The bestElisabeth Mossmovies and TV shows each highlight a different side of her incredible range, withThe Handmaid’s TaleandMad Menstar shining across a wide range of genres. Born in 1982 in Los Angeles, Moss first gained recognition in the late 1990s, but it was her role as Peggy Olson inMad Menthat truly launched her into stardom. She has since become known for her powerful performances in complex, often dark narratives. With multiple Emmy and Golden Globe wins, Elisabeth Moss is widely regarded as one of the most versatile performers of her generation.
Whether she’s portraying a determined detective, a tormented housewife, or a woman fighting against oppression, Elisabeth Moss brings emotional depth to every role.She has worked with visionary directors like Jordan Peele and Leigh Whannell, and has even taken on producing and directing duties herself. From her early days inThe West Wingto her award-winning turninThe Handmaid’s Tale, the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows each showcase her impressive abilities to bring even the most nuanced and complex characters to life.
While many of the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows arrived later in her career, but one of her most noteworthy roles came much earlier in the acclaimed political dramaThe West Wing,created by Aaron Sorkin. Elisabeth Moss played Zoey Bartlet, the youngest daughter of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen). ThroughoutThe West Wing, Zoey grows from a young college student into a more politically aware figure, with her relationship with Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) and a dramatic kidnapping storyline adding depth to her character.
While Elisabeth Moss didn’t appear in every single episode of the long-running drama, her role inThe West Wingdemonstrated her ability to hold her own alongside a powerhouse ensemble cast. The show’s sharp writing and compelling political storylines made it a landmark in television history.Though Elisabeth Moss had yet to become a household name, her performance as Zoey Bartlet hinted at the depth and nuance she would later bring to leading roles.
InJordan Peele’s 2019 psychological horrorUs, Moss plays Kitty Tyler, a privileged and self-absorbed woman who, along with her doppelgänger Dahlia, meets a gruesome fate. One of the most subversive and unsettling psychological horrors in decades,Usfollows a family whose vacation turns into a nightmare when they are hunted by their terrifying doubles, leading to a chilling commentary on class and identity.
Elisabeth Moss’s dual role inUsallowed her to showcase her range, switching between an entitled suburbanite and a monstrous, eerie counterpart.While the cast ofUswas led by Lupita Nyong’o, Moss left a lasting impression with her unsettling performance, particularly in a disturbing scene where she applies lip gloss while bleeding out. Jordan Peele’s direction and the film’s haunting imagery helped cement it as one of the best horror films of the 2010s, with the performances of the likes of Elisabeth Moss rounding out the viewing experience.
An adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic 1896 play of the same name, 2018’sThe Seagullfeatures an impressive ensemble cast that includes Elisabeth Moss as Masha, a bitter and melancholic woman trapped in unrequited love. Directed by Michael Mayer,The Seagull’scast also includes the likes of Saoirse Ronan and Annette Bening, but Elisabeth Moss stood out with her sardonic wit and emotionally raw performance.
Playing Masha inThe Seagullallowed Elisabeth Moss to embrace a different kind of role - one steeped in tragic humor and existential despair.WhileThe Seagullreceived mixed reviews, Moss’s ability to balance the character’s cynicism with a sense of deep longing made her portrayal one of the film’s strongest elements. Her work inThe Seagullis a testament to her ability to shine in literary
In the 2022 Apple TV+ thrillerShining Girls, Moss played Kirby Mazrachi, a journalist who survives a brutal attack and discovers a disturbing connection between a series of murders spanning decades.The Apple TV+ original series, based on the novel by Lauren Beukes, combines crime drama with elements of psychological horror and time distortion. While it might not have been a hit for the streaming service compared to the likes ofSeveranceorTed Lasso, Shining Girlsstill stands out in Elisabeth Moss’s wider filmography.
Elisabeth Moss delivered a gripping performance as a woman unraveling a sinister mystery while dealing with trauma and shifting realities. As an executive producer onShining Girls, she had a strong hand in shaping its eerie tone.The series’ intricate storytelling and Moss’s intense portrayal of Kirby helped makeShining Girlsone of the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows of recent years, and it remains an underrated gem in her career.
One of Elisabeth Moss’s most recent projects is 2024’sThe Veil, an espionage thriller created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Moss leads that cast as Imogen Salter inThe Veil, a skilled intelligence operative navigating a web of deception across multiple countries. The FX and Hulu series is filled with tension and intrigue throughout, and taking the starring role further solidifies Moss’s status as a solid presence in big-budget TV shows across more or less any genre.
