Phoebe Waller-Bridgewrote her way into the celebrity sphere and is clearly here to stay. From action to romance to depraved sexual humor, this triple threat can do it all. In honor of her upcoming role inIndiana Jones 5, set to premiere in 2023, here are her best performances, ranked.
5Run (2020)
The comedy thriller seriesRunpremiered on HBO in 2020. Waller-Bridge acted as an executive producer on the show, which starred Merritt Weever and Domhnall Gleeson. Additionally, she took on a peripheral role as the character, Laurel Halliday. Waller-Bridge is a joy to watch in any role, but especially as this Queer, American, taxidermist, who offers some fun comedy and distinctly lesbian flirting in the midst of a show that aims to be a mix of extremely heterosexual tragic romance and intense crime drama. While Waller-Bridge has proven herself to be a spectacular dramatic actress, no one can deny how fun it is to watch her be absurdly silly. The creator ofRun, Vicky Jones, is a long time colleague and co-artistic director of DryWrite theater, which she founded with Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Jones actually directed the stage version ofFleabag, which preceded the smash sensation TV show of the same name.
Related:Is Phoebe Waller-Bridge Replacing Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones Franchise?
4Broadchurch (2013-2017)
Anyone who knows anything about British TV drama has seenBroadchurch, starring David Tennant andOlivia Coleman. The series begins with a body being found on the beach in the sleepy town of Broadchurch, and follows the detectives who work the case. Phoebe Waller-Bridge played a supporting, but memorable role in season two, being the barrister for Joseph Miller. Her restrained professionalism as Abby Thompson highlights her range as an actress. While the role and series are not funny, Waller-Bridge still shines as an exasperated lawyer who must be taken seriously. Waller-Bridge clearly fit in well with this star-studded cast as she was invited as a guest on David Tennant and Michael Sheen’s seriesStaged, which took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. She cast Olivia Coleman as Godmother inFleabag, and Jonathan Bailey (who now plays Antony Bridgerton inBridgerton) played the character, Sam, on Waller-Bridge’s Channel 4 seriesCrashing.
3Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
For manyStar Wars fans, Phoebe Waller-Bridge was an unknown until she appeared as L3-37, Lando Calrissian’s droid companion. “Appeared” may be the wrong word, as Waller-Bridge was playing a droid, and while manyFleabagfans would have loved to see her face (and Gwendolyn Christie’s for that matter), her plot importance as L3-37 cannot be denied. Comedy fans everywhere watched in jubilation as Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Donald Glover delivered some truly hilarious banter between action sequences. Watching the duo riff off each other made it all the more titillating when it was revealed the two actors would be co-starring in Amazon’sMr. and Mrs. Smithseries, based on the 2005 movie of the same name. While many were let down when Waller-Bridge left the project due to creative differences, the news ofPen15creator and star Maya Eskine joining the project has sparked some new enthusiasm for the piece.
2Crashing (2016)
BeforeFleabag, there wasCrashing. This single-season television show also aired in 2016, and while it was overshadowed byFleabag, it remains an excellent performance (and script) from Waller-Bridge. Lulu, a character who feels vaguely like a hybrid of Zooey Deschanel’s character, Jess, fromNew Girland Zoey Deutch’s character, Harper, fromSet it Up, is romantically interested in her unavailable male best friend. The show offers a nuanced take on the dichotomy of the preppy uptight girl vs the free-spirited, less-classically feminine one, while simultaneously poking fun at both types. The script isslightly more absurd thanFleabag, but possesses the same joy for irony, misunderstanding, and the messiness of human relationships. Waller-Bridge’s comedic timing, physical comedy, and skill for innuendo really shine in this joyous whirlwind of a show.
Related:Crashing: Why Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Hilarious Other Show Deserves More Love
1Fleabag (2016-2019)
Coming in at a predictable number one,Fleabagis Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s best performance to date. Thisshow was the phenomenonthat took the world by storm back in 2016. From the clever and consistent fourth wall breaks to the gut-wrenching monologues,Fleabagcaptivated its audience entirely. The seriesFleabagis adapted from Waller Bridge’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival show, which won a Fringe First award in 2013. Before the Fringe festival, Waller-Bridge had the initial idea for the character at a stand-up storytelling night; hence the constant comedic commentary the character delivers to the camera.WhileFleabagis a masterpieceof television containing a multitude of phenomenal characters, none stands out quite like the titularFleabag.With a well-timed glance at the camera or full-on exposition, Waller-Bridge pulls her audience deeper into the reality of her world. Every awkward sexual encounter, every heartbreak, and every dirty joke is written plainly on her face. Waller-Bridge’s spectacular performance, and script to match, make this show a must-see.
