Before she was winning Oscars or leading the Avengers as Captain Marvel, Brie Larson was basically everywhere on TV. If you were watching FX in the early 2010s, you might have caught her in a role that feels worlds away from the stoic Carol Danvers. She popped up in the cult-favorite raunchy comedy The League, and honestly, if you blinked, you might have missed the connection.
It’s one of those "wait, was that her?" moments that fans love to rediscover. Brie Larson in The League isn't just a random trivia fact; it’s a glimpse into the comedic grind she was putting in before her massive Hollywood breakthrough.
Who Was Ashley?
In Season 3 of The League, Larson joined the chaos as Ashley. If you know the show, you know it’s centered around a group of friends who are absolutely obsessed with fantasy football and equally obsessed with making each other’s lives miserable. Larson’s character enters the fray in the episode "Ol' Smoke Crotch" (Season 3, Episode 4), which aired back in 2011.
She plays the au pair for Ruxin’s son, Geoffrey. Now, Ruxin—played by Nick Kroll—is famously neurotic and paranoid. He hires Ashley primarily because of her looks, which, in the twisted logic of the show, immediately creates a problem. Ruxin becomes convinced that his wife, Sofia, is going to fire Ashley because she’s too attractive.
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His solution? Try to make Ashley look less appealing. It’s classic The League—cringe-inducing, fast-paced, and totally absurd. Larson plays the part with a sort of "cool girl" nonchalance that perfectly balances out the high-energy mania of the main cast.
Why This Role Still Matters for Fans
Looking back at the appearance of Brie Larson in The League, you can see the versatility that eventually made her a star. 2011 was a busy year for her. She was coming off United States of Tara and was just starting to transition into bigger film roles like 21 Jump Street.
What’s interesting is how she held her own against some of the best improvisers in the business. The League was famous for its "retroscripting," where the actors were given a plot outline but improvised most of the dialogue.
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- She appeared in two episodes total.
- Most of her scenes were with Nick Kroll and Jason Mantzoukas (who played the legendary, unhinged Rafi).
- Her character wasn't just a "pretty face" trope; she had to navigate the bizarre social dynamics of the group.
Working with people like Mantzoukas is basically a trial by fire for any actor. If you can keep a straight face while he’s screaming about "pocket dogs" or whatever other insanity his character is up to, you’ve got serious chops. Larson didn't just survive; she fit the tone of the show perfectly.
The "Before They Were Famous" Phenomenon
The League was a weirdly effective breeding ground for future stars. It’s kinda funny to realize how many people passed through that show before hitting the A-list. Seeing Brie Larson in The League is a lot like seeing Meghan Markle in Horrible Bosses or Chris Pratt in The O.C. It reminds us that "overnight success" is almost always a myth. In 2011, Larson was a working actress taking guest spots on cable comedies. She wasn't "Academy Award Winner Brie Larson" yet; she was just Ashley the au pair.
She eventually returned for another episode later in the season, proving that the writers and cast enjoyed having her around. It’s a bit of a departure from the more "prestige" roles she’s known for now, like in Room or Lessons in Chemistry, but that’s exactly why it’s worth a rewatch.
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How to Find the Episodes
If you want to see Brie Larson in The League for yourself, you’re looking for:
- Season 3, Episode 4: "Ol' Smoke Crotch" – This is her big introduction.
- Season 3, Episode 13: "The Sukkah" – She makes another appearance here as the plot lines of the season start to collide.
Most people today know her for the big-budget spectacles, but these small, weird TV credits are where she really honed her timing. Honestly, the show is worth watching anyway if you like improvised comedy, but seeing a future superhero navigate the world of Ruxin and Taco is a specific kind of joy.
If you’re doing a deep dive into her early career, don't stop there. Check out her guest spots on Community as Rachel the coat-check girl or her recurring role in Kroll Show. It’s clear she had a real love for the alternative comedy scene in LA during that era.
To see how far she's come, you can stream The League on platforms like Hulu or Disney+ (depending on your region), or pick up the Season 3 DVD if you're still into physical media. Watching these episodes back-to-back with her recent work really highlights just how much range she actually has.