Top 10 Vanessa Kirby Roles in Movies and TV Ranked

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - September 11th 2025, 23:45 GMT+2

Vanessa Kirby intro — About This Gallery:

For this list, we decided to take a deep dive into all of Vanessa Kirby’s performances, both in movies and TV shows, and rank the ten best. Our focus? The quality of *her* acting, not whether the film itself was a masterpiece or a disaster. So don’t be surprised if a brilliant performance pops up in a not-so-brilliant movie – sometimes great acting shines even brighter when the script doesn’t. | © Disney

The Dresser Vanessa Kirby — 10. The Dresser (2015)

Theater drama doesn’t always scream “star-making role,” but Vanessa Kirby turned her appearance in *The Dresser* into something unforgettable. Playing Irene opposite legends Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen could have been intimidating, yet she slips into the story with an energy that feels both refreshing and necessary. Her performance is a reminder that even in a world of big egos and heavy Shakespearean themes, a smaller part can shine just as brightly. If you look closely, you can already spot the seeds of her future powerhouse status. | © BBC

Cropped Mr Jones Vanessa Kirby — 9. Mr. Jones (2019)

In *Mr. Jones*, Vanessa Kirby plays Ada Brooks, a journalist caught in the storm of one of history’s darkest chapters. The film tackles the Ukrainian famine with a heavy hand, but Kirby gives the audience someone to root for – someone whose quiet conviction cuts through the despair. Ada isn’t just a background character; she’s a pulse of humanity in a world gone numb. While James Norton drives the story as Gareth Jones, Kirby’s performance adds balance, reminding us why compassion and truth-telling matter. | © Film Produkcja

Cropped The World to Come Vanessa Kirby — 8. The World to Come (2020)

Snowy landscapes, forbidden love, and aching silences – that’s the atmosphere of *The World to Come*. Vanessa Kirby steps into Tallie’s shoes with a magnetism that instantly disrupts the quiet life of Katherine Waterston’s Abigail. What’s fascinating here is how Kirby doesn’t overplay her role; she lets subtlety and stolen glances do most of the talking. Their romance feels both tender and volcanic, the kind of love story that burns bright even in the coldest of settings. It’s raw, understated, and completely captivating. | © Sony Pictures Releasing

Cropped Napoleon Vanessa Kirby — 7. Napoleon (2023)

Ridley Scott’s epic *Napoleon* is stuffed with battles, blood, and political chaos, but Vanessa Kirby’s Joséphine refuses to get lost in the shuffle. Playing opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s intense Napoleon, Kirby injects elegance, humor, and sharp cunning into a role that could have easily been overshadowed. Her Joséphine is far from a passive empress – she’s calculating, witty, and often the smartest person in the room. Some viewers even walked away feeling she stole the spotlight from Phoenix, which in a film this grand is practically a coup of its own. | © Apple Studios

Cropped Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning vanessa kirby — 6. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)

Tom Cruise may hog the headlines with his cliff-jumping stunts, but Vanessa Kirby once again proves she’s just as magnetic in *Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning*. Returning as the White Widow, she balances elegance with menace, offering a performance that’s as unpredictable as it is stylish. You never quite know if she’s a friend or foe to Ethan Hunt, which makes every scene she’s in deliciously tense. Add in her trademark sly smirk, and you’ve got a character that feels tailor-made for the high-octane world of *Mission: Impossible*. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Mission Impossible Fallout vanessa kirby — 5. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Before she cemented her place as a *Mission: Impossible* staple, Vanessa Kirby made her franchise debut in *Fallout* as the enigmatic White Widow. Sliding into the world of espionage with velvet gloves and a killer grin, she immediately stood out in a film already packed with insane stunts and global stakes. Kirby gave the spy thriller a dose of sultry unpredictability, proving she could match Tom Cruise’s daredevil energy without ever dangling from a helicopter. She’s the kind of character you hope sticks around, because frankly, Ethan Hunt needs someone just as slippery as he is. | © Paramount Pictures

Fantastic Four First Steps Vanessa Kirby — 4. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Superhero fatigue? Not when Vanessa Kirby is in the mix. Taking on the role of Sue Storm in *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, she finally enters the Marvel playground in a part that demands both strength and emotional depth. While the world may be obsessed with who’s playing Mr. Fantastic, Kirby’s casting is the real conversation starter – because let’s be honest, the Fantastic Four have never exactly been Marvel’s “cool kids.” If anyone can bring sophistication and heart to the Invisible Woman, it’s her. This is one role fans are practically counting down for, hoping she elevates the entire franchise. | © Marvel Studios

Cropped Great Expectations Vanessa Kirby — 3. Great Expectations (2011)

Before the blockbuster roles, Vanessa Kirby made waves in the BBC adaptation of *Great Expectations*. As Estella, she embodied the icy beauty molded by Miss Havisham’s twisted upbringing, making audiences both sympathize with and despise her in equal measure. Kirby delivered a performance that was all about nuance – she could cut with a look and break hearts with a sigh. It’s one of those early roles where you realize she had the chops to tackle complex, layered women right from the start. Watching her here feels like seeing an artist sketch the outline of a masterpiece. | © BBC

Pieces of a Woman Vanessa Kirby — 2. Pieces of a Woman (2020)

When Vanessa Kirby took on *Pieces of a Woman*, she didn’t just act – she detonated. Her performance as Martha, a woman navigating unimaginable grief after the loss of her newborn, was raw, devastating, and unforgettable. The infamous unbroken 24-minute birth sequence became a showcase of her unflinching dedication, earning her an Academy Award nomination. But it’s the quiet aftermath – the silence, the stares, the bottled-up rage – that cements this role as her career-defining drama. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s the kind of performance that stays under your skin long after the credits roll. | © Netflix

The Crown Vanessa Kirby — 1. The Crown (2016–2023)

At the very top of the list sits *The Crown*, the role that catapulted Vanessa Kirby from rising star to household name. As Princess Margaret, she captured the rebellious royal’s wit, charm, and vulnerability with dazzling precision. Every cigarette drag and sharp one-liner dripped with aristocratic mischief, while her heartbreaks revealed a fragility that made audiences fall in love with her. Kirby brought Margaret to life in a way that was both glamorous and deeply human – earning her a BAFTA Award and setting a gold standard for portraying historical figures. Simply put, this was her coronation. | © Netflix

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Vanessa Kirby has become one of the most exciting and versatile actresses working today, moving seamlessly from prestige period dramas to blockbuster action franchises. Whether she’s stealing scenes as a rebellious royal in The Crown, breaking hearts in Pieces of a Woman, or matching Tom Cruise’s daredevil energy in Mission: Impossible, Kirby brings a magnetic intensity to every role she takes on. Her career is the perfect mix of award-winning performances and crowd-pleasing hits, making her a rare talent who can thrive in both indie cinema and Hollywood’s biggest stages. In this list, we’re ranking the top 10 Vanessa Kirby performances in movies and TV, highlighting the roles that showcase her range, charisma, and undeniable star power.