The Emmy-nominated actress continues to captivate audiences with complex roles across TV, film, and theatre, showcasing remarkable range and depth.
A Versatile Talent on the Rise
Madeline Brewer has become a familiar face on screens big and small, captivating viewers with her ability to bring intense, complex, and often deeply troubled characters to life. Many recognize her from standout roles in critically acclaimed television series like Hulu’s dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale and Netflix’s groundbreaking Orange Is the New Black.1
Her prominence continues to grow with recent high-profile projects. Brewer recently starred as the enigmatic playwright Bronte in the fifth and final season of the popular Netflix psychological thriller You, which premiered April 24, 2025.2 Simultaneously, she concluded her tenure as the resilient Janine Lindo in the sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, a role that previously earned her an Emmy nomination.1 The final season began airing April 8, 2025, in the US and May 3, 2025, in the UK.8 Adding another dimension to her career, Brewer recently made a celebrated debut on London’s West End stage.1
From her professional debut in 2013 to headlining roles across multiple platforms, Brewer has demonstrated a remarkably swift career trajectory. Her journey showcases a dynamic and versatile actress who has rapidly built an impressive resume marked by challenging roles and significant critical recognition, moving from newcomer status to playing pivotal parts in culturally significant productions.1
Early Life and Foundations: Pitman to AMDA
Madeline Kathryn Brewer was born on May 1, 1992, in the town of Pitman, New Jersey.1 Growing up in Pitman, her artistic inclinations were nurtured early on, influenced by her parents, Mark and Laurie Brewer, who themselves had backgrounds in music and acting.1
Brewer’s passion for the stage ignited young; she has described herself as deeply immersed in theatre throughout her youth.24 Her performance journey began with her first play at age seven, followed by consistent participation in community theatre productions each summer.24 Her parents supported her burgeoning talent, enrolling her in voice lessons starting at age nine and encouraging her involvement in choir.24 She even received 11 years of classical opera training.26 In high school, her talent was evident when she starred as Dorothy in a production of The Wiz.1 Following her senior year at Pitman High School, she was crowned Miss Pitman in the local pageant’s 55th year in 2010.1
Set on pursuing performance professionally, Brewer chose the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City for her formal training.24 Attracted by its focused conservatory approach—allowing her to sing, act, and dance all day without traditional academic requirements—she moved to New York at 18.24 She completed the intensive program, graduating in 2012, equipped with training in voice, acting, dance, and musical theatre.1 This deep-seated passion, combined with dedicated training and supportive roots, laid a robust foundation for her remarkably quick entry into the professional acting world.
Breakout Role: Tricia Miller in ‘Orange Is the New Black’
Madeline Brewer’s professional acting career launched with significant impact. Her television debut came in 2013 playing Tricia Miller in the first season of the widely acclaimed Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.16 Remarkably, prior to landing this role, Brewer stated she had no professional acting experience.16
Her casting happened swiftly after drama school. An AMDA showcase performance led to her signing with an agent in mid-September 2012. Just weeks later, on September 27th, she auditioned for the role of Tricia, described in the casting call as a “Taryn Manning type” with cornrows and a neck tattoo. Her first day on set was October 5th, 2012.24
Appearing in seven episodes of the first season 1, Brewer portrayed Tricia Miller, an inmate struggling with drug addiction, instantly recognizable by her distinctive cornrows and neck tattoo.28 The character had a deeply affecting and tragic storyline, revealed through flashbacks showing her past as a homeless runaway who meticulously kept a journal of items she “borrowed,” intending to repay everyone.28 Tricia’s arc culminated in her death from a drug overdose in the memorable episode “Bora Bora Bora”.28
To prepare, Brewer researched addiction, spoke with friends, and watched relevant films, though she found some depictions difficult to view.28 She recalled the intensity and intimidation of filming withdrawal scenes, particularly alongside co-star Natasha Lyonne, who offered support.30 The physical transformation was key: the cornrows took about 25 minutes daily, the neck tattoo was temporary, and she felt the character’s heavy boots contributed to her distinct swagger.30 Despite initial nerves working with established actors like Lyonne, Laura Prepon, and Taylor Schilling 30, Brewer’s performance resonated.
Tricia Miller quickly became a compelling character, and her death generated a strong emotional response from the show’s large fanbase, with numerous online memorials and discussions.30 Brewer herself noted that playing Tricia was a transformative experience, deepening her own sense of compassion.25 Her impactful debut, showcasing vulnerability and tragedy, immediately established her as a noteworthy newcomer and set the stage for a career defined by complex roles.
