In her long, distinguished career, Viola Davis has brought characters of huge dimension and strength to life. From television dramas to breakout box office hits, her performances have always engaged audiences and critics alike. Herein, we would like to celebrate five of the most iconic roles played by Viola Davis that solidified her as one of the best actresses of our time.

1. Annalise Keating in “How To Get Away With Murder” (2014 – 2020)

Directors: Various

Starring: Viola Davis, Billy Brown, Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King, Liza Weil, Karla Souza, Charlie Weber, Matt McGorry, Rome Flynn, Tom Verica, Conrad Ricamora

Viola Davis played Annalise Keating, a brilliant and enigmatic law professor in the ABC series How To Get Away With Murder. The series is by Peter Nowalk and produced by Shonda Rhimes. She retains the eponymous protagonist as she navigates complex legally intricate cases and a turbulent personal life.

The performance was groundbreaking. Davis won a well-deserved Emmy Award for it, becoming the first African American woman to take home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Suffice it to say that her subtle exploration of Keating’s complex personality served well with a gifted ensemble cast, including Billy Brown and Alfred Enoch, for six non-stop seasons that enthralled audiences.

2. Nanisca in “The Woman King” (2022)

Director:  Gina Prince-Bythewood

Starring: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Jordan Bolger, Lupita Nyong’o, Masali Baduza, Adrienne Warren, Julius Tennon, Shaina West, Jimmy Odukoya, Sheila Atim, Zozibini Tunzi, Sne Mbatha

In The Woman King, Viola Davis uses some of the following primary elements: General Nanisca is the leader of a unit made only by women and used by the Dahomey Kingdom for different battles. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood pushes Davis to surprising and startling levels in this performance regarding physicality and emotional range. She portrays an archetype of a strong and inspirational woman who fights through battles, political nuances, and so on, with unparalleled strength.

Like ensemble cast members Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and John Boyega—each of whom surrounds Davis with her commanding presence—The Woman King indeed is one of the more remarkable projects Davis has dealt with in her impressive, internationally acclaimed career.

3. Dr. Volumnia Gaul in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” (2023)

Director: Francis Lawrence

Starring: Viola Davis, Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Kjell Brutscheidt

Viola Davis joined the franchise of dystopian franchises bummed up in the ranks, with the prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. She can be seen playing the role of Dr. Volumnia Gaul, who becomes head game maker for the 10th edition of the Hunger Games. Helmed by Francis Lawrence, it poses a young beginning to the Games—whom Davis infuses with much-needed icy intensity. She commands positive attention in the role of Dr. Gaul and outfleshes the dark narrative of the film. Davis led an ensemble cast of Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, and Peter Dinklage, proving once again her nature of jacking up any ensemble with her wholesome particularity.

Make sure to read our The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes review, too.

4. Aibileen Clark in “The Help” (2011)

 Director: Tate Taylor

Starring: Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Mike Vogel, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Anna Camp, Emma Henry, Alison Janney, David Oyelowo

In The Help, Viola Davis gives a touching performance as Aibileen Clark, who works as a maid in Mississippi during the 1960s and narrates stories about working with white families. Helmed by Tate Taylor and based on Kathryn Stockett‘s novel, the film portrays the themes of racism, bravery, and women standing together. That meaty performance awarded her a place as an Academy Award nominee in the Best Actress category.

She shares the screen with Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and Bryce Dallas Howard and brings depth and dignity to the role through Aibileen. A receipt for her acting prowess could well be the complete bundle of catharsis it brings—emotional and resilient, right onto the surface of the view.

5. Rose Maxson in “Fences” (2016)

Director: Denzel Washington

Starring: Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Mykelti Williamson, Jason Silvis, Saniyya Sidney, Lesley Boone, Russel Hornsby

In Fences, directed by and starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis portrays Rose Maxson, a dedicated wife and mother who has her share of problems/circumstances put across 1950s Pittsburgh. Based on August Wilson‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, depth and complexity in emotion are runoffs from the class act that Davis delivered in this film. Her likening of Rose earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film is further furnished with sterling performances from both Stephen McKinley Henderson and Jovan Adepo, but it is Davis’s raw and bruised portrait of Rose that acts as the anchor. It collectively made this one of her most memorable roles to flow through the extent she could vent the exterior strengths and concerted vulnerability of the character.

Viola Davis’s career is the epitome of talent and versatility. These five roles prove that she can play powerful or vulnerable, multifaceted characters, leaving a mark on the audience and the film industry. Which of these roles played by Viola Davis was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!