
Melanie Lynskey is a lauded actress from New Zealand widely recognized for her roles as Shauna in the thriller drama series “Yellowjackets (2021)” and Rose in the American sitcom “Two and a Half Men (2003). Born on May 16, 1977, in New Plymouth, she made her film debut as Pauline Parker, in Peter Jackson’s true crime thriller “Heavenly Creatures (1994)." Her filmography consists of a diverse balance of independent and mainstream Hollywood productions.
Known for her ability to portray a wide range of nuanced and multi-dimensional characters, she has earned widespread recognition for her work. With 21 accolades to her name, she has earned three Critics Choice Awards and a Sundance Special Jury award, along with multiple Emmy and Gotham Award Nominations.
List of Melanie Lynskey's movies

Lynskey’s filmography reflects her versatility as an actress, which spans across both independent and mainstream cinema. She has appeared in several romantic comedy movies such as “Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998),” and “Sweet Home Alabama (2002),” as well as in intense dramas such as “Shattered Glass (2003),” and “Flags of Our Fathers (2006).”
Her work in independent films such as “Hello I Must Be Going (2012),” “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017),” and the Sundance Special Jury Award-winning, “The Intervention (2016)” has further established her distinctive presence in the industry. Additionally, she has also starred in films such as, “The Informant! (2009),” “Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012),” and “Don’t Look Up (2021).”
Here is a list of all of Melanie Lynskey's films along with the years of their release:
Year | Movie | Role |
1994 | Heavenly Creatures | Pauline |
1996 | The Frighteners | Deputy |
1998 | Even After: A Cinderella Story | Jacqueline |
1999 | Measureless to Man | - |
1999 | The Cherry Orchard | Dunyasha |
1999 | But I’m a Cheerleader | Hilary |
1999 | Detroit Rock City | Beth |
1999 | Foreign Correspondents | Melody |
2000 | Coyote Ugly | Gloria |
2001 | Snakeskin | Alice |
2002 | Abandon | Mousy Julie (as Melanie Jaybe Lynskey) |
2002 | Shooters | Marie |
2002 | Sweet Home Alabama | Lurlynn |
2003 | Shattered Glass | Amy Brand |
2003 | Claustrophobia | Lauren |
2004 | The Nearly Unadventurous Life of Zoe Cadwaulder | Zoe Cadwaulder |
2005 | Say Uncle | Susan |
2006 | Park | Sheryl |
2006 | Flags of Our Fathers | Pauline Harnois |
2007 | Itty Bitty Titty Committee | Plastic Surgery Lady (uncredited) |
2008 | A Quiet Little Marriage | Monique |
2008 | Show of Hands | Jess |
2009 | Leaves of Grass | Colleen |
2009 | The Informant! | Ginger Whitacre |
2009 | Up in the Air | Julie Bingham |
2009 | Away We Go | Munch |
2010 | Helena from the Wedding | Alice |
2011 | Win Win | Cindy |
2011 | Touchback | Macy |
2012 | Putzel | Sally |
2012 | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Aunt Helen |
2012 | Seeking a Friend for the End of the World | Karen |
2012 | Eye of the Hurricane | Amelia Kyte |
2012 | Hello I Must Be Going | Amy |
2013 | The Big Ask | Hannah |
2014 | Goodbye to All That | Annie Wall |
2014 | We’ll Never Have Paris | Devon |
2014 | Chu and Blossom | Miss Shoemaker |
2014 | They Came Together | Brenda |
2014 | Happy Christmas | Kelly |
2015 | Digging for Fire | Squiggy |
2016 | Folk Hero & Funny Guy | Becky |
2016 | Little Boxes | Gina McNulty-Burns |
2016 | The Great & The Small | Margaret |
2016 | Rainbow Time | Lindsay |
2016 | The Intervention | Annie |
2017 | The Changeover | Kate Chant |
2017 | And Then I go | Janice |
2017 | 1 Mile to You | Coach Rowan |
2017 | XX | Mary |
2017 | I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore | Ruth |
2018 | Sadie | Rae |
2021 | Don’t Look Up | June Mindy |
2021 | Lady of the Manor | Hannah |
2024 | Griffin in Summer | Helen |
2024 | Over the Garden Wall: 10th Anniversary Tribute | Beatrice (voice) |
List of Melanie Lynskey's TV shows

