TV Shows with Famke Janssen: From Sci-Fi Royalty to Dark Drama Queen

If you’ve ever found yourself watching a TV show and suddenly sat up and said, “Wait… isn’t that the woman who played Jean Grey in X-Men?”—you’re probably looking at Famke Janssen. She’s one of those unforgettable faces in Hollywood, equally at home slicing through action blockbusters or delivering emotional power plays on TV dramas.

Famke’s not just a movie icon—her TV portfolio is deep, diverse, and surprisingly underappreciated. Let’s go behind the scenes of her television journey and uncover how this Dutch actress left her mark on the small screen just as much as she did in theaters.

Who Is Famke Janssen? A Quick Look

Before diving into her TV roles, here’s a refresher.

Famke Beumer Janssen was born on November 5, 1964, in Amstelveen, Netherlands. That makes her a Scorpio—known for passion, mystery, and intensity, which might explain her commanding on-screen presence. As of 2025, Famke Janssen is 60 years old and still active in the entertainment industry.

Famke started her career as a model, strutting for major brands like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. But she quickly pivoted to acting in the early ‘90s and never looked back. She became a global sensation with roles like Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye and Jean Grey in the X-Men franchise.

Why TV?

So why does someone with blockbuster success shift into TV? For Famke, the answer seems to be range and storytelling. Television offered her the opportunity to explore layered characters, darker plots, and long-form development that films can’t always provide.

And she’s crushed it—whether in horror, legal thrillers, sci-fi, or political dramas.

1. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992)

Role: Kamala

Let’s rewind to the early ’90s. Famke made one of her first TV appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She played Kamala, a mysterious empathic alien who imprints her personality on whoever she’s around. Yep, it was as sci-fi and mind-bending as it sounds.

Even in this early role, her charisma was undeniable. Trekkies still bring up her appearance as one of the more memorable one-off characters.

2. Nip/Tuck (2004–2010)

Role: Ava Moore

Fast forward to Ryan Murphy’s wild world of plastic surgery, identity crises, and moral ambiguity—Nip/Tuck.

Famke’s character, Ava Moore, was a beautiful life coach with a huge twist. Over multiple seasons, she became one of the most talked-about characters on the show. She was seductive, complex, manipulative, and held dark secrets that unraveled episode by episode.

Her performance was praised for pushing boundaries and adding a psychological edge to an already controversial series.

3. Hemlock Grove (2013–2015)

Role: Olivia Godfrey

Ready for vampires, werewolves, and aristocratic nightmares? In this Netflix horror-thriller, Famke played Olivia Godfrey, the matriarch of a wealthy and sinister family.

With her icy delivery, razor-sharp sarcasm, and gothic fashion, Olivia felt like Morticia Addams mixed with Lady Macbeth. It was spooky, stylish, and super addictive.

This show marked one of Netflix’s early original series—and Famke was at the heart of it.

4. How to Get Away with Murder (2015–2020)

Role: Eve Rothlo

Teaming up with Viola Davis? Yes, please.

Famke played Eve Rothlo, a high-powered lawyer and former lover of Annalise Keating (Viola’s character). Her role wasn’t just a cameo—it added emotional depth and LGBTQ+ representation to the show.

Fans loved their chemistry. Their scenes weren’t just dramatic—they were raw, tender, and real.

5. The Blacklist (2016–2018)

Role: Susan “Scottie” Hargrave

Talk about power moves.

Famke’s Scottie Hargrave was introduced as a formidable, icy intelligence operative in The Blacklist. Her character was so strong she landed a spin-off: The Blacklist: Redemption.

Though the spin-off didn’t last beyond one season, it gave Famke room to showcase her skills as a leading woman in action-drama territory. She was cool, calculated, and carried the weight of emotional secrets like a pro.

6. The Blacklist: Redemption (2017)

Role: Scottie Hargrave (Lead Role)

This short-lived spin-off dove deeper into Scottie Hargrave’s backstory—her business, her fractured family, and her covert missions. While it didn’t get the same love as the parent show, fans of Famke got to see her dominate a lead role with intense screen time.

7. The Capture (2020)

Role: Jessica Mallory

This BBC techno-thriller explored surveillance, manipulated video footage, and political cover-ups. Famke played Jessica Mallory, the head of a mysterious CIA department operating in the UK.

She was intimidating yet calm—a puppeteer in a digital age of lies and control. The show was critically acclaimed, and her performance added gravitas to the plot.

8. Long Slow Exhale (2022)

Role: Dr. Melinda Barrington

In this lesser-known gem, Famke played a college athletics administrator navigating a scandal that threatens to bring everything down. It’s gritty, smart, and layered—and she nails the role with quiet confidence.

9. Locked In (2023)

Role: Katherine

Although this was a Netflix movie, it felt episodic in pace and tone. Famke played Katherine, a paralyzed woman with a dark past. It was a chilling performance filled with tension, emotional manipulation, and a shocking twist.

The internet couldn’t stop talking about it when it dropped.

10. Boy Kills World (2023)

Role: Hilda Van Der Koy

Okay, technically a movie, but it has TV-energy with its comic book vibes and surreal action. Famke plays a cartoonishly evil villain—and honestly, it looks like she had a blast.

It’s another feather in her cap showing she can still surprise us.

Famke Janssen Now in 2025

At 60, Famke isn’t slowing down.

She continues to act in edgy indie films, thrillers, and even directs from time to time. She’s fiercely private about her personal life—no kids, no public relationships since her marriage to director Kip Williams (which ended in 2000).

Her net worth? Estimated around $20 million—thanks to X-Men residuals, Netflix deals, and two decades of steady work.

She’s often praised for aging gracefully and avoiding the Hollywood trap of trying to look 30 forever. Her face still commands attention—chiseled, expressive, and unmistakably Famke.

Legacy: More Than Just Jean Grey

Sure, she’s iconic as Jean Grey, but Famke Janssen’s TV work deserves just as much applause. She’s brought mystery, elegance, and quiet strength to every show she’s touched.

From Starfleet to supernatural horror, from spy thrillers to courtroom drama—she’s done it all.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve only seen Famke Janssen in movies, you’re missing half the story.

Her TV roles reveal the depth, darkness, and daring choices that have kept her career alive and thriving. Whether she’s seducing plastic surgeons, raising vampire sons, or locking horns with secret agencies, Famke always delivers.

For more actor deep-dives and cinematic insights, head over to thegoted.com—where stories like these live.