Melanie Jayne Lynskey is a New Zealand actress. Known for her portrayals of complex women and her command of American accents, she works predominantly in independent films and television. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including three Critics' Choice Awards and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
Hollywood Squares (2025)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 1x16: I Can't Find My Wallet (Feb 26, 2025)
Hot Ones Versus (2024)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 2025-03-11: Christina Ricci vs. Melanie Lynskey (Mar 11, 2025)
After Midnight (2024)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 2x66: Drew Tarver, Melanie Lynskey, Mary Holland, Morris Chestnut (Feb 20, 2025)
The Last of Us (2023)
Guest starring as Kathleen
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x05: Endure and Survive (Feb 12, 2023)
- Episode 1x04: Please Hold to My Hand (Feb 5, 2023)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 1x123: Melanie Lynskey, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham (Mar 23, 2023)
If We're Being Honest with Laverne Cox (2022)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 1x01: The Emmys (Sep 5, 2022)
Candy (2022)
Starring as Betty Gore
(5 episodes)
- Episode 1x05: The Fight (May 13, 2022)
- Episode 1x04: Cover Girl (May 12, 2022)
- Episode 1x03: Overkill (May 11, 2022)
- Episode 1x02: Happy Wife, Happy Life (May 10, 2022)
- Episode 1x01: Friday the 13th (May 9, 2022)
Yellowjackets (2021)
Starring as Adult Shauna Shipman
(29 episodes)
- Episode 3x10: Full Circle (Apr 11, 2025)
- Episode 3x09: How the Story Ends (Apr 4, 2025)
- Episode 3x08: A Normal, Boring Life (Mar 28, 2025)
- Episode 3x07: Croak (Mar 21, 2025)
- Episode 3x06: Thanksgiving (Canada) (Mar 14, 2025)
- Episode 3x05: Did Tai Do That? (Mar 7, 2025)
- Episode 3x04: 12 Angry Girls and 1 Drunk Travis (Feb 28, 2025)
- Episode 3x03: Them's the Brakes (Feb 21, 2025)
- Episode 3x02: Dislocation (Feb 14, 2025)
- Episode 3x01: It Girl (Feb 14, 2025)
- Episode 2x09: Storytelling (May 26, 2023)
- Episode 2x08: It Chooses (May 19, 2023)
- Episode 2x07: Burial (May 12, 2023)
- Episode 2x06: Qui (May 5, 2023)
- Episode 2x05: Two Truths and a Lie (Apr 21, 2023)
- Episode 2x04: Old Wounds (Apr 14, 2023)
- Episode 2x03: Digestif (Apr 7, 2023)
- Episode 2x02: Edible Complex (Mar 31, 2023)
- Episode 2x01: Friends, Romans, Countrymen (Mar 24, 2023)
- Episode 1x10: Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (Jan 16, 2022)
- Episode 1x09: Doomcoming (Jan 9, 2022)
- Episode 1x08: Flight of the Bumblebee (Jan 2, 2022)
- Episode 1x07: No Compass (Dec 26, 2021)
- Episode 1x06: Saints (Dec 19, 2021)
- Episode 1x05: Blood Hive (Dec 12, 2021)
- Episode 1x04: Bear Down (Dec 5, 2021)
- Episode 1x03: The Dollhouse (Nov 28, 2021)
- Episode 1x02: F Sharp (Nov 21, 2021)
- Episode 1x01: Pilot (Nov 14, 2021)
CBS Mornings (2021)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2025-02-06: Kenny Chesney, Melanie Lynskey, John Legend (Feb 6, 2025)
- Episode 2023-03-22: Drew Barrymore, Melanie Lynskey, Scott Adkins (Mar 22, 2023)
HouseBroken (2021)
Guest starring as Pinky
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2x16: Who's a Mole? (Aug 6, 2023)
- Episode 2x02: Who's a Scaredy Cat? (Apr 2, 2023)
Guest starring as Memory Sheep
- Episode 2x17: Who's a Winner? (Aug 6, 2023)
The Drew Barrymore Show (2020)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
(3 episodes)
- Episode 5x93: Tony Dokoupil, Adriana Diaz, Cast of "Yellowjackets" (Feb 10, 2025)
- Episode 3x130: Zach Braff, Ally Love, Melanie Lynskey (Mar 29, 2023)
- Episode 3x129: Melanie Lynskey, Dougray Scott (Mar 28, 2023)
