Jesse Plemons Movies and TV Shows: Complete Guide

Jesse Plemons has built an impressive acting career by playing characters who are often more complicated than they first appear. From his early television work to acclaimed performances in crime dramas, psychological thrillers, and award-winning films, he has become one of the most versatile actors of his generation.

For viewers searching for Jesse Plemons movies and TV shows, his filmography offers plenty to explore. He has portrayed an ambitious high school student in Friday Night Lights, a deeply unsettling character in Breaking Bad, and memorable figures in films such as The Power of the Dog, Game Night, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

What makes Plemons particularly interesting is his ability to move between television and film without becoming associated with just one type of role. He can play an ordinary, relatable person in one project and a disturbing or emotionally complex character in the next.

This guide explores his best-known movies and television appearances, his early career, his most acclaimed performances, and the projects that have helped establish his reputation in Hollywood.

Key Takeaways

• Jesse Plemons began acting as a child and gained wider recognition through television.

• His major television roles include Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, Fargo, and Black Mirror.

• His film credits include The Master, Bridge of Spies, Game Night, The Power of the Dog, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

• Plemons received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting performance in The Power of the Dog.

• His career spans comedy, crime drama, psychological thrillers, historical films, and independent cinema.

• His understated acting style allows him to portray both sympathetic characters and deeply unsettling personalities.

Jesse Plemons Biography

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Jesse Plemons Movies and TV Shows: An Overview

Jesse Plemons’s career includes independent films, major studio productions, television dramas, and streaming releases. Although he initially became familiar to audiences through television, his work in cinema gradually established him as a respected character actor and leading performer.

His filmography is notable for its variety. He has worked with acclaimed filmmakers such as Paul Thomas Anderson, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Jane Campion, and Yorgos Lanthimos.

The following table highlights some of his most recognizable projects.

These titles offer a useful starting point for exploring his work, although they represent only part of his wider filmography.

Best Jesse Plemons TV Shows

Television played a major role in Plemons’s development as an actor. It gave him opportunities to build characters over multiple episodes and demonstrate his ability to work across different genres.

1. Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)

Friday Night Lights was one of the most important early projects in Plemons’s career. Set in the fictional Texas town of Dillon, the drama follows a high school football team and the community surrounding it.

Plemons plays Landry Clarke, the loyal friend of quarterback Matt Saracen. Landry initially appears to be an ordinary teenager who lives outside the spotlight of high school football. As the series develops, however, he becomes involved in significant personal and dramatic storylines.

The role helped audiences recognize Plemons’s naturalistic acting style. His performance combines humor, awkwardness, loyalty, and vulnerability, giving Landry a personality that extends beyond the usual supporting-friend stereotype.

Why watch it: The series provides an excellent look at Plemons’s early work and shows how he developed the subtle character work that later became a hallmark of his career.

2. Breaking Bad (2012–2013)

In Breaking Bad, Plemons plays Todd Alquist, a seemingly polite young man who becomes involved in Walter White’s criminal operation.

Todd is one of the most unsettling characters in the series because of the contrast between his courteous manner and his capacity for violence. Plemons avoids making him a conventional villain. Instead, he portrays Todd as calm, obedient, and disturbingly detached from the consequences of his actions.

His performance becomes especially significant in the show’s final season. The character’s ordinary appearance and controlled behavior make his actions even more disturbing.

Plemons later returned as Todd in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which continues Jesse Pinkman’s story after the television series concludes.

Why watch it: This is one of Plemons’s defining roles and a strong example of how restraint can make a fictional antagonist memorable.

3. Fargo (2015)

Plemons starred as Ed Blumquist in the second season of Fargo, the crime anthology series inspired by the Coen brothers’ film of the same name.

Ed is a butcher who dreams of building a stable future with his wife, Peggy, played by Kirsten Dunst. Their plans become increasingly complicated after they become entangled in a violent chain of events.

The character is not a traditional criminal mastermind. Ed is an ordinary man whose decisions become increasingly desperate as he tries to protect his family and preserve his idea of a normal life.

Plemons and Dunst create a compelling relationship that gives the season much of its emotional tension. Their performances also earned substantial critical recognition.

Plemons received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his work on Fargo and won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for the role.

Why watch it: The series demonstrates his ability to carry a major storyline while portraying a character whose intentions, fears, and moral choices grow increasingly complicated.

4. Black Mirror (2017, 2025)

Plemons stars as Robert Daly in USS Callister, a highly regarded episode of the anthology series Black Mirror. Daly is a talented but resentful technology executive who uses a virtual environment to exercise control over digital recreations of people he knows.

