Edie Falco has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most formidable acting talents in TV. Throughout her career, she has created a number of compelling characters, and that continues with her role in Impeachment: American Crime Story, in which she plays Hillary Clinton.
Even when she is only in a series for one or a few episodes, she manages to make an indelible impression, with characters that routinely exude a power and a strength that tells everyone in their orbit that they are forces to be reckoned with.
Tommy (2020) - 6.5
In Tommy, Edie Falco plays the first woman to become the LAPD Chief of Police. Though the show only lasted one season, it made full use of Falco’s considerable talents, and she creates a character that’s caught at the intersection of a number of competing demands. There’s a strength and a vulnerability to her character that shows just how complex she is, and how difficult it is to juggle an increasingly-difficult job, her family, and her own sexuality as she finally comes out as gay.
Deirdre in Will & Grace (1998-2020) - 7.2
Even though she only appeared in one episode of Will & Grace (one of the best "friend" comedies of the 2000s) during its original run, she managed to leave an impression. She plays one half of a lesbian couple that are Grace’s rivals as she tries to engage in real estate. With her stiletto heels, her crisp delivery, and her ability to dominate any room that she steps into, Falco imbues this character with so much charisma that it’s a shame she wasn’t invited back to do more guest spots.
Law & Order True Crime (2017) - 7.4
Falco has had a number of roles in recent years that put her into the position of playing someone in the legal system, and in Law & Order True Crime she plays the character of Leslie Abramson, who became famous for defending the Menendez brothers after they were accused of murdering their parents.
As she does so often, Falco gets deep into her character’s psychology, allowing her to become not just a lawyer but a fully-fledged person with her own personality quirks and struggles, doing so in fascinating fashion.
Jackie in Nurse Jackie (2009-2015) - 7.7
After playing a supporting character in so many other series, Falco finally got the chance to create a character all of her own that would be the focus of her own show. Nurse Jackie tapped into the ongoing penchant in television for antiheroes, creating a character that was both extremely competent at her job and yet subject to the same foibles and shortcomings as other antiheroes that frequently appear in prestige cable dramas. Falco’s character left an indelible impression on the television landscape.
C.C. in 30 Rock (2006-2013) - 8.2
Alec Baldwin’s Jack was one of the highlights of 30 Rock, and his many romantic entanglements allowed him to flesh out his character. One of the most notable of these was C.C. As a Democratic congresswoman from Vermont, it was inevitable that she would feud with Jack, but it was clear that they had a strong bond. Falco allows this character to be more than just a punch-line, and her character seems to genuinely feel sad that she won’t be able to pursue a relationship with Jack.
Hillary Clinton In American Crime Story (2021) - 8.4
Edie Falco brings her incredible acting talents to bear in her portrayal of First Lady Hillary Clinton, a woman who finds her entire life turned upside down once her husband’s infidelities are brought to light. Falco digs deep to find the humanity at the heart of this character, and she gives a rousing performance, showing Hillary to be a woman deeply committed to her husband and to her marriage, even as she is increasingly forced to face up to Bill’s shortcomings and his betrayal.
Horace and Pete (2016) - 8.5
The short-lived Horace & Pete is a fascinating show about a family struggling to decide what to do with the family bar. It also features some extraordinary acting talent, and Falco is joined by the likes of Steve Buscemi and Jessica Lange. She plays the character of Sylvia Wittel who, unlike some of the other members of her family, wants nothing to do with the bar.
Falco brings her signature grit to the role, allowing Sylvia to become a woman with a rich backstory and her own struggles to overcome, including her diagnosis with cancer.
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1999) - 8.6
Long before she became famous for playing Carmela Soprano, Edie Falco appeared on the series Homicide: Life on the Street, which was gritty and realistic in its depiction of police work and homicides. It was notable for being a breakout for Andre Braugher (and it’s one of his best roles). Though she only appeared five episodes in a recurring role as Eva Thorman, Falco still managed to demonstrate her formidable acting talents, setting the stage for her subsequent success.
Oz (1997-2003) - 8.7
At the same time as she was appearing in The Sopranos, Falco was also appearing in Oz, another HBO series dealing with violence and human misery. In this case, she played the character Diane Whittlesey. Though she was one of the more compassionate members of the Oz cast, like so many of Falco’s other characters she also had her fair share of trauma. In Falco’s hands, she emerged as a formidable character who will do anything for the well-being of her family and, unlike many of the other characters, she actually gets a happy ending.
The Sopranos (1999-2007) - 9.2
It’s not surprising that Falco’s role as Carmela Soprano would be her most highly-regarded. In her hands, Carmela is a woman of many depths and contradictions, for though she is devoutly religious, she also has to contend with the ugly reality that her husband is a gangster who is responsible for many deaths. Though she is ultimately as morally compromised as Tony, Falco’s genius lies in her ability to make audiences feel for an identify with Carmela, even as she is complicit in violence, death, and brutality. She is, ultimately, one of The Sopranos' saddest and most tragic characters.