So you want to know everything about Claire Foy movies and TV shows? Yeah, me too. Finding all her work scattered across different platforms? Bit of a nightmare sometimes. I remember trying to hunt down that indie film she did years ago and ending up on some dodgy streaming site. Not ideal. Let's save you that hassle.
Whether you became a fan from her jaw-dropping turn as the Queen in *The Crown* or caught her in something else, you're probably wondering: What else has she been in? Where can I watch it? What's actually *good*? That's exactly what we're diving into here. No fluff, just the stuff you need to know about Claire Foy's filmography and television appearances.
Claire Foy's Television Triumphs: Beyond Buckingham Palace
Okay, let's state the obvious. For most people, asking about **Claire Foy movies and TV shows** really starts and ends with *The Crown*. Or at least, it *starts* there. It’s the role that catapulted her into global fame, earning her awards and insane levels of praise. And honestly? She deserved every bit of it. Playing a young Elizabeth II wasn't just about mimicking the walk or the voice (though she nailed those). It was about capturing the weight of the crown crushing a young woman. You felt that pressure in every scene. Seasons 1 and 2 are essential viewing, showcasing her incredible range from naive newlywed to hardened monarch.
But here's the thing. Reducing Claire Foy to just Queen Elizabeth II does her a massive disservice. Her TV work stretches back further and is way more varied than you might think. Remember seeing her in that creepy asylum? Or playing Lisbeth Salander? Let's break it down properly.
Essential Claire Foy TV Shows You Need to See
Forget just listing them. What do you *really* need to prioritize? Based on her performance impact, critical buzz, and where it fits in her career, here's my take:
| TV Show Title | Role | Years | Stream Where? | Why Watch? | Critics Said |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Crown (Seasons 1 & 2) | Queen Elizabeth II | 2016-2017 | Netflix | Career-defining, Emmy-winning performance. Nuanced portrayal of duty vs. self. | "Foy is nothing short of magnificent... breathtaking precision." - The Guardian |
| Wolf Hall | Anne Boleyn | 2015 | BBC iPlayer (UK), PBS Masterpiece (US - Subscription/Prime Video) | Pre-Crown powerhouse performance. Captures Anne's sharp intelligence and doomed fate. (Personal favorite - chillingly good) | "Foy's Anne is a viper in silks... unforgettable." - The Telegraph |
| The Girl in the Spider's Web (Film, but key Salander portrayal) | Lisbeth Salander | 2018 | Netflix, Prime Video (Rent/Buy) | Gritty, physical departure from regal roles. Divisive film, but Foy's intense commitment is undeniable. | "Foy makes a fierce, compelling Salander... carries the film." - Variety |
| Season of the Witch (Within "The ABC Murders") | Alice | 2018 | BritBox (US/CA), Amazon Prime (UK - Rent/Buy) | Single episode in Poirot series. Shows her range in a sinister, unsettling role. Seriously creepy. | "Foy is terrifyingly effective... a masterclass in quiet menace." - Radio Times |
| Little Dorrit | Amy Dorrit | 2008 | BritBox (US/CA), BBC iPlayer (UK) | Early major role showcasing innocence and resilience. See where it all began! | "Foy shines... brings warmth and depth to Amy." - The Independent |
Wolf Hall... man, that performance still gives me chills. She wasn't on screen loads, but every second counted. You understood why Henry would tear his country apart for her, and why she terrified Cromwell. Totally different energy from Elizabeth. Shows you what she can do.
And that Poirot episode? "Season of the Witch"? Watched it late one night. Big mistake. Couldn't sleep properly. She plays unhinged *so* well. Makes you realize how limited some actors are. Not her.
Recent and Upcoming Claire Foy TV Projects
She hasn't exactly been resting! Post-Crown, Foy's been incredibly selective, choosing complex, often darker roles:
- A Very British Scandal (2021 - Prime Video): Playing the infamous Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, in this scandalous divorce case drama. Foy masterfully portrays Margaret's glamour, vulnerability, and defiance against a viciously misogynistic society. Streaming on Prime Video
- The Essex Serpent (2022 - Apple TV+): Stepping into the Victorian era again, but this time as widowed Cora Seaborne, investigating a mythical creature. It's a moody, atmospheric piece where Foy brings intellectual curiosity and quiet grief. Streaming on Apple TV+
- Mack & Rita (2022 Film - Various Streaming): Okay, this is a film, but it's a recent comedy! Shows her lighter side as a 30-year-old who magically turns into her 70-year-old self (Diane Keaton). Silly fun, proves she can do broad comedy. Rent/Buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, etc.
