Morena Baccarin’s 10 Best Movie & TV Roles, Ranked

Morena Baccarin is a significant actress in science fiction and comic adaptations in both movies and TV shows. In recent years, she’s distinguished herself in the Deadpool films as Vanessa, demonstrating both the comedic and dramatic sides of her performances. Deadpool has many tongue-in-cheek moments but is anchored by the emotional core of the relationship between Vanessa and Wade (Ryan Reynolds), which Baccarin is well suited to portraying. However, it’s Baccarin’s television roles that have garnered her the most recognition and highlighted what a skilled performer she is, adapting to whatever a role calls for.

One of Baccarin’s most prominent early roles was her turn in Firefly, a great TV show with only one season, but that’s far from the only notable work of her career. However, it’s because of her roles in cult-favorite projects like Firefly that fans have kept up with the actress’ work throughout her different projects. Though it’s easy to tune into one of Baccarin’s works and see one of her past characters, it doesn’t take long for that to fade and for her to disappear into her new part, taking the audience on an incredible journey.

10

Son Of Batman (2014)

As Talia al Ghul

In one of her few voicework performances, Baccarin lends her voice to Talia al Ghul, the mother of Batman’s son, Damian. Though this animated addition to the Batman canon isn’t as well known, it’s an interesting exploration of how Batman would deal with the sudden appearance of a son and how he would train him in his image. Talia is a member of the League of Assassins and an interesting figure in the film, as she must balance her allegiance to the League with her familial dynamic with Damian and Bruce.

Son of Batman strikes an unexpected balance, as it engages with the influences of early Batman cartoons and the series’ comic book legacy while also touching upon the darker and more violent elements of the story. Talia doesn’t have the most to do in Son of Batman since most of the story revolves around Damian and Bruce experimenting with their dynamic as father and son. However, Baccarin brings just as much emotion and gravitas to this voiceover performance as she does to all her roles.

9

Greenland (2020)

As Allison Garrity

The apocalyptic drama Greenland follows a similar structure to most stories about the end of the world, but the central performances of the film elevate it. Gerard Butler co-stars with Baccarin as John Garrity, Allison’s husband, who attempts to keep their family together at all costs as a comet hurtles towards Earth. Though the central conflict is the progression of the comet and the Garrity’s journey to reach the underground shelter, the relationship between Allison and John takes center stage.

Though they begin the movie at odds, Allison and John quickly realize how important their family is and work together to ensure their son makes it to safety. Greenland: Migration is the upcoming sequel that will see both Butler and Baccarin reprise their roles, as Greenland leaves off with the promise of potentially resettling the Earth. For a mid-budget movie, Greenland successfully showcases realistic visuals and action sequences, giving both Baccarin and Butler their due as the film’s leads.

8

Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)

As Adria

The long-running series Stargate SG-1 is a spinoff of the hit movie Stargate and is credited with successfully elevating the franchise and sparking additional TV shows. In Stargate SG-1 season 10, Baccarin joined the cast as Adria, one of the most intriguing antagonists of the final season. Descended from the Ori, Adria was constantly at odds with the SG-1 team, threatening their existence and trying to convert humanity to become followers of the Origin.

The complex Adria was the perfect character for Baccarin within the Stargate universe, as she wasn’t a one-dimensional villain.

Baccarin was featured on SG-1 from 2006 to 2007, not long after audiences saw her in Firefly and began to associate her with these far-flung space adventures. It was interesting to see Baccarin take on a more villainous role, as she’s predominantly been seen as a heroic figure. However, the complex Adria was the perfect character for Baccarin within the Stargate universe, as she wasn’t a one-dimensional villain. Her actions were informed by her past and the fact that she struggled to balance the human and Ori sides of herself.

7

The Good House (2021)

As Rebecca McAllister

The Good House is an emotional story about the dangers and hardships of addiction, starring Sigourney Weaver as Hildy, a prominent realtor who faces the ups and downs of coming to terms with her relationship with alcohol. Baccarin and Weaver have excellent chemistry as Rebecca and Hildy, two friends who are going through different hardships but take comfort in each other. The Good House is a project grounded in realism, which is a departure for Baccarin, who usually is featured in genre work.

However, Baccarin is right at home in contemporary drama, opening the door for further forays into projects that tackle smaller-scale stories that are just as impactful as her work within fictional universes. Weaver and her costar, Kevin Kline, anchor the piece, but without actors like Baccarin in the supporting roles, the world of Hildy’s New England town wouldn’t be half as truthful. Baccarin’s Rebecca feels like a natural extension of the world and an authentic friend to Hildy.

6

Serenity (2005)

As Inara Serra

After Firefly was tragically cut short in 2003, the cast and crew reunited for the spinoff movie Serenity​​​​​​. The film takes its name from the spaceship that the characters lived and worked on in the original series, and the story tackles many of the unanswered questions that viewers were left with following Firefly​​​​​​’s cancelation. Baccarin reprises her role as Inara, the companion who rents out the shuttle attached to Serenity, with a complicated and tension-filled relationship with the captain, Malcolm (Nathan Fillion).

