Alia Shawkat
Alia Martine Shawkat is an American actress of Iraqi and European descent, best known for her portrayal of the rebellious teenager Maeby Fünke in the critically acclaimed sitcom Arrested Development (2003–2006; 2013–2019). Born on April 18, 1989, in Riverside, California, she began her acting career as a child, debuting in the short-lived series State of Grace (2001–2002) at age 12, and has since built a diverse portfolio spanning independent films, dark comedies, and prestige television. Shawkat's heritage stems from her father, Tony Shawkat, an Iraqi immigrant from Baghdad who works as an actor and producer, and her mother, Dina Burke, a film producer of Norwegian, Irish, and Italian ancestry; her maternal grandfather was the late actor Paul Burke. With two brothers—older sibling Paul, a teacher, and younger brother Sharif, an aspiring actor—she grew up in a creative family environment that influenced her early entry into the entertainment industry. Shawkat's breakthrough came with Arrested Development, where her sharp-witted performance as the scheming Maeby earned her widespread recognition and a dedicated fanbase, contributing to the show's cult status and its revivals on Netflix. She followed this with a string of indie film roles that showcased her range, including the punk-rock horror-thriller Green Room (2015) as the resourceful Pat, the coming-of-age dramedy 20th Century Women (2016) as the free-spirited Julie, and the experimental queer romance Duck Butter (2018), which she co-produced and co-wrote. On television, she led the satirical mystery series Search Party (2016–2022) as the increasingly unhinged Dory Sief, a role that highlighted her ability to blend humor with psychological depth across six seasons on TBS and HBO Max. Her dramatic turn as Angela Adams, a CIA operative grappling with moral ambiguities, in FX's The Old Man (2022–2024) opposite Jeff Bridges further solidified her reputation in ensemble prestige dramas. In recent years, Shawkat has continued to diversify her work, appearing in high-profile projects like the psychological thriller Blink Twice (2024), directed by Zoë Kravitz, and guest-starring in Apple TV+'s Severance (2022–). In 2025, she starred as the lead Fayruz in the war comedy Atropia, directed by Hailey Gates and produced by Luca Guadagnino, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, with a limited theatrical release scheduled for December 2025.[1][2] She also voiced Kh'ymm in the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew (2024), Mona Hussein in the animated series #1 Happy Family USA (2025), and appeared as Katie in the short film The Tiger (2025), a Gucci production directed by Spike Jonze and Halina Reijn.[3] Beyond acting, Shawkat has pursued visual arts, exhibiting paintings and drawings that reflect her introspective style, often drawing from personal and cultural themes.Early life
Family background
Alia Shawkat was born on April 18, 1989, in Riverside, California.[4][5] Her mother, Dina Burke, is of Irish, Italian, and Norwegian descent and worked as a child actress before transitioning to film production.[6][7] Her father, Tony Shawkat, is an Iraqi immigrant who arrived in the United States in the late 1970s from Baghdad; he has worked as an actor, film producer, and owner of a strip club in the Coachella Valley.[6][8][7] Shawkat is the middle child in a family of three siblings. Her older brother, Paul, is a teacher at North Hollywood High School,[9] while her younger brother, Sharif, is an aspiring actor.[6] Her maternal grandfather, Paul Burke, was a prominent actor best known for his starring roles in the television series Naked City (1958–1963) and Twelve O'Clock High (1964–1967).[10][11] Burke's career in film and television, which included Emmy-nominated performances, established a family tradition in the entertainment industry that influenced Shawkat's early aspirations.[12][13] Shawkat's mixed Iraqi, Irish, Italian, and Norwegian heritage presented challenges during her childhood pursuit of acting, as she was frequently told by agents and casting directors that she appeared "too ethnic" for roles in Hollywood.[14][15] This perception led her to downplay her background, at times claiming to be half-Spanish or half-French to blend in, amid broader experiences of feeling different from her peers due to her diverse ethnic roots.[16][14]Childhood and education
