You know those actresses who appear on screen and, in the blink of an eye, steal the entire show? That’s Carrie Preston. She’s not only a fine actress; she’s the sort of performer who gets you to sit up, lean forward, and say, “Wow, who is THAT?”
From working as a biting waitress in True Blood to that quirky genius lawyer in The Good Wife, Carrie has provided some of the greatest television moments in the past twenty years. She’s the icing on the cake that makes an excellent show outstanding.
But what sets her performances apart? Is it her impeccable comedic timing? Her capacity to flip from sidesplitting to tear-jerking in the blink of an eye? The manner in which she turns a seemingly secondary role into an iconic one? It’s all of the above.
Let’s get into her top five TV roles and examine what makes each one unforgettable.
1. True Blood (2008–2014)
Imagine this: It’s a Louisiana bar filled with vampires, werewolves, and all manner of supernatural mayhem. At the center of it all is Arlene Fowler, a redhead with a quick tongue, a heart of gold (mostly), and no tolerance for bloodsucking hooey.
Carrie’s work in bringing Arlene to life was pure genius. She began as the tart, judgmental waitress at Merlotte’s, but over the course of seven seasons, we watched her transform into a ferociously loyal mother, a loyal friend, and a woman who battled heartbreak and horror without losing her wit.
The greatest thing about it? Regardless of how crazy True Blood became (and let’s be honest, it got crazy), Arlene always remained grounded. She was the human pulse in a crazy world. And that’s all because Carrie could take even the most out-there stories and bring them back down to earth with real emotion.
2. The Good Wife (2009–2016)
If you’ve ever seen The Good Wife, you likely recall the very moment Elsbeth Tascioni first came on screen. Why? Because she’s not like any TV lawyer you’ve ever met.
Most legal dramas are full of tough, no-nonsense lawyers who enjoy arguing. Not Elsbeth. She’s sweet, disorganized, and always appears to be lost in her own little world—until she turns around and utterly annihilates her opponents with sheer brilliance.
Having Carrie act out the role of Elsbeth is absolute bliss. She has that wonderful ability of making you get underestimations about her and then, presto, coming out with something that shows you she’s ahead of everyone in the room by ten steps.
No wonder she received an Emmy for doing this role. Elsbeth was not so much a role as a phenomenon.
3. The Good Fight (2017–2022)
Whereas The Good Wife had only teased us with Elsbeth, The Good Fight gave her free rein. And let me tell you? It was everything we’d have wished for.
Carrie’s character cropped up throughout the spin-off, injecting her trademark blend of wit and genius into an even more disorganized legal world. And though The Good Fight was grimmer and more politicized, Elsbeth was still a lovely, surprise wild card.
Whenever she appeared, you knew you were in for an acting masterclass. Carrie took what might have been a one-dimensional “quirky lawyer” and made her one of the most popular characters on contemporary television.
4. Claws (2017–2022)
And then there’s Claws, which doesn’t receive nearly enough praise for how great a show it was. It’s daring, it’s fashionable, and it has some of the strongest female leads on television—led by Carrie Preston as Polly Marks.
Polly is unlike anything we’ve seen from Carrie before. She’s a master manipulator, a con artist with a dark past, and a woman who can slip into different personas like she’s changing clothes. One minute, she’s sweet and vulnerable. The next, she’s scamming her way into someone’s life with a perfectly rehearsed sob story.
And yet, in spite of all her defects, you love Polly. She’s complex, intriguing, and perpetually diverting. That’s the enchantment of Carrie Preston—she can make you cheer for a character, even when she’s lying her face off.
5. Elsbeth (2024–Present)
Years of swiping scenes with ease and Carrie Preston finally getting the show’s top bill is long overdue. And as for it? It’s time.
Elsbeth is a spin-off focusing solely on Elsbeth Tascioni, and if first reaction is any indication, it’s going to be a success. This time, Elsbeth isn’t merely a quirky attorney appearing occasionally—she’s the main star, cracking cases in her own unconventional manner.
The Good Wife and The Good Fight fans already know Carrie is genius in this part, but now she gets to go even further. And that’s more comedic moments, more surprises, and more of the Elsbeth magic we can’t get enough of.
Final Thoughts
Carrie Preston is not only a fine actress—she’s the type of actor who makes television shows more interesting just for appearing on them. She adds humor, complexity, and unpredictability to every character, so that each one is special and memorable.
She can appear in a vampire series, a legal thriller, or a crime-ridden dramedy, and she succeeds. And with Elsbeth, she’s finally receiving the attention she’s long been worthy of.
So, if you haven’t yet, go see one of her shows. You won’t regret it, I promise. And if you’re already a fan, let’s rejoice that we get to see even more of Carrie Preston’s genius in the years ahead.
Check: Carrie Preston Best Movies
