Honestly, you've probably seen Caitlin FitzGerald a dozen times without even realizing it. She has this uncanny ability to disappear into a role—whether she’s playing a repressed 1950s housewife or a razor-sharp corporate coach in a modern-day power struggle. She isn’t just "that actress from that one show." She’s a chameleon.
From the prestige drama of Masters of Sex to the biting satire of Succession, her filmography is a masterclass in range. If you're looking for a deep dive into Caitlin FitzGerald movies and shows, you're in the right place. We aren't just listing credits here; we're looking at why she’s become one of the most reliable actors in the game.
The Role That Changed Everything: Masters of Sex
Most people first really "met" Caitlin when she took on the role of Libby Masters. For four seasons, she played the wife of Bill Masters (Michael Sheen). On paper, Libby could have been a total cliché. The "long-suffering wife" is a trope we've seen a million times in period pieces. But FitzGerald did something different.
She made Libby human. She brought a specific kind of quiet desperation to the screen that felt painful to watch but impossible to look away from. There’s a scene in the fifth episode of the first season where Libby is in a hospital bed, terrified about her pregnancy, and her husband is treating her like a medical specimen rather than a wife. The way FitzGerald balances vulnerability with a growing, hidden strength is basically why that show worked as well as it did.
Succession and the Art of the Scene-Steal
If you skipped Masters of Sex but love HBO, you definitely know her as Tabitha from Succession.
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Tabitha was a breath of fresh air in a show filled with terrible people. She was Roman Roy's girlfriend (sort of), but she was also the only person who seemed totally unfazed by the Roy family's billions. She was cool. She was bisexual. She had a history with Tom Wambsgans that involved a very "unusual" encounter at his bachelor party—something she wasn't afraid to hold over his head during a double date.
What's wild is that FitzGerald was actually supposed to be in Season 4. There was even a shot of her in the trailer! But as things happen in TV, her scenes were cut, likely due to scheduling or the narrative shifting toward the final Roy sibling showdown. Fans were gutted. Tabitha brought a specific, grounded energy to the "uber-wealthy" circus that no one else quite matched.
Caitlin FitzGerald Movies and Shows: The Career Highlights
It isn't just about the big TV hits. Her film work is surprisingly varied. She actually played Meryl Streep’s daughter in It's Complicated. Think about that for a second. To hold your own in a scene with Meryl Streep and John Krasinski early in your career is no small feat.
Here is a quick look at the projects you should actually care about:
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- Sweetbitter: She played Simone, the sophisticated, mysterious mentor/antagonist. If you’ve ever worked in fine dining, this show hits a little too close to home.
- Station Eleven: A smaller but vital role in one of the best limited series of the last decade.
- The Trial of the Chicago 7: She popped up in this Aaron Sorkin powerhouse, proving she can handle rapid-fire, intellectual dialogue just as well as emotional drama.
- Inventing Anna: Playing Mags, she added another layer to the "New York elite" world that she seems to understand so well.
- We Were Liars: A 2025 standout where she plays Penny Sinclair. If you haven't seen this yet, it's the kind of twisty, atmospheric drama she excels at.
Why She’s Dominating the West End Right Now
You might not know this, but Caitlin is a serious stage actor. In 2023, she starred as Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible in London. Fast forward to 2025 and 2026, and she's basically a permanent fixture on the British stage.
She recently took on the role of Desdemona in a high-profile revival of Othello alongside David Harewood and Toby Jones. And right now, in 2026, she’s gearing up for Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre. She is one of the few actors who can jump from a Netflix set to a Shakespearean stage without breaking a sweat. It’s that classical training (she’s a Stella Adler alum) coming through in every movement.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
People often pigeonhole her as the "elegant blonde" or the "period drama wife." That is a huge mistake.
If you look at her indie work, like the film Always Shine, you see a much darker, more competitive edge. She isn't just playing "refined" characters; she's often playing women who are using their refinement as a mask for something much more complicated.
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She even co-wrote and starred in a film called Like the Water, which was shot in her hometown in Maine. It’s a deeply personal project about grief. She isn't just an actress for hire; she’s a filmmaker who cares about the "why" behind the story.
Real Insights for the True Fan
If you're trying to catch up on her best work, don't just stick to the hits.
- Watch "Newlyweds": It’s an Ed Burns film, very low-key, very talky, and she is excellent in it.
- Don't skip "UnREAL": She had a guest arc as Gretchen Kerr. If you like behind-the-scenes drama, this show is a cult classic for a reason.
- Check out her shorts: She directed a short called Mrs. Drake that won awards for a reason. It shows her eye for detail from behind the camera.
Final Actionable Steps
If you want to see the full evolution of her talent, start with Masters of Sex to see her dramatic foundation. Then, jump to Succession for her comedic timing. Finally, if you're in London this year, get tickets for Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Lyttelton Theatre. Seeing her live is a completely different experience than seeing her on a screen.
The best way to stay updated on her upcoming projects is to keep an eye on National Theatre announcements, as she seems to be focusing heavily on prestige stage work through the end of 2026.
Check your local cinema listings for the filmed version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses if you can't make it to London; it's slated for a June 2026 release.