Top 5 Willa Fitzgerald Movies & TV Shows You Need To Check Out

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Actress Willa Fitzgerald is generating a lot of buzz for her versatile performances across various genres. She’s made a point not to limit herself by sticking to particular types of roles, which has resulted in an impressive and diverse filmography spanning from horror to action films – hinting at even more captivating projects ahead.

It’s even more astonishing that she wasn’t destined for a performing career from the start. Despite her love for acting and theater, she initially pursued psychology at Yale. However, she soon discovered her true vocation, confessing to W magazine, “Ultimately, I came to understand that I didn’t want to be writing research papers; becoming an actor felt irresistible.

The beginning of Willa Fitzgerald’s career was similar to many others, starting with minor roles in television series. A role you may not recall includes an episode of “Blue Bloods,” where she portrayed a teenager attempting to dispose of illicit substances before being apprehended by the authorities. However, a single episode does not fully display her acting abilities. Here are some top Willa Fitzgerald movies and TV shows that showcase her impressive talent.

Strange Darling

In “Strange Darling”, Willa Fitzgerald made her impressive breakthrough on the big screen, despite having previously acted for some time. For many viewers, this was their first encounter with the gifted actress, who gave an intense portrayal of a young woman fleeing from a man, portrayed by Kyle Gallner, intent on her demise. The narrative in this film is not straightforward, but Fitzgerald skillfully showcases a variety of emotions as the audience uncovers more about these enigmatic characters.

As a devoted admirer, it’s mind-blowing to think that “Strange Darling” might just be Willa Fitzgerald’s finest acting moment yet – and Producer Roy Lee revealed on “The Business with Kim Masters” podcast about the film’s turbulent journey to the big screen. Apparently, Miramax executives weren’t initially impressed with what they saw. Yet, Lee stood firm, stating emphatically, “You’ve witnessed Willa Fitzgerald’s brilliant performance in this movie. They wanted to recast, but I said, ‘You can’t recast this film!’

Fortunately, Lee and director JT Mollner remained loyal to their actor and finished the movie. Miramax eventually changed their opinion about the film following a successful test screening. If “Strange Darling” hadn’t been a success, Fitzgerald’s career would likely have continued smoothly. However, it’s intriguing to imagine the exciting thriller and horror films that could be coming her way in the future, given the success of this sleeper horror hit.

Pulse

2025 has been an exceptional year for medical dramas, largely due to the phenomenal success of “The Pitt.” While the genre hasn’t disappeared entirely, with series such as “Chicago Med” and “Grey’s Anatomy” still popular choices for binge-watching and continuously producing new episodes, if you’re seeking shows similar to “The Pitt,” then you should keep an eye on Netflix’s “Pulse.

In the main character role for the series “Pulse,” Willa Fitzgerald portrays Dr. Danielle Simms, a third-year resident who unexpectedly ascends to the position of chief resident following the dismissal of Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell) due to sexual harassment allegations. It’s worth noting that Simms and Phillips had a romantic relationship, with her being the one to file the complaint against him. The show tackles various medical scenarios as any decent medical drama would, but it also addresses the contemporary issue of sexual harassment in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Medical professionals undeniably command respect, yet they’re intricate individuals much like everyone else. The TV show “Pulse” delves into this complexity, with Fitzgerald delivering an outstanding portrayal of Simms – a character who excels at her profession but is hindered by self-destructive tendencies of her own.

Reacher

Amongst Amazon Prime Video’s impressive collection, “Reacher” stands out as one of the most captivating shows, with Willa Fitzgerald playing a significant role in shaping its success. In the initial season, she portrayed Margrave PD Sergeant Roscoe Conklin, who proved to be one of the few honest cops in town. Her character becomes an indispensable ally for Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) as he delves into a conspiracy that has the potential to topple influential business magnates and politicians.

In an interview with Looper, Fitzgerald shared that Conklin is the type of strong-willed characters she relishes portraying: “Playing someone so outspoken, who’s surrounded by equally opinionated individuals, was incredibly enjoyable,” she stated. “It creates a fascinating dynamic both on screen and behind the scenes.

Conklin and Reacher have formed a romantic bond, but Alice Fitzgerald hasn’t appeared in “Reacher” since the initial season. This might be logical considering that Reacher is a wanderer, offering assistance to those he meets along his travels. However, if there was ever a character from a past season to reintroduce, it would undoubtedly be her.

Scream: The TV Series

Scream: The TV Show” is a hidden gem in the horror genre, initially intended to feature Bella Thorne as Emma Duval. However, things took an unexpected turn and Thorne ended up being the show’s first victim. Instead, Willa Fitzgerald stepped into the role of Emma. Throughout the series, she becomes the central character, constantly under threat from the Lakewood Slasher, a character reminiscent of Ghostface from the movies. Initially innocent, Emma learns to mature swiftly as those around her meet their untimely ends. By Season 2, she’s grappling not only with a new murderer but also dealing with mental health issues.

In a surprising turn, Season 3 of the television show “Scream: The Series” saw a complete cast change, with Fitzgerald not returning. Upon hearing this news, she expressed to Collider, “I felt a mix of sadness and acceptance. ‘Scream’ was challenging in many aspects, and we always faced immense pressure. It was like being in a pressure cooker.” Despite leaving the show, Fitzgerald has thrived, appearing in productions such as “Little Women,” “House of Cards,” and more.

It’s tough not to view “Scream” as an early precursor to “Strange Darling,” given that Fitzgerald portrays a character reminiscent of a “final girl” in both productions. However, it’s worth noting that the two characters are distinctly different by the end. If Fitzgerald continues down this narrative path, she has the potential to establish herself as the new scream queen for this generation.

The Fall of the House of Usher

The adaptation ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ may deviate significantly from Edgar Allan Poe’s original tale, but it’s undeniable that it ranks among the most chilling and suspenseful miniseries in recent times. The series delves into the rise to fame of the Usher family, with events taking a sinister turn as Roderick Usher’s (Bruce Greenwood) children experience eerie deaths in the present. A portion of the narrative unfolds in the past, featuring Willa Fitzgerald portraying the younger Madeline, Bruce’s sister, from 1979.

As a gamer, I find Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Madeline captivating due to its understated nuances. In her youth, Madeline exudes an air of disdain towards most, including Bruce’s wife Annabel Lee (Katie Parker). Her discomfort with Annabel’s submissive demeanor reflects her beliefs about how women should navigate in a male-dominated world. At first glance, Madeline might appear cold and distant, but Fitzgerald’s expressive eyes offer glimpses into the complex emotions she harbors in various situations.

If you appreciate Willa Fitzgerald’s acting, here are some fantastic films and series that you should consider adding to your watchlist. She often steals the show wherever she appears, and with her consistent talent, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing more of her in the coming days.

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2025-04-09 02:00