Alia Shawkat was born on April 18, 1989, in Riverside, California, and raised in the nearby desert community of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley area.[6][15] Her family's ties to the entertainment industry, including her maternal grandfather, the actor Paul Burke, and her father, Tony Shawkat, an actor and club owner, offered early exposure to performing arts.[6] At around age six, Shawkat expressed a desire to become an actor after watching a Nickelodeon sketch show, prompting her parents to support her interest through auditions and modeling opportunities.[13] Shawkat attended a private school near her family's home in Rancho Mirage, California, where she balanced her studies in subjects like English, history, and math with her growing acting commitments.[8] By age nine, she was commuting over 100 miles from Palm Springs to Los Angeles for auditions and small roles, including commercials and a Calvin Klein catalog appearance.[15] This dual life between her suburban desert upbringing and the demands of the industry shaped her early years, as she described feeling like she was "living two lives."[16] At age 13, Shawkat moved to Los Angeles with her mother to pursue acting more intensively, forgoing a traditional high school experience in favor of on-set tutoring during productions.[15] After completing the original run of Arrested Development at 18, she briefly enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College but withdrew after just three days, opting instead for professional opportunities like a role in a Nora Ephron play.[17][18] This decision solidified her commitment to a full-time career in acting over formal higher education. During her pre-teen years, Shawkat formed a lasting friendship with actress Mae Whitman, whom she met at age 11 or 12 while auditioning for and co-starring in the Fox Family series State of Grace (2001), where they played best friends in a 1960s Southern setting.[19][20] The two remained close through subsequent collaborations, including their later work together on Arrested Development.[21]Acting career
Early roles
Shawkat's entry into professional acting began at age 11, when she appeared as an uncredited extra in the war comedy film Three Kings, directed by David O. Russell and starring George Clooney; in the role, she portrayed the daughter of an Iraqi soldier.[6] This debut came shortly after she expressed interest in acting, prompting her parents to support her by driving her to auditions from their home in Riverside, California. Her first substantial role arrived two years later as the lead character Hannah Miller in the ABC Family series State of Grace (2001–2002), a coming-of-age drama set in 1965 Texas that co-starred Mae Whitman as her best friend.[6] Shawkat's performance as the thoughtful, resilient daughter of a Catholic family navigating social changes marked her breakout as a child actress, though the show was canceled after eight episodes due to low ratings.[7] Following the end of State of Grace, Shawkat took on several guest roles in early 2000s television, including appearances on JAG (2001), where she played a young girl in the episode "Front and Center," as well as Without a Trace (2002), Boomtown (2002), and Presidio Med (2002).[4] These parts, often featuring her as vulnerable or street-smart teens, helped build her resume amid a competitive landscape for young performers. As a biracial actress of Iraqi and European descent, Shawkat faced casting challenges in her early career, frequently being typecast or dismissed as "too ethnic" for mainstream roles, which led her to alter her appearance—such as getting highlights to appear more conventionally white—and to obscure her heritage by claiming mixed European backgrounds during auditions.[14] These experiences highlighted the limited opportunities for diverse child actors in Hollywood at the time. After State of Grace, Shawkat intensified her focus on Los Angeles-based opportunities, commuting more frequently from Palm Springs to pursue additional auditions and roles, a shift that expanded her exposure in the industry despite the logistical demands on her family.[15]Breakthrough with Arrested Development
