Julia Garner's 5 Most Iconic Roles
With three Emmys and a Golden Globe under her belt, Julia Garner has certainly "garnered" a reputation for delivering iconic performances throughout her decade-long career.
From playing Ruth Langmore in the much-lauded Netflix series Ozark to Anna Delvey in Inventing Anna, and even the sweet, ambitious college graduate Jane in The Assistant, it's a given that Garner embodies that surreal range. Her stellar work across genres has rapidly solidified her position in cinema and television.
Garner started doing screen appearances with Sean Durkin in the thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene when she was merely 17 years old, that opened doors to similar roles in Electrick Children and We Are What We Are. Perhaps, though, it will be her character as Ruth Langmore that goes down well to become one of her best performances so far. From fiery, quick-witted teenager to eventual extreme, Ruth's character development on the side of Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) showcased Garner's exceptional talent and garnered her multiple award nominations in this regard, including Critics' Choice Awards, Emmys, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe.
Here are five of Julia Garner's most iconic roles to date:
1. Ruth Langmore in Ozark
Garner is most popular for being the show's iconic character, Ruth Langmore, basking in the success of Netflix fame. At 19 years old, she runs off with Marty Byrde in a motel when she steals money from him. As we delve deeper into the series, we see Ruth evolve into a rebellious and intelligent business partner operating a strip club, a casino, and laundering. Garner won Golden Globes and three Emmys for her amazing work playing Ruth.
2. Anna Delvey in Inventing Anna
Garner stars in the infamous swindle artist Anna Sorokin, alias Anna Delvey, who fleeced New York City's elite in the 2010s. When Netflix made her story into the miniseries Inventing Anna, Garner was the ideal actress for the role. She played the swindler to an enduring success and got her Critics' Choice Awards, an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, among others.
3. Jane in The Assistant
In The Assistant, Garner plays the role of Jane, a college graduate who begins to work as an assistant in a company run by a high-powered executive, only to find that the workplace is fraught with discomfort and abuse. Kitty Green directed this film, focusing attention on the pertinent issues facing women in the workplace. It includes harassment and other forms of inappropriate behavior, thus leading Garner's character, Jane, to find herself turning from a victim to becoming an advocate for changes.
4. Terra Newell in Dirty John
In the true crime anthology series Dirty John, Garner portrays Terra, the daughter of Debra Newell, who gets herself involved with a con man. When Terra puts herself in a harrowing situation, she kills her mother's love interest in self-defense playing a pivotal part of the series. This was Garner's first foray into true crime and judging from her next series, she probably liked it so much.
5. Kimberly Breland in The Americans
Against the Cold War, Garner portrays Kimberly Breland, the daughter of a CIA officer, who fought for the parents' relation with her full length but could not make it as the KGB exploited her frustrations for gathering information. Garner captures well both Kimberly's feelings of frustration and vulnerability in making her a relatable and complex character.
The diversity of work that Julia Garner continually creates manages to capture and assure audiences of her standing as one of the brightest stars of her generation.