Inara is a sharp and capable character in Serenity, using the fact that people underestimate her to her advantage and proving to be a worthy ally to the crew.

The Serenity movie flopped despite Firefly‘s popularity, but this hasn’t stopped it from remaining a key piece of the Firefly canon. The action-packed film touched upon the origins of the terrifying Reavers and the mysteries surrounding River (Summer Glau) and her experience being imprisoned by the Alliance. As always, Inara is a sharp and capable character in Serenity, using the fact that people underestimate her to her advantage and proving to be a worthy ally to the crew.

5

Deadpool 2 (2018)

As Vanessa Carlysle

Vanessa’s arc in Deadpool 2 sparked some controversy, as she dies in the first few minutes of the film, pushing Wade down a path of vengeance and despair for the remainder of the story. Though she does appear in different moments encouraging Wade to keep going and fight for what’s right, her role in this film is much smaller than in the first installment of the franchise. However, every moment she spends onscreen is memorable, and without her, Wade would have no motivation to continue on his adventures.

However, using the death of a wife or girlfriend as the catalyst for a hero’s development is a well-worn trope, and some critics argue it wasn’t the best use of Vanessa’s character. Luckily, she returns in Deadpool & Wolverine, though only in brief sequences. The Deadpool franchise is well known for its metatextual references and fourth wall breaks, primarily from Reynolds as the titular antihero. Fortunately, Baccarin is always a grounding force in these projects, helping the audience emotionally relate to Wade.

4

Gotham (2014–2019)

As Leslie “Lee” Thompkins

It didn’t take long for Baccarin to take her place among the main characters on Fox’s Gotham, the Batman origin story. As Lee Thompkins, Baccarin was promoted to the main cast in season 2 after her chemistry with Ben McKenzie’s James Gordon became clear. The series primarily follows Jim Gordon and his early work in the Gotham police department, seeing the rise of the many criminal masterminds who later become Batman’s rivals.

The rocky relationship between Jim and Lee is one of the best romantic arcs in Gotham, and Baccarin’s empathetic portrayal of the complex Lee is essential to the story. Every season of Gotham raised the stakes and fleshed out the lore of the iconic characters it touches upon, and allowing Lee to have a more prominent role only helped both her character and Jim’s. Without the relationship dynamic between Lee and Jim, the audience wouldn’t have as much insight into the future commissioner’s thoughts and feelings.

3

Deadpool (2016)

As Vanessa Carlysle

Though it may not seem like it today, when Deadpool was released in 2016, it was a risk for the studios and production companies behind the project. As an R-rated superhero film that poked fun at the very subject matter it was a part of, Deadpool was unlike anything audiences had seen within the genre. However, its success is undeniable, as the project catapulted Reynolds into renewed fame within the comic industry and brought Baccarin into the spotlight in the film industry.

The first time audiences see Baccarin’s Vanessa, she’s a mysterious figure, and it doesn’t take long for the audience and Wade to fall in love with her. Throughout the story, Wade’s central motivation is to return to Vanessa and cure his mutation so they can return to their normal lives. Though Vanessa isn’t the typical love interest, as she refuses to be a damsel in distress, Wade isn’t the typical hero either, making them perfect for each other.

2

Firefly (2002–2003)

As Inara Serra

Though there were problems with the initial broadcast of the beloved cult-classic sci-fi series Firefly, this hasn’t prevented the show from only growing in popularity and notoriety since it was canceled after season 1. While the aesthetics, adventures, and genre-bending format of Firefly all keep audiences coming back for more, the cast’s chemistry was also an essential piece of the show. Inara is unlike most of the crew of Serenity, as she’s part of the upper echelon of society, but she’s just as resourceful.

Inara is one of the roles that Baccarin is best known for, as new generations who discover Firefly are, in turn, discovering its cast and their many additional projects.

Inara is one of the roles that Baccarin is best known for, as new generations who discover Firefly are, in turn, discovering its cast and their many additional projects. It’s disappointing that the relationship between Inara and Mal was never further explored due to the series’ cancelation. Though Mal was a domineering captain, Inara never allowed him to walk all over her, always pushing back against decisions he made if they weren’t in the crew’s best interest.

1

Homeland (2011–2020)

As Jessica Brody

Though Claire Danes is often heralded for her career-making performance in Homeland, the supporting cast can’t be overlooked when it comes to this iconic TV show. Baccarin’s character, Jessica Brody, is featured in the first three seasons of the series and primarily grapples with the return of her husband, Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), who she previously assumed was dead. This sparks a tense and fraught relationship dynamic between the husband and wife, brilliantly portrayed by Baccarin and Lewis.

Baccarin was nominated for an Emmy for playing Jessica Brody in Homeland in 2013. This is one of the few major awards that she has been nominated for, and there’s no question that her work as Brody earned her a place among the best performers of that season. Though it was sad to see the last of Jessica in Homeland season 3, every moment she’s onscreen in the early seasons proves what an asset Morena Baccarin is to every set she’s on.