- All of Us Strangers (2023 Film - Cinema/VOD): Critically acclaimed fantasy-drama. Foy plays the protagonist's deceased mother in haunting scenes.Check local cinemas/VOD platforms
Where is Claire Foy popping up next? Rumor mill is buzzing about potential projects, but nothing officially confirmed yet. Knowing her taste, it'll be something meaty and unexpected. Maybe that Shakespeare adaptation she's hinted at wanting to do?
Exploring Claire Foy Movies: From Indie Darlings to Blockbusters
Right, the big screen stuff. Her film career is fascinating precisely because it's not dominated by one massive franchise (well, apart from maybe one dragon film...). She gravitates towards interesting characters in often unconventional stories. Sometimes they work brilliantly, sometimes... less so. Let's get real about it.
Must-Watch Claire Foy Films
These are the ones that truly showcase her talent and are worth your time hunting down:
| Movie Title | Role | Year | Director | Where to Stream/Buy | Key Appeal & Performance Highlight | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsane | Sawyer Valentini | 2018 | Steven Soderbergh | Hulu, AMC+ (US), Rent/Buy elsewhere | Shot entirely on iPhone! Foy is phenomenal as a woman gaslit and trapped in a mental institution. Raw, paranoid, intense. (Her most underrated performance?) | 80% |
| First Man | Janet Shearon Armstrong | 2018 | Damien Chazelle | Available on most platforms (Netflix, Prime Video sometimes) | Portrays Neil Armstrong's wife. Grounding the space epic in human emotion and grief. Quietly powerful, Oscar-nominated supporting turn. | 87% |
| Breathe | Diana Cavendish | 2017 | Andy Serkis | Starz (US), Rent/Buy widely | Her first major post-Crown film role. Plays the incredibly strong wife caring for her paralyzed husband (Andrew Garfield). Heartfelt and moving. | 68% |
| All of Us Strangers | Mum | 2023 | Andrew Haigh | Cinemas / Coming to VOD | Haunting performance as the protagonist's deceased mother. Small but emotionally devastating role. Critics raved. | 96% |
*Unsane*... wow. That film stuck with me. You feel claustrophobic watching it. Foy makes you believe every second of Sawyer's terror and confusion. It's a masterclass in reactive acting. And shot on an iPhone! Shows you don't need a massive budget, just insane talent.
*First Man* is the opposite – huge scale, but her performance is so intimate. That scene where she makes Neil face their sons before the mission? Choked me up. She conveys so much just listening.
Other Notable Claire Foy Movies Worth Checking Out
The filmography gets broader. Some are great showcases for her, even if the overall film might have flaws. Others are fun curiosities:
- Rosewater (2014): Early role as the wife of journalist Maziar Bahari (Gael García Bernal) imprisoned in Iran. Small but impactful. Tough Stream - Try Libraries/DVD
- Season of the Witch (2011): No, not the Poirot one! This is the Nicolas Cage medieval action fantasy. Foy plays a nun suspected of being the plague-causing witch. A big, silly blockbuster. Pure genre fun. Netflix (some regions), Rent/Buy widely
- Louis Wain (2021): Plays the sister of eccentric artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch). Supportive role in a quirky biopic. Prime Video (Rent/Buy), AMC+
- Dust (Short Film - 2012): Early work showcasing her intensity. Hard to find but pops up occasionally.
Honestly, *Season of the Witch* (the Cage one) is a guilty pleasure. It's completely bananas, but she commits fully to the earnest nun thing. You gotta admire that.
Where Did It Start? Claire Foy's Early Career & Stage Work
Before Netflix and Buckingham Palace, Claire Foy was grinding away like any other actor. If you're deep diving into **Claire Foy movies and TV shows**, knowing where she came from adds context. It wasn't an overnight success.
