Kaya Scodelario has built a diverse acting career across British television, Hollywood franchises, independent films, and streaming series. She first became widely known as Effy Stonem in the E4 teen drama Skins, a role that established her as a notable young British actress. She later moved into major film projects, including The Maze Runner franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Crawl, and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.

For viewers searching for Kaya Scodelario movies and TV shows, her filmography offers plenty of variety. She has played dramatic characters, action heroes, literary figures, and morally complicated characters across genres ranging from horror and science fiction to historical drama and crime.

This guide explores her most important movies and television appearances, explains which roles are especially notable, and provides a useful starting point for anyone wanting to explore her work.

Key Takeaways

• Kaya Scodelario became widely recognized for playing Effy Stonem in Skins.
• Her major film breakthrough came with Teresa in The Maze Runner franchise.
• She played Carina Smyth in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
• Her horror credits include Crawl and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.
• Her television work includes Southcliffe, Spinning Out, The Pale Horse, The Gentlemen, and Senna.
• Her career spans teen drama, fantasy, science fiction, action, horror, crime, and historical drama.

Biography Table

Biographical sources identify Scodelario as an English actress born on March 13, 1992, in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Her professional career began with Skins, and she subsequently developed a substantial film and television résumé.

Kaya Scodelario’s Acting Career

Kaya Scodelario‘s career is notable because she successfully transitioned from a popular British television drama into international film productions.

She was only a teenager when she auditioned for Skins. The series became her breakthrough, giving her the opportunity to develop a demanding character over several seasons. From there, she began taking film roles and eventually became part of several recognizable franchises.

Her filmography can broadly be divided into three stages: her Skins breakthrough, her move into major movies, and her return to prominent television and streaming productions.

Kaya Scodelario TV Shows

Skins

Skins is arguably the most important television show in Kaya Scodelario’s career.

She played Effy Stonem, initially introduced as a largely silent character before becoming one of the central figures of the series. Scodelario appeared across multiple generations of the show and became particularly associated with its later storylines.

The role was significant because it gave her the opportunity to portray Effy through different stages of adolescence and young adulthood. Her performance also helped establish her as an actress capable of handling emotionally complex material.

Southcliffe

In 2013, Scodelario appeared in the British drama Southcliffe. The series took a more serious and dramatic approach than Skins and demonstrated her ability to work outside the teen-drama genre.

The project is an example of the type of television work she pursued as her career developed beyond her breakthrough role.

Spinning Out

Scodelario took the lead role of Kat Baker in Netflix’s Spinning Out.

The series follows a competitive figure skater dealing with the physical and personal demands of elite competition. Scodelario’s performance marked another major television role and showed her ability to carry a series as its central character.

The Pale Horse

Scodelario also appeared in the BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Pale Horse.

The mystery series gave her an opportunity to work within a period crime and suspense setting, further expanding the range of genres represented in her television career.

The Gentlemen

One of Scodelario’s more prominent recent television roles is Susie Glass in The Gentlemen.

The Netflix series is connected to the world established by Guy Ritchie’s 2019 film of the same name, although it tells its own story. Scodelario’s Susie is a powerful figure within the show’s criminal underworld, allowing her to take on a considerably different character from Effy Stonem or her earlier film roles.

The role is particularly useful for viewers who want to see Scodelario in a confident adult crime-drama performance.

Senna

Scodelario also appeared in the 2024 limited series Senna, a dramatization centered on Brazilian Formula One champion Ayrton Senna.

The project added another historical and biographical drama to her television résumé and continued her move toward varied adult roles.

Kaya Scodelario Movies

Scodelario’s movie career includes independent dramas, major studio franchises, action films, and horror.

Moon

Moon was among Scodelario’s earliest film appearances. She played Eve Bell in the 2009 science-fiction drama starring Sam Rockwell.

Although her role was relatively small, the film is an interesting early entry in her movie career and came shortly after her breakthrough on Skins.

Clash of the Titans

In 2010, Scodelario appeared in Clash of the Titans as Peshet.

The fantasy action film gave her an early opportunity to work within a large-scale Hollywood production. It also helped introduce her to audiences beyond British television.

Shank

Shank is a British science-fiction action film from 2010 in which Scodelario played Tasha.

The movie belongs to the more dystopian side of her early filmography and shows that she was already experimenting with genres beyond traditional drama.

Wuthering Heights

In 2011, Scodelario played Catherine Earnshaw in Andrea Arnold’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

This was an important dramatic role because it placed her at the center of a literary adaptation and allowed her to play one of English literature’s best-known Gothic characters.

Now Is Good

Scodelario appeared in the 2012 drama Now Is Good as Zoey Walker.

The movie provided another opportunity for her to work in a character-driven dramatic setting, contrasting with the larger-scale action movies that would become increasingly important to her career.

The Truth About Emanuel

In The Truth About Emanuel, Scodelario played the title character, Emanuel.

The 2013 psychological drama gave her a more intimate role and demonstrated her continued interest in independent and dramatic cinema.

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner became one of the defining movie franchises of Scodelario’s career.

She played Teresa, a key character in the dystopian science-fiction series starring Dylan O’Brien. The first movie was released in 2014, followed by Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials in 2015 and Maze Runner: The Death Cure in 2018.

For viewers exploring Kaya Scodelario movies and TV shows, the Maze Runner films are essential because they represent her transition into major international franchise filmmaking.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Scodelario played Carina Smyth in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, released in 2017.

She starred alongside Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, and other established performers. The role placed her in one of Hollywood’s biggest fantasy-adventure franchises.

