Actresses Who Pivoted and Thrived (TV, Indies, Stage)
Many performers build a career in one lane and stay there. The women on this list moved between television, independent film, and theater and kept delivering precise work through each transition. Their paths include series leads who crossed into art house film, screen stars who took on demanding stage roles, and theater powerhouses who became anchors of prestige TV.
Each entry tracks a concrete pivot and the projects that made the change stick. You will find specific roles, awards, and training backgrounds, along with notes on producing arms and creative partnerships that helped these shifts turn into sustained careers. Every title appears in single quotes for clarity.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis established deep stage roots with acclaimed performances on Broadway before becoming a mainstay in television through the legal thriller ‘How to Get Away with Murder’. She earned multiple Emmys across her television work and achieved the rare EGOT through honors that include Tony Awards for stage roles and an Academy Award for the film adaptation of ‘Fences’.
Her film career spans studio releases and independent features such as ‘Doubt’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. She co founded JuVee Productions with Julius Tennon, backing character driven stories in film and TV and creating opportunities for new voices across formats.
Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman moved from British television comedy like ‘Peep Show’ and crime drama with ‘Broadchurch’ to an Academy Award for ‘The Favourite’. She anchored the royal drama ‘The Crown’ and continued to alternate between series work and independent film including ‘The Lost Daughter’ and ‘Tyrannosaur’.
On stage she appeared in ‘Mosquitoes’ at the National Theatre and other London productions that reinforced her range. She is known for collaborations with filmmakers such as Yorgos Lanthimos and for steady work in audio and radio drama that complements her screen projects.
Regina King
Regina King began on the sitcom ‘227’ and later earned Emmys for anthology series ‘American Crime’ and the limited series ‘Seven Seconds’. Her film pivot included an Academy Award for ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and high profile work in ‘One Night in Miami…’ which she directed after building a directing resume in episodic TV.
She maintains a presence in television with roles in ‘Watchmen’ while choosing feature projects that align with socially aware storytelling. Her behind the camera leadership extends to pilot direction and producing, which supports original voices across networks and streamers.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman added a major television chapter to a long film career by headlining ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Undoing’. She has continued to balance series work with films that range from ‘The Hours’ and ‘The Others’ to later projects like ‘Lion’ and ‘Being the Ricardos’.
Her stage career includes ‘The Blue Room’ in London and New York and ‘Photograph 51’ in the West End, which earned significant theater recognition. She also produces through Blossom Films, a banner that develops limited series and features with strong literary sources.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet expanded from a film career that includes ‘Titanic’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, and ‘Steve Jobs’ to television leads in ‘Mildred Pierce’ and ‘Mare of Easttown’. Those series highlighted her capacity for long form character arcs alongside her ongoing film work.
She continues to choose independent and studio films with equal regularity, including ‘Little Children’ and ‘The Reader’, while adding recent projects like ‘Lee’. Her collaborations with filmmakers such as Todd Haynes and James Cameron show a pattern of returning to creative partners across formats.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams moved from the teen series ‘Dawson’s Creek’ into independent film with ‘Blue Valentine’, ‘Wendy and Lucy’, and ‘Manchester by the Sea’. She later delivered awards attention with ‘The Fabelmans’ while also taking on mainstream titles like ‘Venom’.
Her stage work includes ‘Blackbird’ on Broadway, which earned a Tony nomination, and a leading turn in ‘Cabaret’ opposite Alan Cumming. She also starred as Gwen Verdon in the limited series ‘Fosse Verdon’, adding musical performance and biographical storytelling to her television portfolio.
Laura Linney
Laura Linney built an early reputation in independent film with ‘You Can Count on Me’ and then carried complex arcs on television in ‘Ozark’ and ‘The Big C’. She has multiple Emmys across miniseries and comedy and a strong presence in limited series formats.