Elisabeth Moss brings her signature intensity toTHe Veil, making Imogen a compelling protagonist in a world of secrets and shifting alliances.The Veilmay be relatively recent, but it will almost inarguably be remembered as one of the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows thanks to its gripping narrative and Moss’s commanding on-screen presence.
A genre-bending romantic drama with a sci-fi twist that almost served as a precursor to her appearance inUs, 2014’sThe One I Lovestarred Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass as a couple seeking to repair their relationship at a secluded retreat, only to encounter eerie doppelgängers of themselves. Directed by Charlie McDowell,The One I Loveis a thought-provoking exploration of identity and relationships.
Elisabeth Moss excelled in her dual role as Sophie and her duplicate, seamlessly shifting between warmth and eerie detachment.What’s more, her chemistry with Duplass carried the entirety ofThe One I Love,making its surreal premise feel deeply personal. With its intriguing concept and standout performances,The One I Loveremains one of Moss’s most underrated films.
Created by Jane Campion,Top of the Lakeis a haunting crime drama that follows Robin Griffin, a detective investigating the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old girl in rural New Zealand. Elisabeth Moss delivers a deeply layered performance as Robin, whose own personal trauma becomes entwined with the case she’s trying to solve.The show explores themes of abuse, power, and resilience, with Moss anchoring the story through her raw and emotionally charged portrayal.
Elisabeth Moss’s work inTop of the Lakeearned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries and showcased her ability to lead a slow-burn, atmospheric thriller. Moss portrays Robin as a hardened yet deeply vulnerable character. With stunning cinematography and gripping storytelling,Top of the Lakeremains one of the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows, and proves her ability to command the screen in a deeply complex and psychologically intense role.
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A chillingreimagining of H.G. Wells’s classic story,The Invisible Manreinvents the horror tale with a psychological thriller twist. Directed by Leigh Whannell, Elisabeth Moss leads the cast ofThe Invisible Manas Cecilia Kass, a woman who escapes her abusive partner, only to be tormented by an unseen force after his apparent suicide. The movie’s suspense hinges entirely on Moss’s performance, as she conveys Cecilia’s unraveling psyche with heart-wrenching realism.
Elisabeth Moss’s portrayal of a woman gaslit and terrorized by an invisible abuser is both harrowing and deeply affecting.Her ability to capture Cecilia’s fear, desperation, and eventual determination makes the film an emotionally gripping experience.The Invisible Manwas a box office success and received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Moss’s performance, which many felt was worthy of an Oscar nomination.The Invisible Manis one of the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows because it not only revitalizes a classic horror concept but also serves as a terrifying metaphor for the trauma of abuse and the struggle to be believed.
Few roles define an actor’s career as completely as Peggy Olson defines Elisabeth Moss’s. InMad Men, the award-winning drama created by Matthew Weiner, Moss portrays Peggy, a secretary-turned-copywriter navigating the male-dominated world of 1960s advertising.Over seven seasons, Peggy’s transformation from timid office worker to confident executive is one of TV’s greatest character arcs, with Moss delivering a nuanced performance that evolves with every season.
Elisabeth Moss’s work inMad Menearned her six Emmy nominations and widespread critical acclaim. She captured Peggy’s quiet ambition, her struggles to be taken seriously, and her complicated relationshipswith mentor Don Draper(Jon Hamm) and rival Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser). Peggy’s journey - culminating in her iconic hallway strut with a cigarette and an octopus painting - is among the most memorable in TV history. As one of the best Elisabeth Moss movies and TV shows,Mad Menremains a defining moment in her career, solidifying her as one of television’s most compelling leading women.
The Handmaid’s Tale
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The Handmaid’s Tale is a television adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel, released in 2017. It is set in a dystopian future where a woman is compelled to live as a concubine under a strict fundamentalist theocracy.
It’s almost impossible to debate that the best Elisabeth Moss movie or TV show isThe Handmaid’s Tale, the groundbreaking Hulu series based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel. Moss stars as June Osborne, a woman forced into servitude as a handmaid in the oppressive regime of Gilead. Her performance is nothing short of extraordinary, capturing June’s transformation from a frightened captive to a fierce rebel leader. Moss’s ability to convey deep emotion through even the subtlest facial expressions has made June one of the most compelling characters in modern television.
Elisabeth Moss’s work inThe Handmaid’s Talehas earned her multiple awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Best Actress.She also took on producing and directing duties, further cementing her influence over the series. The show’s themes of resistance, survival, and female empowerment resonate strongly, and Moss’s fearless portrayal has been at the heart of its success. As the bestElisabeth Mossmovie or TV show,The Handmaid’s Talestands as a career-defining achievement, solidifying her as one of the most powerful actresses of her generation.
