When you think of Mary Lynn Rajskub, your brain probably goes straight to one of two extremes. Either you see her as Chloe O'Brian, the perpetually stressed-out tech genius from 24, or you’re picturing Gail the Snail from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, getting salted in a dark bar. She’s an actor who thrives in the "weirdly specific" category.
So, when she showed up in the third season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, it wasn't just another guest spot. It was a casting masterstroke.
Mary Lynn Rajskub in Brooklyn 99 played Genevieve Mirren-Carter, the quirky, food-obsessed art gallery owner who finally managed to out-Boyle Charles Boyle. For a show that relied so heavily on the "lovable loser" energy of Charles, finding a romantic partner who didn't just tolerate his eccentricities but actually matched them was a tall order.
The Meet-Cute at the Courthouse
Genevieve first appears in the episode "Boyle's Hunch," and honestly, the introduction is pure chaos.
Charles and Jake are at the courthouse, and Charles is doing what Charles does—eating Takoyaki (octopus balls) to deal with the crushing loneliness of his failed dating life. Genevieve wanders over because she smells the octopus. It’s instant. They share a vibe that is both wholesome and deeply uncomfortable for everyone else in the room.
The twist? Just as Charles thinks he’s found "The One," Jake points out that she’s in handcuffs. She’s being sentenced to ten years for insurance fraud. Talk about a buzzkill.
🔗 Read more: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
What followed was a classic Brooklyn Nine-Nine investigation. Charles, blinded by "hunch-lust," is convinced she’s innocent. Jake, being a good friend (and also wanting to go on an adventure), helps him prove that she was framed by her ex-boyfriend, Nick.
Why the Character Actually Worked
The genius of Mary Lynn Rajskub Brooklyn 99 appearances wasn't just the comedy. It was the fact that Genevieve was a "real" person in this cartoonish world. Rajskub has this specific way of playing characters who are slightly off-kilter but totally sincere.
- She sleeps on the floor.
- She has three dogs.
- She enjoys "weird" food that makes the rest of the precinct gag.
- She once made a 24-hour painting where she and an ex covered themselves in paint and... well, you get the idea.
If you had cast a "normal" actress in this role, the joke would have been on her. We would have been laughing at the weird lady. But with Rajskub, she owns the weirdness. She and Joe Lo Truglio have this strange, bubbling chemistry that makes you believe these two people would actually be obsessed with each other.
The Evolution of Charles and Genevieve
Unlike many sitcom guest stars who vanish after a "case of the week," Genevieve stuck around. Not in every episode, sure, but she became the foundational reason Charles finally stopped pining over Rosa Diaz.
Their relationship moved fast. In the episode "Hostage Situation," we find out they’re already trying to have a baby. This leads to one of the most stressful Boyle plotlines involving his "liquid gold" (frozen sperm) and his terrifying ex-wife, Eleanor.
💡 You might also like: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
Ultimately, their path to parenthood took a turn toward adoption. Through a series of off-screen updates and a few voice cameos, we learned that they successfully adopted a son from Latvia named Nikolaj. (Remember: it's Nikolaj, not Nikolaj.)
The Twin Brother Twist
One of the funniest moments involving Genevieve didn't even require her to do much. In the third Halloween Heist, Charles tries to set Gina Linetti up with a guy named Leo. Gina is initially interested until she realizes Leo is Genevieve’s twin brother.
The realization that Genevieve—and by extension, her whole family—is just a genetic copy of Charles's energy is a recurring gag that never gets old. It solidified the idea that Charles didn't just find a girlfriend; he found his soulmate's entire ecosystem.
Mary Lynn Rajskub’s Impact on the Show's DNA
It’s easy to overlook guest stars in a show with a cast as stacked as Brooklyn Nine-Nine. You have Andre Braugher and Andy Samberg eating up the scenery in every frame. But Rajskub provided a necessary anchor for Charles.
Before Genevieve, Charles was often the butt of the joke regarding his loneliness. He was the guy who liked "mouth-feel" and "washed his partner's hair." It was funny, but it was also a little sad. By bringing in Genevieve, the writers gave Charles a win. They showed that there is someone for everyone, even if that "someone" also likes to sleep on a hard floor with three dogs.
📖 Related: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
Honestly, Rajskub’s background in sketch comedy (remember Mr. Show with Bob and David?) made her the perfect fit for the show's rapid-fire pacing. She knows how to land a punchline without over-acting it.
Where to See More of Mary Lynn
If you loved her in the 99, you should definitely check out her other work. She’s surprisingly versatile.
- 24: This is her most famous role. As Chloe O'Brian, she’s the only person Jack Bauer can trust. It’s a much more serious role, but her dry wit still shines through.
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: As Gail the Snail, she is the literal opposite of Genevieve. She’s disgusting, she’s annoying, and she’s one of the funniest guest characters in TV history.
- The Dropout: She showed up in this Hulu miniseries about Elizabeth Holmes, proving she can handle prestige drama just as well as sitcoms.
- Stand-up: She’s a veteran comic. Her specials, like Live from the Pandemic, show a much more personal, raw side of her humor.
Final Takeaways on the Genevieve Era
Looking back, the Mary Lynn Rajskub Brooklyn 99 era was a turning point for the show. It transitioned Charles from a pining sidekick to a family man. It added a layer of warmth to the 99th precinct that wasn't there before.
She only appeared in person for four episodes and provided a voice for one other, but her presence felt much larger. She was mentioned constantly. She was the reason Charles was happy.
If you're looking to revisit her best moments, start with Season 3, Episode 3 ("Boyle's Hunch") and follow it up with Episode 11 ("Hostage Situation"). It’s a masterclass in how to play a character who is "too much" for everyone else but "just right" for the person who matters.
To dig deeper into the world of the 99, you might want to re-watch the Latvian adoption arc in Season 4 to see how Genevieve and Charles navigate being new parents. You can also track down Rajskub's book, FAME-ISH: My Life at the Edge of Stardom, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be one of the most recognizable "that guy/girl" actors in Hollywood.