Annie Murphy: From Struggling Actress to Emmy Winner
The journey of Annie Murphy is a testament to perseverance in the entertainment industry. Before becoming a household name, Murphy navigated the challenging landscape of the Canadian and American acting scenes, balancing small roles with the ambition to break into comedy.
Early Career and the Struggle for Comedy
Murphy made her professional acting debut in 2007 with the crime-thriller television film Lethal Obsession. For several years, she built her resume through various small and extra roles in Canadian cinema, appearing in titles such as Story of Jen (2008), Lick (2010), and A Windigo Tale (2010). She also gained experience in Canadian television series like Good God and Rookie Blue, both released in 2012.
Despite these opportunities, Murphy found herself pigeonholed. She has noted that during this period, she was a "struggling actress" who desperately wanted to perform in comedies, but her professional history consisted almost entirely of dramatic roles.
Her reach extended to American television during this time, with appearances in series such as The Beautiful Life: TBL (2009), Blue Mountain State (2010), Against the Wall (2011), and Beauty & the Beast (2012).
The Turning Point: Schitt's Creek
By 2013, Murphy was on the verge of quitting acting. Following a period of intense personal hardship—including the loss of her home to a fire, severe financial instability, and a failed screen test—she felt the universe was signaling that acting was not her path. However, two days after reaching this low point, she auditioned for the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek.
Murphy landed the role of Alexis Rose, a character she would portray for six seasons from January 2015 until April 2020. This role transformed her career, moving her from the fringes of the industry to international acclaim.
Critical Acclaim and Award Recognition
As her profile grew, Murphy expanded her creative horizons. After spending six years in Montreal, she moved to Toronto to co-create and star in The Plateaus (2015), a web series centered on four musicians. This project earned her a nomination for Best Performance in a Program or Series Produced for Digital Media at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards.
Her work as Alexis Rose brought a wave of prestigious nominations and wins. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the Canadian Screen Awards in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Other notable accolades include:
- Gracie Awards: Won Best Actress in a Breakthrough Role (2019).
- Critics' Choice Television Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2019).
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2019).
- Primetime Emmy Awards: Won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (September 2020) for the final season of Schitt's Creek.
Diversifying Her Portfolio
Following the conclusion of Schitt's Creek, Murphy took on a variety of lead and supporting roles. In February 2020, she was cast as the lead in the AMC dark comedy Kevin Can F**k Himself, though production was delayed until September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murphy has also become a sought-after face for commercial campaigns, working with Hudson's Bay (alongside Catherine O'Hara), HelloFresh (in the web series Hungry Hearts), Nintendo Switch, Phexxi, and Sparkling Ice (as the Chief Flavor Officer in 2024 and 2025).
Her recent acting credits include portraying young Ruth Brenner in the Netflix series Russian Doll (2022) and appearing in the Black Mirror episode "Joan Is Awful" (2023) opposite Salma Hayek. She also ventured into voice acting as the villainous Chelsea Van Der Zee/Queen Nerissa in the animated film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023).
| Category | Key Project/Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough Role | Alexis Rose in Schitt's Creek | 2015–2020 |
| Major Award | Primetime Emmy Award (Supporting Actress) | 2020 |
| Web Series | The Plateaus (Co-creator/Star) | 2015 |
| Voice Acting | Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken | 2023 |
| Lead Role | Kevin Can F**k Himself | 2020 (Cast) |
Key Facts
- Debut: Started her acting career in the 2007 film Lethal Obsession.
- Career Pivot: Almost quit acting in 2013 before landing the role of Alexis Rose.
- Major Win: Won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020 for Schitt's Creek.
- Versatility: Has worked across film, television, web series, voice acting, and high-profile advertising.
- Canadian Roots: Spent six years in Montreal before relocating to Toronto.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Annie Murphy's first acting role?
Annie Murphy made her acting debut in the 2007 crime-thriller television film Lethal Obsession.
Which role made Annie Murphy famous?
She gained international fame for playing Alexis Rose in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek from 2015 to 2020.
Has Annie Murphy won any major awards?
Yes, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020 and a Gracie Award for Best Actress in a Breakthrough Role in 2019.
What other projects has she worked on besides Schitt's Creek?
Her work includes the series Kevin Can F**k Himself, Russian Doll, Black Mirror, and the animated film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.
Did Annie Murphy create any of her own content?
Yes, she co-created and starred in the 2015 web series The Plateaus, which earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination.