If you’ve ever found yourself screaming at your television screen because a character was being so relentlessly, perfectly awful, there is a very high chance you were watching Samantha Sloyan. Honestly, she has a gift. It is a specific, rare kind of talent to walk into a room and immediately make every other character—and the audience—feel deeply uncomfortable.
You probably recognize her as the woman who "killed" McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy or as the terrifyingly pious Bev Keane in Midnight Mass. She has become a staple of the "Flanaverse," that dark, emotional corner of Netflix curated by horror mastermind Mike Flanagan. But there is so much more to her filmography than just playing the neighborhood zealot.
The Grey's Anatomy Backlash: What Really Happened with Penny Blake
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way. If you search for samantha sloyan movies and tv shows, the top results almost always lead back to Dr. Penelope "Penny" Blake.
In 2015, Sloyan stepped into one of the most thankless roles in television history. Penny was the resident who failed to get Derek Shepherd a head CT, which led to his death. Then, in a move that felt like a personal attack to fans, the writers had her show up at Meredith Grey’s dinner party as Callie Torres’s new girlfriend.
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The tension in that episode was thick enough to cut with a scalpel. Sloyan played Penny with this sort of shaky, wide-eyed anxiety that made you feel bad for her even while you wanted to kick her out of the house. Fans were brutal. The internet hated Penny. But looking back in 2026, it’s clear that the hatred wasn't for the actress—it was a testament to how well she sold the guilt of a woman drowning in a situation she couldn't control.
Why the Mike Flanagan Collaboration Works
If Shonda Rhimes introduced her to the masses, Mike Flanagan made her a legend. Sloyan has appeared in almost every major Flanagan project, often playing characters that are polar opposites.
- Hush (2016): She plays Sarah, the kind, supportive friend who meets a brutal end. It’s a rare "likable" role for her, showing she can do "girl next door" just as well as "villain."
- The Haunting of Hill House (2018): She was Leigh Crain, the wife of Steven Crain. She was grounded, rational, and frankly, way too good for Steven.
- Midnight Mass (2021): This is the one. Bev Keane. If you haven't seen it, Bev is a religious extremist who uses scripture to justify her own narcissism. Sloyan’s performance was so chillingly accurate that viewers on Reddit still talk about how she "stole the show" from the actual vampires.
- The Midnight Club (2022): She played Shasta, a mysterious woman living in the woods near the hospice. Again, she brought that "something is slightly off" energy that keeps you guessing until the finale.
- The Fall of the House of Usher (2023): As Tamerlane Usher, she channeled a cold, corporate insecurity. She obsessed over her fitness brand while her life crumbled. It was a masterclass in "high-functioning mess."
Beyond the Horror: Samantha Sloyan’s Versatility
It is easy to pigeonhole her into the horror genre because she’s so good at it. However, if you dig into her credits, you'll find she’s been everywhere. She had a recurring role as Jeannine Locke in Scandal, showing up in several episodes across the early seasons. She’s popped up in NCIS, Castle, and even Parks and Recreation (she was in the "New Slogan" episode, for the superfans out there).
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Basically, she’s a "working actor" in the truest sense. She shows up, delivers a performance that makes you remember her name, and moves on to the next project.
In 2024 and 2025, she continued her streak with The Life of Chuck, another Flanagan adaptation of a Stephen King story. It’s a bit of a departure—more of a life-affirming, metaphysical drama than a straight horror flick. It proved she doesn't need a jump scare to be captivating.
What’s Next for Samantha Sloyan in 2026?
As of early 2026, the buzz is all about the new Carrie series for Prime Video. It’s been confirmed that Mike Flanagan is at the helm, and naturally, Sloyan is involved. While the exact role hasn't been teased out to the public yet, fans are already placing bets on whether she’ll play a version of the cruel Miss Desjardin or perhaps an even darker take on a local townsperson.
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There is also talk of her returning for a second season of the medical drama The Pitt, which premiered last year to rave reviews. Seeing her back in a hospital setting—without the "I killed Derek Shepherd" baggage—is a nice full-circle moment for her career.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you’re looking to binge-watch her best work, don’t just stick to the hits. Here is how to actually appreciate her range:
- Watch Midnight Mass and Hush back-to-back. It’s the best way to see her shift from a victim you root for to a villain you want to see fail.
- Pay attention to her micro-expressions. Sloyan does a lot of work with her eyes. In The Fall of the House of Usher, watch how her face twitches when she's trying to maintain control. It’s a lesson in "less is more."
- Don't skip the guest spots. Her one-off roles in procedurals like Criminal Minds show her ability to build a full character arc in just 42 minutes.
Samantha Sloyan has carved out a niche as the thinking person’s character actress. She doesn't just play "the mean girl" or "the victim." She plays people who are complicated, deeply flawed, and uncomfortably human. Whether she's holding a Bible or a scalpel, you simply can't look away.
Next Steps for Deep Diving:
- Check out the "Shush Cut" of Hush (2024) if you want to see her performance with a completely different atmospheric score.
- Follow the production updates for the Carrie series, as casting announcements for the "Flanaverse" regulars usually drop in batches through late 2026.