Melanie Lynskey's portrayal of Rose in the long-running American sitcom Two and a Half Men (2003), is one of her most widely recognized roles on television. She has also played several notable characters in HBO’s comedy-drama series “Togetherness (2015),” Hulu’s miniseries “Candy (2022),” and Showtimes’ acclaimed psychological thriller series "Yellowjackets" (2021). Her performance as Shauna in the latter earned her a Critics Choice Award in 2022. More recently, she appeared in HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us (2023).”
Here is a list of all Melanie Lynskey's TV shows along with the years of their release:
Year | TV Show | Role |
2002 | Rose Red | Rachel Wheaton |
2003 | The Shield | Marcy Lindhoff |
2003-2015 | Two and a Half Men | Rose |
2007 | Drive | Wendy Patrakas |
2008 | The L Word | Clea Mason |
2008 | Psych | Emily Bloom |
2008 | Comanche Moon | Pearl Coleman |
2009 | It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Kate |
2010 | Memphis Beat | Annaliese Jones |
2010-2012 | The Life & Times of Tim | Becky (voice) |
2012 | House | Natalie Tavares |
2014 | Over the Garden Wall | Beatrice (voice) |
2014-2015 | Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Pearl (voice) |
2015 | Key and Peele | Fiance |
2015-2016 | Togetherness | Michelle Pierson |
2016 | Our Ex-Wife | Sara |
2016 | Animals | Linda (voice) |
2016-2018 | Future-Worm! | Megan, Madeline Madison, Megan Mind (voice) |
2017 | Sunshine | Zara Skelton |
2017 | Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later | Laura |
2017 | Girlboss | Gail |
2017 | American Dad! | Sharon (voice) |
2018 | Castle Rock | Molly Strand |
2018 | Summer Camp Island | Sun |
2019 | Easy | Beth |
2020 | Mrs. America | Rosemary Thomson |
2021 | Mom | Shannon |
2021 | Young Sheldon | Professor Ericson |
2021-2025 | Yellowjackets | Shauna |
2022 | Candy | Betty Gore |
2023 | The Last of Us | Kathleen Coghlan |
2023 | HouseBroken | Memory Sheep, Pinky (voice) |
2024 | The Tattooist of Auschwitz | Heather Morris |
Melanie Lynskey in Yellowjackets

Lynskey portrays the adult version of Shauna in “Yellowjackets,” while Sophie Nélisse plays her teenage counterpart. The series follows the aftermath of a horrific plane crash that leaves a high school girls' soccer team tragically stranded in the wilderness. The show weaves past and present narratives and explores their struggle for survival beside each other and the long-term consequences of their experiences.
Initially quiet and reserved, Shauna’s character undergoes significant changes as the seasons progress and she adapts to the realities of her situation. In a plot that mainly focuses on the complex relationships between the characters and the irreparable losses they experience, Lynskey's Shauna stands out. Her portrayal captures the impacts of trauma, the immense struggles with guilt, and the consequences of her past. As one of the series’ most pivotal characters, Shauna’s journey remains central to the show's evolving narrative.
Yellowjackets- Season 3 is currently airing on Paramount+ with Showtime every Friday at 12 a.m. ET, with a subsequent broadcast on Showtime every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Check out the official trailer for Season 3 here:
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FAQs about Melanie Lynskey
A. Yes. She is married to actor Jason Ritter.
A. Yes, they co-starred in “Heavenly Creatures (1994).”
A. She was nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys for her role as Shauna in “Yellowjackets (2021),” but has not won yet.