Jenna Coleman has become one of Britain's greatest acting talents. The Doctor Who star has developed an impressive filmography since leaving the sci-fi series, appearing in several exciting movie and television projects. Her latest series, Wilderness, has recently debuted on Amazon Prime, prompting fans on IMDb to share which Coleman releases they consider to be her best work.
These magnificent productions reflect Coleman's versatility as an actor. Blackpool's prolific media star has played a multitude of characters with strikingly different personalities. Coleman's astonishing performances demonstrate her sheer commitment and dedication to these parts, leaving audiences amazed at the multi-faceted individuals she has played.
10 The Cry - 7.3
Broadcast in 2018, The Cry contains one of Jenna Coleman's finest turns. This superb three-part series from the BBC concerns the troubled schoolteacher Joanna and her fiance Alistair's attempts to cover up their negligence, which results in the death of their baby son Noah. The Cry is a depressing storyline, in part due to Coleman's emotional delivery.
Coleman's realistic portrayal of a grieving mother makes The Cry one of the BBC's most powerful dramas. Her actions are extremely questionable, covering up herself and her partner's own neglect by leading the police to believe Noah had been kidnapped. Nevertheless, Coleman ensures Joanna remains a sympathetic figure, imbuing the schoolteacher with plenty of heart.
9 Me Before You - 7.4
Written by Jojo Moyes, Me Before You struck a chord with viewers upon its release in 2016. Even though this heartfelt drama received criticism for its climactic scene, which sees paralyzed man Will commit assisted suicide, the film is still fondly remembered. Me Before You stars Coleman as Will's caregiver and Lou's supportive sister, Katrina Clark, becoming an appealing highlight of this tragic romance.
Coleman's screen time may be minimal in Me Before You, but she is immensely likable as Katrina. She appears extremely endearing during her sequences, providing Lou with plenty of advice regarding her relationship with Will. Me Before You shows how Coleman's charisma can bring even the most minor characters to life.
8 Dancing on the Edge - 7.4
Dancing On The Edge features a star-studded cast, including names such as Chiwetel Ejiofor and Anthony Head. Coleman also appears as music journalist Stanley's assistant, Rosie Williams, in a drama that follows a black jazz band's remarkable success story in 1930s London.
Dancing On The Edge contains a thrilling performance by Coleman. She depicts Rosie as a woman who is unafraid to voice what she believes, despite the prevalent sexism at the time, and holds Stanley's best interests at heart. Rosie is critical in Dancing On The Edge when the U.S. business mogul Walter Masterson considers buying the music magazine Stanley works for, Music Express. Coleman's portrayal reflects Rosie's steadfast nature.
7 The Serpent - 7.6
Britain has produced some of the best crime dramas, and one of the greatest is The Serpent. This stylish BBC drama features Coleman as Monique, the slimy wife of the cunning gem dealer Charles Sobhraj. The Serpent is a stark warning against the dangers of trusting strangers while on vacation, showing how Charles and Monique effortlessly drug and murder backpackers in Thailand.
This dark biopic delivers a deeply unnerving portrayal from Coleman, who plays Monique as a sly and manipulative figure. Coleman's remarkable acting talents are reflected throughout The Serpent, as she effortlessly speaks fluent French and adopts a particularly convincing French accent.
6 The Sandman - 7.7
Netflix's The Sandman evokes Neil Gaiman's wildly imaginative personality, creating a vast and colorful world where Morpheus rules over the land of dreams. Among the biggest standouts in its exceptional cast is Coleman, who takes on the cockney occult detective Johanna Constantine. The Sandman's Constantine is arguably the finest iteration of the character.
Coleman brilliantly commands the room as Johanna Constantine, bringing the larger-than-life sorcerer's strong presence to The Sandman. She is stunning as Johanna, imbuing the character with many fascinating complexities and leaving fans desperately wishing for a Constantine spinoff series. Johanna holds a dark and tortured personality but also holds tons of experience in the supernatural realm, having performed many exorcisms.
5 Klokkenluider - 8.0
2023 has proven to be a stunning year for Coleman, appearing in popular releases such as Amazon Prime's Wilderness. One notable appearance for the Doctor Who star comes in the comedic motion picture Klokkenluider, where she plays the potty-mouthed journalist Flo, who arrives at a beautiful lakeside house to interview government whistleblower Ewan and his wife, Silke.
Klokkenluider offers a rare comedic turn from Coleman, and she shows herself to have excellent comic timing. She is frequently hilarious as Flo, whose colorful language brings to mind a few lively British comedy icons, such as The Thick Of It's Malcolm Tucker. Klokkenluider suggests that Coleman should be used more for British comedies, demonstrating her sharp wit.
4 Victoria - 8.2
The Royal Family has been the subject of many lavish television productions. A popular recent example is ITV's Victoria, which ran for three series. Coleman stars in the titular role in a drama that superbly charts Queen Victoria's early years on the throne and the many trials and tribulations she faced.
This version of Queen Victoria represents a woman who was an inspiration to her subjects and sparked change during some bleak times. Coleman perfectly evokes the regality that comes with being the UK's reigning monarch while also conveying Victoria's undying sense of fun.
3 Inside No9 - 8.5
Created by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, Inside No9 is one of the UK's most involved anthologies. The darkly comic BBC show dabbles into multiple genres across its nine seasons, including horror and crime. Coleman makes a notable guest turn in Inside No9's second episode of its fifth season, "Death Be Not Proud," where she portrays the young homeowner Beattie.
Coleman is incredible in her Inside No9 guest part, discovering that her new apartment holds a dark secret. Her depiction of Beattie leaves audiences greatly disturbed, displaying how Beattie is manipulated by a spirit into murdering the apartment's previous occupant, David, as well as her partner, Sam.
2 The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot - 8.5
Doctor Who's 50th anniversary was a joyous celebration, taking over the televisual airwaves with several celebratory programs. The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot, in particular, stands out. Directed by Peter Davison, this hysterical short sees Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy team up to sneak their way into Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Special, "The Day Of The Doctor."
Coleman's involvement in The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot is brief, but she brings considerable warmth to the proceedings. She appears as herself in a dream sequence, welcoming Peter Davison to the Doctor Who set. Coleman is deeply amusing in this otherwise minor cameo in The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot, gushing over Davison as he arrives at BBC Television Centre.
1 Doctor Who - 8.6
Doctor Who's enormous success has seen it last 60 years. Its format is incredibly versatile, allowing multiple actors to take the helm as the Doctor and their respective companions. The Time Lord's best assistant in recent years is Coleman's Clara Oswald, who starred in one of the best Doctor Who episodes, "The Day Of The Doctor."
Coleman portrayed various iterations of Clara Oswald in Doctor Who spread across the Doctor's timeline and managed to make each version feel like its own distinct character. The Lancashire actor later does an astounding job at showcasing how Clara's travels with the Doctor have become an unhealthy addiction, and her careless attitude leads to her demise in "Face the Raven."