Alia Shawkat landed her breakthrough role as Maeby Fünke in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development at the age of 14, beginning with the series premiere in November 2003.[4] Portraying the adopted daughter of Lindsay and Tobias Fünke, Shawkat embodied a rebellious and scheming teenager who frequently devised manipulative schemes to navigate the absurdities of the dysfunctional Bluth family, often displaying sharp sarcasm and cunning resourcefulness.[22] Her performance contributed to the show's cult status during its original three-season run from 2003 to 2006, where Maeby served as a foil to the family's chaos through her opportunistic antics, such as faking illnesses or impersonating others for personal gain.[23] Shawkat reprised the role in the Netflix revivals, appearing in all 15 episodes of season 4 in 2013 and throughout season 5 from 2018 to 2019, extending her tenure as Maeby to over 15 years across the series' full run.[24] In these later seasons, Maeby's character evolved into a more confident deceiver, managing family crises with misguided advice and elaborate cons, such as posing as an elderly resident to infiltrate a senior community.[23] This continuity allowed Shawkat to mature the role alongside the show's nonlinear storytelling, highlighting Maeby's enduring wit and independence.[25] Shawkat's portrayal earned critical acclaim for its comedic timing and nuance, helping establish her as a versatile young actress capable of blending humor with emotional depth in ensemble dynamics.[25] She won the 2005 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actress for her work in Arrested Development.[26] However, the role's prominence led to typecasting concerns, with Shawkat later reflecting that it was "a blessing and a curse," requiring her to actively seek diverse projects to demonstrate her range beyond the mischievous teen archetype.[22]Independent films and 2010s television
Following her established comedic foundation from Arrested Development, Shawkat transitioned into more diverse supporting roles in independent cinema during the late 2000s and 2010s, often portraying quirky, relatable young women in ensemble-driven stories.[27] In Drew Barrymore's directorial debut Whip It (2009), she played Pash, the supportive best friend to the protagonist in this roller derby coming-of-age tale, earning positive notes for her energetic chemistry amid the film's empowering ensemble.[28][29] This role marked an early step into indie projects that highlighted her ability to blend humor with subtle emotional depth, setting the stage for further explorations in dramatic territory. Shawkat continued building her indie profile with memorable supporting parts in films that emphasized character-driven narratives over blockbuster spectacle. In The Runaways (2010), directed by Floria Sigismondi, she portrayed Robin, the fictionalized bassist in the all-female rock band biopic starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, contributing to the film's authentic depiction of 1970s punk rebellion.[30][31] Her performance as Bree, a free-spirited escort in the dark comedy Cedar Rapids (2011), added a layer of unpredictable charm to the ensemble led by Ed Helms, with critics appreciating her insouciant delivery in the film's satirical take on Midwestern conventions.[32][33] Similarly, in The To Do List (2013), a raunchy summer comedy directed by Maggie Carey, Shawkat played Fiona, one of the protagonist's wisecracking best friends, helping to ground the film's bold exploration of female sexuality with her naturalistic timing.[34] She further demonstrated her range in the punk-rock horror-thriller Green Room (2015) as Sam, the guitarist in a punk band trapped by neo-Nazis, praised for her intensity in the survival ensemble.) In the coming-of-age dramedy 20th Century Women (2016), she appeared as Trish, a acquaintance in a story of 1970s motherhood and youth. These roles showcased Shawkat's versatility in low-budget, character-focused indies, where she often elevated ensemble dynamics without dominating the spotlight.[27] On television during the 2010s, Shawkat took on recurring dramatic turns that allowed her to expand beyond comedy. She appeared as Lila, a complex love interest entangled in the Pfefferman family's evolving relationships, across eight episodes of Amazon's Transparent from 2017 to 2019, delivering a nuanced portrayal of intimacy and vulnerability in the series' exploration of transgender identity and family bonds.