Melanie Lynskey's Movies and TV Shows

Last Modified May 6, 2025 03:44 EDT
Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen Coghlan in The Last of Us
Melanie Lynskey in The Last of Us (Source: Crime City on YouTube)


Melanie Lynskey is a lauded actress from New Zealand widely recognized for her roles as Shauna in the thriller drama series “Yellowjackets (2021)” and Rose in the American sitcom “Two and a Half Men (2003). Born on May 16, 1977, in New Plymouth, she made her film debut as Pauline Parker, in Peter Jackson’s true crime thriller “Heavenly Creatures (1994)." Her filmography consists of a diverse balance of independent and mainstream Hollywood productions.


Known for her ability to portray a wide range of nuanced and multi-dimensional characters, she has earned widespread recognition for her work. With 21 accolades to her name, she has earned three Critics Choice Awards and a Sundance Special Jury award, along with multiple Emmy and Gotham Award Nominations.


List of Melanie Lynskey's Movies


Melanie Lynskey on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Melanie on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (Source: The Late Show's official YouTube)


Lynskey’s filmography reflects her versatility as an actress, which spans across both independent and mainstream cinema. She has appeared in several romantic comedy movies such as “Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998),” and “Sweet Home Alabama (2002),” as well as in intense dramas such as “Shattered Glass (2003),” and “Flags of Our Fathers (2006).”


Her work in independent films such as “Hello I Must Be Going (2012),” “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017),” and the Sundance Special Jury Award-winning, “The Intervention (2016)” has further established her distinctive presence in the industry. Additionally, she has also starred in films such as, “The Informant! (2009),” “Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012),” and “Don’t Look Up (2021).”


Here is a list of all of Melanie Lynskey's films along with the years of their release:


YearMovieRole
1994Heavenly CreaturesPauline
1996The FrightenersDeputy
1998Even After: A Cinderella StoryJacqueline
1999Measureless to Man-
1999The Cherry OrchardDunyasha
1999But I’m a CheerleaderHilary
1999Detroit Rock CityBeth
1999Foreign CorrespondentsMelody
2000Coyote UglyGloria
2001SnakeskinAlice
2002AbandonMousy Julie (as Melanie Jaybe Lynskey)
2002ShootersMarie
2002Sweet Home AlabamaLurlynn
2003Shattered GlassAmy Brand
2003ClaustrophobiaLauren
2004The Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe CadwaulderZoe Cadwaulder
2005Say UncleSusan
2006ParkSheryl
2006Flags of Our FathersPauline Harnois
2007Itty Bitty Titty CommitteePlastic Surgery Lady (uncredited)
2008A Quiet Little MarriageMonique
2008Show of HandsJess
2009Leaves of GrassColleen
2009The Informant!Ginger Whitacre
2009Up in the AirJulie Bingham
2009Away We GoMunch
2010Helena from the WeddingAlice
2011Win WinCindy
2011TouchbackMacy
2012PutzelSally
2012The Perks of Being a WallflowerAunt Helen
2012Seeking a Friend for the End of the WorldKaren
2012Eye of the HurricaneAmelia Kyte
2012Hello I Must Be GoingAmy
2013The Big AskHannah
2014Goodbye to All ThatAnnie Wall
2014We’ll Never Have ParisDevon
2014Chu and BlossomMiss Shoemaker
2014They Came TogetherBrenda
2014Happy ChristmasKelly
2015Digging for FireSquiggy
2016Folk Hero & Funny GuyBecky
2016Little BoxesGina McNulty-Burns
2016The Great & The SmallMargaret
2016Rainbow TimeLindsay
2016The InterventionAnnie
2017The ChangeoverKate Chant
2017And Then I goJanice
20171 Mile to YouCoach Rowan
2017XXMary
2017I Don’t Feel at Home in This World AnymoreRuth
2018SadieRae
2021Don’t Look UpJune Mindy
2021Lady of the ManorHannah
2024Griffin in SummerHelen
2024Over the Garden Wall: 10th Anniversary TributeBeatrice (voice)


Also Read: Who is Melanie Lynskeys husband?


List of Melanie Lynskey's TV shows


Melanie Lynskey as Shauna in Yellowjackets
Melanie Lynskey as Shauna in Yellowjackets (Source: Showtime's official YouTube channel)


Melanie Lynskey's portrayal of Rose in the long-running American sitcom Two and a Half Men (2003), is one of her most widely recognized roles on television. She has also played several notable characters in HBO’s comedy-drama series “Togetherness (2015),” Hulu’s miniseries “Candy (2022),” and Showtimes’ acclaimed psychological thriller series "Yellowjackets" (2021). Her performance as Shauna in the latter earned her a Critics Choice Award in 2022. More recently, she appeared in HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us (2023).”


Here is a list of all Melanie Lynskey's TV shows along with the years of their release:


YearTV ShowRole
2002Rose RedRachel Wheaton
2003The ShieldMarcy Lindhoff
2003-2015Two and a Half MenRose
2007DriveWendy Patrakas
2008The L WordClea Mason
2008PsychEmily Bloom
2008Comanche MoonPearl Coleman
2009It’s Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaKate
2010Memphis BeatAnnaliese Jones
2010-2012The Life & Times of TimBecky (voice)
2012HouseNatalie Tavares
2014Over the Garden WallBeatrice (voice)
2014-2015Captain Jake and the Never Land PiratesPearl (voice)
2015Key and PeeleFiance
2015-2016TogethernessMichelle Pierson
2016Our Ex-WifeSara
2016AnimalsLinda (voice)
2016-2018Future-Worm!Megan, Madeline Madison, Megan Mind (voice)
2017SunshineZara Skelton
2017Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years LaterLaura
2017GirlbossGail
2017American Dad!Sharon (voice)
2018Castle RockMolly Strand
2018Summer Camp IslandSun
2019EasyBeth
2020Mrs. AmericaRosemary Thomson
2021MomShannon
2021Young SheldonProfessor Ericson
2021-2025YellowjacketsShauna
2022CandyBetty Gore
2023The Last of UsKathleen Coghlan
2023HouseBrokenMemory Sheep, Pinky (voice)
2024The Tattooist of AuschwitzHeather Morris


Melanie Lynskey in Yellowjackets


Sophie Nélisse as young Shauna and Melanie Lynskey as adult Shauna in Yellowjackets
Sophie Nélisse and Melanie in Yellowjackets (Source: Showtime's official YouTube channel)


Lynskey portrays the adult version of Shauna in “Yellowjackets,” while Sophie Nélisse plays her teenage counterpart. The series follows the aftermath of a horrific plane crash that leaves a high school girls' soccer team tragically stranded in the wilderness. The show weaves past and present narratives and explores their struggle for survival beside each other and the long-term consequences of their experiences.


Initially quiet and reserved, Shauna’s character undergoes significant changes as the seasons progress and she adapts to the realities of her situation. In a plot that mainly focuses on the complex relationships between the characters and the irreparable losses they experience, Lynskey's Shauna stands out. Her portrayal captures the impacts of trauma, the immense struggles with guilt, and the consequences of her past. As one of the series’ most pivotal characters, Shauna’s journey remains central to the show's evolving narrative.


Yellowjackets- Season 3 is currently airing on Paramount+ with Showtime every Friday at 12 a.m. ET, with a subsequent broadcast on Showtime every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Check out the official trailer for Season 3 here:




FAQs about Melanie Lynskey

A. Yes. She is married to actor Jason Ritter.

A. Yes, they co-starred in “Heavenly Creatures (1994).”

A. She was nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys for her role as Shauna in “Yellowjackets (2021),” but has not won yet.


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