Mrs. America (2020)
Starring as Rosemary Thomson
(9 episodes)
- Episode 1x09: Reagan (May 27, 2020)
- Episode 1x08: Houston (May 20, 2020)
- Episode 1x07: Bella (May 13, 2020)
- Episode 1x06: Jill (May 6, 2020)
- Episode 1x05: Phyllis & Fred & Brenda & Marc (Apr 29, 2020)
- Episode 1x04: Betty (Apr 22, 2020)
- Episode 1x03: Shirley (Apr 15, 2020)
- Episode 1x02: Gloria (Apr 15, 2020)
- Episode 1x01: Phyllis (Apr 15, 2020)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 5x137: Whoopi Goldberg, Melanie Lynskey, Jen Psaki (May 13, 2024)
Castle Rock (2018)
Starring as Molly Strand
(10 episodes)
- Episode 1x10: Romans (Sep 12, 2018)
- Episode 1x09: Henry Deaver (Sep 5, 2018)
- Episode 1x08: Past Perfect (Aug 29, 2018)
- Episode 1x07: The Queen (Aug 22, 2018)
- Episode 1x06: Filter (Aug 15, 2018)
- Episode 1x05: Harvest (Aug 8, 2018)
- Episode 1x04: The Box (Aug 1, 2018)
- Episode 1x03: Local Color (Jul 25, 2018)
- Episode 1x02: Habeas Corpus (Jul 25, 2018)
- Episode 1x01: Severance (Jul 25, 2018)
Summer Camp Island (2018)
Starring as Sun
(4 episodes)
- Episode 6x03: CHAPTER THREE See Bees? Gee! Bees! (Aug 13, 2022)
- Episode 1x16: Ice Cream Headache (Jul 7, 2018)
- Episode 1x14: Moon Problems (Jul 7, 2018)
- Episode 1x01: The First Day (Jul 7, 2018)
Guest starring as Additional Voices
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x16: Ice Cream Headache (Jul 7, 2018) [Co-Star]
- Episode 1x14: Moon Problems (Jul 7, 2018)
Young Sheldon (2017)
Guest starring as Professor Dora Ericson
(2 episodes)
- Episode 4x08: An Existential Crisis and a Bear That Makes Bubbles (Feb 18, 2021)
- Episode 4x07: A Philosophy Class and Worms That Can Chase You (Feb 11, 2021)
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017)
Guest starring as Laura
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x08: End Summer Night's Dream (Aug 4, 2017)
- Episode 1x01: Reunion (Aug 4, 2017)
Live with Kelly & Ryan (2017)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 7x132: Hannah Waddingham, Melanie Lynskey, Dr. Wendy Bazilian (Mar 17, 2023)
Girlboss (2017)
Guest starring as Gail
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x11: Garbage Person (Apr 21, 2017) [Co-Star]
- Episode 1x10: Vintage Fashion Forum (Apr 21, 2017) [Co-Star]
- Episode 1x07: Long-Ass Pants (Apr 21, 2017) [Co-Star]
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 2025-02-06: Elton John, Melanie Lynskey, Leon Thomas (Feb 6, 2025)
Celebrity Family Feud (2015)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 9x01: The Cast of Yellowjackets and Gayle King vs. Sophia Bush Hughes (Jul 9, 2023)
The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 2023-03-20: Bob Odenkirk; Melanie Lynskey; Tori Kelly (Mar 20, 2023)
Togetherness (2015)
Starring as Michelle Pierson
(10 episodes)
- Episode 2x08: For the Kids (Apr 10, 2016)
- Episode 2x07: The Sand Situation (Apr 3, 2016)
- Episode 2x06: Geri-ina (Mar 27, 2016)
- Episode 2x05: Just the Range (Mar 20, 2016)
- Episode 2x04: Changetown (Mar 13, 2016)
- Episode 2x03: Advanced Pretend (Mar 6, 2016)
- Episode 2x02: Everybody is Grownups (Feb 28, 2016)
- Episode 2x01: Hotels (Feb 21, 2016)
- Episode 1x07: Party Time (Mar 1, 2015)
- Episode 1x04: Houston, We Have a Problem (Feb 8, 2015)
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 18x02: Pedro Pascal and Steven Yeun; Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne; Kieran Culkin and Claire Danes (Jun 15, 2023)
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Starring as Beatrice
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: Schooltown Follies (Nov 4, 2014)
- Episode 1x02: Hard Times at the Huskin' Bee (Nov 3, 2014)