[35][36] Her most prominent small-screen role came as the lead in the dark comedy Search Party (2016–2022), initially airing on TBS before moving to HBO Max, where she played Dory Sief, a aimless millennial drawn into a web of amateur sleuthing, murder, and psychological unraveling over five seasons.[37] Critics lauded Shawkat's evolution from wry detachment to intense dramatic intensity, with her performance as Dory hailed as a standout for capturing the character's moral ambiguity and escalating desperation, transforming the series from satire to thriller.[38][39][40] In 2018, she co-wrote, co-produced, and starred as Naima in the experimental queer romance Duck Butter, portraying a woman in a 24-hour intimacy pact that critiques relational dishonesty. In 2016, Shawkat briefly ventured into modeling, walking the runway for Opening Ceremony during New York Fashion Week, a high-profile appearance that highlighted her off-screen style and cultural presence amid her rising acting profile.[41] This period solidified her reputation for selecting projects that balanced indie authenticity with opportunities to stretch her dramatic range, influencing her trajectory into more auteur-driven work.2020s projects and recent work
Shawkat continued her trajectory in character-driven roles with her portrayal of Sadie, a bank teller, in the 2018 crime drama The Old Man & the Gun, directed by David Lowery, which bridged her 2010s independent film work into the new decade. In 2021, she played Madelyn Pugh, one of the writers for the I Love Lucy sitcom, in Aaron Sorkin's biographical drama Being the Ricardos, starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, earning praise for her depiction of the creative team's dynamics during a pivotal week in Lucille Ball's career.[42] Her performance contributed to the film's exploration of gender and professional challenges in 1950s Hollywood television production.[43] On television, Shawkat starred as Angela Adams (also known as Emily Chase), a CIA operative grappling with identity and moral ambiguities, in FX's The Old Man (2022–2024) opposite Jeff Bridges, across two seasons that explored espionage and family secrets.) She guest-starred as Gwendolyn Y., a Lumon Industries employee, in two episodes of Apple TV+'s Severance season 2 (2025).) In film, she appeared in the psychological thriller Blink Twice (2024), directed by Zoë Kravitz, as Sarah, a reality star in an ensemble uncovering dark secrets on a billionaire's island. Shawkat also provided the voice of Kh'ymm, a map expert and scoundrel, in two episodes of the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2024). Shawkat guest-starred as Kate Forster in the season 2, episode 9 of Poker Face titled "A New Lease on Death," which aired in June 2025 on Peacock, portraying a complex character in the anthology mystery series created by Rian Johnson.[44] Her nuanced performance in the episode, involving themes of identity and deception amid a real estate intrigue, led to a nomination for Performer of the Month in June 2025 by SpoilerTV, recognizing her standout guest appearance alongside Awkwafina and Lauren Tom.[45] Looking ahead, Shawkat starred in the 2025 Gucci short film The Tiger, directed by Spike Jonze and Halina Reijn, where she joined an ensemble including Elliot Page and Demi Moore in a dystopian reimagining of the Gucci legacy as a California family grappling with existential insecurities.[46] She also lent her voice to Mona Hussein, the sharp-witted older sister navigating identity and sexuality, in the Prime Video animated sitcom #1 Happy Family USA, created by Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady, which premiered in April 2025 and follows a Muslim-American family's post-9/11 experiences with humor and heart.[47] Additionally, Shawkat appeared in the Audible audio drama The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery, the second season of the neo-noir series starring Jon Hamm, playing a key role in a 1957 Los Angeles-set story of corruption and eviction battles inspired by the Dodgers' relocation.[48] In 2024, Shawkat was announced for Atropia, a war satire written and directed by Hailey Benton Gates in her feature debut, produced by Luca Guadagnino, where she stars as Fayruz, an aspiring actress hired for role-playing in a U.S. military simulation of an Iraqi village, opposite Callum Turner as an insurgent soldier.[49] The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, winning the Grand Jury Prize, with Shawkat promoting the project alongside the cast and director during festival panels and screenings, highlighting its blend of romance, absurdity, and critique of military simulations.[50] Atropia received a limited theatrical release in December 2025, with wider expansion planned for January 2026.[51]Other creative pursuits