Crawl

Crawl is one of Scodelario’s most prominent horror roles.

Released in 2019, the film follows Haley, a young woman trapped during a catastrophic hurricane while trying to survive a dangerous alligator. Scodelario carried much of the movie, making it a particularly useful recommendation for viewers interested in seeing her in a physically demanding thriller.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

In 2019, Scodelario appeared in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile as Carole Anne Boone.

The film is a crime drama centered on Ted Bundy and stars Zac Efron in the lead role. Scodelario’s appearance represents another shift toward serious adult drama.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City

Scodelario played Claire Redfield in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, released in 2021.

The movie is based on the popular Resident Evil video game franchise and combines survival horror, action, and science fiction. It is another example of Scodelario taking a leading role in a recognizable genre property.

The King’s Daughter

In The King’s Daughter, Scodelario played Marie-Joseph.

The historical fantasy film gave her another opportunity to work within a period setting and alongside a large ensemble cast.

Adulthood

Scodelario appeared in Adulthood, a later entry in her filmography, playing Meg Robles-Vargas. Current filmography listings identify the movie as a 2025 release.

Kaya Scodelario Movies and TV Shows by Genre

One of the easiest ways to explore her career is by genre.

This variety is one reason her filmography appeals to different types of viewers. Someone who discovers her through Skins, for example, can move into science fiction with The Maze Runner, horror with Crawl, or crime drama with The Gentlemen.

Which Kaya Scodelario Movie Should You Watch First?

The best starting point depends on what type of movie you enjoy.

For Action and Adventure

Start with The Maze Runner. It introduces Scodelario as Teresa and gives viewers a strong introduction to one of her best-known film characters.

For Horror

Choose Crawl. Scodelario is the central performer, and the movie provides a fast-paced survival thriller.

For Fantasy Adventure

Try Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales if you enjoy large-scale fantasy, adventure, and franchise filmmaking.

For Literary Drama

Choose Wuthering Heights for a darker, more atmospheric performance based on a classic novel.

For Video Game Adaptation

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is the natural choice for viewers interested in video-game-inspired horror.

Which Kaya Scodelario TV Show Should You Watch First?

If you want to understand her career, Skins is the most logical starting point because it was her breakthrough television role.

However, viewers who prefer contemporary crime drama may enjoy The Gentlemen, while fans of sports stories can try Spinning Out. Those interested in mystery and period drama can explore The Pale Horse.

The choice ultimately depends on whether you want to see her early breakthrough work or her later adult roles.

How Kaya Scodelario’s Roles Have Changed

Scodelario’s career shows a clear progression.

Her early work focused heavily on adolescence and coming-of-age stories, particularly through Skins. As she moved into film, she increasingly appeared in action-oriented and franchise projects.

Her role as Teresa in The Maze Runner series represented a major step toward international blockbuster filmmaking. Later projects such as Crawl, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, and The Gentlemen demonstrated that she could lead or anchor stories in very different genres.

That range is an important part of understanding her filmography. She is not defined by one particular type of role.

Kaya Scodelario’s Most Recognizable Roles

Several performances stand out when looking at her career as a whole:

1. Effy Stonem — Skins
   The role that made her widely known.
2. Teresa — The Maze Runner series
   Her major dystopian franchise role.
3. Carina Smyth — Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
   Her entry into one of Hollywood’s most recognizable fantasy franchises.
4. Haley — Crawl
   A physically demanding lead role in a survival horror film.
5. Claire Redfield — Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
   A major video-game adaptation role.
6. Susie Glass — The Gentlemen
   A prominent adult crime-drama character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kaya Scodelario best known for?

Kaya Scodelario is best known for playing Effy Stonem in Skins, Teresa in The Maze Runner films, Carina Smyth in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and Haley in Crawl.

What was Kaya Scodelario’s first TV show?

Her major television debut was Skins, where she played Effy Stonem. She joined the series as a teenager and became one of its most recognizable performers.

How many Maze Runner movies is Kaya Scodelario in?

Kaya Scodelario appears in all three main Maze Runner movies: The Maze Runner (2014), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018).

Did Kaya Scodelario appear in Pirates of the Caribbean?

Yes. She played Carina Smyth in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, released in 2017.

What horror movies has Kaya Scodelario been in?

Her notable horror-related movies include Crawl and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Both feature her in substantial roles.

What is Kaya Scodelario’s most famous TV role?

Effy Stonem in Skins is generally regarded as her breakthrough and signature television role. The character appeared across multiple seasons and helped establish Scodelario’s career.

Is Kaya Scodelario in The Gentlemen?

Yes. Scodelario plays Susie Glass in the Netflix series The Gentlemen. The role is one of her prominent later television performances.

What should I watch first if I am new to Kaya Scodelario?

For her most influential television work, start with Skins. For movies, The Maze Runner is a strong starting point for franchise action, while Crawl is a good choice if you prefer horror and survival thrillers.

Conclusion

Kaya Scodelario‘s career extends well beyond her breakthrough as Effy Stonem in Skins. From British television, she moved into major film franchises such as The Maze Runner and Pirates of the Caribbean, then took on demanding roles in films including Crawl and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Her television career has also continued to evolve through projects such as Spinning Out, The Pale Horse, The Gentlemen, and Senna.

For anyone exploring Kaya Scodelario movies and TV shows, there is no single genre that defines her work. Her filmography covers teen drama, literary adaptations, science fiction, fantasy, horror, crime, and historical drama. That range makes her career particularly interesting to explore chronologically or by genre.

Would you like a simple chronological watch order for Kaya Scodelario’s movies and TV shows?