There’s no denying that Vanessa Kirby has steadily built a career defined by versatility, intensity, and precision. Whether commanding the screen as royalty, navigating the turmoil of personal grief, or swinging some butterfly knives in high-octane blockbusters, she is an actor who always brings a magnetic presence to every role, no matter how big or small they may be.
Indeed, regardless of the genre (or story form), what remains consistent is Kirby’s ability to infuse her characters with great strength and vulnerability, capturing internal conflicts with a quiet but palpable force. So, as we eagerly await her to light up the screens as Sue Storm in Marvel Studios’ TheFantastic Four: First Steps, let’s look at past roles that best showcase her talents.
8
‘The Dresser’ (2015)
Directed by Richard Eyre
With World War II drawing to a close, Sir (Sir Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant but aging head of a touring Shakespeare company, struggles to commit to the final performances of King Lear amid his mind’s own self-deterioration. As a result, Norman (Sir Ian McKellan), his devoted stagehand, takes matters into his own hands to cajole the veteran actor to make sure the show goes on.
In this adaptation of Ronald Harwood‘s famous play, Kirby holds her own as she stars alongside acting titans. As Irene, an ambitious young actress navigating the backstage world of a crumbling theater company, Kirby captures the nervous curiosity and quiet determination that’s often seen in budding performers who are desperate to make their mark. Her restrained yet impactful portrayal not only adds texture to an ensemble stacked with experience but also evokes a subtle tragedy — the compromises and moral sacrifices that sometimes accompany ambition. Oh, the dramas of the theater world.
7
‘Mr. Jones’ (2019)
Directed by Agnieszka Holland
In the 1930s, upon discovering evidence of a genocidal famine occurring in Ukraine, Welsh journalist Gareth Jones (James Norton) risks his life to expose the truth to Western media. His task proves immensely difficult, with the Soviet secret police hot on his tail and desperate to prevent the news from getting out.
Portraying Ada Brooks, a young British journalist, Kirby showcases the art of stealing scenes, because while her screentime may be limited, she makes sure to maximize every second. Providing a sharp, grounded presence that cuts through the film’s grim subject matter, Kirby adds a crucial layer, with Ada acting as a line of moral clarity. It’s a shame the story somewhat relegates her to the stereotypical love interest, as she could do so much more. But alas, in true Kirby fashion, she remains ever so excellent with what she is given.
6
‘Mission: Impossible Fallout’ (2018)
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
Despite successfully defeating and dismantling the powerful terrorist organization known as the Syndicate, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) finds himself dealing with the repercussions of his actions. Not only do the remnants of the group merely reform into another organization, but a dangerous new enemy emerges from the ashes with a plan to enforce a multi-city nuclear attack.
Joining the thrilling world of the Mission: Impossiblefranchise, Kirby makes an instant impression as Alanna Mitsopolis, a powerful arms dealer also known as the White Widow. Cool, enigmatic, and effortlessly stylish, she confidently stands toe-to-toe withCruise’s Ethan Hunt, while stealing almost every scene she is featured in. Indeed, for a film packed with death-defying stunts and complex espionage, Kirby’s poised performance adds a new layer of elegance and danger. Thankfully, her role grows in the sequel, further cementing her character as one of the franchise’s most intriguing new additions.
5
‘The Frankenstein Chronicles’ (2015-2017)
Created by Benjamin Ross and Barry Langford
Set in 19th-century London, Inspector John Marlott (Sean Bean) is called to a case: a body has been washed up on the bank of the River Thames — only the corpse is revealed to be made up of various body parts from various victims. This thrusts Marlott into an investigation unlike any other.
Like many of the other roles taken in her early career, Kirby’s character is a supporting player in The Frankenstein Chronicles. However, as always, her presence is anything but forgettable. As Lady Jemima Hervey, an impoverished noblewoman with sharp intellect and quiet intensity, Kirby brings depth and charisma to a character who could’ve been easily sidelined. It’s a testament to her performance that audiences were left wanting more, especially with Hervey’s fate being unceremoniously sealed off-screen in this British crime thriller.
The Frankenstein Chronicles
- Release Date
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2015 – 2016
- Network
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ITV Encore
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Richie Campbell
Joseph Nightingale
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Ed Stoppard
Lord Daniel Hervey
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Anna Maxwell Martin
Mary Shelley
4
‘Great Expectations’ (2011)
Directed by Brian Kirk
An adaptation of Charles Dickens‘ famous novel, this story follows the life of Pip, a young orphan who dreams of nothing more than to rise above his station. Luckily for him, on one fateful day, he receives the news of a mysterious benefactor generously paying for him to go to London and begin a new life as a gentleman.
Portraying Estella, the beautiful yet icy ward of Miss Havisham (Gillian Anderson), Kirby manages to stay clear of turning the character into a one-note bore. Instead, she wonderfully infuses Estella with a simmering sadness beneath the cold facade, capturing the pain of a woman shaped — and ultimately damaged — by a loveless upbringing. This performance marks one of Kirby’s earliest higher-profile roles, demonstrating her capacity for complex, emotionally repressed characters.
3
‘The World to Come’ (2020)
Directed by Mona Fastvold
Set in rural America in the mid-19th century, two neighboring couples battle significant marital hardships. But amid the isolation, Abigail (Katherine Waterston) and Tallie (Kirby) — the wives — find themselves irrevocably drawn to one another and eventually seek solace and intimacy in each other’s company.
As a delicate and quietly devastating story of forbidden love, Kirby exudes a gentle magnetism and a playful spirit that lights up the otherwise bleak frontier setting. Her chemistry with Waterston is palpable, turning the slow-burn narrative into something deeply moving and intimate. From the fleeting joys of connection to the profound ache of yearning, Kirby is able to communicate so much through glances and restrained gestures, solidifying herself as a master of emotional expression.
2
‘Pieces of a Woman’ (2020)
Directed by Kornél Mundruczó
After her home birth ends in an unfathomable tragedy, Martha begins a year-long odyssey during which she must navigate her grief. Along the way, not only do her relationships with her husband and her mother fracture, but she must also grapple with facing her midwife in court, forcing her to relive her trauma all over again.
In what could have become a heavy-handed melodrama, Kirby’s commitment to the role transforms Pieces of a Womaninto one of the most vulnerable and intimate character studies in recent film history. Indeed, Kirby wholeheartedly carries the emotional weight of narrative on her shoulders with her portrayal of grief and isolation being so raw and unflinching. Earning numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination, Kirby’s performance not only demonstrates her acting abilities, but it also crafts a harrowing, unforgettable experience for audiences, something most prevalently noted in the much-discussed 30-minute unbroken childbirth scene.
1
‘The Crown’ (2016-2023)
Directed by Peter Morgan
Living the life of a royal isn’t all as it seems. At least, that’s what The Crownshowcases for six seasons as it follows the decades-long reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Indeed, by tracking the personal and political endeavors that shaped the latter half of the 20th century, this fictionalization manages to recontextualize the humans behind the institution, specifically highlighting the complexities that occur when a family is treated as a business.
Though only appearing in two seasons, Kirby stuns as the enigmatic Princess Margaret, the Queen’s younger (and more rambunctious) sister. From chain-smoking through heartbreak to delivering biting wit at royal obligations, Kirby makes sure that Margaret is never a mere side character, but rather a beating organ to show, constantly imbuing her with endless amounts of charisma and tragic depth. This is the project that catapulted Kirby to global stardom (and critical acclaim), and for good reason. The show truly showcases her skills as a performer as she masterfully balances the glamour of Margaret’s life with the crushing loneliness beneath it all. It may be her most famous role, and it still remains her best.