Visual arts
Alia Shawkat began painting at the age of 18 as a private hobby after moving to New York, where a then-boyfriend encouraged her to explore the practice beyond her habitual doodling.[52] With no formal art training, she developed a self-taught approach influenced by her dreams and personal journals, which she uses to capture raw emotional experiences.[18] Her style features scrawled, spontaneous drawings and paintings that depict people amid vibrant patchworks of colors and textures, often employing mixed media like oil pastels for a brutally honest aesthetic.[18][53] In 2018, Shawkat's artworks were featured in Dazed magazine, highlighting their unfiltered portrayal of inner turmoil and growth.[53] She views her visual art as a vital recharge for her acting career, providing a therapeutic outlet to process emotions and maintain creative balance amid the demands of performance work.[18] This personal practice occasionally intersects with her producing instincts, fostering a broader creative expression.[18] Shawkat's first solo exhibition took place in 2022 at the Spring Break Art Show in Los Angeles, where she presented a selection of paintings and drawings alongside a live sculpting performance for visitors.[54][55] The show marked a public unveiling of her long-held private pursuit, emphasizing themes of introspection and materiality without reliance on gallery representation.[54] In November 2025, she held her debut New York solo exhibition, puer prima, at Aicon Contemporary, featuring her paintings and drawings.[56]Directing and producing
Shawkat entered the realm of producing in the mid-2010s, beginning as co-producer on the 2015 comedy-drama Nasty Baby, directed by Sebastián Silva, which explores themes of parenthood and identity through a queer lens.[4] In 2018, she co-wrote the screenplay for and served as executive producer on the independent experimental film Duck Butter, directed by Miguel Arteta, centering on intimate female relationships and sexuality over a 24-hour period. She expanded her producing role as executive producer on the dark comedy series Search Party (2016–2022), where she contributed to the creative development of its five seasons, which follow a group's descent into obsession and crime. Shawkat made her television directing debut in 2015 with the episode "Sugar" of the web series Prema Cruz.[57] In 2025, Shawkat executive produced the satirical war film Atropia, directed by Hailey Gates and overseen by producer Luca Guadagnino, which examines simulated military scenarios and emotional authenticity. Shawkat has cited her multifaceted creative pursuits, including visual arts, as influencing her interest in directing to gain greater narrative control beyond acting.[52]Personal life
Relationships and family
Shawkat publicly identified as bisexual in a 2017 interview with Out magazine, stating, "I consider myself bisexual, and I think balancing my male and female energies has been a big part of me growing as an actor."[58] She has discussed how realizing her bisexuality was a significant personal milestone that influenced her self-expression.[59] In her romantic history, Shawkat dated musician Jack Antonoff from 2009 to 2010.[60] She was also in a relationship with actor Michael Angarano from January 2010 to November 2011.[60] Rumors of a romantic involvement with actor Brad Pitt emerged in 2019 after they were photographed together multiple times, but Shawkat addressed and denied them in June 2020, clarifying to Vulture that their connection was a platonic friendship and they were "not dating."[61] As of 2025, Shawkat is single. She welcomed her first child in late 2023; she was first photographed with the newborn in Los Angeles in November of that year.[62]Activism and interests
