You probably know her as the woman running away from a T-Rex in high heels. Or maybe the terrifyingly polite Hilly Holbrook in The Help. But honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Bryce Dallas Howard’s television career lately, you are missing the most interesting pivot in modern Hollywood.
She isn't just "Ron Howard’s daughter" anymore. She's a powerhouse.
Most people looking for Bryce Dallas Howard TV shows expect a long list of acting credits. While she has some absolute bangers in front of the camera, her real television legacy is currently being written from the director’s chair. As of 2026, she has officially directed more live-action Star Wars episodes than the man who created the whole galaxy, George Lucas.
That’s wild. But let’s look at how she got here, because the acting roles she did take on TV were weird, bold, and frankly, ahead of their time.
The Episode That Changed Everything: Black Mirror’s "Nosedive"
If you want to see Bryce Dallas Howard at her absolute peak as an actor, you have to watch the Black Mirror episode "Nosedive." It’s basically a horror movie for the Instagram generation. She plays Lacie Pound, a woman living in a pastel-colored nightmare where every human interaction is rated on a five-star scale.
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She was nominated for a SAG Award for this, and she earned it. To get into the headspace of a woman desperate for social validation, Howard actually gained 30 pounds. She wanted Lacie to look like someone who was constantly fighting her own body to fit a "perfect" image.
The ending—where she’s in a jail cell, screaming insults at another inmate just because she finally can—is one of the most cathartic moments in television history. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s the total opposite of the polished Claire Dearing we saw in Jurassic World.
Dominating the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Okay, let’s talk about the Star Wars of it all. This is where the search for Bryce Dallas Howard TV shows takes a turn into directing territory. Since 2019, she has become the "secret weapon" for Lucasfilm.
She didn't just stumble into this. She grew up on film sets, sure, but her work on The Mandalorian proved she has a specific eye for "The Volume" (that massive LED screen tech they use) that other directors struggled with early on.
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Her Star Wars Directing Resume:
- The Mandalorian: She directed "Sanctuary" (the AT-ST woods episode), "The Heiress" (introducing Bo-Katan), and "Guns for Hire."
- The Book of Boba Fett: She directed "Return of the Mandalorian," which most fans agree was basically the best episode of that entire series.
- Skeleton Crew: She stepped in for "Zero Friends Again" in 2024.
- Ahsoka Season 2: This is the big news for 2026. Howard directed two episodes for the new season, officially bringing her total count to seven live-action episodes.
Fans love her episodes because she treats the characters like humans, not just action figures. When she directed the introduction of Bo-Katan, she made sure the physical performance of the Mandalorians felt grounded. She understands the lore, but she isn't afraid to make it feel "lived-in."
The Weird Cameos and Voice Work
Sometimes Bryce pops up where you least expect her. Did you know she was in Arrested Development?
In 2018, she played a version of herself in the episode "Emotional Baggage." It was a hilarious nod to the fact that her father, Ron Howard, is the show’s narrator and a frequent character. Seeing her lean into the "Hollywood royalty" joke was a breath of fresh air.
Then there’s Tales of the Jedi. You might have missed it, but she provided the voice for Yaddle. Yes, the female member of Yoda’s species. It’s a small role, but it shows her deep integration into the Star Wars ecosystem. She’s everywhere in that universe.
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What’s Coming Next in 2026?
Right now, the buzz is all about her work on Ahsoka Season 2. Reports from LA Comic Con suggest she’s pushing the "romantic and adventurous" side of the story. It’s a bit of a shift from the gritty western feel of her early Mandalorian episodes.
She’s also been working on Deep Cover for Prime Video. While it’s technically a movie, the way we consume content now basically makes these high-budget streaming exclusives feel like event television. In it, she plays an improv actor recruited by the police. It sounds ridiculous, and honestly, that’s exactly the kind of range we’ve come to expect from her.
How to Watch Her Best Work
If you’re looking to binge the "Bryce Dallas Howard TV Essentials," here is your roadmap:
- Watch "Nosedive" (Black Mirror S3, E1) first. It’s the best evidence of her acting chops.
- Queue up The Mandalorian "The Heiress" (S2, E3). This is her best work behind the camera, balancing huge action with character-driven plot.
- Check out her voice work in Tales of the Jedi. Specifically the episode "The Sith Lord." It’s short, punchy, and surprisingly dark.
She’s clearly transitioning into a phase where she’s choosing projects that challenge the medium itself. Whether it’s social satire or high-concept sci-fi, Bryce Dallas Howard has moved far beyond the "blockbuster actress" label. She’s one of the few creators who actually understands how to make streaming television feel like cinema.
If you're tracking her career, keep an eye on the credits for the upcoming Star Wars: Ahsoka episodes—that's where the next evolution of her style is going to land.