The best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows showcase the Schitt’s Creek star’s near-inimitable comedic timing and natural charisma. Born in 1986, in Ottawa, Canada, Annie Murphy first captured audiences' attention with her breakout role as Alexis Rose in Schitt’s Creek, a performance that won her an Emmy Award and solidified her as a star. However, this was far from her earliest role. Since her 2007 debut, fans have loved Annie Murphy for her sharp wit, expressive acting, and ability to bring depth to even the most over-the-top characters.

Beyond Schitt’s Creek, Murphy has proven herself across a range of genres, from dark sci-fi to satirical comedy. She’s stolen scenes in Black Mirror, led the subversive Kevin Can F**k Himself, and even voiced an animated protagonist in Praise Petey. Her movie roles, like Fingernails, showcase her dramatic chops, while her work in shows like Russian Doll proves she can hold her own among A-list talent. With each new role she continues to evolve, making every single one of the best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows a must-watch.

8 Russian Doll (2022)

Annie Murphy Plays Ruth Brenner

Netflix’s mind-bending dramedy Russian Doll returned for its second season in 2022, introducing Annie Murphy in a pivotal new role. Created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler, Russian Doll follows Nadia (Lyonne), a woman who repeatedly dies and relives the same day in season 1, only to discover an even stranger time-traveling mystery in season 2. Annie Murphy plays a younger version of Ruth Brenner, Nadia’s beloved mother figure, in a storyline that delves deep into generational trauma, fate, and self-destruction.

Annie Murphy’s performance brings warmth and nuance to a role that was crucial to Russian Doll season 2’s emotional core. She seamlessly steps into the world of Russian Doll, holding her own alongside Lyonne’s powerhouse performance. The show’s unique blend of dark humor and philosophical musings made it a hit with critics and audiences alike, and Murphy’s addition to Russian Doll season 2 added even more layers to its already compelling narrative. Though she only appeared in one season, her presence helped deepen the show’s exploration of identity and family.

7 Black Mirror (2023)

Annie Murphy Plays Joan Tait & Herself

Few shows tackle the dark side of technology like Black Mirror, and its 2023 episode “Joan Is Awful” gave Annie Murphy one of her most meta roles yet. Created by Charlie Brooker, the anthology series opened its sixth season with a story about a woman who discovers her life is being turned into a streaming show - with the central role taken up by Selam Hayek who, like Murphy at one point, plays a fictionalized version of herself. However, Murphy plays Joan in the majority of the Black Mirror episode, an ordinary woman who spirals into paranoia when she realizes every private moment of her life is being dramatized for the world to see.

Murphy’s performance captures Joan’s growing horror with both comedic and dramatic depth, making her a relatable yet hilarious protagonist. The episode is a sharp satire of privacy in the digital age, and Murphy’s chemistry with Hayek and her ability to balance absurdity with genuine emotion make it a standout in Black Mirror’s 6th season. The best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows showcase her ability to tackle complex roles with ease, and her turn in Black Mirror proves she’s more than capable of leading thought-provoking, high-concept stories.

6 Praise Petey (2023)

Annie Murphy Plays Petra “Petey” St. Barts

Annie Murphy took on the world of adult animation in Praise Petey, a hilariously offbeat comedy created by Anna Drezen. She voices Petra “Petey” St. Barts, a New York socialite who unexpectedly inherits a small-town cult from her late father. As she tries to turn the bizarre group into something more “modern,” Petey faces absurd challenges, including brainwashed townsfolk, questionable rituals, and a love interest voiced by John Cho.

The best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows often see her taking on unconventional characters, and Praise Petey is another example of her ability to shine in unexpected places. Annie Murphy’s voice work is energetic and perfectly suited for Praise Petey’s satirical tone, proving that her comedic talents translate effortlessly to animation. The show’s bizarre premise and witty writing make it a hidden gem among adult animated series, and Murphy’s performance is a major highlight. Alongside a strong voice cast including Christine Baranski and Amy Hill, she makes Petey a lovable, if slightly clueless, protagonist.

5 The Plateaus (2015)

Annie Murphy Plays Morgan

Long before she was a household name, Annie Murphy starred in the hilarious mockumentary The Plateaus, a satirical look at the indie music scene. Co-created by Murphy herself, this 2015 CBC web series follows a struggling band navigating their way through the industry after their lead singer mysteriously dies. In one of her first ever roles, Annie Murphy played Morgan, a member of the dysfunctional group, bringing her signature comedic timing to the show’s absurd situations.

Annie Murphy’s performance in The Plateaus showcases her early comedic brilliance, making Morgan both clueless and endearing. The show’s sharp writing and indie charm made it a cult favorite, and Murphy’s work here hinted at the star power she would later bring to Schitt’s Creek. Though The Plateaus didn’t gain mainstream recognition, it remains an important stepping stone in Murphy’s career, proving that even in her early projects, she had a knack for stealing every scene she was in.

