Honestly, if you’ve watched any prestige television in the last few years, you’ve probably seen Belinda Bromilow. You might not have known her name immediately, but you definitely remember the character. She has this uncanny ability to walk into a scene and completely hijack it with nothing more than a raised eyebrow or a glass of vodka.
Most people recognize her as the eccentric, chaos-loving Aunt Elizabeth from The Great. But her career didn't start in the Russian court. It’s been a long, fascinating road from Perth to the global stage.
The Great and the "Aunt Elizabeth" Effect
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Great changed everything for her. Playing Elizabeth of Russia, Bromilow managed to be the heart, the comic relief, and the most terrifying person in the room all at once. It wasn't just about the period costumes or the sharp dialogue written by her husband, Tony McNamara.
It was the weirdness.
She played a woman who trained butterflies and slept with whoever she wanted, yet she was the only one with any real political sense. Fans obsessed over her. You’ve probably seen the memes. That role proved she could handle "anti-historical" satire with a level of grace most actors can't touch.
Why Belinda Bromilow Movies and TV Shows Are Peaking in 2026
If you think she’s slowing down now that The Great is over, you’re wrong. As of January 2026, she’s actually busier than ever. She has successfully transitioned from "that funny lady from the Hulu show" to a genuine power player in both film and prestige streaming.
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The Age of Innocence (Netflix)
This is the big one. Right now, she’s filming a massive Netflix limited series adaptation of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. They’re shooting in Prague as we speak. Bromilow plays Adeline Archer, the mother of the lead character, Newland Archer.
It’s a huge pivot.
Instead of the wild, erratic energy we saw in her previous work, Adeline is described as a "well-informed widow who prefers solitude." It’s restrained. It’s elegant. It’s exactly the kind of role that wins awards. Seeing her share the screen with people like Camila Morrone and Margo Martindale is going to be a highlight of the 2026 TV season.
The Roses (2025/2026)
She also recently popped up in The Roses, the dark comedy remake of The War of the Roses. Directed by Jay Roach, this movie has a stacked cast—Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman lead the charge. Bromilow plays Janice, a counselor.
It’s a perfect fit.
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Her dry, Australian-honed wit works incredibly well against the high-tension environment of a crumbling marriage. It’s currently making the rounds in theaters and heading to streaming soon.
The Australian Roots You Might Have Missed
Before she was an international star, she was a staple of Australian TV. If you’re a die-hard fan looking through the back catalog of Belinda Bromilow movies and TV shows, you have to go back to the early 2000s.
- Doctor Doctor (2016–2021): She played Betty Bell for five seasons. She was in every single episode. If you want to see her do classic, heartwarming dramedy, this is where to go.
- Spirited (2010–2011): She played Jonquil Payne. This show was a cult favorite in Australia and really showed off her ability to do "quirky" without it being annoying.
- Packed to the Rafters: A tiny but memorable recurring role as Libby Sanders.
She also did the usual rounds on Aussie classics like McLeod’s Daughters and All Saints. It’s funny looking back at those guest spots now, knowing she’d eventually be at the Oscars.
Behind the Scenes: The Directorial Shift
Something most people don't know? She’s a director now.
In early 2025, her short film Glove premiered at Flickerfest. She wrote and directed it, and get this: it has zero dialogue. It’s a silent, visual story about a woman trying to find a partner who fits her idiosyncrasies.
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She’s mentioned in interviews that directing is "awful" but also "empowering." She’s even working on a feature film script right now. It seems she’s tired of waiting for other people to give her jobs and is just making her own luck.
Real Talk: The Health Battles
It’s not all red carpets. Bromilow has been incredibly open about surviving cancer twice. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer just ten weeks after her son was born in 2013. Then, in 2018, she dealt with melanoma.
She once auctioned off her $9,000 Oscar earrings to raise money for Mummy’s Wish, a charity that helps mums with cancer. That kind of real-world resilience is probably why she plays "strong but slightly broken" characters so well. There’s a depth there that isn't faked.
How to Catch Up on Her Work
If you're looking to binge-watch her best stuff, here is the most logical order to do it:
- For the "Vibe": Watch The Great (Hulu/Disney+). It’s her definitive performance.
- For the "Heart": Check out Doctor Doctor. It’s light, easy viewing.
- For the "Future": Keep an eye out for The Age of Innocence on Netflix later this year.
- For the "Deep Cuts": Track down Spirited. It’s harder to find but worth the hunt.
The best way to stay updated is to follow the production news for her upcoming Netflix projects, as The Age of Innocence is expected to be a major "event" series for the platform. Keep an eye on the 2026 awards circuit; there's a good chance her name will be in the mix for her supporting work this year.