The The Sandman featured previously unseen footage of Jenna Coleman's character - Johanna Constantine. In the Neil Gaiman adaptation, Coleman will be pulling double duty, technically playing two of the main family, and fans are excited to see what she will bring to this role. Coleman has already played a diverse array of characters, everything from Clara Oswald (the Doctor's companion), to Queen Victoria herself. Her best roles range from the famous, to a few that not everyone will have heard of.
Titanic (Mini Series) (2012) - 6.0
Streaming on Amazon Prime
This mini-series written by Julian Fellows to mark the 100th anniversary of the disaster focuses on engers' perspectives from multiple different social levels. Coleman portrays Annie Desmond, a second-class stewardess who works on the ship.
Coleman as Annie is sweet and likable. She has a believable forbidden romantic subplot with Paolo Sandrini (Glen Blackhall), a first-class steward. While this retelling of the Titanic isn't as spectacular as the James Cameron film, this mini-series is still worthwhile. The focus on social status and how it could affect those on the ship's fate is very educational.
Room at the Top (2012) - 6.6
Streaming currently unavailable in the US
In this adaptation of Room at the Top, John Braine's novel set in 1940s Yorkshire, Joe Lampton (Matthew McNulty) moves to Worley, a wealthy town. There he falls in love with the beautiful and rich Susan Brown (Coleman). The only thing is, Joe is already in love with Alice Aisgill (Maxine Peake), an older married woman.
Coleman gives life to Susan and makes a character who could otherwise come across as dull feel more alive. Coleman's role as Susan Brown gets steamier than her roles usually do in this gritty tale of a love triangle. This romantic drama can feel a bit like a soap opera at times but still offers engaging and gritty drama with strong performances by the leads.
Death Comes to Pemberley (2013) - 7.1
Streaming on Amazon Prime
In this TV mini-series sequel to Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Darcy (Mathew Rhys) have been married for six years when preparations for their yearly ball are halted by a murder. Coleman plays Lydia Wickham, Elizabeth's sister.
Coleman gives liveliness to Lydia and is one of the lighter characters in this dark, moody Pride and Prejudice sequel. She plays up Lydia's ditsy flirty side that was present in the original novel. While Elizabeth (Martin) and Darcy (Rhys) can sometimes come across as disappointingly tired, the murder mystery aspect is full of twists and is very engaging.
Waterloo Road (2009) - 7.1
Currently unavailable to stream in the US
Waterloo Road is a drama series set at a troubled comprehensive school, covering serious issues teens may face. Coleman played student Lindsay James.
Coleman's Lindsay James had a very complex, dark plotline. A former model student becomes increasingly erratic and murdered her abusive father in order to protect her younger sister Emily (Shannon Flynn). This storyline really shows off Coleman's range and ability early on in her career. Waterloo Road is a fairly realistic and gritty look at teenage life and the problems they have.
The Cry (2018) - 7.3
Streaming on Amazon Prime
Set in a coastal town in Australia, a couple deal with the tragedy of the disappearance of their baby in this mini-series. Coleman plays Joanna, the mother of the child.
Coleman gives a gripping performance as Joanna, especially in her grief. Coleman's Joanna goes through a wide range of emotions and expresses a lot of vulnerability and strength. The series is unusual in that it uses frequent time jumps and dream-like imagery which adds an extra layer of intrigue. The Cry is an overall suspenseful and engaging drama with a performance from Coleman that really shows her ability as a dramatic actress.
The Serpent (2021) - 7.6
Streaming on Netflix
The Serpent is a mini-series based on the true life story of Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim), a gem dealer in 1970s Bangkok who was actually a murderer and thief. Coleman plays Marie-Andrée Leclerc, Charles' girlfriend.
Coleman had the task of playing Marie-Andrée Leclerc, a woman who has difficulty believing Charles is a murderer despite knowing he is a criminal. She plays the glamourous Marie-Andrée with cold detachment at the crimes her boyfriend Charles commits. Coleman also convincingly does Marie-Andrée's French-Canadian accent, which adds to her performance. The Serpent is a suspenseful retelling of Sobhraj's menacing crimes while also being sure to honor his victims.
Victoria (2016-2019) - 8.2
Streaming on Amazon Prime
In this biographical drama, Coleman plays Queen Victoria in her early life, from when she first is crowned at eighteen to her marriage to Prince Albert.
Coleman gives depth and vulnerability as well as regality to her performance as young Victoria. She is equally convincing at playing Victoria when she is still a naïve teenager in over her head to when she is a married mother. A particular standout is Victoria's understated and bittersweet early romance arc with Lord M (Rufus Sewell) that is very reminiscent of some of the best aspects of the romance arc between Doctor Who. Coleman's Victoria arguably has far better romantic chemistry with Sewell's Lord M than with Victoria's husband (Tom Hughes). While not perfect, this series is carried by a very believable and compelling performance by Coleman as Victoria.
National Theatre Live: All My Sons (2019) - 8.4
Streaming on National Theatre at Home
This is a Proshot of the National Theatre production of All My Sons. Set in the US in 1947, Joe (Bill Pullman) and Kate Keller (Sally Field) are a successful couple but things are coming to an end. Their eldest son was lost in war, someone from their past has returned, and secrets are about to be revealed. Coleman plays Ann Deever, who was in a relationship with Larry, the brother who disappeared but she is now engaged to Chris, the other brother.
Coleman gives Ann Deever charm as well as sultriness and her determination. Her performance is very earnest. Coleman's performance is especially impressive since she had mostly focused on TV for the years leading up to her performance in All My Sons. This production of All My Sons is all around very solid and features very strong performances from the whole cast.
Doctor Who (2012-2017) - 8.6
Streaming on HBO Max
The Doctor travels anywhere in time and space with their companion. Coleman plays Clara Oswald, his companion over three seasons.
Coleman's Clara has one of the best companion arcs on Doctor Who. Clara takes the journey from unsure of herself young woman to the Doctor's true equal. Clara and the Twelfth Doctor have to relearn how to love and trust each other after the Doctor (Capaldi) takes on an older and seemingly harsher persona. They simultaneously make each other better and worse. Coleman's Clara is just as cunning, brave, cocky, and vulnerable as the Doctor themselves.
Xenoblade Chronicles (2010)- 8.9
In the video game Xenoblade Chronicles, Coleman voices Melia Antiqua. This game is about an oceanic world where everyone lives on the corpses of two enormous titans Mechonis and Bionis. When an army of Mechonis attack, Shulk sets out for revenge.
Melia Antiqua is both a different and familiar kind of role compared to her other past roles. Melia is royalty like Victoria, but unlike most of her other past characters, she has magical powers.