On stage she appeared in ‘Time Stands Still’, ‘The Little Foxes’, and the solo piece ‘My Name Is Lucy Barton’. Her film choices include ‘Kinsey’, ‘Mystic River’, and ‘The Savages’, which kept her active in character centered cinema while working steadily in television.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson first rose to prominence on television with ‘The X Files’ and later led ‘The Fall’ and joined ‘The Crown’ as Margaret Thatcher, earning major awards for that role. She also reached new audiences through ‘Sex Education’ while maintaining a film presence with ‘The House of Mirth’.
Her theater career includes notable turns in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ at the Young Vic with Olivier nominations. She has supported adaptations and radio drama and often alternates between London stage work and screen projects in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson became a central figure of anthology television through ‘American Horror Story’ and portrayed Marcia Clark in ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’, which brought an Emmy. She continued to take lead roles in limited series such as ‘Ratched’ and ‘Mrs. America’.
On Broadway she starred in ‘Collected Stories’ and returned with ‘Appropriate’, which earned a Tony Award for Best Actress. Her film work includes ‘Carol’, ‘Glass’, and ’12 Years a Slave’, reflecting a steady mix of independent and studio releases.
Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss established herself on television with ‘Mad Men’ and then led ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, earning Emmys as both actor and producer. She continued to headline ambitious series such as ‘Shining Girls’ while building a parallel film path.
Her stage credits include ‘Speed the Plow’ in London and ‘The Heidi Chronicles’ on Broadway, where she received a Tony nomination. In independent film she took on ‘Her Smell’, ‘The One I Love’, and ‘Shirley’, which showcased sustained collaboration with writer directors in the indie space.
Keri Russell
Keri Russell moved from ‘Felicity’ to a dramatic pivot with ‘The Americans’, earning multiple Emmy nominations for that performance. She returned to series work with ‘The Diplomat’ and continued to add film credits that include ‘Waitress’ and entries in the ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Mission Impossible’ franchises.
Her stage experience includes a Broadway debut in ‘Burn This’ opposite Adam Driver. She has balanced action and espionage roles with character driven television and frequently works with showrunners who build long arc stories.
Claire Danes
Claire Danes began with ‘My So Called Life’ and moved through film with ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘The Hours’ before leading ‘Homeland’ to multiple Emmys. She later added acclaimed work in limited series such as ‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’.
Her stage work includes ‘Pygmalion’ on Broadway and ‘Dry Powder’ at the Public Theater in New York. She has a history of returning to television for layered characters while maintaining periodic film roles and dance collaborations like ‘The Odyssey’ project at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Tatiana Maslany
Tatiana Maslany broke through with ‘Orphan Black’, where she earned an Emmy for playing multiple clones in a complex science fiction narrative. She later joined the Marvel television slate with ‘She Hulk Attorney at Law’ and continued to book independent films such as ‘The Other Half’.
Her stage career includes ‘Network’ on Broadway with Bryan Cranston and earlier work in Canadian theater. She also acts in audio fiction and podcasts, which adds another medium to a career that crosses platforms with regularity.
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer moved from British television into international prominence with ‘Killing Eve’, earning awards for the lead role. She added film projects like ‘Free Guy’ and ‘The Last Duel’ while maintaining a strong presence in television.
Her theater leap came with the solo courtroom drama ‘Prima Facie’, which transferred from the West End to Broadway and won major awards including a Tony. She has also taken on audio drama and continues to work across British and American productions.
Ruth Wilson
Ruth Wilson made her name in television with ‘Luther’ and later led ‘The Affair’, earning Golden Globes for her series work. She continued to appear in television with ‘Mrs Wilson’, a project based on her family history, where she also served as an executive producer.
Her stage credits include ‘Constellations’ on Broadway with Jake Gyllenhaal and ‘Anna Christie’ at the Donmar Warehouse, which brought an Olivier Award. She also appeared in ‘Hedda Gabler’ at the National Theatre and keeps a steady balance between stage and screen.
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo moved from a Tony winning turn in ‘The Color Purple’ on Broadway to film with ‘Harriet’, which brought Academy Award nominations for acting and original song. She continued to build a screen profile with ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ and ‘Widows’.