- Episode 1x01: The Old Grist Mill (Nov 3, 2014)
Celebrity Name Game (2014)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 1x89: Nicole Sullivan & Melanie Lynskey (Nov 21, 2014)
Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 2022-05-02: Laura Linney, Melanie Lynskey, Geoffrey Zakarian (May 2, 2022)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2024-04-29: Anne Hathaway, Melanie Lynskey, Lang Lang (Apr 29, 2024)
- Episode 2023-03-16: Keanu Reeves, Melanie Lynskey, De La Soul (Mar 16, 2023)
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2012)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 11x08: The Butterfly Effect (Feb 25, 2025)
Watch What Happens Live (2009)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 20x56: Melanie Lynskey, Matthew Rhys (Mar 23, 2023)
Drive (2007)
Starring as Wendy Patrakas
(6 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: Rearview ()
- Episode 1x05: The Extra Mile ()
- Episode 1x04: No Turning Back (Apr 23, 2007)
- Episode 1x03: Let The Games Begin (Apr 16, 2007)
- Episode 1x02: Partners (Apr 13, 2007)
- Episode 1x01: The Starting Line (Apr 13, 2007)
Psych (2006)
Guest starring as Emily Bloom
- Episode 2x15: Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion (Feb 8, 2008)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005)
Guest starring as Kate
- Episode 5x01: The Gang Exploits the Mortgage Crisis (Sep 17, 2009)
Two and a Half Men (2003)
Starring as Rose
(26 episodes)
- Episode 2x20: I Always Wanted a Shaved Monkey (Apr 18, 2005)
- Episode 2x18: It was 'Mame,' Mom (Mar 7, 2005)
- Episode 2x14: Those Big Pink Things with Coconuts (Jan 31, 2005)
- Episode 2x13: Zejdz Zmoich Wlosow (Jan 17, 2005)
- Episode 2x11: Last Chance to See Those Tattoos (Dec 13, 2004)
- Episode 2x10: The Salmon Under My Sweater (Nov 29, 2004)
- Episode 2x06: The Price of Healthy Gums Is Eternal Vigilance (Oct 25, 2004)
- Episode 2x05: Bad News from the Clinic? (Oct 18, 2004)
- Episode 2x03: A Bag Full of Jawea (Oct 4, 2004)
- Episode 2x02: Enjoy Those Garlic Balls (Sep 27, 2004)
- Episode 2x01: Back Off, Mary Poppins (Sep 20, 2004)
- Episode 1x24: Can You Feel My Finger? (May 24, 2004)
- Episode 1x23: Just Like Buffalo (May 17, 2004)
- Episode 1x22: My Doctor Has a Cow Puppet (May 10, 2004)
- Episode 1x19: I Remember the Coatroom, I Just Don't Remember You (Mar 22, 2004)
- Episode 1x15: Round One to the Hot Crazy Chick (1) (Feb 9, 2004)
- Episode 1x14: I Can't Afford Hyenas (Feb 2, 2004)
- Episode 1x13: Sarah Like Puny Alan (Jan 12, 2004)
- Episode 1x12: Camel Filters + Pheromones (Jan 5, 2004)
- Episode 1x11: Alan Harper, Frontier Chiropractor (Dec 15, 2003)
- Episode 1x10: Merry Thanksgiving (Nov 24, 2003)
- Episode 1x09: Phase One, Complete (Nov 17, 2003)
- Episode 1x07: If They Do Go Either Way, They're Usually Fake (Nov 3, 2003)
- Episode 1x04: If I Can't Write My Chocolate Song I'm Going to Take a Nap (Oct 13, 2003)
- Episode 1x03: Go East on Sunset Until You Reach the Gates of Hell (Oct 6, 2003)
- Episode 1x01: Pilot (Sep 22, 2003)
Guest starring as Rose
(37 episodes)
- Episode 12x16: Of Course He's Dead - Part Two (Feb 19, 2015) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 12x15: Of Course He's Dead - Part One (Feb 19, 2015) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 12x08: Family, Bublé, Deep-fried Turkey (Dec 18, 2014) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 11x08: Mr. Walden, He Die. I Clean Room. (Nov 21, 2013) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 10x16: Advantage: Fat, Flying Baby (Feb 14, 2013) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 10x06: Ferrets, Attack! (Nov 1, 