It goes without saying that Community was the TV show that propelled Alison Brie into stardom despite a long stint as a recurring cast member in the 2007-2015 Mad Men drama series. She played expertly pulled off the role Annie Edison, a naive character in the NBC sitcom. In 2022, rumors that the “six seasons and a movie” promise was about to be fulfilled, pushing the entire cast, including Brie, back into the public eye. Confirming that she’d be reprising her role, the actress expressed her excitement to be alongside castmates Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Puddy, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, and Jim Rash.
While waiting for the Community movie to hit the screens, Brie’s fans can sink their teeth into some of her other interesting projects. The actress isn’t taking breaks or slowing down, and has a list of equally standout shows to keep viewers glued. Here’s a look at Alison Brie’s most watch-worthy movies and TV roles.
1. ‘Glow’ (2017–2019)
Alison Brie stepped into the shoes of “Zoya the Destroya,” also known as Ruth Wilder, in this comedy-drama TV series. Things kick off with her auditioning for a spot in the wrestling show GLOW. She gets her seemingly ‘not-so-big break,’ but things go sideways almost immediately once she starts clashing with the director. Even worse, she discovers that he also cast her former best friend-turned-enemy, Debbie (Betty Gilpin). So, not only does Ruth have to juggle the messy history between them, but she also has to survive the stress of being in proximity every day.
In addition to being the role she most relates to, playing Ruth in GLOW gave us Brie at her most authentic. Landing the role was by no means a walk in the park, but Brie expressed that she loved the challenge and even pulled off most of her stunts herself. She put in the time and effort to learn her wrestling moves, and if we are being honest, it shows. Making things even more authentic is Ruth’s evolution on the show. She goes from her homewrecker phase to someone who actually earns stuff in her own right. So, if you are into drama with a touch of comedy, GLOW gives Alison Brie a chance to show just how well she can switch back and forth between those gears.
2. ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ (2023)
Centered around Brie’s character Ally, Somebody I Used To Know shares a few elements with Glow. After her reality show is canceled, Ally decides to head back home and visit her mother in Leavenworth, Washington. At her hometown bar, she meets and reconnects with her ex-boyfriend Sean (Jay Ellis). The former couple share a little more than a drink, and when Ally invites him in for a nightcap, he declines. That awkward feeling is a whole character on its own throughout the movie, because Sean is about to get hitched. It’s hearty, soulful and even involves a bit of an investigation.
This movie, released in 2023, showcases Brie as more than an actress but a co-writer and executive producer. Apparently, Somebody I Used To Know was inspired by a trip she made with her husband, who also contributed to the movie. Brie took a bit of a morally ambiguous route in this one, going the way of Julia Roberts in My Best Friend’s Wedding, trying to ruin her ex’s wedding. However, everything changes once she gets a peek behind the curtains, noticing that Sean’s fiancée is just as deserving of him as he is of her. This feel-good rom-com introduces us to Brie’s other talents in the movie industry and is a testament to her ability to write, produce, and act all at once.
3. ‘Sleeping With Other People’ (2015)
In this picture, Brie played Lainey, a bubbly young lady who refuses to bow to her insecurities. She’s in what most would consider an awkward relationship with Jake, played by Jason Sudeikis. The pair tries as much as possible to keep their relationship platonic after losing their virginity to each other. This proves quite difficult, given that they have feelings for each other and do a terrible job of hiding them.
All in all, Brie has sealed her name as one of the finest rom-com actresses out there. Her ability to blend humor and deep emotions, regardless of the role she takes on, is worth studying. Whether she’s wrinkling the sheets with men who are not hers or navigating a tricky relationship, Brie brings her A-game to every character.
4. ‘The Five-Year Engagement’ (2012)
Brie had a surprisingly solid British accent as Suzie in The Five-Year Engagement. She plays Violet (Emily Blunt), the bride’s sister and maid of honor. Because she needed to sound like Blunt, she took extra dialect training and it paid off. All in all, the accent worked, and she’s genuinely funny in the role.
Packed with comedians, including Kevin Hart, the film follows Violet and Tom, a couple who can’t quite seem to make it to the altar. While the main love story belongs to Blunt and Jason Segel, Brie still gets her moment. Suzie ends up hooking up with Tom’s best friend, Alex, which leads to an unexpected pregnancy, a wedding, and a family of their own. Even in a supporting role, Brie doesn’t fade into the background. She steals scenes with quick humor and a performance that feels lived-in, not forced.
5. ‘Roar’ (2022)
Roar is an anthology series that tells different female-led stories in placing them in unexpected circumstances. Season 1, Episode 6, “The Woman Who Solved Her Own Murder,“ featured Alison Brie as the titular woman who solved her own murder. The role would have been tricky and challenging for any actress because the character couldn’t interact with anyone… yes, she was a ghost. However, she pulled it off, keeping up performances and consequently delivering one of the most interesting episodes on the show.
Although she was allotted just a few minutes’ stint in this series, Brie admitted to enjoying it because the story was not her usual schtick. She also enjoyed working with most of the cast and crew, who were the same ones from GLOW. Additionally, Alison loved the energy on set, making it one of her top filming experiences.
