It’s rare to find a performer with Amanda Seyfried’s range. The actor and Vogue cover star transforms with every new role, whether she’s playing a spiritual leader in The Testament of Ann Lee, a rom-com protagonist in Dear John, or actress Marion Davies in Mank. And even those substantial roles only scratch the surface of her onscreen capabilities.
Here are seven more roles that have established Seyfried as a creative force for over two decades.
Karen Smith in Mean Girls (2004)
While Avantika was iconic in the 2024 reboot, Seyfried’s performance set the standard. Her portrayal of the sweet yet dim-witted Karen was hilarious in its guilelessness. Who could forget the line, “There’s a 30% chance that it’s already raining”?
Sarah Henrickson on Big Love (2006–2011)
Big Love was a hotbed of female star power, but Seyfried raised the stakes as the oldest daughter in a polygamist family. Her character’s skepticism brought the high-concept series down to earth.
Sophie in Mamma Mia! (2008)
I could watch this musical rom-com every day and never tire of it. While Meryl Streep and others get much of the attention, Seyfried’s sweet voice and sly machinations as bride-to-be Sophie truly anchor the film.
Needy in Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer’s Body arrived before woman-helmed horror was taken seriously, and Seyfried and Megan Fox deserve more credit for their fabulous, fright-filled, and subtly Sapphic performances as high-school besties forced into a deadly fight.
Cosette in Les Misérables (2012)
It feels like just yesterday that this Tom Hooper musical was everywhere. Seeing Seyfried play the adult version of Cosette was one of the most exciting parts of the film. Mamma Mia! proved it, and Les Misérables confirmed it: she can sing!
Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout (2022)
It’s not easy to embody a public figure without underplaying or overdoing it. But Seyfried nailed her interpretation of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in this Hulu series, which deservedly won her first Emmy.
Nina Winchester in The Housemaid (2025)
Was this movie perfect? Not necessarily, but Seyfried delivered a Rosamund Pike-in-Gone Girl-worthy performance as a nightmarish housewife who—spoiler!—turns out to be an ordinary woman seeking freedom after falling for a monster.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Amanda Seyfrieds 7 Best TV and Film Roles
Q Who is Amanda Seyfried
A Amanda Seyfried is an American actress and singer who rose to fame in the early 2000s Shes known for her versatility moving between bigbudget films indie dramas and acclaimed TV series
Q What are considered her 7 best roles
A While lists can vary her most critically praised and iconic roles typically include Karen Smith in Mean Girls Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia Cosette in Les Misérables Linda Lovelace in Lovelace Rebecca in Ted 2 Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout and Marion Davies in Mank
Q I only know her from Mean Girls What else should I watch
A For a complete contrast watch her dramatic performance as tech fraud Elizabeth Holmes in the limited series The Dropout For a fun musical side Mamma Mia is a classic For a serious awardwinning film performance check out Mank
Q Why is her role in The Dropout considered so good
A Seyfrieds portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes was a masterclass in transformation She captured Holmess distinctive voice mannerisms and chilling ambition earning her an Emmy Golden Globe and SAG Award It showed her incredible range beyond her earlier more lighthearted roles
Q Wasnt she in a musical Which one is best
A Yes Her two most famous musical roles are Sophie in Mamma Mia and Cosette in Les Misérables Mamma Mia showcases her sweet singing voice and charm while Les Misérables features her powerful performance of I Dreamed a Dream and demonstrated her ability to hold her own alongside acting giants
Q Whats a lesserknown role where she really shines
A Two great choices are Linda Lovelace in Lovelace a dark and challenging biopic where she gives a raw unflinching performance and Marion Davies in Mank a nuanced portrayal of a 1930s actress that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress