The bestDaisy Edgar-Jonesmovies and TV shows highlight just how quickly the star ofTwisters, Fresh,andWhere the Crawdads Singhas carved out a reputation for playing complex and nuanced characters. Born in London in 1998, Daisy Edgar-Jones found her footing appearing in comedies in dramas in the UK such asCold Feet, Outnumbered,andSilent Witness.This began to change in 2018 when she led the cast of the indie coming-of-age moviePond Life- her feature film debut.
From there, Daisy Edgar-Jones found herself taking up central roles in her TV show projects, such as the 2019-2022 adaptation ofWar of the Worlds,and the 2020 comedy-dramaNormal People(for which she was nominated for multiple awards). However, 2022 was the year that her career skyrocketed, with her name gaining significant attention thanks to breakout roles inFreshandWhere The Crawdads Sing.Currently, the actor looks poised to enjoy a highly successful career in the future, and the best Daisy Edgar-Jones movies and TV shows make it easy to see why.
Gentleman Jack
Cast
Gentleman Jack follows the true story of Anne Lister, a 19th-century landowner who defies societal norms with her business acumen and same-sex relationships. Set in Yorkshire, the series stars Suranne Jones as Lister, who chronicles her life in extensively detailed diaries written in code. Gentleman Jack showcases themes of ambition, love, and identity as Lister seeks to revolutionize her inherited estate while navigating personal and social challenges.
While she only appeared in two episodes of the HBO and BBC seriesGentleman Jack,thequirky LGBTQ+ historical dramais still deserving of a place among the best Daisy Edgar-Jones TV shows. Her role of Delia Rawson in theGentlamn Jackcast is a minor one, but still serves as an important stepping stone in Daisy Edgar Jones’ career.
In playing Delia Rawson, Daisy Edgar-Jones was able to display how much her presence can elevate a wider ensemble cast. She had several notable scenes and hilarious lines across the two episodes in which she appeared, andGentleman Jackis also important due to it being her first appearance on the small screen following her feature-film debut in 2018’sPond Life.Her handful of appearances inGentleman Jackalso led to her joining the main cast ofWar of the Worlds,adding to its significance among the best Daisy Edgar-Jones movies and TV shows.
Cold Feet
Cold Feet is a 1998 heartwarming comic drama that explores the lives and relationships of a group of thirtysomethings. As they navigate the complexities of love and personal commitments, the film provides a humorous and insightful portrayal of a generation facing both confusion and newfound freedoms.
The UK comedy-dramaCold Feetwas highly acclaimed during its original 1997-2003 run, so much so that it returned to screens from 2016-2020. Daisy Edgar-Jones appeared in the cast of the reboot as Olivia Marsden, the daughter of Hermione Norris’s Karen Marsden, one of the central characters during the show’s original run. The 2016-202 run rejoined the characters from the show’s first batch of seasons years later, with many of their children now adults.
Cold Feetisdefinitely a solid entry among the best Daisy Edgar-Jones TV shows, despite her not being one of the main cast members. However, the scenes in which she does appear are hilarious, and she’s featured in more than enough episodes to make the show worthwhile viewing for her fans.Of particular note is her chemistry not only with Hermione Norris but also with actress Ella Hunt, who plays Olivia’s twin sister, Ellie.
Pond Life
Pond Life is a 2019 film centered on a group of young friends and neighbors who embark on a fishing expedition in search of a rumored giant carp. Set against the backdrop of broken families and political unrest, the film explores themes of youth and camaraderie amid personal struggles.
2018’sPond Life,from director Bill Buckhurst, was Daisy Edgar-Jones’ first movie appearance. She plays Cassie, one of several teens going on a fishing trip in the early 1990s. It’s a grounded coming-of-age movie, with the McGuffin of a legendary giant carp in a local fishing pond serving as the catalyst for the group of friends to embark on their life-changing adventure.
While not the most widely known Daisy Edgar-Jones movie out there (especially compared to the likes ofFreshandTwisters), it was an important career milestone for her as her first movie appearance. What’s more, critics responded to the indie drama well, andPond Lifestill holds a 73% rating onRotten Tomatoes.Edgar-Jones gave a solid performance as Cassie, especially considering that it was her movie debut, and in portraying the character she showed many of the skills that would come to define her later, more celebrated appearances.
