Credit: Getty
TV
From The X-Files to Sex Education, these are Gillian Anderson’s 10 best performances
By Jess Bacon
2 years ago
6 min read
As the pilot of The X-Files turns 30, we revisit some of Gillian Anderson’s best performances following her breakout role as Agent Dana Scully.
Television series launched the careers of countless household Hollywood names throughout the 1990s, including Sarah Michelle Gellar on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Jennifer Aniston on Friends and, back in September 1993, Gillian Anderson on The X-Files as Agent Dana Scully.
Since then, the Chicago-born, London-raised actor has battled extra-terrestrial beings, educated the students at Moordale Secondary School (and many of us, too) on sexual health, popped up in period dramas and even portrayed Britain’s first female prime minister. In short, no role is too big or too small for this award-winning actor and regular scene-stealer to tackle.
Ahead of her return as our favourite soft-spoken sex therapist in the final season of Sex Education, we’ve managed to whittle down some of our all-time favourite Gillian Anderson performances to a top 10. But she never misses, not even in Johnny English Reborn. Seriously.
The X-Files
Credit: Fox/Disney+
It is no surprise to anyone that Anderson’s career-defining role as Agent Dana Scully is still her greatest performance to date. With 11 seasons and two movies (The X-Files and The X-Files: I Want to Believe) worth of Mulder and Scully time, how could it not be? Anderson delivers a smart, strong, complicated female character that we can’t help but adore from start to finish.
Her subtle performance seems effortless, as she naturally assumes the role of the deadpan, sceptical scientist with such ease and charm that it’s captivated countless generations of viewers. All of which was made even better by the biggest will-they-won’t-they between Scully and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). For an out-of-this-world nostalgic fix, look no further than The X-Files.
Where can I watch The X-Files? The X-Files is available to stream now on Disney+.
Sex Education
Credit: Netflix
Without a doubt, Jean Milburn is one of the best characters in Netflix’s Sex Education, and trust me, there are many to choose from. It’s impossible not to love the confident, candid therapist.
It’s empowering (and rare) to see a well-informed, sex-positive woman on screen, who openly and actively discusses the complex nuances of physical relationships. If we were in any doubt that Anderson was a legend, Sex Education wholeheartedly proved this is the case.
Where can I watch Sex Education? Sex Education is available to stream now on Netflix.
The Fall
Credit: BBC
Anderson has graced the small screen for decades, but this disturbing crime drama is one of our all-time favourites. In a stroke of good timing, The Fall jumped onto Netflix (from the BBC) during the pandemic and was binged by a whole new audience that was hungry for gripping TV.
The Northern Ireland drama follows Anderson as lead detective Stella Gibson, who attempts to track down and outsmart a serial killer (played by Jamie Dornan) who is murdering young women in Belfast.
It’s a nailbiting chase as Stella meticulously tries to uncover the truth and break Paul’s seemingly innocent façade of a family man to reveal his true violent identity.
She’s fierce, smart and dedicated, and once she’s on the case, nothing will get in her way. It’s another all-round strong performance that leaves us on the edge of our seats.
Where can I watch The Fall? The Fall is available to stream now on Netflix.
The Crown
Credit: Netflix
Look no further than Anderson’s take on Margaret Thatcher in The Crown if you still need any proof of her outstanding talent. Spoiler, we didn’t.
While she doesn’t pop up until the fourth season as the former prime minister, Anderson makes sure her introduction is worth the wait.
She’s almost unrecognisable as she embodies Thatcher’s well-documented mannerisms and accent to give an uncanny representation of this formidable British figure. Anderson even won an Emmy for the short-lived role, and it was well deserved.
Where can I watch The Crown? The Crown is available to stream now on Netflix.
Hannibal
Not for the faint-hearted, this psychological thriller was a cult obsession when it aired back in 2013. Yes, it really was that long ago. However, it doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten how deliciously Anderson played Dr Bedelia Du Maurier, aka Hannibal’s psychiatrist.
As always, Anderson brings fascinating and chilling nuances to a complicated character, who is influenced to follow Hannibal down his twisted path of destruction. It’s a great watch if you missed it the first time around.
Where can I watch Hannibal? Hannibal is available to stream now on Prime Video.
The Pale Blue Eye
Credit: Netflix
Netflix’s take on the literary horror gave us everything our murder mystery heart desires, namely more Gillian Anderson.
While the morbid and gruesome mystery, led by Christian Bale’s detective, didn’t land with everyone, Anderson once again proved she’s a scene stealer in every genre or time period.
Where can I watch The Pale Blue Eye? The Pale Blue Eye is available on Netflix now.
UFO
Die-hard X-Files fans have long loved the 2018 science fiction film UFO.
Anderson returns to her extraterrestrial roots as a mathematics professor, Dr Hendricks, who helps two students prove their conspiracy theory that UFOs exist.
It’s not as well regarded as The X-Files movies (though how could it be), nor did it make the same splash with a direct-to-DVD release, but with Anderson’s involvement, it’s still a fun, almost fan fiction-style watch that reminds us of old times.
Where can I watch UFO? UFO is available to watch on Prime Video (for a fee).
Sister
Sister follows 12-year-old Simon as he steals from rich guests at a ski resort to support himself and his sister Louise (Léa Seydoux). Anderson showcases her French as tourist Kristin, who keeps an eye out for the teen at the luxury resort and even buys him lunch. It’s an act of kindness that makes him rethink his toxic relationship with his sister.
Once again, the action is based around other actors, but Sister is a striking entrance to Anderson’s filmography and demonstrates the endless bounds of her talents.
Where can I watch Sister? Sister is available to stream on Prime Video.
The Last King Of Scotland
If there’s a crime in cinematic history, it’s that so few movies give Anderson the screen time she deserves. However, she knows exactly how to make the most of it and leave a lasting impression years after a first viewing. The Last King Of Scotland is no different.
The 2006 history drama follows James McAvoy as Dr Nicholas Garrigan, who embarks on a mission to Uganda, becomes entangled with a dictator and meets Sarah (Anderson), who runs the mission clinic with her husband. Anderson is effortlessly watchable and adds a charismatic touch to the hard-hitting movie.
Where can I watch The Last King Of Scotland? The Last King of Scotland is available to stream on Prime Video.
Bleak House
Credit: BBC
Who said small roles weren’t memorable? In 2005, Anderson starred as Lady Dedlock in the BBC’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Bleak House.
As the title suggests it’s a somewhat depressing (but nevertheless gripping) tale of an ongoing case to decide the beneficiary of a large inheritance when there are multiple and contradictory wills. Even with only a handful of lines, Anderson is mesmerising as the tormented aristocrat, adorned in a period dress to be proud of.
It even landed her a best actress nomination at the Baftas and best lead actress (in a miniseries) nomination at the Emmys.
Where can I watch Bleak House? Bleak House is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Image credits: Getty, Netflix, BBC, Fox/Disney+
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