Who is Eve Best? What are her TV shows and Movies?

Known for playing The Queen Who Never Was on House of the Dragon, Emily Eve Best is a British actress. She has also served as a director in a few projects. Best has been featured in some phenomenal projects over the years, with House of the Dragon being the latest feather in her cap. The HBO show is a spinoff of Game of Thrones, a show that changed the television landscape in terms of production value, storytelling, and acting alike.

Growing up in London, Best was introduced to the world of acting early on as her mother was in the industry. She started performing when she was in school and went on to be a part of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. Best performed at theatre plays and film festivals, hoping to get her big break. With a career spanning about three decades, the actress has showcased her skills in various genres.

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Movies and shows featuring Eve Best

From stage plays and theater to movies and television shows, Eve Best has a long list of works to her name. The 52-year-old British actress takes pride in her work and it reflects in every role she undertakes. While we cannot possibly talk about all the acting credits to her name, here’s a brief look at the projects that put her on the map and made her one of the most sought-after actresses of today.

Nurse Jackie (2009–2013, 2015)

Credits: Showtime

Nurse Jackie is considered to be Best’s breakout role. She adopted the role of Dr. Eleanor O’Hara in the Showtime dark comedy series. Best was a series regular for the first five seasons and returned as a guest in the seventh season of the show. It narrates the story of a nurse who strives to offer the best care for her patients despite the competitive healthcare paradigm that only focuses on money.

Despite Best playing the best friend to the main character of the show, she was able to bring authenticity and freshness to the role. She is an ER surgeon, who later becomes the Chief of Emergency Medicine in the show.

House of the Dragon (2022-)

Credit: HBO

Another renowned title in her filmography, Best plays Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon. The fierce Rhaenys is a woman who has been wronged by her family time and again. After being passed over for the Iron Throne, Rhaenys is reduced to a woman worthy of only birthing children. Her grandfather chooses Viserys who is weak over her to inherit the crown. Even though everyone knows Rhaenys is the one with a stable mind and a strong hand to rule, she is overlooked just because she is a woman.

Best portrays the role wonderfully. She has to balance between her allegiance to the throne and her anger towards her family. She tips the scales in her favor by rooting for Rhaenyra, her niece, in the end. While she could not claim the throne for herself, she would help another deserving woman get her birthright. We can’t wait for House of the Dragon season 2 to premiere so that we can witness the saga unfold.

Also Read: Who is the Mad King in House of the Dragon? Everything you need to know about Aerys Targaryen

The King’s Speech (2010)

Credits: Paramount Pictures

The 2010 blockbuster The King’s Speech starred a young Eve Best as Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who is known for being the cause behind King Edward VIII’s abdication. Simpson’s love story with the King caused quite an uproar as both her husbands were alive at the time of her proposed marriage to the King. However, King Edward VIII decides to give up the throne in order to marry Simpson.

Best brings about a royal aura to the role of Simpson. Despite being a socialite, Simpson goes on to become the Duchess of Windsor. Best’s soft portrayal of a woman in love is admirable with her name being etched in the credits of more and more widely appreciated projects. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar about The King’s Speech, the actress said, “I like roles that scare the shit of me.”

Fate: The Winx Saga (2021–2022)

Credits: Netflix

Queens and royalty run deep in Best’s filmography, with a cherry on top being a fairy. In the Netflix series Fate: The Winx Saga, Best plays a mind fairy named Farah Dowling. She is the headmistress of Alfea. A knowledgeable and kind mentor, she helps the main characters fulfill their destinies. Even though on first look, she appears to be a tough woman with minimal feelings, viewers grow to like her as the story progresses.

Best channels her inner magic and charisma as Dowling. The actress has to showcase a strong exterior only to empathize with her students and help carve a path for them. The complex character has layers and works well on deeper levels. Her relationships with students and other professors are also given adequate attention throughout the show. Thus, Best explored her versatile range to the fullest.

Maryland (2023-)

Credits: PBS

Best plays one of the central sisters on the show Maryland, named Rosaline. Her relationship with her sister is the core of the story. They grow apart but eventually come together under the events of their mother’s death. Created by Suranne Jones and Anne-Marie O’Connor, the family drama show on PBS makes Best shine incomparably.

The reviews of the show also appreciate Best’s moving performance. It resonates with every sister who feels unseen and needs to overachieve in order to be noticed. Best’s portrayal of Rosaline showcases the best and the worst of sisterhood while tackling a lonesome life.

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