26 Female Actors Who Absolutely Nailed Their TV Roles, No Questions Asked

“Julia Louis-Dreyfus carried every part of that character in her expressions and line delivery and never broke for even a second. Selina Meyer was funny as hell.”

—nicolem4dc590154

“Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy was truly one of the best TV performances of all time. Her badass, take-no-sh*t-from-anyone personality was amazing. Her character in the series was a true masterpiece.”

—marleedawson7

Gina Rodriguez as Jane Gloriana Villanueva is the definition of perfect casting. She was incredible in this role — she could act like nobody’s business, especially when she had to be vulnerable. No one could cry like Gina!

—mifuller

“Lauren Graham didn’t even have to act like she was Lorelai Gilmore — she simply was her!”

—s463b03bd4

“I couldn’t imagine someone else playing such a different role in contrast to their personality. Stephanie Beatriz is a badass, and you have to give her props for pulling off that monotone voice!”

—psychicskeleton80

“Viola Davis gave such a wonderful performance as Annalise, especially in the first season of HTGAWM. I don’t think anybody else could’ve done that.”

—imafangirl54

“Emilia Clarke put her blood, sweat, and tears into this character and it showed. She carried that awful final season, even when she didn’t speak, and I felt everything she was feeling. I would’ve stopped watching long before if she hadn’t given it her all, despite the terrible material she had to work with. Daenerys Targaryen is one of the best TV characters of all time and it’s all because of Emilia.”

—ashley1389

“Alex Borstein’s ability to play someone so sarcastic yet so loyal and multifaceted is amazing. There is no other actor who makes me laugh hysterically the entire time they’re on the show!”

—saraelizabethr3

Aubrey Plaza was PERFECT as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation. I feel like she didn’t have to do that much acting, tbh. She’s the only actor in the biz who could’ve pulled off playing this heartwarming witch.

—trickyminx

“Catherine O’Hara was hysterical and her vocabulary was *chef’s kiss.* Where is her Emmy?!”

—chise11

“I can’t imagine anyone else playing Dr. Bailey but Chandra Wilson. Dr. Bailey has grown soooo much over the years, and it’s all because of Chandra’s ability to tackle such a complicated and layered character.”

—katelynf4bec1ced7

“Zendaya is doing an amazing job as Rue in Euphoria. She’s vulnerable and funny, and I can’t think of anyone else who could play her role that well.”

—jpowell617

“Phoebe Waller-Bridge translated the one-woman show she originally did so well to TV. She made you love her as a flawed person, which not many actors could successfully do.”

—androidwithelectricsheep

“She plays Kara/Supergirl so well and is so educated on the character that it feels so natural. Even though the character has changed throughout the years, Melissa Benoist has always adapted and changes with ease.”

—girlsportsfanaticyt

“I’ll be forever upset that High Fidelity was canceled. Zoë Kravitz did a beautiful job as Rob!”

—sosobea

“It’s impossible to not become absolutely obsessed with Jodie Comer in Killing Eve. She kills people for a living, but the way she portrays every persona and disguise makes you want to be her best friend!”

—mly08kuczka

“I read the comics before watching Season 3 of the show, and Danai Gurira is perfection. She emulates the comic character wonderfully while also adding her own kickass spin. She’s incredible and no one else could play Michonne.”

—slytherinshark

Mariska Hargitay *is* Law & Order: SVU. This show would be nothing without her as Olivia Benson — she made this character one of the most legendary ones in TV history, no questions asked.

—livb4aeb3db20

“Jane Lynch played Sue perfectly. Even when the show went downhill, her character was consistent in her zaniness and hilarity in a dark way. She also managed to pull off her softer side, too, and switched between them with ease and grace. No one else could’ve done the role of Sue justice. No one.”

—annieppanda

“Hannah Simone was perfectly cast as Cece in New Girl. She had great chemistry with Zooey Deschanel, and you really believed they had been best friends since childhood.”

—melodyh42c3a5bab

“Every actor was perfectly cast on Living Single, but no one compared to Erika Alexander as Max. She made the show 100x funnier with her witty one-liners — especially when she insulted Kyle — and I couldn’t imagine this classic sitcom without her. Long live The Maverick!”

—kaylayandoli

“Sister Jude was such a complex character, and I can’t think of another actor who could’ve played that role more convincingly. Jessica Lange is a legend.”

—okokimono

“America Ferrera in Superstore is PERFECTION. If anybody else was cast as Amy, it’d just feel so wrong.”

—pride_and_cacti

“Gillian Anderson was perfect as Dana Scully — no ifs, ands, or buts.”

—scarletta26

“Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson is just the absolute best. I can’t imagine anyone else playing Rainbow — it’s literally impossible for anyone else to!”

—pickel_pickel

“Kristy Swanson’s portrayal of Buffy Summers was amazing, but Sarah Michelle Gellar will always be Buffy to me! Even after all of the incredible movies and TV shows she’s been in, this might be her best role ever.”

—katie83