Daisy Edgar-Jones Plays Emily Gresham
War of the Worlds
War of the Worlds is a serialized sci-fi thriller television show that retells the classic invasion story from H.G. Wells. When astronomers detect evidence of extra-terrestrial life, the attempt to engage in meaningful contact is erased when the visitors from another world begin laying waste to the world, wiping out nearly all life on Earth. Humanity is now forced to band together in small societies while hiding from their alien assailants as they attempt to make sense of it all – and attempt to find a way to fight back.
The 2019-2021 seriesWar of the Worldsis based on the H.G. Wells sci-fi novel of the same name. While the novel was written in 1898, the series Daisy-Edgar Jones appears in takes a leaf from the Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise movie by repositioning the story in the present day. Set between the UK and France,War of the Worldsis a gripping alien-invasion sci-fi show, and perfectly casts Daisy Edgar-Jones as Emily Gresham.
While the series itself is steeped in big-budget sci-fi spectacle, the role ofEmily inWar of the Worldsis one of many Daisy Edgar-Jones performances that lean into her ability to play characters with an above-average level of complexity. Not only is Emily blind, but she also has some kind of psychic connection to the invading Martians.These nuances allowed Edgar-Jones to give one of the most noteworthy performances inWar of the Worlds -so much so that season 3 felt notably thinner for her absence.
On Swift Horses
On Swift Horses is a historical drama set in the 1950s, where a young woman delves into the burgeoning gambling scene of San Diego to track down her missing brother-in-law, uncovering secrets and the dark underbelly of post-war America in the process.
Daisy Edgar-Jones has built her career playing complex characters in thematically nuanced dramas, and in 2024 her skills were tapped into by director Daniel Minahan forOn Swift Horses.Based on the novel of the same name by Shannon Pufahl,On Swift Horsesstars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Muriel, a woman attempting to rebuild her life with her husband, the Korean war veteran Lee (Will Poulter) following his return to the United States.
The story ofOn Swift Horsesis incredibly emotional and has plenty of tragic undertones, which of course cater well to Daisy-Edgar Jones as a performer. It’s also a story exploring many complex themes of LGBTQ+ romance during one of the most prejudiced periods of modern history for same-sex couples.While critical responses toOn Swift Horseswere somewhat mixed due to the perceived over-complexity of the narrative, Daisy Edgar-Jones’s performance as Muriel received consistent praise.
Twisters
A follow-up to the 1996 original film Twister, Twisters is a sequel set years after the original, said to be fast-tracked by Steven Spielberg and Mark L. Smith, with Frank Marshal as producer. Little details exist about the film, but Helen Hunt is expected to reprise her role as Jo, with the film likely to pay homage to the late Bill Paxton.
2024’sTwistersis the long-awaited sequel toTwister,the 1996 disaster movie that proved just how exhilarating storm chasing can be on the big screen. In her most prominent role in a Hollywood blockbuster to date, Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kate Carterin theTwisterscast,leading the ensemble alongside the likes of Glen Powell.
WhileTwistersis certainly the biggest project Daisy Edgar-Jones has been involved in to date, it’s not quite her best movie (though it is a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience).Edgar-Jones delivers a solid performance as the meteorologist Kate Carter, and director Lee Isaac Chung certainly knew how to bring out the strengths of theFreshandNormal Peoplestar. However, Carter was a relatively straightforward character among the roles Daisy Edgar-Jones has taken on, and many of her other movie appearances are better showcases for how wide her range as an actor truly is.
Under the Banner of Heaven
Under the Banner of Heaven is a true crime series based on Jon Krakauer’s book and stars Andrew Garfield as Detective Jeb Pyre. Jeb, a religious man, works alongside another detective, Bill Taba. The two attempt to discover the truth behind a murder traced to Mormonism, igniting contentious religious discourse during the case.
Daisy Edgar-Jones may not have led the cast of director Dustin Lance Black’s true-crimeminiseriesUnder the Banner of Heaven,though this doesn’t stop it from being one of her best TV shows.She earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nomination from the Hollywood Critics Association for her performance as Brenda, managing to stand out in an ensemble cast that included Andrew Garfield, Gil Birmingham, Wyatt Russell, and Sam Worthington.
