Rachel Brosnahan is in the middle of a huge career moment. Not only does she star in summer blockbuster Superman, but she has some big projects lined up like the Al Pacino-led King Lear adaptation Lear Rex and succeeding Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead of Presumed Innocent Season 2.
While she may not have as many big-name credits like Superman co-star Nicholas Hoult, Brosnahan has shown off her range in comedic and dramatic roles alike on both film and television. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just being introduced to her through Superman, this guide will go over Rachel Brosnahan’s best movies and shows and where to find them on streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video.
Superman (2025)
Rachel Brosnahan is the latest actress to play the role of Lois Lane, Superman’s love interest and co-worker at the Daily Planet. Her version of Lois is, fittingly, an incredibly competent journalist who takes her time pursuing a relationship with Clark Kent (David Corenswet). Writer and director James Gunn makes sure Lois is far more than just the hero’s love interest, resulting in one of the best romances in a superhero film to date.
Brosnahan and Corenswet’s on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and fans can only hope we see the two reunite in future DCU projects. Until then, Superman is a heartfelt and optimistic action movie perfect for anyone who loves watching superheroes actually be heroic.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023)
Rachel Brosnahan’s clear breakthrough came in 2017 with the debut of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which earned her five Emmy nominations and one win. The show follows Midge (Brosnahan), a 1950s housewife who stumbles into a stand-up comedy career after her husband (Michael Zegen) leaves her for his secretary. That premise allows Brosnahan to show off her chops as a performer, balancing Midge’s developing comedic style with the character’s personal struggles as she navigates life as a mother and female comedian in an age where women were expected to stay at home.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, so it’s an obvious must-watch for Gilmore Girls (2000) fans, who will recognize the writing style, characters, and overall sense of humor. Even if you aren’t familiar with Sherman-Palladino’s work, if you enjoy shows about complicated female relationships and wish more period pieces were comedies, this show is for you.
I’m Your Woman (2020)
Superman (2025) may be Rachel Brosnahan’s most high-profile film yet, but it’s far from her first starring role in a movie. Among her film credits is the neo-noir crime drama I’m Your Woman, which she also produced. In it, Brosnahan plays a 1970s housewife forced on the run after her husband—who is, unbeknownst to her, involved in a crime syndicate—disappears.
Brosnahan’s powerful performance as a woman whose life has been suddenly and violently upended shows she’s more than capable of playing characters who are nothing like Mrs. Maisel. It’s her leading performance that makes I’m Your Woman is a great choice for anyone who’s ever watched The Sopranos (1999) and The Godfather (1972) and wondered what the story looks like from the perspective of one of the mobsters’ wives.
House of Cards (2013-2018)
While House of Cards is now largely associated with the controversies surrounding lead actor Kevin Spacey and a tour de force performance from Robin Wright, the series is one of Rachel Brosnahan’s first major roles and earned her her first Emmy nomination. In the early seasons, she plays a prostitute Frank Underwood (Spacey) uses to bring down a rival politician. While originally only meant to appear in two episodes, Brosnahan’s performance inspired the writers to expand the role to 19 episodes over the course of three seasons.
Beyond being a dark political drama that makes The West Wing (1999) look like Bluey (2018), House of Cards holds historical significance as the first Netflix original series and a huge hit for the company, paving the way for the era of streaming.
Manhattan (2014-2015)
Before she was Mrs. Maisel, she was Mrs. Isaacs. Brosnahan starred in Manhattan, a historically-inspired but mostly fictional drama about the scientists who created the first atomic bomb during World War II and the family members who accompanied them to Los Alamos. The sensitive nature of the Manhattan Project furthers the tension, as the military withholds information from the civilian scientists who, in turn, must keep secrets from their wives.
Manhattan is more soap opera than Oppenheimer (2023), but if you enjoy shows like Army Wives (2007) and Desperate Housewives (2004), Brosnahan and the rest of the ensemble cast create a compelling and drama-filled world.
The Courier (2020)
Benedict Cumberbatch-led historical drama The Courier tells the true story of British businessman Greville Wynne, who was recruited by MI6 during the Cold War to serve as a messenger between the CIA and disillusioned Soviet official Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze).
Brosnahan plays CIA officer Emily Donovan, standing out as the lone American in a very British film. It’s Donovan who manages to convince an initially reluctant Wynne to risk his own safety by smuggling information, including intel that gives the Americans an advantage during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But though the character plays a key role in the story, The Courier doesn’t give Brosnahan all that much to do overall, and she’s easily overshadowed by Cumberbatch, who is clearly in his element in the Cold War drama. Regardless, fans of crime thrillers like The Night Manager (2016) and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) will be riveted by The Courier’s fascinating and factual story.
