, action, and dramatic projects.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is best known for her role as the tough detective Rosa Diaz in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She showcased her vocal versatility by voicing the upbeat protagonist Mirabel Madr in ‘Encanto’. Her work in the film ‘In the Heights’ allowed her to display her singing and dancing abilities in a live-action setting. Beatriz also played a quiet and stoic character in the independent drama ‘The Light of the Moon’. She successfully alternates between intense, stoic characters and joyful, animated figures.

Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon was a breakout star on ‘Saturday Night Live’ known for her eccentric character work. She played a brilliant engineer and ghost hunter in the 2016 reboot of ‘Ghostbusters’. Her role as Weird Barbie in the blockbuster hit ‘Barbie’ highlighted her comedic timing and physical comedy. McKinnon voiced the villainous Lulu in the animated film ‘DC League of Super-Pets’. She brings a unique energy to every project she joins.

Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw terrified audiences as the cruel Aunt Petunia in the ‘Harry Potter’ film franchise. She later earned acclaim for her role as a sharp intelligence officer in the spy thriller ‘Killing Eve’. Her performance in the Star Wars series ‘Andor’ displayed her ability to play a principled and revolutionary mother figure. Shaw also appeared as a therapist in the fantasy series ‘True Blood’. She commands authority on screen whether she is playing a hero or a villain.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe impressed critics with her role as a determined engineer in the historical drama ‘Hidden Figures’. She played a disruptor searching for the truth in the mystery sequel ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’. Her performance in ‘Moonlight’ showcased her ability to handle tender and emotional supporting roles. Monáe also took on the lead role in the horror film ‘Antebellum’ playing dual characters. She consistently selects projects that are artistically bold and socially relevant.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga won a Golden Globe for her performance as a vampire countess in ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’. She received an Academy Award nomination for playing an aspiring singer in the romantic drama ‘A Star Is Born’. Her portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani in ‘House of Gucci’ demonstrated her skill at playing morally complex figures. She took on the iconic role of Harley Quinn in the psychological thriller ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. Gaga brings a theatrical intensity to her acting roles that matches her musical persona.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer made her acting debut as the compassionate and artistic Jules Vaughn in the drama series ‘Euphoria’. She played a stylist and tribute mentor in the dystopian prequel ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’. Her voice acting was featured in the anime film ‘Belle’ as a popular character. Schafer recently starred in the horror film ‘Cuckoo’ which tested her ability to lead a genre film. She is quickly establishing herself as a talent to watch in Hollywood.

Emma Corrin

Emma Corrin earned accolades for their portrayal of a young Princess Diana in the drama series ‘The Crown’. They played the villainous Cassandra Nova in the superhero film ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Their stage work includes a lead role in an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Orlando’. Corrin also starred as a hacker in the mystery miniseries ‘A Murder at the End of the World’. They continue to select roles that challenge traditional gender presentation and character archetypes.

Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey broke out as the fierce young leader Lyanna Mormont in the fantasy series ‘Game of Thrones’. She delivered a critically acclaimed performance as the survivalist Ellie in the adaptation of ‘The Last of Us’. Her voice work includes the titular character in the animated series ‘Hilda’. Ramsey also played a medieval noblewoman in the comedy film ‘Catherine Called Birdy’. She has proven her ability to carry major franchises at a young age.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin won an Academy Award as a child for her role in the drama ‘The Piano’. She is well known for playing the superhero Rogue in the original ‘X-Men’ film trilogy. Her role as Sookie Stackhouse in the vampire series ‘True Blood’ spanned seven seasons of supernatural drama. Paquin also appeared as the daughter of a hitman in the crime epic ‘The Irishman’. Her career has successfully spanned from child stardom to complex adult roles.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox became a global superstar with her role in the sci-fi action franchise ‘Transformers’. She gained a cult following for playing a possessed cheerleader in the horror comedy ‘Jennifer’s Body’. Her performance in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ cast her as a heroic reporter investigating a crime syndicate. Fox also appeared as a gun-for-hire in the action film ‘Expend4bles’. She often plays characters who use their beauty and wit to survive dangerous situations.

Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Lyonne is famous for her raspy voice and quick wit in the comedy drama ‘Russian Doll’. She played a recovering addict in the ensemble cast of ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Her early career included the lead role in the cult comedy ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’. Lyonne starred as a human lie detector in the mystery series ‘Poker Face’. She excels at playing characters who are rough around the edges but ultimately sympathetic.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg first gained attention as the tribute Rue in the dystopian film ‘The Hunger Games’. She starred as a young activist in the drama ‘The Hate U Give’. Her role in the horror comedy ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ showcased her ability to play flawed and complex modern characters. Stenberg also played dual roles as force-sensitive twins in the Star Wars series ‘The Acolyte’. She consistently takes on projects that feature strong social commentary.

Katy O’Brian

Katy O’Brian used her martial arts background to play a resistance communications officer in ‘The Mandalorian’. She starred as a bodybuilder caught in a violent crime web in ‘Love Lies Bleeding’. Her role as Jentorra in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ cast her as a freedom fighter in the Quantum Realm. O’Brian also appeared as a savior member in the zombie series ‘Z Nation’. She brings a convincing physicality to her action-oriented roles.

Jasmin Savoy Brown

Jasmin Savoy Brown plays a film expert and survivor in the recent installments of the ‘Scream’ franchise. She stars as the younger version of Taissa Turner in the survival drama ‘Yellowjackets’. Her voice work includes the character of Phin Mason in the video game ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’. Brown also appeared in the legal drama ‘For the People’. She frequently plays intelligent characters who must navigate terrifying situations.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made history as the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe for her role in ‘Pose’. She plays a wealthy woman managing a foundation in the comedy series ‘Loot’. Her voice acting was featured in the animated blockbuster ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’. Rodriguez also appeared as a nurse in the musical drama ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’. She brings warmth and dignity to her groundbreaking performances.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox broke barriers with her role as Sophia Burset in the series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She played a lawyer in the thriller ‘Promising Young Woman’. Her role in the mini-series ‘Inventing Anna’ cast her as a celebrity fitness trainer. Cox also appeared as a cyborg in the sci-fi film ‘Uglies’. She continues to be a prominent advocate and performer in both film and television.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef played one of the many Barbies in the massive hit film ‘Barbie’. She starred as a trans woman in the 1900s in the drama ‘I Am Rosalind’. Her role in the thriller ‘Assassination Nation’ involved fighting for survival in a town gone mad. Nef also appeared as a journalist in the series ‘The Idol’. She brings a distinct style and presence to ensemble casts.

Lily-Rose Depp

Lily-Rose Depp starred as a troubled pop idol in the drama series ‘The Idol’. She played a young Catherine of Valois in the historical film ‘The King’. Her role in the sci-fi thriller ‘Voyagers’ cast her as a colonization mission crew member. Depp also appeared in the horror comedy ‘Yoga Hosers’. She is building a diverse resume in both American and French cinema.

Reneé Rapp

Reneé Rapp gained fame playing the wealthy antagonist Regina George in the musical film adaptation of ‘Mean Girls’. She starred as a wealthy student in the comedy series ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’. Her stage experience includes playing the same role of Regina George on Broadway. Rapp combines strong vocal talent with comedic timing. She captures the energy of confident and sometimes intimidating characters.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri won critical acclaim and awards for her role as a young chef in the series ‘The Bear’. She played a high school student starting a fight club in the comedy ‘Bottoms’. Her voice is featured as the emotion Envy in the animated sequel ‘Inside Out 2’. Edebiri also appeared in the mockumentary ‘Theater Camp’. She is known for her sharp wit and ability to play socially awkward yet lovable characters.

Clea DuVall

Clea DuVall is a staple of LGBTQ+ cinema with her role in ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’. She played a science teacher in the horror film ‘The Faculty’. Her performance in ‘Argo’ showcased her ability to play a tense dramatic role in a historical thriller. DuVall also directed and co-wrote the holiday romantic comedy ‘Happiest Season’. She has transitioned from a teen actor to a respected veteran and director.

Sara Ramirez

Sara Ramirez is best known for their long-running role as orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. They played a political strategist in the drama series ‘Madam Secretary’. Their role as a podcast host in ‘And Just Like That…’ sparked significant conversation among viewers. Ramirez also voiced Queen Miranda in the animated series ‘Sofia the First’. They bring a commanding presence to professional and authoritative roles.

Alexandra Shipp

Alexandra Shipp played the weather-controlling mutant Storm in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘Dark Phoenix’. She starred as a romantic lead in the comedy ‘Anyone But You’. Her role in ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ showcased her dramatic and musical abilities alongside Andrew Garfield. Shipp also appeared in the teen comedy ‘Love, Simon’. She alternates between major franchise blockbusters and intimate character studies.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley is famous for playing the loyal friend Poussey Washington in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She plays a distraught refugee turned resistance fighter in the dystopian series ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Her film work includes the crime drama ‘Detroit’ directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Wiley also voiced a character in the animated film ‘Blade Runner: Black Lotus’. She excels at playing characters who maintain their dignity in oppressive circumstances.