Navigating Dark Worlds: ‘Hemlock Grove’ and Other Early TV
Following her breakout in Orange Is the New Black, Madeline Brewer quickly secured further roles, demonstrating the industry’s immediate recognition of her talent, particularly within genre television. She landed another recurring role on Netflix, playing Miranda Cates in the supernatural horror series Hemlock Grove for its second and third seasons (2014-2015), appearing in 10 episodes.1 Her character, Miranda, was introduced as a graphic novelist whose arrival in the troubled town has a profound, though initially unclear, effect on the main characters Peter and Roman.33 This quick transition to another significant part on the same streaming platform suggested Netflix valued her contribution and saw her potential.34
Beyond Hemlock Grove, Brewer took on several notable guest appearances, further diversifying her early television credits. She appeared in an episode of the procedural drama Stalker in 2014 and had a two-episode arc on the fantasy series Grimm between 2015 and 2016.1
A particularly significant guest role came in 2016 when she played soldier Hunter Raiman in “Men Against Fire,” an episode of the acclaimed science fiction anthology series Black Mirror.1 That same year, she also held a main role in the web series The Deleted.1 These early roles, often situated within darker or fantastical narratives, solidified her presence in high-profile television and showcased her adaptability across different genres.
Surviving Gilead: Janine Lindo in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Madeline Brewer’s most prominent and critically recognized role to date arrived in 2017 when she was cast as Janine Lindo in Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.1 Known also by the patronymics Ofwarren, Ofdaniel, and Ofhoward during her time as a Handmaid in the oppressive regime of Gilead, Janine has been a central supporting character throughout the series’ run.
Janine’s journey has been one of profound trauma and remarkable evolution. Introduced early in the series as volatile and psychologically scarred after having her eye brutally removed as punishment 36, Janine navigated forced surrogacy, the loss of her child, severe mental health struggles, and constant danger. Brewer has spoken about Janine’s initial perceived “craziness” as a form of rebellion and self-preservation—a way to mentally check out from the unbearable reality of Gilead rather than be broken by it.24
Over the course of six seasons, viewers witnessed Janine develop extraordinary resilience. Brewer and the show’s writers guided the character from a seemingly fragile state to a more hardened, pragmatic, and ultimately stronger figure.8 In the later seasons, particularly the final sixth season which premiered in April 2025 10, Janine emerged as bolder and sturdier.24 Found residing in Jezebels, Gilead’s network of brothels, she was depicted as finding an ironic form of freedom and purpose, becoming “rougher” and “tougher” and proving herself useful to the resistance efforts led by June Osborne.9
Brewer’s portrayal of Janine’s complex emotional landscape and survival instincts earned widespread acclaim. Her performance culminated in a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2021.1 She also received nominations from the Screen Actors Guild (as part of the ensemble), Gold Derby Awards, OFTA Television Awards, and Pena de Prata.26
Brewer has expressed a deep connection to the character, referring to Janine as “my girl” and a “long-lost sister”.36 While initially finding the character elusive, she felt Janine became easier to portray as she grew more grounded.8 She also highlighted the show’s powerful themes of community and resistance, finding resonance between the series’ storylines and contemporary real-world events concerning women’s rights and social justice.8 Playing Janine for nearly a decade provided Brewer an exceptional platform to showcase her dramatic depth, earning her significant industry recognition and cementing her status as a powerful actress capable of handling long-term, emotionally demanding character arcs within culturally impactful television.
Expanding Horizons: Film Roles and Versatility
While building a strong television presence, Madeline Brewer simultaneously expanded her career into film, demonstrating versatility and a continued inclination towards complex female characters and challenging themes. Her feature film debut occurred in 2017 with roles in Hedgehog and Flesh and Blood.1
She soon took on leading roles in independent horror films that garnered critical attention. In 2018, she starred as Daphne Peters/Mother in the psychological horror film Braid and delivered a highly praised performance as Alice Ackerman/Lola in Cam.1
Cam, written by former camgirl Isa Mazzei and directed by Daniel Goldhaber, explored the unsettling premise of an ambitious camgirl who discovers an exact replica has hijacked her online show and identity.39 The film received widespread positive reception for its innovative narrative, atmosphere, and its thoughtful exploration of digital identity, online sex work, and control.39 Critics singled out Brewer’s performance as outstanding, calling the film a showcase for her talent in portraying Alice’s complex emotions and fight to regain control.39 Her work in Cam earned her a Best Actress award at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.26 The critical success of this demanding lead role likely enhanced her profile for subsequent nuanced projects.
