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Honestly, it’s kinda wild to look back at the early 2010s and realize how many of us missed the arrival of a generational talent. Back then, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs—who most of the world now simply knows as Devery Jacobs—was a teenager from Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory putting in the work in indie Canadian circles.
Fast forward to 2026, and she’s basically everywhere. Whether she’s voicing a universe-altering Mohawk superhero in the MCU or navigating the gritty, heartbreakingly funny reality of Oklahoma life in Reservation Dogs, Jacobs has become the kind of actor who doesn't just play a character; she reshapes the industry around her.
If you’re trying to track down the best Devery Jacobs movies and tv shows, you’re essentially looking at a map of how Indigenous storytelling has moved from the margins to the absolute center of pop culture.
The Roles That Changed Everything
You can’t talk about her career without starting at the beginning. Most people think Reservation Dogs was her "first" big thing, but real ones know about Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013). She played Aila, a girl caught in the nightmare of the residential school system. It was heavy. It was brutal. And it earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination when she was barely out of high school.
Then came the middle years. She did the guest star circuit—shows like The Order and American Gods. In American Gods, she played Sam Blackcrow, a two-spirited Cherokee college student. Fun fact: Jacobs actually wrote a letter to Neil Gaiman to make sure that role was handled with the nuance it deserved. That’s just how she rolls.
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Then, Reservation Dogs happened.
Elora Danan Postoak. The name alone carries so much weight. As the "responsible" one of the Rez Dogs, Jacobs gave a performance that was so grounded and vulnerable it basically anchored the entire FX series.
But it wasn't just the acting. By season two, she was in the writers' room. By season three, she was directing. She didn't just star in one of the most acclaimed shows of the decade; she helped build its DNA.
Entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Recently, her career took a massive leap into the blockbuster world. If you haven't seen her in the MCU, you're missing out on a very specific piece of trivia: she plays two different characters.
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- Kahhori (What If...? Season 2): She voiced the first-ever original Mohawk superhero created for the screen. The episode was almost entirely in the Mohawk language. Jacobs has talked about how much pressure she felt to get the linguistics right, especially since she's been reclaimed her native tongue in her personal life.
- Bonnie (Echo): She also appeared in the live-action miniseries Echo as Maya Lopez’s cousin.
It’s rare for Marvel to let an actor play two separate roles in the same continuity, but when you have that much range, they clearly make exceptions.
Devery Jacobs Movies and TV Shows: A Selected Filmography
To make it easier, here’s a look at the projects you actually need to see if you want to understand her trajectory. No filler, just the essentials.
Must-Watch Television
- Reservation Dogs (2021–2023): This is the definitive work. Watch for her chemistry with the rest of the crew, but stay for the solo episodes where she deals with grief.
- Echo (2024): A grittier, street-level Marvel story where she plays Bonnie.
- What If...? (2023–2024): Specifically look for the episode "What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?"
- The Order (2019–2020): She played Lilith Bathory in this Netflix supernatural drama. It’s very different from her later work, but you can see the star power early on.
- American Gods (2019–2021): Her portrayal of Sam Blackcrow is a masterclass in making a supporting character feel like the lead of their own story.
Essential Films
- Backspot (2023/2024): This was a huge turning point. Jacobs starred as a competitive cheerleader, but she also produced it alongside Elliot Page. It’s a grueling, physical performance that shows her range beyond drama.
- Blood Quantum (2019): An Indigenous zombie flick. It’s gory, smart, and way better than your average horror movie.
- The Sun at Midnight (2016): She plays a suburban goth girl sent to the Arctic. It won her Best Performance at the Whistler Film Festival.
- Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013): The breakout. If you can handle the intensity, start here.
What’s Next for Jacobs in 2026?
She isn't slowing down. Her production company, Night is Y, which she runs with her partner D.W. Waterson, is actively developing new projects. One of the most anticipated is High Steel, a project she’s been developing through the Sundance Directors Lab. It’s a story about Mohawk ironworkers, something deeply personal to her community’s history.
There is also buzz about her returning to more voice work, including Ark: The Animated Series, which has been a long time coming for fans of the game.
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The Impact Beyond the Screen
What makes Devery Jacobs different from other rising stars is her refusal to just "be an actor." She’s an activist. She’s a queer icon. She’s a filmmaker.
She has been incredibly vocal about how Indigenous people are portrayed on screen. Remember when Killers of the Flower Moon came out? She didn't hold back, calling out the focus on violence rather than the humanity of the Osage people. She’s not afraid to bite the hand that feeds if it means pushing the industry toward actual progress.
Most people get her career wrong by thinking she's just "having a moment." This isn't a moment. It's the result of nearly twenty years of grit. From acting in The Dead Zone in 2007 to becoming a powerhouse producer in 2026, she’s proof that you don't have to compromise who you are to make it to the top.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to support her work and see more Indigenous-led stories, here is what you can do:
- Stream Backspot: It’s her first major credit as a producer and shows the kind of stories she wants to tell moving forward.
- Watch the Credits: Pay attention to the writers and directors on her projects. You’ll notice a lot of names like Sterlin Harjo and Danis Goulet—supporting them helps build the ecosystem she thrives in.
- Follow Independent Indigenous Media: Devery often shares smaller projects and community news from Kahnawà:ke that don't always make it to the mainstream trades.