Dove Cameron

Dove Cameron played dual roles as the title characters in the sitcom ‘Liv and Maddie’. She starred as the daughter of Maleficent in the fantasy musical franchise ‘Descendants’. Her role in the musical comedy series ‘Schmigadoon!’ allowed her to parody classic musical theatre tropes. Cameron also appeared as a villainous agent in the action comedy ‘Barely Lethal’. She has successfully transitioned from child star to adult roles.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné became a household name with her supernatural sitcom ‘That’s So Raven’. She began her career as a child actor on the classic sitcom ‘The Cosby Show’. Her voice work includes the character Iridessa in the ‘Tinker Bell’ film series. She reprised her famous psychic role in the spinoff series ‘Raven’s Home’. She is a veteran of the industry with a talent for physical comedy and timing.

Miriam Margolyes

Miriam Margolyes played the eccentric Herbology teacher Professor Sprout in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise. She won a BAFTA Award for her role in the period drama ‘The Age of Innocence’. Her voice is featured in the animated film ‘Happy Feet’ and its sequel. Margolyes also appeared as a Nurse in the exuberant ‘Romeo + Juliet’. She is known for stealing scenes with her distinct voice and personality.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor won an Emmy for her role as a judge in the legal drama ‘The Practice’. She played a wealthy and critical mother in the hit sitcom ‘Two and a Half Men’. Her performance as a strict law professor in ‘Legally Blonde’ is a fan favorite. Taylor also appeared as a studio executive in the miniseries ‘Hollywood’. She brings sophistication and wit to her authoritative characters.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is iconic for her role as the ruthless cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester in ‘Glee’. She played a dog trainer in the mockumentary ‘Best in Show’. Her voice work includes the tough soldier Calhoun in the animated film ‘Wreck-It Ralph’. Lynch also hosted the game show ‘Weakest Link’ bringing her signature dry humor. She excels at playing characters who are abrasive yet undeniably funny.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton won an Academy Award for her role as a ruthless corporate lawyer in ‘Michael Clayton’. She played the mystical Ancient One in the Marvel blockbuster ‘Doctor Strange’. Her performance as the White Witch in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ terrified young audiences. Swinton also played a vampire in the moody drama ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’. She is renowned for her chameleon-like ability to transform for any genre.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is a legendary stand-up comedian who brings her persona to various acting roles. She played a close friend and colleague in the sitcom ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’. Her voice work includes the character Granny in the ‘Ice Age’ franchise. Sykes also appears as herself in the improvised comedy series ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’. She consistently delivers sharp humor and observational comedy in her performances.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson stars as the Jedi Ahsoka Tano in the ‘Star Wars’ universe series ‘Ahsoka’. She played a nurse who aids superheroes in several Marvel Netflix series including ‘Daredevil’. Her role in the musical ‘Rent’ showcased her singing ability and dramatic range. Dawson also voiced Batgirl and Wonder Woman in various DC animated movies. She is a fixture in geek culture with credentials in comic book and sci-fi media.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer received critical acclaim for her role in the sci-fi horror film ‘Nope’. She played a stripper who turns to crime in the drama ‘Hustlers’. Her breakout role was playing a young spelling bee champion in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’. Palmer also starred as the title character in the Nickelodeon sitcom ‘True Jackson, VP’. She is a dynamic performer with experience in comedy, drama, and action.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin stars as a free-spirited hippie in the long-running series ‘Grace and Frankie’. She played a secretary taking revenge on her boss in the classic comedy ‘9 to 5’. Her voice work includes the role of Ms. Frizzle in the educational series ‘The Magic School Bus’. Tomlin also appeared in the quirky comedy ‘I Heart Huckabees’. She is a comedy legend known for her expressive face and physical humor.

Kiersey Clemons

Kiersey Clemons played a drummer in the acclaimed coming-of-age film ‘Dope’. She starred as Iris West in the superhero film ‘The Flash’. Her role in the thriller ‘Sweetheart’ required her to carry much of the film alone on an island. Clemons also voiced a character in the animated film ‘Scoob!’. She brings a natural charm and energy to both indie and blockbuster films.

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