Brewer also demonstrated her range in memorable supporting roles within larger studio productions. In 2019, she appeared as Rula in the sci-fi thriller Captive State and played the crucial role of Dawn in the crime dramedy Hustlers.1
In Hustlers, Dawn is introduced as an addict with a criminal record, recruited via Craigslist into the central scheme of drugging and robbing wealthy clients. She ultimately becomes pivotal to the plot when she cooperates with police.45 Brewer approached the character with the intent to humanize her beyond the archetype of the betrayer, focusing on empathy and exploring Dawn’s potential motivations, suggesting she might have enjoyed the thrill of the crime itself.45 The film, particularly Jennifer Lopez’s performance, received significant acclaim.45
Her filmography continued to grow with roles in the independent film Where Are You (2019), a lead role opposite Keean Johnson as Wendy in the romantic comedy The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (2021), the horror film Separation (2021), the sci-fi dramedy Space Oddity (2022) as Liz, and the short film Pruning (2022).1
Looking ahead, Brewer is set to appear in the thriller Anniversary, currently in post-production. She plays the character Anna alongside a notable cast including Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Zoey Deutch, and Phoebe Dynevor.1 Filming began in Ireland in July 2023, and the movie is anticipated for release, possibly in 2025.47 Brewer’s film choices consistently reflect an engagement with complex characters and narratives, showcasing her ability to move effectively between leading indie roles and impactful supporting parts in mainstream cinema.
Stage Acclaim and New Ventures: ‘Cabaret’ and ‘You’
Demonstrating her foundational training and love for the stage, Madeline Brewer made an acclaimed debut on London’s West End in 2023. She took on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in the immersive, award-winning revival of Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, transformed into the Kit Kat Club.1 Brewer stepped into the role following Amy Lennox, joining Callum Scott Howells as the Emcee.18 Her performance was met with enthusiastic responses from audience members, with some describing it as among the best they had ever witnessed, praising both her acting and singing abilities within the unique production.53 Reviews acknowledged her strong portrayal within the highly lauded revival, even if interpretations differed from previous Sallys.54 This successful venture highlighted her musical theatre skills and stage presence, proving her versatility extended beyond the screen.
Immediately following her West End run, Brewer returned to high-profile streaming television, joining the cast of Netflix’s hit series You for its fifth and final season, which premiered on April 24, 2025.2 Cast as a series regular, she played Bronte, described as an “enigmatic and free-spirited playwright” who comes to work at Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) bookstore.4 The character connects with Joe over their shared love of literature and loss, stirring a sense of nostalgia in him and causing him to question his life.4 Brewer characterized Bronte as someone who enjoys romance novels, “fairy smut,” and internet sleuthing, acknowledging the character fits the “manic pixie dream girl” archetype but aiming to imbue her with depth.3 The storyline also hinted at a complicated past relationship for Bronte.3
Brewer, a self-professed fan of You before joining the cast 6, spoke about the intimidation of playing the final “You” in the series.56 She emphasized the importance of making Bronte a fully realized, complex character, acknowledging the show’s tendency to allow its female characters to be messy and multifaceted.56 Aware of the passionate fanbase and the tendency for audiences to sometimes sympathize with the anti-hero Joe, Brewer anticipated potential backlash against her character but remained focused on the role’s integrity and the show’s underlying commentary.56 Her successful transition from a major West End role to a central part in the conclusion of a popular streaming series underscores her current industry demand and her adeptness at navigating different performance mediums while continuing to tackle complex female characters.
An Actress Defined by Depth and Dedication
Madeline Brewer’s career trajectory charts a compelling path from an aspiring musical theatre student with no professional credits to an Emmy-nominated actress celebrated for her impactful performances across diverse platforms.1 Her journey, launched by a memorable debut in Orange Is the New Black, has been defined by a series of challenging roles that showcase her remarkable depth and emotional range.
From the tragic vulnerability of Tricia Miller to the enduring resilience of Janine Lindo in The Handmaid’s Tale, and the complex psychology explored in films like Cam and Hustlers, Brewer has consistently demonstrated a willingness to delve into the darker, more difficult aspects of human experience.24 Her performances are marked by empathy, nuance, and a strong work ethic honed since her youth.58
Her recent successes—earning critical acclaim on the West End stage in Cabaret and taking a lead role in the final season of You—further highlight her versatility and command across different mediums.5 With upcoming projects like the film Anniversary on the horizon 1, Madeline Brewer has firmly established herself as a significant and compelling actress in contemporary entertainment, one whose dedication to exploring complex characters promises continued impactful work for years to come.
