Top 3 Aubrey Plaza TV shows every fan should see

Aubrey Plaza needs no formal introduction- she is a powerhouse of talent. You might know her as April Ludgate from NBC's Parks and Recreation or as Harper Spiller from HBO Max's The White Lotus.

During her graduation from the New York University Tisch School of Arts, she bagged an internship at Saturday Night Live and also appeared in two short films, In Love and Killswitch. After graduating in 2006, Plaza appeared in a couple of web series and played a stand-up comic in Funny People. This proved to be a breakthrough point in her career. Not only did she start performing at comedy clubs, but she also landed a role in Parks and Recreation.

Aubrey Plaza went on to appear in a wide range of TV shows and films, portraying her offbeat charm. She built a reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile performers.

Plaza married filmmaker Jeff Baena in 2021; the couple, however, split in 2024. Unfortunately, Baena died by suicide on January 3, 2025. After eight months, Aubrey Plaza opened up about processing the grief following her husband's tragic death. In Amy Poehler's podcast, she explained:

"It's like a daily struggle."

At 42, Plaza has an impressive list of TV shows and films to her name, but these are the three series that you simply can't miss. Keep reading to find out more about these 3 series.

Top 3 Aubrey Plaza TV shows that you should not miss

3) The White Lotus (2021-) as Harper Spiller

HBO's The White Lotus was already a global hit with its first season, but with Season 2 in Sicily, it reached another level, and Aubrey Plaza's Harper Spiller was a big reason why. In The White Lotus Season 2, Aubrey Plaza portrayed the role of Harper Spiller, a lawyer who came to the resort in Sicily to vacation with her husband, Ethan, and his college friend Cameron and his wife Daphne. What begins as an awkward double date holiday spirals into suspicion, jealousy, and marital tension.

Aubrey Plaza nails the role with ease. For many, Harper Spiller was the heart and soul of The White Lotus Season 2- icy, vulnerable, and endlessly watchable.

All episodes of The White Lotus Season 2 are available to watch on HBO Max.

2) Criminal Minds (2005-) as Cat Adams

If you like Aubrey Plaza for her comedy, Criminal Minds will shock you. In Season 11, she guest-starred as Cat Adams, a hitwoman and a serial killer on Criminal Minds. Her appearance in the episode titled Entropy pitted her against Dr. Spencer Reid in a battle of wits inside a cafe. The scene is one of the unforgettable moments of the show. She also returned for the Season 12 finale and reappeared for the last time in the Season 15. For a show that has featured dozens of villains, Cat Adams still stands out as one of the best.

All episodes of Criminal Minds are available to watch on Disney+ Hulu.

1) Legion (2017-2019)

FX's Legion remains one of the inventive Marvel series ever made, and Aubrey Plaza's performance as Lenny Busker adds to its brilliance.

Lenny begins as David Haller's drug addict friend, admitted to a psychiatric hospital, but her story takes a wild turn. After she dies, she returns as the projection of Shadow King and takes on a new form in David's fractured reality.

All episodes of Legion are available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.

Beyond April Ludgate

For many, Audrey Plaza will always be April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation- the deadpan intern who became a fan-favorite. Her role in the NBC series established her as one of TV's boldest talents. From crime thrillers to satirical drama to fantasy, Plaza nails every role. Plaza has given television some of its most original and daring performances, and these three shows prove why she's a versatile actor.