Vanessa Kirby’s Best Roles
Vanessa Kirby has become one of the most compelling actors of her generation, known for bringing a captivating intensity and vulnerability to every role she inhabits. Her career began with a strong foundation in theater, where she earned acclaim for her powerful stage presence. This classical training gave her the tools to tackle a wide range of characters, from historical figures to modern women facing incredible challenges. Her journey from the stage to the screen has been marked by a series of standout performances that have steadily built her international reputation.
As she transitioned into film and television, Kirby quickly demonstrated her remarkable versatility. She gained widespread recognition for portraying complex women with a mix of strength and fragility, proving she could handle both emotionally demanding dramas and high-octane action films with equal skill. Whether she is part of a large ensemble cast or leading a film on her own, she consistently delivers performances that are both memorable and deeply human. Her ability to find the core of her characters has made her a sought-after talent in the industry.
‘The Son’ (2022)
In this intense family drama, Vanessa Kirby plays Beth, the new partner of a man whose teenage son from a previous marriage is struggling with severe depression. Her character is caught in a difficult position, trying to build a new family while navigating the complexities of her partner’s past and his son’s profound emotional turmoil. Beth represents a sense of hope and a desire for a fresh start, but she finds herself increasingly tested by the challenging circumstances.
The film explores the ripple effects of mental health struggles on an entire family, and Kirby’s character provides a crucial perspective. She is an outsider who becomes central to the household’s dynamic, trying to offer support and understanding while also protecting her own new family unit. Her performance captures the strain and compassion of someone trying to hold things together when they are falling apart, adding a layer of nuanced emotion to the story.
‘Labyrinth’ (2012)
This historical miniseries unfolds across two different time periods, and Vanessa Kirby plays a character named Alice Tanner in the modern-day storyline. Alice is a volunteer at an archaeological dig in France who discovers a hidden cave containing two skeletons and a mysterious ring. Her discovery sets off a dangerous chain of events, as she finds herself pursued by shadowy figures who are determined to possess the ancient secrets she has uncovered.
As the story progresses, Alice learns that her life is strangely connected to a woman from the 13th century who was tasked with protecting the Holy Grail. Kirby portrays Alice’s transformation from an ordinary woman into someone caught in an ancient conflict, forced to decipher clues and stay one step ahead of her enemies. Her journey is one of discovery, both of the historical mystery and of her own hidden strength and destiny.
‘The World to Come’ (2020)
Set in the American Northeast during the mid-19th century, this film tells the story of two women who find a deep and profound connection amidst their isolated lives. Vanessa Kirby plays Tallie, a newcomer to the rural community who forms an immediate and intense bond with her neighbor, Abigail. Their friendship quickly blossoms into a passionate romance, providing an escape from their lonely lives and difficult marriages.
Kirby’s character is vibrant and confident, bringing a spark of life into Abigail’s quiet existence. Tallie is trapped in a controlling and emotionally stifling marriage, and her relationship with Abigail becomes a source of secret joy and genuine affection. The performance explores the power of human connection in the face of hardship and the courage it takes to pursue happiness in a world that offers few freedoms.
‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’ (2019)
In this action-packed spinoff of the popular franchise, Vanessa Kirby takes on the role of Hattie Shaw, a formidable MI6 agent. She is also the estranged sister of Deckard Shaw, one of the film’s titular characters. Hattie becomes a central figure in the plot when she injects herself with a super-virus to prevent it from falling into the hands of a cyber-genetically enhanced terrorist.
Kirby’s portrayal of Hattie is a highlight of the film, showcasing her ability to handle demanding physical roles and intense fight choreography. Hattie is not just a damsel in distress but a highly capable and intelligent agent who holds her own alongside the two main heroes. Her character adds a fresh dynamic to the series, mixing sharp wit with impressive combat skills as she races against time to save the world.