Shawkat has been vocal about sexual harassment in Hollywood since the height of the #MeToo movement. In a 2017 interview, she emphasized the importance of addressing not just harassment but broader gender dynamics on set, stating that men must take ownership of their role in perpetuating these issues for true healing to occur.[17] She has also advocated for greater ethnic representation in media, drawing from her own experiences as an Arab-American actress. Shawkat has shared that early in her career, she was often deemed "too ethnic" for roles and encouraged to alter her appearance, such as by getting highlights to appear more white, but she now views her heritage as a strength amid shifting industry conversations.[14] She pushes for changing narratives about Middle Easterners, arguing that representation alone is insufficient without transforming the stories themselves to counter longstanding stereotypes.[14] In September 2025, Shawkat signed an open pledge with Film Workers for Palestine.[63] As an openly bisexual woman, Shawkat has committed to LGBTQ+ activism and philanthropy. In 2017, she publicly identified as bisexual, noting her awareness of it since childhood, and pledged to be more outspoken as a member of the community.[64] In 2019, she received the Point Courage Award from the Point Foundation, recognizing her leadership in advocating for LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education.[65] Beyond activism, Shawkat maintains personal interests that provide balance to her professional life. She enjoys traveling, which she describes as a meditative process of self-discovery while immersing herself in new environments and communities.[66] Reading and engaging with literature also feature prominently, as evidenced by her narration of audiobooks and contributions to literary projects like reading short stories for public events.[67]Filmography
Film roles
Shawkat has appeared in a variety of film roles throughout her career, beginning as a child and expanding alongside her television work, gradually taking on supporting parts in independent and mainstream features. Her film debut came in the war comedy Three Kings (1999), where she portrayed Amir's daughter in a brief appearance alongside George Clooney.[68] In Whip It (2009), Shawkat played Pash, the supportive best friend to the protagonist in Drew Barrymore's directorial debut about roller derby.[69] She next appeared in The Runaways (2010) as Robin, the band's bassist in this biopic of the all-female rock group, marking one of her early music-themed roles.[31] Shawkat earned acclaim for her performance as Sam, the guitarist in a punk band trapped in a neo-Nazi venue, in the thriller Green Room (2015).[70] In 2018, she co-wrote the screenplay and starred as Naima in the independent comedy Duck Butter, directed by Miguel Arteta, exploring a raw 24-hour romantic experiment between two women.[71] Shawkat portrayed Madelyn Pugh, a key writer on I Love Lucy, in Aaron Sorkin's biographical drama Being the Ricardos (2021).[42] She appeared as Jess in the psychological thriller Blink Twice (2024), directed by Zoë Kravitz.[72] Recent projects include Atropia (2025), where she leads as Fayruz, an aspiring actress in a military role-playing simulation, directed by Hailey Benton Gates.[49] She also appears in the short film The Tiger (2025) as Katie, a Gucci-produced piece directed by Spike Jonze and Halina Reijn.[73]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Three Kings | Amir's Daughter | Brief appearance in David O. Russell's war satire.[68] |
| 2005 | Rebound | Amy | Supporting role in sports comedy.[74] |
| 2006 | Deck the Halls | Madison Finch | Family comedy.[75] |
| 2008 | Bart Got a Room | Camille | Indie comedy.[76] |
| 2008 | Prom Wars | Diana Riggs | Teen comedy.[77] |
| 2009 | Amreeka | Salma Halaby | Lead in immigration dramedy.[78] |
| 2009 | Whip It | Pash | Best friend in roller derby coming-of-age story.[69] |
| 2010 | The Runaways | Robin Robbins | Fictionalized band member in rock biopic.[30] |
| 2011 | The Lie | Seven | Drama.[79] |
| 2011 | Cedar Rapids | Bree | Comedy.[80] |
| 2011 | The Oranges | Vanessa Walling | Romantic comedy-drama.[81] |
| 2012 | Damsels in Distress | Mad Madge | Comedy.[82] |
| 2012 | That's What She Said | Clementine | Comedy.[83] |
| 2012 | Ruby Sparks | Mabel | Fantasy romantic comedy.[84] |
| 2012 | The Brass Teapot | Louise | Dark comedy.[85] |
| 2013 | May in the Summer | Dalia | Romantic comedy.[86] |
| 2013 | The End of Love | Alia Shawkat | Cameo in drama.[87] |
