Kerry Washington’s 10 Best Roles, According To Rotten Tomatoes

While Kerry Washington became a household name thanks to her leading role in the ABC drama Scandal and in movies like Ray, The Last King of Scotland, and even some well-known movies like the pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Fantastic Four, she has been acting since the mid ’90s.

The 43-year-old has appeared in many TV series and movies through her career, which is on the rise as she takes on new, more intriguing roles. But which have been Washington’s best roles to date? Here’s a ranking including both movies and television series, according to Rotten Tomatoes scores.

10 Mother & Child (2009) – 78%

This drama about a 14-year-old girl who gets pregnant and gives her baby up for adoption, then is haunted by the decision throughout her adult life, is an emotional journey. The story touches on adoption, unwanted pregnancy, death, and family.

Washington’s role is that of Lucy, a woman who is desperate to become a mother but is unable to have children of her own. With Naomi Watts and Annette Bening also heading up the cast, it’s a film with three strong female stars.

9 Little Fires Everywhere (2020- ) – 80%

This miniseries only just premiered in March 2020, but it’s already tied for the tenth highest rated movies or series that Washington has been a part of. She stars in this drama based on the 2017 novel of the same name written by Celeste Ng, opposite Reese Witherspoon as two mothers in the ’90s from very different backgrounds. Witherspoon’s character is a journalist, landlady, and mother of four teens who has a seemingly picture-perfect life while Washington plays Mia, an artist who works part-time as a waitress to make ends meet.

There were just eight episodes in the first season of Little Fires Everywhere, but Hulu confirmed that it was the most-watched drama ever to launch on the streaming service, which says a lot.

8 Ray (2004) – 80%

This biographical film about the iconic R&B singer, songwriter, and talented musician Ray Charles earned lead actor Jamie Foxx an Oscar. But there were plenty of other talented actors in the cast as well, including Washington, who played his wife Della Bea Robinson.

While Washington wasn’t the star of the film, she brought life to the story of Charles’ second wife to whom he remained married for 22 years. Charles was famously not faithful to her and fathered countless children outside of wedlock during the time they were together.

7 Night Catches Us (2010) – 81%

This drama about the Black Panthers in the ’70s stars Washington as the widow of a Panther who was killed. A fellow Panther named Marcus (played by Anthony Mackie) is blamed for his death since people believe he snitched on his friend.

Washington’s character becomes close with Marcus, which makes it difficult when they must both explain to her daughter who Marcus is and what happened to her father.

6 Confirmation (2016) – 83%

This HBO political thriller had a star-studded cast that included Washington along with Erika Christensen, Jennifer Hudson, Greg Kinnear, Bill Irwin, Jeffrey Wright, and Eric Stonestreet. Washington had a starring role as Anita Hill, the law professor who made sexual harassment allegations against Clarence Thomas, sparking a massive media frenzy.

As the world watched on, the court case took place as Hill told  her story and people believed, or didn’t believe, her. It was a landmark case that is still discussed to this day.

5 The Last King of Scotland (2006) – 87%

A historical drama, this movie was based on the novel of the same name written by Giles Foden about Nicholas Garrigan, a young Scottish doctor who sets out to Uganda to work as the personal doctor for President Idi Amin. It’s based on events in Amin’s actual rule and the film earned Forest Whitaker, who played Amin, an Oscar.

Washington plays Kay Amin, the youngest of Amin’s three wives. After having given birth to a son with epilepsy, Amin ostracizes her and she ends up sparking up a romance with Dr. Garrigan while he helps treat her son.

4 Django Unchained (2012) – 87%

One of Washington’s most jarring roles is plays Broomhilda “Hildi” von Shaft, the wife of lead character Django, who he is trying to save from slavery.

Dubbed a revisionist Western film, this Quentin Tarantino flick also stars Jamie Foxx as the title character alongside Christophe Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson. The film was a critical box office success, with the entire cast being applauded for their performances.

3 Girl Rising (2013) – 89%

This film might not be as high profile as some of the others on the list but it remains one of Washington’s top-five movies. It’s about nine girls from different countries, ranging from Peru to Ethiopia, with each story telling of their struggles and personal stories relating to cultural barriers. Each story is written by someone from that country and voiced by a famous actor.

In addition to Washington, other actors who provided narration include Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Liam Neeson, Priyanka Chopra, and others.

2 Our Song (2000) – 91%

Just barely in her 20’s at the time this movie was filmed, Our Song remains among her best. Washington plays one of three high school girls in this coming of age film about best friends who each have a different family situation, romantic interests, and moral code, and are looking to fulfill their own dreams.

Their one common denominator, though, is that they are all members of the Jackie Robinson Steppers marching band, and all dedicated to impressing the conductor. The movie was praised for being realistic and sensitive.

1 Scandal (2012-2018) – 93%

Washington’s most high-profile role and highest rated performance to date is political fixer Olivia Pope in ABC’s Scandal. She defined this character for all seven seasons, portraying a highly intelligent lawyer and fixer who delved deeper and deeper into darkness. The series tested her moral code (or lack thereof) as she did whatever was needed to be done to protect her clients and her team.

Washington beautifully played a woman who started out as a hero but slowly became so drunk with power and obsessed with winning that she would do unthinkable things. Her performance in every episode was chilling.

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