Rachel Brosnahan is that kind of actress who is never out of place, no matter what the role; she brings a spark that has you sitting up and taking notice. She’s funny, she’s resilient, she’s heartbreaking when she needs to be, and she’s made a name for herself by playing roles that are anything but safe. From her first scene-stealing performances to her Emmy-winning coming-out party, here is a countdown of her best work, leaving the top spot to the obvious, because why not?
10. Spies in Disguise (2019)
She has only a role in this cartoon espionage farce, but one that is impossible to ignore. Brosnahan turns up as Tom Holland’s idealistic scientist’s dead mother, giving the image an unforeseen emotional core. She offers a lingering sweetness in but a few scenes.
9. Beautiful Creatures (2013)
During those times following the Twilight phenomenon craze, Hollywood was pursuing similar productions. Brosnahan appeared in this teen gothic fantasy film as Genevieve, a ghost of a restless Civil War–era ancestor. Her screen time is very brief, but the horrified, shattered, and tear-stained one references the movie’s theme.
8. The Blacklist (2013)
Before becoming the star of premium TV, Brosnahan guest-starred on this hit drama series as a fill-in teacher. She begins with the innocence and charm of a quintessential sweet girl, only to have layers stripped away to show a nasty little thing underneath. This is a great example of her ability to surprise the audience.
7. Patriots Day (2016)
In the Boston Marathon bombing project, Brosnahan became the actress to portray survivor Jessica Kensky, whose strength grounds the film. Alongside Christopher O’Shea, they produce a film that is human and warm, as opposed to the typical police-procedure-laden ones.
6. Manhattan (2014–2015)
This period drama of the Manhattan Project was filmed in the clandestine Los Alamos and was Brosnahan’s first and most difficult role. Abby Isaacs is a woman who must contend with isolation, marital issues, and repressed desires in the middle of the New Mexico desert. It is a complex, multifaceted character, and her skilled acting abilities shine.
5. Louder Than Bombs (2015)
She plays Erin, Jesse Eisenberg’s girlfriend, in this indie drama. Their reunion turns downhill as it goes into awkwardness, deception, and control. Brosnahan’s performance is mminimalbut it is emotionally precise, and she can do well with delicate character-driven scenes.
4. I’m Your Woman (2020)
Brosnahan, as protected housewife Jean, is plunged into a tough crime world, and she underpins this hard-edged ’70s drama with her quiet power. The film isn’t about gang warfare but survival and renewal, and she plays every phase of Jean’s transformation from passivity to resolve consistently.
3. The Courier (2020)
While Benedict Cumberbatch features in this Cold War thriller, Brosnahan’s CIA agent Emily Donovan is the smart woman who brings everything to life. Instead of being merely an ancillary character, she gives intelligence, strength, and charm to the characters, so Emily turns out to be the central presence.
2. Superman (2025)
Few can shoulder the role of Lois Lane with ease, but Brosnahan has the role locked and loaded. She is clever, tenacious, and driven, and she brings forth a combination of sarcasm and softness, and an interesting dynamic with David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. It is a fresh take, yet it is also respectful of the original character.
1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023)
The part was the career peak, and deservedly so. Rachel Brosnahan as Midge Maisel, the 1950s suburban homemaker turned stand-up comic, is a pleasure with her wit, sensitivity, and rough-around-the-edges energy. Over five seasons, she won an Emmy, earned many nominations, and earned the show an entry in pop culture. Essentially, this is a performance that will not be forgotten.
Rachel Brosnahan has proven herself to be one of the most versatile actors of her generation through her span from subdued supporting roles to leading ones that encapsulate her career. She can be heard providing voice for a character in an animated sitcom, prominently stealing the show in a historical drama, or giving new vitality to classic characters, while ensuring the continuity of her signature smart, warm, and fiery style of acting. And going by her most recent turn as Lois Lane, the greatest things are yet to come for her.