| 2013 | The To Do List | Fiona Forster | Comedy.[88] |
| 2013 | Night Moves | Surprise | Thriller.[89] |
| 2013 | The Moment | Jessie Jamil | Drama.[90] |
| 2014 | Life After Beth | Roz | Horror comedy.[91] |
| 2014 | Wild Canaries | Jean | Mystery comedy.[92] |
| 2015 | The Final Girls | Gertie Michaels | Horror comedy.[93] |
| 2015 | The Driftless Area | Carrie | Drama.[94] |
| 2015 | Nasty Baby | Wendy | Comedy, co-producer.[95] |
| 2015 | Adam Green's Aladdin | Emily | Musical comedy.[96] |
| 2015 | Green Room | Sam | Punk guitarist in survival thriller.[97] |
| 2015 | Me Him Her | Laura | Comedy.[98] |
| 2016 | The Intervention | Lola | Drama.[99] |
| 2016 | Pee-wee's Big Holiday | Bella | Comedy.[100] |
| 2016 | Paint It Black | Josie | Drama.[101] |
| 2016 | 20th Century Women | Julie | Coming-of-age dramedy.[102] |
| 2017 | Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town | Agatha Benson | Comedy.[103] |
| 2018 | Blaze | Sybil Rosen | Biopic.[104] |
| 2018 | Duck Butter | Naima | Co-writer and lead in experimental romance.[105] |
| 2019 | Animals | Tyler | Drama.[106] |
| 2019 | First Cow | Woman with Dog | Drama.[107] |
| 2020 | The Letter Room | Rosita | Short film.[108] |
| 2021 | Love Spreads | Kelly | Drama.[109] |
| 2021 | Being the Ricardos | Madelyn Pugh | I Love Lucy writer in biopic.[110] |
| 2022 | Jackass Forever | Herself | Cameo.[111] |
| 2023 | Drift | Callie | Drama.[112] |
| 2024 | Blink Twice | Jess | Psychological thriller.[72] |
| 2025 | Atropia | Fayruz | Lead in satirical war drama, executive producer.[49] |
| 2025 | The Tiger | Katie | Ensemble in fashion short film.[73] |
Television roles
Shawkat began her television career with a lead role as Hannah Rayburn in the ABC Family coming-of-age drama series State of Grace, which aired from 2001 to 2002. In the show, set in the 1960s American South, she portrayed a young Jewish girl navigating friendship, family, and cultural differences alongside her Catholic best friend Grace.[113][27] From 2003 to 2006, Shawkat starred as a series regular in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development, playing Maeby Fünke, the clever and rebellious teenage daughter in a dysfunctional wealthy family facing financial ruin and legal troubles. She reprised the role in the Netflix revival seasons of 2013 and 2018–2019, where Maeby's character evolved into a more independent young adult involved in schemes like faking her age for movie jobs and navigating family chaos.[114][115] Shawkat had a recurring role as Lila in seasons 4 and 5 of the Amazon series Transparent (2017–2019), depicting a preschool teacher who enters a polyamorous relationship with Sarah Pfefferman, exploring themes of identity and non-traditional romance within the Pfefferman family dynamic.[116] She led the TBS and HBO Max dark comedy-thriller Search Party from 2016 to 2022, portraying Dory Sief, a directionless millennial whose life spirals into obsession after searching for a missing college acquaintance. Over five seasons, Dory's arc transforms from satirical navel-gazing to intense psychological thriller elements, including accidental murder, blackmail, imprisonment, and her emergence as a cult leader after a near-death experience, highlighting themes of privilege, guilt, and self-delusion.[37][38][117] In FX's The Old Man (2022–2024), Shawkat played Angela Adams, a CIA operative grappling with moral ambiguities, as a main cast member opposite Jeff Bridges.[118] She guest-starred as Gwendolyn Y. in season 2 of Apple TV+'s Severance (2024).[119] In 2023, Shawkat made a guest appearance in the Peacock mystery series Poker Face as Kate Forster (also known as Amelia Peek), a manipulative figure entangled in a scheme involving deception and murder at a retirement community.[44][120]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2002 | State of Grace | Hannah Rayburn | Lead, 40 episodes.[113] |
| 2003–2006; 2013; 2018–2019 | Arrested Development | Maeby Fünke | Main role, 79 episodes.[114] |
| 2017–2019 | Transparent | Lila | Recurring, 8 episodes.[121] |
| 2016–2022 | Search Party | Dory Sief | Lead, 50 episodes; also producer and director (1 episode).[37] |
| 2022–2024 | The Old Man | Angela Adams | Main role.[122] |
| 2024 | Severance | Gwendolyn Y. | Guest, 2 episodes.[122] |
| 2023 | Poker Face | Kate Forster / Amelia Peek | Guest, 1 episode.[44] |