‘Napoleon’ (2023)
Vanessa Kirby portrays Empress Joséphine, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, in this historical epic. Her character is shown as a powerful and influential figure in Napoleon’s life, and their passionate yet volatile relationship is a central focus of the film. Joséphine is depicted as a charismatic and cunning woman who navigates the treacherous political landscape of post-revolutionary France with grace and intelligence.
The film explores the deep and complex bond between Joséphine and Napoleon, from their initial meeting to their eventual divorce when she is unable to provide him with an heir. Kirby captures Joséphine’s elegance and emotional depth, showing her as both a loving partner and a strategic survivor. Her performance brings a human element to the historical narrative, highlighting the woman who captured the heart of one of history’s most powerful men.
‘Mr. Jones’ (2019)
In this historical thriller, Vanessa Kirby plays Ada Brooks, a British journalist working in Moscow in the 1930s. The film is based on the true story of Gareth Jones, a Welsh journalist who travels to the Soviet Union and uncovers the horrific truth of a man-made famine in Ukraine. Ada Brooks serves as an important ally to Jones, helping him understand the dangerous political climate of Stalin’s Russia.
Her character provides a window into the lives of foreign correspondents who were stationed in Moscow at the time, facing constant surveillance and censorship from the Soviet regime. Ada is initially cautious but eventually becomes a key supporter of Jones’s mission to expose the truth to the world. Kirby’s performance adds a layer of tension and gravity to the story, representing the risks people took to report on injustices.
‘Pieces of a Woman’ (2020)
Vanessa Kirby delivers a deeply moving performance as Martha Weiss, a woman whose life is shattered after a home birth ends in tragedy. The film follows Martha in the months after this devastating loss as she navigates her profound grief and the growing distance between herself, her partner, and her family. Her journey is a raw and unflinching look at the isolating experience of personal trauma.
Martha’s story is one of quiet resilience as she struggles to find a way forward while dealing with the emotional fallout and a subsequent court case against the midwife. Kirby’s portrayal earned her significant acclaim for its honesty and vulnerability. She captures the complex and often contradictory emotions of grief, showing a woman who is trying to reclaim her life and identity in the wake of an unimaginable loss.
‘Everest’ (2015)
This biographical adventure film recounts the events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, where several climbing expeditions were caught in a deadly blizzard. Vanessa Kirby plays Sandy Hill Pittman, a real-life socialite and journalist who was part of one of the groups attempting to summit the mountain. Her character is an amateur climber on a quest to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent.
The film portrays the immense challenges and dangers faced by the climbers as they ascend the world’s highest peak. Kirby’s role is part of a large ensemble cast that depicts the various individuals involved in the tragic event. Her character represents the ambition and determination of those who are drawn to the extreme sport of mountaineering, as well as the human fragility exposed when things go horribly wrong.
‘The Frankenstein Chronicles’ (2015–2017)
In this gothic crime drama, Vanessa Kirby plays Lady Jemima Hervey, an aristocratic woman living in 19th-century London. The series follows an inspector who discovers a grotesque corpse made of body parts from several children, leading him into the city’s dark underbelly. Lady Jemima becomes entangled in the investigation due to her connection to her brother, a surgeon with a keen interest in galvanism and reanimation.
Her character is intelligent and curious, but also finds herself in a world of secrets and moral ambiguity. She is caught between the strict social expectations for a woman of her class and her fascination with the scientific and macabre events unfolding around her. Kirby’s performance captures the inner conflict of a woman who is both a product of her time and drawn to the forbidden knowledge at the heart of the show’s mystery.
‘Me Before You’ (2016)
In this romantic drama, Vanessa Kirby portrays Alicia Dewar, the former girlfriend of the main character, Will Traynor. Will is a successful young man who is paralyzed in an accident, and the story focuses on his relationship with his new caregiver, Lou Clark. Alicia’s character appears in the story when it is revealed that she is now engaged to Will’s former best friend.