The episode combines science fiction, dark comedy, and psychological horror. Plemons plays Daly as a man whose public image differs sharply from his private behavior.

His performance is particularly effective because it shifts between insecurity, entitlement, anger, and vulnerability. Rather than relying on an exaggerated villainous persona, he makes the character’s need for control central to the story.

Plemons reprised the role in the 2025 sequel episode, USS Callister: Into Infinity, which continues the story of the digital characters and their struggle for freedom.

Why watch it: The two episodes are ideal for viewers interested in science fiction with psychological depth and a strong central performance.

5. Olive Kitteridge (2014)

Olive Kitteridge is an HBO miniseries based on Elizabeth Strout’s novel. It follows the lives of people in a small New England community, focusing on the complicated relationships, disappointments, and private struggles that shape their lives.

Plemons appears as Jerry McCarthy, a character connected to the series’ exploration of loneliness and emotional vulnerability.

Unlike the crime-driven tension of Breaking Bad or Fargo, this production relies on intimate character studies and understated drama. It demonstrates Plemons’s ability to work effectively within a quieter, more literary story.

6. Love & Death (2023)

In Love & Death, Plemons plays Allan Gore opposite Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery. The crime drama is based on the real-life case involving Montgomery and Betty Gore in Texas.

Allan is presented as an ordinary family man whose marriage becomes caught up in an extraordinary and tragic situation. Plemons gives the character a restrained, sometimes uncomfortable presence that fits the show’s examination of domestic life and personal crisis.

His performance earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

7. Zero Day (2025)

In the political thriller miniseries Zero Day, Plemons plays Roger Carlson. The story centers on a former United States president, portrayed by Robert De Niro, who is asked to investigate a devastating cyberattack.

The series explores political pressure, public trust, national security, and the difficulty of separating truth from competing narratives. Plemons’s role adds to the show’s ensemble of characters navigating a high-stakes investigation.

It is another example of his continued presence in major television productions after establishing himself through acclaimed dramas.

Best Jesse Plemons Movies

Plemons’s film career includes crime stories, historical dramas, psychological thrillers, comedies, and unconventional independent productions. These films illustrate how his acting style adapts to different directors and storytelling approaches.

1. The Master (2012)

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master follows a troubled World War II veteran who becomes involved with the charismatic leader of a philosophical movement.

Plemons plays Val Dodd, the son of the movement’s leader, Lancaster Dodd, portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Val occupies a supporting role, but his presence contributes to the film’s exploration of authority, belief, and family loyalty.

The film is known for its detailed performances and deliberately ambiguous storytelling. Plemons’s understated work fits naturally into its tense, character-focused world.

2. Bridge of Spies (2015)

Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies is a historical drama set during the Cold War. Tom Hanks stars as lawyer James B. Donovan, who becomes involved in negotiations surrounding the exchange of captured prisoners.

Plemons plays Joe Murphy, an American pilot whose capture becomes part of the larger diplomatic story.

Although he is not the film’s central character, his role contributes to the historical stakes surrounding the negotiations. The film is a useful example of Plemons working within a large ensemble and a carefully researched historical production.

3. Black Mass (2015)

In Black Mass, Plemons portrays Kevin Weeks, an associate of Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger, played by Johnny Depp.

The film explores the relationship between organized crime and law enforcement in Boston. Weeks is part of Bulger’s inner circle, and his presence helps illustrate how loyalty, fear, and criminal ambition operate within the organization.

Plemons’s performance fits the film’s gritty atmosphere. Rather than dominating scenes through exaggerated gestures, he contributes to the sense of danger and familiarity within Bulger’s criminal network.

4. Other People (2016)

Other People is an independent comedy-drama in which Plemons plays David, a struggling comedy writer who returns to Sacramento to care for his mother, played by Molly Shannon, after she becomes seriously ill.

The film examines grief, family tension, sexuality, and the difficulty of accepting painful changes. Its humor is often gentle and uncomfortable rather than broad or sentimental.

Plemons gives David an emotionally grounded performance, portraying a person who is trying to reconcile his adult identity with the complicated relationships of his childhood.

The role is an important example of his work as a leading actor in independent cinema.

5. Game Night (2018)

In the comedy thriller Game Night, Plemons plays Gary Kingsbury, a socially awkward police officer and neighbor of the main characters.

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams play a couple whose regular game night turns into a dangerous mystery after a staged kidnapping appears to become real.

Gary initially seems like a minor comic character, but Plemons makes his awkwardness and unusual behavior increasingly memorable. His quiet delivery provides a contrast to the energetic performances around him.