Her professional debut was actually on stage in 2008 at the Royal National Theatre. Seems fitting, right? The classical training shows. She did a lot of theatre early on – Shakespeare, contemporary plays. That grounding is probably why her screen performances feel so textured and technically assured.
Television provided the first wider exposure:
- Little Dorrit (2008 BBC Series): This was her major breakthrough role. Playing the meek but resilient Amy Dorrit in Dickens' classic. You see the spark there, the ability to convey inner strength silently. Essential viewing for completists. BritBox (US/CA), BBC iPlayer (UK)
- Being Human (2009): A small role in the cult UK supernatural show.
- Upstairs Downstairs (2010 BBC Revival): Played Lady Persephone Towyn. More period drama chops on display.
- The Promise (2011 Miniseries): Intense drama set in Palestine. Earned her critical notice in the UK.
Finding these early TV roles can be harder. BritBox is a godsend for older BBC stuff if you're outside the UK. Sometimes DVDs are the only way.
And stage? Don't ignore it. Seeing her live is electric. She returned triumphantly to the West End and Broadway in plays like: * Lungs (2019 - Old Vic, London / 2020 - Broadway): Just her and Matt Smith (yes, Prince Philip!) on a bare stage. A raw, funny, devastating play about a couple debating having a child. Absolutely stunning. Saw it in London – left me speechless. * Dust (Earlier stage work - intense)
If she ever does stage again near you, GO. Tickets are gold dust for a reason.
Finding Claire Foy's Work: The Streaming & Viewing Guide
Okay, this is the practical bit everyone needs. You hear about a great Claire Foy movie or TV show, then spend half an hour searching across 8 platforms only to find it's unavailable in your region. Infuriating. Let's cut through that.
Here's where you can *currently* find key **Claire Foy movies and TV shows** (Availability changes constantly! Always double-check your platform):
| Platform | Available Claire Foy Titles (Examples) | Subscription Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | The Crown (Seasons 1 & 2), The Girl in the Spider's Web, First Man (Rotating) | Yes | Core library for her biggest hits. |
| Prime Video | A Very British Scandal, Louis Wain (Rent/Buy), Season of the Witch (2011 Action - Often Free/Rent), Mack & Rita (Rent/Buy), The ABC Murders (Season of the Witch episode - Rent/Buy UK), Breathe (Rent/Buy) | Some Free w/ Prime, Rent/Buy for others | Wide selection, but often requires payment for specific titles. |
| Apple TV+ | The Essex Serpent | Yes | Exclusive home for this series. |
| BritBox (US/Canada) | Little Dorrit, Wolf Hall (US), Upstairs Downstairs (2010), The Promise, Poirot: The ABC Murders (Season of the Witch episode) | Yes | THE place for her early UK TV work. Essential subscription for fans. |
| Hulu (US) | Unsane | Yes (or Bundle) | Currently the main US streamer for this hidden gem. |
| Disney+ | First Man (in some regions) | Yes | Regional variations apply. |
| Physical Media / VOD | Everything Else! (Rosewater, Season of the Witch 2011, Breathe, Louis Wain, Dust short etc.) | Purchase/Rent | Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu etc. For obscure titles, DVD/Blu-ray might be the only reliable option. |
BritBox was a game-changer for me finding Wolf Hall reliably in the US. Before that, it was a mess. And hunting down *Unsane*? Ended up renting it on Prime after Hulu dropped it temporarily. Always check multiple spots.
Claire Foy: Performance Style & Why She Stands Out
So what is it about Claire Foy? Why does she command the screen, whether playing a queen or a woman trapped in an asylum? It's not just about technical skill (though she has loads). Watching her work across different **Claire Foy movies and TV shows**, a few key things jump out:
- The Eyes Tell the Story: Seriously, watch her eyes. In *The Crown*, they shift from youthful sparkle to hardened resolve. In *Unsane*, they dart with paranoia and fear. In *Wolf Hall*, they're calculating and sharp. She conveys immense internal life without needing dialogue. It's mesmerizing.
- Listening is Acting: Some actors switch off when they're not speaking. Not Foy. Her reactions are just as important, if not more so, than her lines. You see the thoughts forming, the emotions processing. It makes every scene feel alive.