Her role, while not large, is important for providing context to Will’s life before his accident. She represents the world he lost and the relationships that were fractured by his changed circumstances. Kirby’s scenes help to illustrate the painful emotional journey Will has been on, adding depth to his backstory and highlighting the significant changes in his life and social circle after his injury.
‘Great Expectations’ (2011)
Vanessa Kirby plays the iconic role of Estella Havisham in this television adaptation of the classic novel. Estella is the adopted daughter of the eccentric and vengeful Miss Havisham, who has raised her to be cold and unfeeling towards men. She is the object of the protagonist Pip’s lifelong affection, and their complicated relationship is a central element of the story.
Kirby’s portrayal captures Estella’s outward beauty and icy demeanor, as well as the underlying sadness of a young woman who has been manipulated her entire life. She is a pawn in Miss Havisham’s plans for revenge, and her inability to return Pip’s love is a source of great pain for both of them. The performance explores the tragic consequences of a youth devoid of genuine affection and the difficulty of overcoming a damaged upbringing.
‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)
Joining the high-stakes world of international espionage, Vanessa Kirby plays Alanna Mitsopolis, a charismatic and enigmatic arms dealer also known as the White Widow. She is the daughter of a character from the first film in the series, linking her to the franchise’s history. The White Widow operates in a morally gray area, working as a broker who facilitates deals between various powerful and dangerous parties.
Kirby brings a captivating and unpredictable energy to the role, making the White Widow a memorable addition to the series. Her character is both charming and dangerous, equally skilled at orchestrating elaborate schemes and defending herself when necessary. She serves as both an obstacle and a reluctant ally to Ethan Hunt, adding a layer of intrigue and suspense to his mission.
‘About Time’ (2013)
In this charming romantic fantasy, Vanessa Kirby has a supporting role as Joanna, a friend of the main character’s love interest. The film follows a young man who learns he can travel in time and uses his ability to improve his life and win the heart of the woman he loves. Joanna is part of the circle of friends that surrounds the central couple, and she is often present during key social gatherings.
Her character is witty and a bit insecure, often seen navigating her own romantic pursuits. One memorable subplot involves her interactions with the main character as he uses his time-traveling gift to help her out. Kirby’s performance adds to the film’s warm and humorous atmosphere, contributing to the story’s overall theme of appreciating the ordinary moments in life.
‘Jupiter Ascending’ (2015)
In this science fiction epic, Vanessa Kirby plays Katharine Dunlevy, the best friend of the film’s protagonist, Jupiter Jones. At the beginning of the story, Katharine and Jupiter work together as house cleaners, sharing a close bond and dreaming of lives that are more exciting than their current reality. Katharine is Jupiter’s confidante and provides a glimpse into the ordinary human world that Jupiter is about to leave behind.
Kirby’s role is primarily in the early parts of the film, establishing Jupiter’s Earth-bound existence before she discovers she is the heir to an intergalactic dynasty. Katharine represents the life and relationships that Jupiter must part with as she is drawn into a massive cosmic conflict. Her character serves as an important anchor to Jupiter’s humble beginnings, highlighting the immense scale of the adventure she is about to embark on.
‘The Crown’ (2016–2017)
Vanessa Kirby’s portrayal of Princess Margaret in the first two seasons of this historical drama brought her international acclaim. She depicts the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II as a vibrant, glamorous, and often rebellious figure who struggles to find her place within the rigid confines of the British monarchy. Her performance captures Margaret’s wit and charm, as well as her deep sense of frustration and heartbreak.
The series explores her doomed romance with Group Captain Peter Townsend and her subsequent marriage to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. Kirby masterfully portrays the princess’s inner conflict between her duty to the crown and her desire for personal freedom and love. Her performance brought a complex and sympathetic humanity to a well-known public figure, showing the vulnerable woman behind the glamorous facade.
What are your favorite Vanessa Kirby performances from this list?