On television she portrayed Aretha Franklin in ‘Genius Aretha’ and later joined event films tied to popular franchises. Her training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and early West End credits set the foundation for cross format work that includes concerts and recordings.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o won an Academy Award for ’12 Years a Slave’ and then moved between independent films and large franchises with ‘Us’, ‘Black Panther’, and the ‘Star Wars’ series. She has participated in documentaries and nonfiction projects that broaden her filmography.
Her stage work includes ‘Eclipsed’ on Broadway, which earned a Tony nomination. She began on television in the Kenyan series ‘Shuga’ and continues to support projects in multiple countries, including narrated features and museum collaborations.
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz balanced independent and studio films with roles in ‘The Constant Gardener’, ‘The Lobster’, and ‘Disobedience’. She later headlined the psychological limited series ‘Dead Ringers’ while continuing to appear in films across genres.
On stage she won an Olivier Award for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ at the Donmar Warehouse and later starred in ‘Betrayal’ on Broadway. Her career includes recurring partnerships with directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and regular returns to London theater.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley expanded beyond period films with independent projects such as ‘Begin Again’ and ‘Colette’ while also appearing in franchise entries like ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. She added television with the Apple TV series ‘The Essex Serpent’.
Her theater work includes ‘The Misanthrope’ in the West End, which brought an Olivier nomination, and ‘Thérèse Raquin’ on Broadway. She continues to record audio projects and supports new writing initiatives that connect stage and screen.
Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton is recognized on film for ‘Vera Drake’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ series and on television for her role in ‘The Crown’. She continues to appear in British series and television films while maintaining an active stage schedule.
Her theater career features major musical leads in ‘Sweeney Todd’ and ‘Gypsy’, both of which brought Olivier Awards. She frequently returns to the West End and the National Theatre and balances musical and straight play repertoire.
Uzo Aduba
Uzo Aduba moved from a breakout as Suzanne in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ to award winning turns in ‘Mrs America’ and leading the revival of ‘In Treatment’. She continues to appear in limited series and feature films such as ‘Miss Virginia’ and ‘Painkiller’.
Her Broadway credits include ‘Coram Boy’ and the ‘Godspell’ revival, alongside work with New York theater companies. She also records audiobooks and participates in advocacy projects that align with her producing interests.
Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald built a historic stage career with six Tony Awards across plays and musicals including ‘Ragtime’, ‘Carousel’, and ‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill’. She expanded into television with ‘Private Practice’ and ‘The Good Fight’, where she became a series regular.
Her film work includes ‘Respect’ and the live action ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and she frequently records solo albums and concert specials. She also appears in television concerts and PBS broadcasts that extend stage work to a wider audience.
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain began with indie films such as ‘Take Shelter’ and then moved into studio features like ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and ‘Interstellar’. She returned to television with ‘Scenes from a Marriage’ and later appeared in ‘George and Tammy’, which added music performance to her screen work.
Her stage pivot came with ‘A Doll’s House’ on Broadway, which earned a Tony Award. She trained at Juilliard and has maintained a company relationship with filmmakers she met early in her career, while also producing projects through Freckle Films.
Zendaya
Zendaya started in Disney Channel series with ‘Shake It Up’ and ‘KC Undercover’ and transitioned to prestige television with ‘Euphoria’, earning Emmys as a lead actor and producer. She expanded her film career with ‘Spider Man’ titles and ‘Dune’, which placed her in global franchise work.
She records music and produces television alongside her acting. Her career shows careful movement between youth oriented programming and adult drama and she continues to collaborate with directors like Sam Levinson and Denis Villeneuve.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh broke out in independent film with ‘Lady Macbeth’ and then moved into a mix of auteur projects and studio work including ‘Midsommar’, ‘Little Women’, and ‘Oppenheimer’. She also led the television miniseries ‘The Little Drummer Girl’, which extended her reach to global audiences.
She works across British and American productions and continues to choose scripts that combine character focus with scale. She collaborates with filmmakers like Ari Aster and Greta Gerwig and balances franchise entries with smaller features.
Share your favorite examples of successful pivots in the comments and tell us who you think should join the list next.