- Physical Precision: From Elizabeth II's rigid posture to Lisbeth Salander's guarded gait to Janet Armstrong's weary stance, Foy builds characters from the outside in. The physicality is never showy, it's just *right*. Makes it believable.
- Fearlessness: She embraces unlikeable traits, vulnerability, ugliness. Her Anne Boleyn was ambitious and sharp-tongued, not just a victim. Her Sawyer in *Unsane* is sometimes abrasive – because wouldn't you be?
- No Vanity: Crucially, she disappears. You don't see Claire Foy "acting". You see the character. She avoids star tics or predictable choices. Even in a nun's habit or covered in dirt, she commits.
Remember that scene in *The Crown* where Philip comes back from months away and Elizabeth is waiting, stone-faced? She barely moves a muscle, but the disappointment, the hurt, the regal control – it's all there burning in her eyes. Masterful. That's why she stands out.
Claire Foy Movies and TV Shows: Your Questions Answered (FAQ)
Let's tackle those burning questions people search for. You probably landed here wondering one of these yourself:
Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth II in Seasons 1 and 2 of *The Crown*. She won the Emmy for Lead Actress for both seasons. Olivia Colman took over the role for Seasons 3 and 4, and Imelda Staunton for Seasons 5 and 6.
Absolutely! She cleaned up. Major wins include: Two Primetime Emmy Awards (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series), Two Golden Globe Awards (Best Actress in a TV Drama), and Two Screen Actors Guild Awards (Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series). It was a huge recognition of her incredible performance.
While she worked steadily before, her portrayal of Amy Dorrit in the 2008 BBC miniseries *Little Dorrit* was her significant breakthrough, earning her critical praise and wider recognition in the UK. However, it was *The Crown* (2016) that catapulted her to massive global fame and award-winning status.
Yes, extensively! Theatre was her foundation. She debuted professionally on stage at the Royal National Theatre in 2008. Notable stage performances include *Lungs* opposite Matt Smith (both in London's West End and on Broadway), *Dust*, and various classical and contemporary productions. Seeing her live is highly recommended if you get the chance.
As of late 2023/early 2024, her most recent critically acclaimed film is *All of Us Strangers*. Specific confirmed future projects aren't widely announced yet. She tends to choose carefully and keeps things quiet until filming starts. Given her track record, it's safe to expect another interesting role announcement soon!
This is highly subjective and fans will argue passionately! Strong contenders often mentioned:
* Wolf Hall (Anne Boleyn): Pre-Crown brilliance, sharp and magnetic.
* Unsane (Sawyer): Raw, intense, and utterly compelling.
* First Man (Janet Armstrong): Quietly powerful and emotionally resonant.
* Lungs (W - Stage): If you saw it, unforgettable.
Personally? I flip between *Wolf Hall* and *Unsane*. They show such incredible range.
BritBox (in the US and Canada) is generally the most reliable streaming service for older BBC productions like *Little Dorrit*, *Upstairs Downstairs* (2010), and *The Promise*. In the UK, they often appear on BBC iPlayer periodically. If not available to stream, checking DVD options on Amazon or eBay is usually the next best bet.
Finding those older BBC dramas used to drive me nuts. BritBox finally made it simple. Worth the subscription just for those classic performances.
Final Thoughts: Diving Deeper into Claire Foy's Work
Exploring **Claire Foy movies and TV shows** is genuinely rewarding. There's no filler in her choices. Even the films that don't entirely work (*cough* Girl in the Spider's Web *cough*) feature her giving 110%. She treats every role, big or small, like it matters. That integrity shines through.
My advice? Start with the heavy hitters obviously – *The Crown*, *Wolf Hall*, *First Man*. But don't stop there. Seek out *Unsane* for a jolt of intensity. Find that creepy Poirot episode. Appreciate the early work in *Little Dorrit*. See if you can catch her stage work on tape or, better yet, live if possible.
What makes her special isn't just talent – lots of actors have that. It's the combination of that deep craft from theatre, fearless commitment, emotional honesty, and that uncanny ability to listen and react truthfully. She makes you believe. And frankly, in a world of endless content, that kind of genuine connection is rare.
So, happy watching! Hope this guide helps you navigate the brilliant, varied world of Claire Foy on screen (and stage). You won't be disappointed.
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