Under the Banner of Heavenis another example among the best Daisy Edgar-Jones TV shows and movies which which saw her play an incredibly nuanced character. The miniseries is based on the true story of how the real-life Brenda Lafferty was murdered.Much like many of her career highlights, Daisy Edgar-Jones captured the complexities of the role with ease, once again highlighting her strength and skills as a performer in roles that are far from straightforward.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing is a dramatic mystery film directed by Olivia Newman (First Match, Chicago Fire) and based on the 2018 novel of the same name, set in the 1950s, the film centers around Catherine “Kya” Clark (Daisy-Edgar Jones), a girl abandoned at an early age who is forced to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina, adapting entirely to the wilderness. After meeting a young boy named Tate Walker, who teaches her the ways of the world by lending her books and teaching her valuable skills, she can sustain herself. However, as Kya enters her late teen years, a whirlwind romance with a young quarterback somehow puts her on trial for murder. Kya will have to prove her innocence to continue living in a world she only now has begun to understand.
2022’sWhere The Crawdads Singwas a somewhat divisive movie, though not because of the quality. Rather, it was thetrue story ofWhere The Crawdads Singthat caused many to question the moral message of the film. However,one thing that critics and audiences all agreed on was that Daisy Edgar-Jones gave an exceptional performance as Kya - one that easily cementsWhere The Crawdads Singas one of her best movies so far.
Where The Crawdads Singdeals with many complex themes, such as social alienation, domestic abuse, and the impact of humanity on the natural world. Since Kya is the central lens through which many of these ideas are explored, Daisy Edgar-Jones had a difficult task filling the character’s shoes. However, she more than rose to the occasion, and her nuanced performance ensured that audiences fell in love with the film (as evidenced by its 96% Popcornmeter rating onRotten Tomatoes), even if critics weren’t as enthralled with the story.
Normal People
Normal People is a romantic drama miniseries based on Sally Rooney’s novel. The show centers on two people as they grow up and head to college in Dublin, exploring their relationship in detail. The series follows the two from their academic careers to their troubling family lives and the difficulty they have communicating their feelings for one another.
A co-production between Hulu and the UK network BBC Three, the psychological romantic dramaNormal Peopleis Daisy Edgar-Jones’ most acclaimed role to date. The actor won a total of six award nominations for herperformance as Marianne Sheridan, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film, and a Critics Choice award and BAFTA in the same category. Edgar-Jones’ character, Marianne, is an outsider and quite eccentric, and the actor portrays these qualities with an exceptional authenticity.
Daisy Edgar-Jones co-leads the cast ofNormal Peoplealongside Paul Mescal. The show chronicles the ups and downs of the relationship Edgar-Jones’ Marianne and Mescal’s Connell Waldron share. However,while her performance during the show’s romantic moments is incredibly strong, it’s the tense interactions between Marianne and her mother, Denise (Aislin McGuckin) in which Daisy Edgar-Jones’ talent truly shines.
Fresh
Fresh is a Hulu original film starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as a single woman named Noa who is searching for love on dating apps. But after meeting a man named Steve (Sebastian Stan), she agrees to take a romantic weekend trip with him. The only catch is that she discovers he is a cannibal that consumes and sells human flesh.
The 2022 horror-thrillerFresh,directed by Mimi Cave,was not only a career-defining role, but also still stands as the best Daisy Edgar-Jones movie. Starring alongside Sebastian Stan,Freshis an intriguing commentary on the perils facing young women in the world of modern dating. Daisy Edgar-Jones’ character, Noa, is the vehicle through which many of these themes are portrayed, with the message made incredibly clear thanks to her strong performance.
Daisy Edgar-Jones was nominated for Best Actress by the Hollywood Critics Association during their midseason awards thanks to her performance inthe cast ofFresh.She also received a Best Actress in a Streaming LImited or Anthology Series or Movie nomination from them the same year.What’s more, given it was only her second appearance on the big screen after 2018’sPond Life, Freshstands as not only the best Daisy Edgar-Jones movie, but also an early indicator that she has a successful feature-film career ahead of her.
