Gillian Anderson's Most Iconic Roles
As she gears up to portray British journalist Emily Maitlis in Scoop, join L'OFFICIEL in looking back on some of Gillian Andersons's most memorable performances over the years.
Gillian Anderson has been lending her talents to a range of films and TV shows for nearly three decades. Born in Chicago and raised in England and Michigan, the American actress is used to adapting to different surroundings. Anderson has quickly racked up a history of portraying wildly varying characters throughout her career as an actor. After amassing two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, Anderson has been widely recognized for her chameleonic abilities.
The Scoop actress has also been celebrated for her elegant, graceful style, and has appeared on the red carpet in looks created by beloved designers like Gabriela Hearst and Dior. Aside from her striking on-screen presence and timelessly chic red-carpet looks, Anderson has also been recognized for her quintessential '90s style moments, which have landed on many a Pinterest mood board, especially as the '90s have made their way back into the style lexicon as of late.
Fêting her exciting career and her upcoming role in Scoop, L'OFFICIEL looks back at some of her most iconic performances to date.
The X-Files (1998-2002)
In 1998, Anderson took on the role of FBI Special Agent Dana Scully. It was her first major role, and yet, this show was a major hit and continued to air for four years. Reportedly, she had the most appearances in the show of any character, starring in 211 of the 218 episodes. As one of the most beloved and iconic '90s TV series in the world, Anderson quickly became a Hollywood star after being recognized for her talent on the screen.
Princess Mononoke (1999)
Although this does not attest to her ability to physically embody characters, her voice in Princess Mononoke is easily looked over. As a Studio Ghibli production, the animation has recently received more traction after the Loewe collaboration with Spirited Away. Anderson voiced the role of Moro, a three-hundred-year-old wolf goddess.
The House of Mirth (2000)
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For The House of Mirth, Anderson took on the role of a socialite. Written by Terrence Davie, arguably one of the great British filmmakers, she played a socialite from an Edith Wharton novel. A gem of a film, The House of Mirth follows Lily Bart as she is dethroned from being a star in society.
Great Expectations (2011)
Gillian Anderson completely transformed herself for Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. This critically acclaimed three-part BBC adaptation awarded her the Artistic Excellence Award, and nominations at the Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Actress in Movies/Miniseries and the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards for Best Actress.
The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998) & The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
She returned to her role in The X-Files for the two films. The first of which was released in the '90s and then the sequel came out 10 years later.
Sold (2014)
Anderson did not always play cheerful and light-hearted roles. In this Jeffrey D. Brown film, based on a Patricia McCormick novel, she played a journalist. The star used her following to draw attention to sexual slavery and child trafficking in India addressed in Sold.
The Fall (2013-2016)
Anderson lent her skills to another crime show for The Fall. The psychological thriller explores two plotlines, one of a serial killer and the second a detective—Anderson herself—who sets out to catch him.
Sex Education (2019-present)
In this drama series on Netflix, she plays sex therapist and mother Jean Milburn. Between her raunchy jokes, dry sarcasm, and no-filter comments, her role is endlessly entertaining and enough to binge-watch an entire season. Anderson has the ability to seamlessly switch between her British and American accents, convincing many of her fans that she is a native Brit.
The Crown (2020)
In The Crown, Anderson joined the star-studded cast in the fourth season, playing British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. While many actors have played Margaret Thatcher over the years, Anderson's role in The Crown has generated a lot of buzz for her success in her accurate, gripping portrayal of the character.
The actress later revealed that her dedication to embodying the Prime Minister included a fat suit and many long hours studying her distinct walk, efforts which ultimately clinched her an Emmy and Golden Globe for her work in the series.
The First Lady (2022)
In this series, Anderson portrays Eleanor Roosevelt. Working alongside other powerful actors including Viola Davis and Michelle Pfeiffer as Michelle Obama and Betty Ford, respectively, the trio of actresses command the screen with their captivating presences.
The First Lady, which is available on Showtime, explores American leadership from the perspective of these iconic women and delves into their time in the White House.
Scoop (2024)
In Netflix's new drama Scoop, Gillian Anderson portrays British journalist Emily Maitlis. Although she had worked for the BBC since 2005, Maitlis rose to fame in 2019 after her groundbreaking interview with Prince Andrew regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. After several blunders and distasteful remarks made during the interview, Prince Andrew resigned from his royal duties in disgrace. For her prowess in investigative journalism, Maitlis won both the Interview of The Year and Scoop of the Year Awards at the 2020 RTS Television Journalism Awards.
Although Anderson has been praised for her skill in serious drama roles, the actress initially turned the role down due to the fear that she wouldn't be able to live up to Maitlis's authoritative presence and the buzz still surrounding the Prince Andrew scandal. "It was just too scary to play Emily Maitlis, because she's still living, because she's so formidable, because people know her so well," Anderson said to the BBC.
