Swedish star Rebecca Ferguson has been knocking it out of the park for a while now, enchanting viewers with her brilliant performances and fantastic range. The talented actress got her break in Sweden on a short-lived soap opera called Nya Tider (which translates to New Times), and gained more international recognition on the Swedish-American soap Ocean Ave. Soon, she was making films, and she gained real global prominence for playing the part of Elizabeth Woodville in The White Queen, a British mini-series set against the backdrop of the War of the Roses (1455-87).
From there, it’s been a blend of great arthouse films, blockbusters (like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, starring Ferguson and due out this month), and brilliant television performances. But what has she really shined in? Read ahead for the 10 best Rebecca Ferguson movies and TV shows.
10. Life
Ferguson was one of the leads in this classic trapped-in-space sci-fi horror that has since become a streaming success story. She plays Miranda, one of six astronauts on the ISS who discover evidence of life on Mars. However, when they let what they think is just a cool sample of cells onboard the ship, it soon transpires that “Calvin” (the sample, as named by U.S schoolchildren) is a lot more malicious — and powerful — than they ever thought it would be. Although it isn’t a bad watch, Life isn’t quite Alien, but definitely does have some high points, including Ferguson’s performance. A middling film, but a well-acted one at least.
9. The Greatest Showman
Although some complained The Greatest Showman took a little too much historical license with the real Barnum’s story, the fact is that the film’s subject was such a consummate and prolific liar that he makes Donald Trump look like Jim Carey’s character post-birthday-wish in Liar Liar.
Once you’re past all that, the movie itself is a pretty snazzy watch, and Ferguson is particularly good as Swedish singer Jenny Lind. Looking back, it definitely didn’t deserve the accolades and acclaim it received, but like the real Barnum, it was very good at producing a believable illusion: in this case, it was a great film worthy of awards.
8. Doctor Sleep
![STEPHEN KING'S DOCTOR SLEEP - Final Trailer [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BOzFZxB-8cw/hqdefault.jpg)
Trying to do a sequel for an iconic film like The Shining is a risky task, but Doctor Sleep manages to both differentiate itself from its famous predecessor, while also being a compelling and scary watch. Ewan McGregor plays Dan Torrance, the son of Johnny, writer-turned-hotel-caretaker-turned-wannabe-murderer. Dan is, understandably, still heavily traumatized from his experiences with his dad at the Overlook Hotel, and as a result, is in AA.
However, thanks to a grim series of events he has to use his “shining” (psychic abilities) to stop a cult of dangerous psychic murderers, led by Rose the Hat (Ferguson). Ferguson is fantastic as the psychotic mind-reader, and the film itself does a really good job of balancing elements from the Stephen King novel it’s adapted from while pleasing Kubrick fans.
7. Florence Foster Jenkins
An all-star cast turns this biographical film from a middling drama comedy into a fantastic and emotional watch. Meryl Streep plays the titular character, a New York socialite who was desperate to be a soprano singer, despite a complete absence of talent. Encouraged by yes-men and the fact she can afford to rent out increasingly glamorous venues, she eventually books out Carnegie Hall and gives a performance, only for it to finally be revealed to her that she’s awful.
The shock of reality then sends her to her deathbed. With deft, heartfelt performances all around, what could have been a labor to watch is actually a great little film, aided by Ferguson, who plays Florence’s common-law companion’s mistress, making the audience care about a character they should by all means dislike.
6. The Red Tent
This Lifetime miniseries is based on a critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Anita Diamant, which itself is a critical text in feminist literary theory as it tells the untold story of Dinah, the Biblical Leah and Jacob’s only daughter. Ferguson plays the lead character in this epic retelling of Genesis from Dinah’s perspective, which focuses on the titular red tent, the place she, her mother, and Jacob’s other wives are sent during their menstrual period.
While the series itself feels like it’s trying to cram a little too much in at times, it is also a masterclass from Ferguson, who brings sensitivity and gravitas to a heavy role, in a show that delves deep into questions about gender and society.
5. Dune
The ambitious first part of the second major attempt at putting Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic on the big screen was met with critical acclaim and the box office receipts to match. Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides, the son of a Duke who has been sent to rule the harsh desert planet of Arrakis and oversee the extraction of spice, a rare drug that gives users heightened vitality and awareness and is also vital to interstellar travel.
Political intrigue and glorious battle scenes follow, and we soon learn Paul just might be part of a prophecy that will save Arrakis from its various invaders. Ferguson plays Lady Jessica, a human-like being with psychic abilities, Paul’s mother, and his father’s favored consort, and she is excellent in the role. A stunning watch, even if you’ve never heard of Herbert’s iconic series.
4. The Girl on the Train
This dark thriller, based on the novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins, was a smash hit when it was released, and although the writing and plotting leave something to be admired, the performances (especially those of lead Emily Blunt and Ferguson) are outstanding. The film follows Rachel (Blunt), a not-so-recovering alcoholic who aimlessly rides a train into New York City every day and spies on her ex-husband and his new wife (Ferguson), as well as the young couple who live next door to them. However, when the young woman in the couple suddenly goes missing, Rachel soon realizes that she wasn’t the dangerous one in her marriage.
3. Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation
Ferguson co-stars with Tom Cruise in the highly exciting and enjoyable fifth installment of the Mission Impossible franchise. She plays Isla Faust, an MI6 agent turned rogue who soon returned to the “good guys” after working with Ethan Hunt.
The plot of this action-adventure is a little convoluted, but there’s no doubt it’s an exciting watch that will keep you right on the edge of your seat. And, despite a sprawling story, the movie itself is quite tight, making for one of the best installments in a highly successful franchise. Ferguson is excellent, matching the irrepressible Cruise, which is no easy feat.
2. Silo
Ferguson takes on the lead role in this sci-fi, post-apocalyptic drama on Apple TV. Based on a novel series by Hugh Howley, Silo takes place on a toxic future planet, where humans have been forced to live in underground silos that go deep into the earth. The remaining population lives under strict rules, but Juliette Nichols, an engineer who helps to fix generators on the lowest levels of the titular Silo, soon starts to question the regulations that are supposedly meant to protect them all. The show itself is an intriguing concept, but Ferguson drags it into must-watch territory with her spellbinding performance.
1. The White Queen
Ferguson received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in this BBC mini-series set during the War of the Roses. At its heart, The White Queen is a political story, but it has everything you could want in a historical drama too, with brilliant costumes, epic plots, and some absolutely standout performances. The series follows three women who utilize their soft and social power to manipulate others and ensure the person they want in power ends up there. A truly fantastic and bingeable watch, underlined by an emphatic Ferguson performance.