Viola Davis, one of the most prolific actresses of our time, boasts an impressive resume with over 50 films, 40 series, and two books under her belt. Additionally, she’s an EGOT, a unique individual who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Viola Davis is also an accomplished film producer, having worked on 20 projects thus far, with eight more in production. She has been nominated for more than 300 awards and has won 152. While she is brilliant in everything she acts in, below are some of the performances that have delighted and shocked audiences since their release.
Rose Maxon
Davis played Rose Maxson from the play-turned-movie Fences twice in her career. Originally, she starred in the 2010 adaptation on Broadway, where she won a Tony award, before going on to reprise her role in the 2016 play adaptation. The argument between Rose and her husband, Troy, highlights Davis’s mastery over emotional acting. Her portrayal of a disappointed and angry wife hits viewers where it hurts and demonstrates how powerful of an actress Davis is. We’re not the only ones who think that, either — Davis received nineteen awards for her role, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress-Motion Picture, and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Nanisca
While Viola Davis is compelling in every role she plays, there is something unique about her performance in the 2022 film The Woman King. She was awarded a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 2023 for the part. As a highly skilled general of an all-female army, Davis commands the screen. The scene where she and the other female warriors emerge from the grass to liberate their stolen people? Full body chills.
Dr. Volumnia Gaul
The bookish world exploded when Suzanne Collins announced The Hunger Games: The Balled of Songbirds and Snakes. The novel (and subsequent movie) explored the origins of the Hunger Games and the man who would become President Snow — but it also introduced a new and complex character, Dr. Volumnia Gaul. Davis’s portrayal of the eccentric scientists gave many viewers a feeling of deep unease as they watched one of the original Gamemakers develop and shape what would become the world we see in the original trilogy.
Annalise Keating
Throughout the 6 seasons of How to Get Away with Murder, Viola Davis controls the screen. She draws the viewer’s attention from the pilot episode onward, giving performances ranging from cool and calculated to dazzlingly emotional. She creates a character that is impossible to look away from. She made history in this role as the first African American woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, paving the way for others to follow.
Viola Davis’s impact can be felt by everybody, from the most casual viewer to the most devoted producer. We truly cannot wait to see what else she will do in the future!
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