There couldn’t be a better time to get to know Milly Alcock’s ever-growing presence in TV and movies. She made her acting debut in the Australian series Wonderland (2013) as a teenager in 2014. The actress would go on to appear in several Australian limited series, like Netflix’s Pine Gap (2018) and Les Norton (2019). Though not always leading roles, Alcock’s performances leave an impression and showcase how she continues to grow in her craft.
By the start of the next decade, Alcock became one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars with projects across streaming services. One of the biggest reflections of said star power is Alcock’s upcoming role as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in Supergirl (2026). Don’t miss the chance to watch some of the underrated gems that Alcock has starred in before she explores the DC universe on the big screen. You can watch them on HBO Max, Netflix, and more!
House of the Dragon (2022-Present)
The Game of Thrones (2011) prequel series, House of the Dragon, is an interesting entry point to Milly Alcock’s career. It’s the first project I ever saw her in, and as someone who has still never watched the original series, just know you can go into House of the Dragon with little knowledge of the universe. Alcock only appeared in seven episodes (so far), but she’s still one of the best parts of the show. Her performance as a young Rhaenyra Targaryen is confident and compelling. It’s no wonder this part is considered her breakout role.
She holds her own opposite heavy-hitters like Matt Smith as Rhaenyra’s uncle Daemon Targaryen and Paddy Considine’s King Viserys I Targaryen. The first season also relies on the chemistry between Alcock and Emily Carey to set up the foundational friendship between Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower. So, in a lot of ways, House of the Dragon is the best way to get to know Alcock’s work. If you’re looking for another political high fantasy series after, Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time (2021) has three seasons waiting for you.
Sirens (2025)
After watching Alcock in House of the Dragon, I was excited to watch her work with Meghann Fahy, whom I became a massive fan of during Freeform’s The Bold Type (2017). They believably play sisters, Devon and Simone, respectively, in Netflix’s limited series Sirens. The dark comedy shares the vibes of HBO’s The White Lotus (2021) in its exploration of class and privilege. Ironically, Fahy had a breakout role in the Sicily-set second season of the award-winning show.
For Alcock, those discussions often manifest in some incredible work with Julianne Moore, who plays Simone’s boss, Michaela. The twists may be predictable for some viewers, but I believe Sirens’ choice to explore the themes through a female lens makes it refreshing. Then again, I’m always going to tune into a series that embraces complicated female characters. Sirens is also such a stunning show; the colors and cinematography are as alluring as the performances.
Reckoning (2019-2020)
Milly Alcock has a recurring role on the limited thriller series, Reckoning, but it’s still worth a watch. Even in a minor role, she pulls attention, making it easy to want to see more of her character. Reckoning isn’t really built for that, though. In a lot of ways, it’s the opposite of Sirens. It’s more focused on fatherhood and the psychology of men, one of whom is a serial killer.
Despite being a limited series, Reckoning may not be a satisfying watch for everyone. It doesn’t tie a bunch of bows on all of its storylines by the end. However, it’s a good project to watch as a fan of Alcock’s work. It’s one of her earlier roles, so you can see how her craft has evolved over the years. If you want an Australian-set series with a crime element and better resolutions, CBS’s NCIS: Sydney (2023) is one of the underrated shows in the NCIS (2005) franchise.
Upright (2019-2022)
Upright is a comedy series that I’m so glad I stumbled upon after watching Tim Minchin in Hulu’s The Artful Dodger (2023). Minchin is the co-creator, writer, and star of this show. The central road trip quickly becomes a vehicle for a really great buddy comedy between him as Lucky Flynn and Milly Alcock as Meg Adams. Other than House of the Dragon, Upright is the longest time that Alock spends with a character, with the comedy spanning two seasons.
It takes some less-than-satisfying detours, but Upright also strikes some emotional chords. (Seriously, I never thought I would have so much emotional investment in a piano.) It relies on the believable dynamic between Minchin and Alcock’s characters. Ultimately, Upright takes a simple concept and makes me care about the characters, which is a win in my book. If you’re looking for another enjoyable, surprisingly moving Australian comedy, check out Paramount+’s Colin from Accounts (2022).
Superman (2025)
Of course, the #1 project you should watch before Supergirl is Superman (2025). It’s not entirely necessary, I presume. Kara Zor-El’s story is all her own, but it heavily features Krypto, the dog. That super-powered pup is practically a main character in Superman, and the emotional investment that the movie builds for Krypto feels particularly important heading into Supergirl.
It’s also representative of Milly Alcock’s growing talent that she’s in one scene at the tail-end of this movie, yet still leaves an impression on the project, the audience, and the Fortress of Solitude. From the script to her performance, you can gather so much about Kara and her relationships with Clark and Krypto in that minute of screen time. It’s the perfect way to draw people in before Alcock leads her own superhero movie. If you’re looking for more Supergirl in the meantime, there are six seasons of stories with Kara in The CW’s Supergirl (2015).