Why watch it: The film highlights Plemons’s comedic timing and shows that his strengths extend beyond dark dramas.

6. Vice (2018)

Adam McKay’s Vice dramatizes the political career of former United States vice president Dick Cheney, played by Christian Bale.

Plemons appears as Kurt, a character who helps frame the story through its satirical approach to modern American politics.

The film combines political history with dark humor and stylized storytelling. It gives Plemons an opportunity to participate in an ensemble production that mixes factual events with cinematic interpretation.

7. The Irishman (2019)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Irishman examines decades of organized crime through the recollections of hitman Frank Sheeran, played by Robert De Niro.

Plemons portrays Chuckie O’Brien, an associate of Jimmy Hoffa, played by Al Pacino. The character is connected to the film’s account of the relationships and conflicts surrounding Hoffa’s disappearance.

The film features a large cast and an expansive historical narrative. Plemons’s performance supports the story’s portrayal of the personal loyalties and rivalries within its criminal world.

8. I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a psychological drama built around a young woman visiting the family home of her boyfriend, Jake, played by Plemons.

The film gradually becomes more surreal and unsettling, challenging viewers to distinguish between memory, imagination, and reality.

Plemons plays Jake with a mixture of awkwardness, sensitivity, and emotional uncertainty. His performance helps maintain the film’s tension even as the narrative moves away from conventional storytelling.

This is one of his most distinctive leading roles and a strong choice for viewers who enjoy challenging psychological films.

9. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Judas and the Black Messiah tells the story of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and the FBI’s efforts to undermine the organization.

Plemons plays FBI agent Roy Mitchell, who becomes involved in the operation targeting Hampton. The film explores surveillance, political repression, betrayal, and the consequences of government intervention.

The supporting role places Plemons within a historically significant ensemble drama. His performance contributes to the film’s portrayal of the institutions and individuals involved in the events.

10. The Power of the Dog (2021)

Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is one of the most important films in Plemons’s career. Set in 1920s Montana, the psychological Western follows two brothers who operate a ranch and respond very differently to changes within their family.

Plemons plays George Burbank, a wealthy rancher who marries Rose, portrayed by Kirsten Dunst. George is more reserved and compassionate than his brother Phil, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose behavior creates tension within the household.

The character’s quiet nature is essential to the film. George does not dominate conversations, yet his choices influence the relationships at the heart of the story.

Plemons received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. The film itself received widespread critical recognition, helping introduce his work to an even broader international audience.

11. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon is a historical crime drama based on the murders of members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma during the 1920s.

Plemons plays Tom White, a federal investigator who becomes involved in examining the killings. The investigation takes place against a background of exploitation, racism, and the theft of wealth from Osage families.

His character brings an investigative perspective to the story, which also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro.

The film is a major entry in Plemons’s filmography because it combines his understated acting style with a historically significant narrative directed by one of cinema’s most influential filmmakers.

12. Kinds of Kindness (2024)

In Yorgos Lanthimos’s Kinds of Kindness, Plemons plays multiple characters in a triptych of loosely connected stories. The film examines power, obedience, relationships, and the desire for approval through unsettling and often darkly comic situations.

The project differs from a conventional character-driven drama because Plemons must create distinct identities across several narrative segments.

His work earned him the Best Actor prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, shared with the film’s other acting ensemble in the festival’s award context. The recognition underscored his growing prominence as a leading performer in unconventional cinema.

13. Bugonia (2025)

Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, stars Plemons as Teddy, a man who becomes convinced that a powerful business executive is an extraterrestrial threat.

The film blends dark comedy, suspense, and science fiction while examining conspiracy thinking and distrust of powerful institutions.

Plemons’s performance anchors the story’s increasingly bizarre circumstances. His character’s intense convictions create tension between what he believes and what other people understand to be happening.

The film also reunited him with Emma Stone, with whom he had worked on Kinds of Kindness. His performance brought further major awards attention, including a Golden Globe nomination for the 2026 ceremony.

Other Notable Jesse Plemons Movies

Beyond his best-known films, several additional projects deserve attention when exploring his career.

This selection demonstrates the range of productions Plemons has worked on, from family entertainment and action films to politically charged dramas and horror.

Jesse Plemons Movies and TV Shows by Genre

If you are deciding what to watch first, grouping his projects by genre makes his filmography easier to navigate.

For a first-time viewer, Breaking Bad and Fargo provide a strong introduction to his television work. For film performances, The Power of the Dog, Game Night, and I’m Thinking of Ending Things showcase three very different sides of his acting.