4 Fingernails (2023)

Annie Murphy Plays Natasha

In Fingernails, Annie Murphy takes on one of her most understated and emotional roles yet. Directed by Christos Nikou, the 2023 sci-fi romance is a quiet yet powerful exploration of love and human connection in a world where relationships can be scientifically “proven” to be true or false. Murphy plays Natasha, a woman working alongside Riz Ahmed’s character at a mysterious institute that tests whether couples are genuinely in love. Starring alongside Ahmed, Jessie Buckley, and Jeremy Allen White, Murphy finds herself in a tangled web of emotional dilemmas, questioning whether true love can ever be defined by science.

What makes Annie Murphy’s performance so compelling in Fingernails is her ability to bring depth to a character who exists in a world that demands certainty in relationships. Her nuanced portrayal of Natasha adds an extra layer of tension to the film’s central love triangle, as her presence stirs emotions and uncertainty in the other characters. Fingernails is a departure from Murphy’s more comedic work, proving that she has the dramatic chops to handle introspective, slow-burn storytelling. The best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows showcase her ability to make even quiet, restrained performances memorable, and Fingernails is a testament to her evolving career.

3 Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)

Annie Murphy Plays Chelsea Van Der Zee

DreamWorks’ Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken brings a fresh take on the classic coming-of-age story, and Annie Murphy is at the heart of its most dramatic twist. The animated film follows Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor), a seemingly ordinary teenager who discovers she comes from a long line of legendary sea creatures known as Krakens. Annie Murphy plays Chelsea Van Der Zee, the seemingly perfect and popular girl at school who hides a deep, dark secret - she’s actually a mermaid, and not the friendly kind.

Murphy’s performance as Chelsea is gleefully wicked, embracing the character’s dual nature with an effortless blend of charm and menace. Her voice work adds a comedic flair to Chelsea’s dramatic outbursts, making her a standout character in the film. The movie itself is a visually stunning adventure, packed with heart and humor, and Murphy’s role as the villain adds a thrilling edge to the story. Her work in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken proves that even in animated form, Annie Murphy can steal the show, and it easily earns its place as one of her best movies so far.

2 Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021-2022)

Annie Murphy Plays Allison McRoberts

If Schitt’s Creek showcased Annie Murphy’s comedic talents, Kevin Can F**k Himself proved she could carry a dark, genre-bending drama with ease. Created by Valerie Armstrong, this experimental AMC series flips between two starkly different tones: a bright, over-the-top multi-camera sitcom and a gritty, single-camera drama. Annie Murphy was an important figure on the Kevin Can F**k Himself cast as Allison McRoberts, a seemingly cheerful sitcom wife trapped in a miserable marriage to her selfish, clueless husband, Kevin. When she steps out of his world, the show shifts from sitcom to drama, exposing the bleak reality of her life and her growing desperation to escape.

Many of the best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows highlight her ability to bring authenticity to every role, and Kevin Can F**k Himself is a shining example of her ability to lead a series with emotional weight, humor, and fierce determination. Annie Murphy delivers a career-best performance as Allison, perfectly balancing the contrast between the sitcom’s forced cheeriness and the raw, emotional depth of the dramatic scenes. The show cleverly critiques the outdated “wife of a man-child” trope that has dominated sitcoms for decades, turning Allison into a fully realized character who refuses to be defined by her husband's antics.

1 Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)

Annie Murphy Plays Alexis Rose

Without question, Schitt’s Creek is the defining project of Annie Murphy’s career, and her performance as Alexis Rose remains one of the most beloved comedic performances in modern television. Created by Eugene and Dan Levy, the 2015-2020 Canadian sitcom follows the once-wealthy Rose family as they are forced to move to a small town after losing their fortune. Murphy’s character, Alexis, begins as a self-absorbed socialite who has spent her life hopping between lavish parties, exotic adventures, and high-profile relationships. However, over the course of six seasons, she undergoes one of the most satisfying character arcs in TV history.

What makes Annie Murphy’s portrayal so special is the way she brings heart and authenticity to Alexis, transforming her from a stereotypical “rich girl” into a fully fleshed-out, deeply lovable character. Her comedic timing is impeccable, delivering unforgettable moments like her ridiculous yet catchy pop song “A Little Bit Alexis” and her iconic “Ew, David” catchphrase. But beyond the humor, Murphy brings a surprising emotional depth to the role, especially in Alexis’s relationships with her family and her eventual pursuit of a career in public relations. Her performance earned her an Emmy for Best ing Actress, solidifying her status as a comedy icon. The best Annie Murphy movies and TV shows all showcase her unique blend of humor and heart, and Schitt’s Creek remains the gold standard of her work.