Since making her debut more than a decade ago, Willa Fitzgerald has been delivering mesmerizing performances. But, it’s safe to say that none has captivated audiences the way Strange Darling did. Playing ‘The Lady’ in the thriller marked her as one of the most dynamic and versatile actors in Hollywood. Even more, she went on to bring depth and authenticity to every role she took on, regardless of the genre.
Indeed, Strange Darling left many eager for more, but fret not. There is more to explore from her filmography, ranging from The Fall of the House of Usher to Desperation Road, she has steadily been building a collection worth watching. Whether on TV or the big screen, she’s carving out a space for herself—and making it clear she’s one to keep an eye on.
The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)
Willa Fitzgerald plays a young Madeline Usher, Roderick Usher’s sister, in Netflix’s eight-episode miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher. Cast into a realm of chaos, betrayal, and power struggles, she navigates to find a vantage point using good ol’ fashioned ambition and determination. Of course, this pays off when her brother ascends to a top position at Fortunato Pharmaceuticals.
As young Madeline in 1979, Fitzgerald gives us a layered, quietly powerful take on the character, in a way that perfectly sets the stage before Mary McDonnell steps in as her older self. She’s no doubt a force to be reckoned with, yet sometimes vulnerable. For her performance, she earned a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV.
Reacher (2022)
She’s slayed with her girly energy so well that lots of people thought Fitzgerald was only suited for girly roles. However, she broke stereotypes as Officer Roscoe Conklin in Amazon Prime’s TV series Reacher. She only appears in seven of the eight episodes in Season One, teaming up with the man himself, Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), to solve a murder case and take down a drug ring in the small town of Margrave, Georgia. It’s there that she gets to show off expert investigative skills and versatility all in one.
Make no mistake, she’s not just there to make Reacher look good, she’s right there beside him holding her own and playing a big part in bringing down the big bad. By the time Season One was over, she stood out as a force to be reckoned with, thanks to her grit and emotional strength. It’s no surprise that fans of the show are hoping that she becomes a permanent part of the show.
Dare Me (2019/20)
Colette French is the third lead role Fitzgerald has landed on TV, following MVT’s Scream and BBC’s Little Women. The USA Network series is based on Megan Abbott’s 2012 novel and follows a group of high school cheerleaders in a Midwestern town. Fitzgerald’s Colette is a cheerleading coach, recently transferred to Sutton Grove High School, bringing with her charisma, beauty, and enough ambition to thrive in a highly competitive environment.
The actress brings a different side of herself to this series with a mysterious persona, manipulative behavior, and a complicated relationship with those around her. All these traits are central to the story, even though they unsettle the audience, leaving them questioning her true motivations. Her character’s story mostly ended when USA Network canceled the series after one season in April 2020.
The Goldfinch (2019)
Before landing a role in John Crowley’s 2019 drama film, The Goldfinch, Fitzgerald appeared in a handful of thrillers, including Beach House and Blood Money. However, The Goldfinch stands out for a number of reasons. The film itself revolves around Theodore Decker (Ansel Elgort) and how his life takes a different turn after losing his mother in a terrorist bombing at a museum. Kitsey Barbour, played by Fitzgerald, meets Theo after her family takes him in, and the two eventually get engaged.
Her character in the film comes across as superficial, charming, and polished, yet more concerned with physical appearances and social status than emotional depth. But as the story goes on, it’s clear that there’s more going on, especially when you consider her relationship with Theo. It’s proof that people aren’t always what they seem, and relationships are far from black and white.
Desperation Road
Willa Fitzgerald usually takes on younger roles in thrillers, but this time, she tries something deeper on for size, playing Maben Jones, a single mother in Desperation Road. Maben returns to her hometown of McComb, Mississippi, with her daughter, Annalee (Pyper Braun), only to come face-to-face with past trauma. True to the movie’s name, she’s entangled in a desperate situation, leading to a violent face-off with a corrupt police officer.
Fitzgerald showcases her acting chops once again, tapping into her ability to take on any role and across genres without a sweat. Here, her character goes all out to protect and care for her daughter regardless of her vulnerabilities—that’s her strength. That’s where her character’s heart is, and it’s what makes her the emotional center of the film.