What Makes Jesse Plemons a Distinctive Actor?

Plemons has developed a recognizable style without relying on a single type of character. Several qualities help explain why directors continue to cast him in demanding roles.

Subtle and controlled performances

Plemons often avoids exaggerated expressions or dramatic gestures. Instead, he uses pauses, facial expressions, and changes in vocal delivery to communicate what a character may be thinking.

This approach works particularly well in Breaking Bad and The Power of the Dog, where much of the tension comes from what characters do not openly express.

The ability to play morally complex characters

Many of his best-known roles involve characters who cannot easily be classified as entirely good or bad.

Todd Alquist in Breaking Bad is polite but dangerous. Ed Blumquist in Fargo is sympathetic but makes destructive choices. George Burbank in The Power of the Dog appears gentle, yet his decisions influence the film’s central conflict.

This complexity gives his performances depth and makes the characters memorable beyond their individual storylines.

Versatility across genres

Plemons can move from dark crime drama to comedy without losing his distinctive screen presence. His performance in Game Night uses awkwardness for humor, while I’m Thinking of Ending Things relies on uncertainty and psychological tension.

His work in Kinds of Kindness demonstrates another dimension of that versatility by requiring him to portray multiple characters within the same film.

Strong collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers

Plemons has worked with several highly regarded directors, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Jane Campion, Charlie Kaufman, and Yorgos Lanthimos.

These collaborations have placed him in productions with different creative approaches, allowing him to explore a wide range of characters and storytelling styles.

Jesse Plemons Awards and Career Recognition

Plemons’s career has received recognition from major film festivals and industry award organizations.

Some important milestones include:

• Academy Awards: He received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Power of the Dog.

• Primetime Emmy Awards: He received nominations for Fargo, Black Mirror, and Love & Death.

• Cannes Film Festival: He won the Best Actor award in 2024 for Kinds of Kindness.

• Golden Globe Awards: He received nominations for Kinds of Kindness and Bugonia.

• BAFTA Awards: He received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Power of the Dog.

These achievements reflect the critical recognition his work has received in both television and cinema. His career has evolved from recurring television roles into leading performances in major international productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Jesse Plemons’s most famous movies and TV shows?

His best-known projects include Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, Fargo, Black Mirror, Game Night, The Irishman, The Power of the Dog, and Killers of the Flower Moon.

2. What role did Jesse Plemons play in Breaking Bad?

He played Todd Alquist, a seemingly polite but dangerous criminal who becomes involved in Walter White’s operation during the show’s final season.

3. Was Jesse Plemons in Friday Night Lights?

Yes. He played Landry Clarke, a close friend of Matt Saracen, in the NBC drama series Friday Night Lights, which aired from 2006 to 2011.

4. Did Jesse Plemons win an Oscar?

No. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as George Burbank in The Power of the Dog, but he did not win the award.

5. What is Jesse Plemons’s best television performance?

That depends on personal preference. Todd Alquist in Breaking Bad is one of his most recognizable roles, while Ed Blumquist in Fargo and Robert Daly in Black Mirror demonstrate different aspects of his acting ability.

6. What movies has Jesse Plemons made with Kirsten Dunst?

They appeared together in Fargo, The Power of the Dog, and Civil War. Plemons and Dunst are also married in real life.

7. What is Jesse Plemons’s latest movie?

Among his recent released films is Bugonia (2025), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. He also has a role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release in 2026.

8. What should I watch first if I am new to Jesse Plemons?

Start with Breaking Bad if you enjoy crime drama, Fargo for a complex character-driven story, or Game Night if you prefer comedy. For a more serious film performance, The Power of the Dog is an excellent choice.

Conclusion

Jesse Plemons has developed a diverse filmography through years of work in television, independent cinema, and major Hollywood productions. His early role in Friday Night Lights introduced him to a broad audience, while Breaking Bad and Fargo established him as an actor capable of portraying complex and unpredictable characters.

His film career has expanded that reputation through performances in The Master, Game Night, The Irishman, The Power of the Dog, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Kinds of Kindness. More recent projects, including Bugonia, demonstrate his continued interest in distinctive stories and challenging roles.

For anyone exploring Jesse Plemons movies and TV shows, the best approach is to watch across genres rather than focus on a single performance. His crime dramas reveal his intensity, his comedies highlight his timing, and his psychological films demonstrate his ability to communicate emotion through subtle details.

Taken together, his work shows why he has become a compelling presence in contemporary film and television—and why his future projects remain worth following.