Rebecca Ferguson’s Best Roles

Rebecca Ferguson has become a familiar and celebrated face in Hollywood, known for bringing a unique blend of strength, intelligence, and vulnerability to her roles. The Swedish actress started her career in television before making a splash on the international scene. Since then, she has built an impressive resume, taking on a wide variety of characters across different genres, from epic science fiction to gripping thrillers and grand musicals. Her ability to stand out in large ensemble casts and hold her own opposite major stars is a testament to her talent and screen presence.

Her performances consistently earn praise for their depth and complexity, showcasing her range as an actress. Whether she’s playing a cunning secret agent, a powerful space aristocrat, or a mysterious singer, Ferguson fully inhabits her characters, making them memorable and compelling. She has a knack for choosing roles that are not just supporting parts but are often crucial to the story’s plot and emotional core. This has allowed her to build a career filled with distinct and powerful women who leave a lasting impression on audiences long after the credits roll.

‘Reminiscence’ (2021)

This film is set in a near-future Miami that has been partially submerged by rising seas. A private investigator who deals in nostalgia helps his clients access lost memories. His life takes a turn when a mysterious new client walks through his door, and he quickly falls for her. After she vanishes without a trace, he becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her, using his own memory-reliving technology to search for clues in their shared past.

Rebecca Ferguson plays the enigmatic lounge singer who disappears, setting the central mystery in motion. Her character is the classic femme fatale, drawing the protagonist into a dangerous world of conspiracy and betrayal. She brings a captivating and elusive quality to the role, keeping both the main character and the audience guessing about her true motives and allegiances until the very end.

‘Hercules’ (2014)

This movie offers a grounded take on the legendary Greek hero, portraying him as a powerful mercenary rather than a demigod. Accompanied by a loyal band of skilled warriors, he is hired by the King of Thrace to train his armies for a battle against a fearsome warlord. As he prepares the soldiers for war, he must also confront the demons of his own past and embrace the legend that precedes him.

In this action-adventure film, Rebecca Ferguson portrays Ergenia, the daughter of the Thracian king. She is the one who seeks out the hero and convinces him to help her father’s kingdom. Her character serves as a moral compass and a source of strength, guiding the protagonist and revealing the true political situation unfolding within the court.

‘The Kid Who Would Be King’ (2019)

A young schoolboy discovers the mythical sword Excalibur and must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights. Together, they team up with the legendary wizard Merlin to take on an evil enchantress who is determined to destroy the world. The story blends modern-day school life with classic Arthurian legend, creating an adventure about courage, friendship, and embracing one’s destiny.

Rebecca Ferguson plays the film’s main antagonist, the wicked sorceress Morgana. She is awakened in the modern era and seeks to reclaim her power by stealing Excalibur from the young hero. Ferguson portrays her as a formidable and menacing villain, using her magical abilities and cunning to create significant obstacles for the young knights.

‘The Girl on the Train’ (2016)

This psychological thriller centers on an unreliable commuter who fantasizes about a seemingly perfect couple she sees from the train window every day. When the woman she has been watching goes missing, she becomes entangled in the investigation. Her own memory is fragmented due to her struggles with alcohol, leaving her to question whether she might have been involved in the disappearance.

Rebecca Ferguson takes on the role of Anna, the new wife of the main character’s ex-husband. She lives in the house that the protagonist once called home and finds herself at the center of the unfolding mystery. Ferguson portrays her as a seemingly perfect homemaker who is also dealing with her own fears and suspicions, adding another layer of complexity to the tense narrative.

‘Life’ (2017)

A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discovers a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars. As they conduct their research, the alien organism begins to show unexpected intelligence and hostility. The crew must find a way to contain the creature and prevent it from reaching Earth, leading to a desperate fight for survival in the isolated environment of space.

In this sci-fi horror film, Rebecca Ferguson plays Dr. Miranda North, a microbiologist from the Centers for Disease Control. She is responsible for establishing the quarantine protocols to protect Earth from potential contamination. Her character is pragmatic and by-the-book, trying to maintain scientific objectivity even as the situation spirals into a terrifying struggle against the unknown life form.

‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ (2016)

The film tells the true story of a New York heiress who dreams of becoming a great opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. Her supportive husband and manager does everything he can to shield her from the truth, staging private concerts for her loyal friends. However, her ambition grows, and she decides to perform at Carnegie Hall, threatening to expose her lack of talent to the world.

Rebecca Ferguson portrays Kathleen Weatherley, the long-suffering mistress of the main character’s husband. While her existence is kept secret, she provides a different perspective on the central relationship of the story. Ferguson’s character is understanding and patient, showing the complexities of love and loyalty within the unconventional arrangement.

‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)

This supernatural thriller follows the adult life of Danny Torrance, who is still traumatized by the events that took place at the Overlook Hotel when he was a child. He has suppressed his psychic abilities, known as “the shining,” but is drawn back into the supernatural world when he connects with a young girl who shares his powers. They must work together to fight a cult of psychic vampires who feed on the life force of gifted children.

Rebecca Ferguson delivers a chilling performance as Rose the Hat, the charismatic and ruthless leader of the cult known as the True Knot. She is the primary antagonist, hunting the young girl for her powerful abilities. Ferguson embodies the character with a captivating mix of charm and menace, creating one of the most memorable villains in modern horror cinema.

‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

In this installment of the action franchise, Ethan Hunt discovers that the Syndicate, a shadowy international criminal organization, is real. With the IMF disbanded, he goes on the run and assembles his team to take down this network of rogue operatives. To do so, he must form a reluctant alliance with a disavowed British agent whose loyalties are unclear.

Rebecca Ferguson made her debut in the series as Ilsa Faust, an undercover MI6 agent who has infiltrated the Syndicate. Her character is intelligent, highly skilled in combat, and serves as an equal to Ethan Hunt. Ferguson’s portrayal of the complex and resourceful agent was widely praised, making Ilsa a fan-favorite character who would return in subsequent films.

‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017)

This musical celebrates the birth of show business by telling the story of P.T. Barnum, a visionary who rose from nothing to create a worldwide sensation. He assembles a troupe of unique performers and oddities, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that challenges societal norms. The film is a story of ambition, imagination, and the power of embracing what makes people different.

Rebecca Ferguson plays Jenny Lind, a famous Swedish opera singer whom Barnum brings to America to gain legitimacy among the upper class. She is known as the “Swedish Nightingale” and captivates audiences with her incredible voice. Ferguson’s character represents the allure of high society and tests the protagonist’s commitment to his family and his original vision.

‘The White Queen’ (2013)

This historical drama series is set during the Wars of the Roses, a tumultuous period in English history. The story follows three different women who are all vying for the throne through manipulation, deception, and seduction. It focuses on the power struggles between the House of Lancaster and the House of York from a female perspective.

Rebecca Ferguson had her international breakthrough role as Elizabeth Woodville, the titular character. A commoner whose beauty captivates King Edward IV, she marries him in secret and becomes Queen of England. Ferguson’s performance captures her character’s journey from a determined widow to a shrewd political player who must navigate the dangerous and treacherous royal court to protect her family.

‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

Two years after capturing Solomon Lane, Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down stolen plutonium cores to prevent a terrorist group from carrying out a nuclear attack. When a mission goes wrong, Ethan must ally with a CIA assassin to stop the extremists. The mission becomes a race against time, filled with betrayals and complicated by figures from Ethan’s past.

Rebecca Ferguson reprises her role as Ilsa Faust, the former MI6 agent whose path once again crosses with Ethan Hunt’s. Her loyalties are again tested as she finds herself caught between her own mission and her connection to Ethan’s team. Ferguson continues to portray Ilsa as a highly capable and independent operative, deepening her character’s complex relationship with the franchise’s hero.

‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ (2023)

Ethan Hunt and his IMF team face their most dangerous mission yet, as they must track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. The weapon is a powerful, sentient artificial intelligence known as the Entity. With the fate of the world at stake, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than the mission, not even the lives of those he cares about most.

In this film, Rebecca Ferguson returns as Ilsa Faust, who is once again drawn into the world of espionage and global threats. Her character plays a crucial part in the early stages of the mission to find the key that controls the Entity. Her presence continues to be a vital part of the story, highlighting her strong connection with Ethan and his team.

‘Dune’ (2021)

This sci-fi epic tells the story of Paul Atreides, the gifted son of a noble family who is destined for greatness. His family is entrusted with the stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the most valuable substance in the universe. When they are betrayed by their enemies, Paul must embrace his destiny and unite with the native Fremen people to fight for control of the planet.

Rebecca Ferguson plays Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother and a member of the Bene Gesserit, an exclusive sisterhood with superhuman abilities. She has trained her son in their ways, preparing him for a future she both fears and desires. Ferguson portrays Lady Jessica as a figure of immense strength and internal conflict, torn between her loyalty to the Bene Gesserit, her love for her family, and the dangerous path her son must walk.

‘Silo’ (2023–)

In a ruined and toxic future, thousands of people live in a giant underground silo that protects them from the hazardous world outside. They live in a society bound by strict regulations they believe are meant to keep them safe. When the sheriff breaks a cardinal rule and residents begin to die mysteriously, an engineer starts to uncover shocking truths and question the reality of their enclosed world.

Rebecca Ferguson stars as Juliette Nichols, a determined and resourceful engineer who works in the deepest levels of the silo. Following a personal tragedy, she is unexpectedly appointed to a position of power and begins to investigate the secrets of their society. Ferguson’s character is the driving force of the series, as she challenges the established order and searches for answers about the true nature of their existence.

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

The second part of the saga follows Paul Atreides as he unites with the Fremen people of Arrakis to wage war against those who destroyed his family. He embraces his role as their prophesied leader while struggling with visions of a holy war in his name. The story becomes a grand-scale conflict for control of the universe, forcing Paul to choose between the love of his life and the fate of everything.

Rebecca Ferguson returns as Lady Jessica, who undergoes a significant transformation after consuming a sacred substance, becoming the Reverend Mother of the Fremen. Her role becomes more central and powerful as she uses her influence to guide Paul towards his destiny, manipulating religious prophecy to secure his ascent. Ferguson’s performance is intense and complex, showing a character who embraces a darker, more manipulative path to ensure her son’s and the Bene Gesserit’s ultimate victory.

What are your favorite Rebecca Ferguson roles, and which performance do you think is her best?