2012) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 10x05: That's Not What They Call It in Amsterdam (Oct 25, 2012) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 9x11: What a Lovely Landing Strip (Dec 5, 2011) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 9x01: Nice to Meet You, Walden Schmidt (Sep 19, 2011) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 8x16: That Darn Priest (Feb 14, 2011) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 8x15: Three Hookers and a Philly Cheesesteak (Feb 7, 2011) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 8x14: Lookin' for Japanese Subs (Jan 17, 2011) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 8x07: The Crazy Bitch Gazette (Nov 1, 2010) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 7x21: Gumby with a Pokey (May 17, 2010) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 6x21: Above Exalted Cyclops (Apr 27, 2009) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 6x11: The Devil's Lube (Dec 15, 2008) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 5x16: Look at Me, Mommy, I'm Pretty (Apr 28, 2008) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 5x14: Winky-Dink Time (Apr 14, 2008) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 5x12: A Little Clammy and None Too Fresh (Mar 24, 2008) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 5x04: City of Great Racks (Oct 15, 2007) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x15: My Damn Stalker (Feb 12, 2007) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x13: Don't Worry, Speed Racer (Jan 22, 2007) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x11: Walnuts and Demerol (Dec 11, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x09: Corey's Been Dead for an Hour (Nov 20, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x08: Release the Dogs (Nov 13, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x06: Apologies for the Frivolity (Oct 23, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x05: A Live Woman of Proven Fertility (Oct 16, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x03: The Sea Is a Harsh Mistress (Oct 2, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x02: Who's Vod Kanockers? (Sep 25, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x01: Working for Caligula (Sep 18, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x24: That Pistol-Packin' Hermaphrodite (May 22, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x17: The Unfortunate Little Schnauser (Mar 13, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x16: Ergo, the Booty Call (Mar 6, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x15: My Tongue Is Meat (Feb 27, 2006) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x07: Sleep Tight, Puddin' Pop (Nov 7, 2005) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x05: We Called It Mr. Pinky (Oct 17, 2005) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x03: Carpet Burns and a Bite Mark (Oct 3, 2005) [Special Guest Star]
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
- Episode 2025-04-09: Jean Smart, Melanie Lynskey, Lola Young (Apr 9, 2025)
The Shield (2002)
Guest starring as Marcy
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2x07: Barnstormers (Feb 18, 2003)
- Episode 2x03: Partners (Jan 21, 2003)
Today (1952)
Guest starring as Melanie Lynskey
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2024-04-29: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Melanie Lynskey, Laura Benanti, Scarlett Johansson (Apr 29, 2024)
- Episode 2023-03-16: Jenna Bush Hager, Scarlett Johansson, Melanie Lynskey, Gesine Bullock-Prado, Steve Kornacki, Zac Levi, Lucy Liu (Mar 16, 2023)