Rose Byrne’s Golden Globe Win Rewrites How You See Her in This 91% RT Thriller Series

While she’s been an accomplished actor in the industry for many years, Rose Byrne is in her best year yet. After a stunning performance in Mary Bronstein‘s psychological drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Byrne is getting all the accolades, including taking home her first Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy last night. In the movie, which was released on January 24, 2025, Byrne plays Linda, a therapist who’s on the verge of a breakdown herself as she struggles with her daughter’s illness, an absent husband, her house falling apart, and an unusual relationship with her therapist.

Byrne’s performance in the movie is remarkable, with Collider’s very own Ross Bonaime describing her role as a “phenomenal work of restraint and calculated choices that is also played with flawless authenticity.” But while Byrne’s already award-winning movie is certainly a must-watch, last night’s win is shining a light on one of her other most celebrated works, the TV thriller Damages. Co-starring alongside Glenn Close, Damages is an unmissable series, and it shows just how much talent Byrne had at the beginning of her career.

What Is ‘Damages’ About?

Damages, which ran for five seasons from 2007 to 2012, follows Patty Hewes (Close), a cunning and ruthless New York City attorney who is known for taking on powerful clients and equally powerful enemies. The series kicks off when Patty meets Ellen Parsons (Byrne), a naive recent law school graduate who becomes her new protégée. In each season, the series focuses on one major case, be it corporate corruption, political scandals, or financial crimes, as well as the complicated and manipulative relationship between Ellen and Patty.

In addition to the compelling story, Damages‘ structure also sets it apart. First off, instead of having one case per episode like most legal dramas, having one case per season allows each character and facet of the case to be shown, sometimes showing major character arcs of diving into even bigger webs of lies and deception. At the same time, Damages doesn’t follow a chronological order, allowing for flash-forwards and present-day investigations to entice and oftentimes shock the viewer about what’s to come. Created by Glenn Kessler, Damages also starred Tate Donovan, Zachary Booth, Ted Danson, Chris Messina, and many more.

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Her character is Byrne-ing bright.

Rose Byrne a Powerful Counterpart in ‘Damages’

Image via FX

While knowing that Close is playing a ruthless lawyer in Damages might be enough to have viewers tuning in, what makes the beloved series so incredible is Patty’s ever-changing dynamic with Ellen. At first, Ellen’s by-the-book attitude serves as the stark opposite to Patty’s unethical and manipulative ways, a moral compass clashing with her at every move. But, as Ellen sees the nitty-gritty of Patty’s tactics over the years, as well as her own personal sacrifices along the way, she fundamentally changes, becoming more strategic, guarded, and morally flexible. In five seasons, she goes from a true protégée to a force to be reckoned with that Patty herself can’t ignore.

Of course, that journey is only as effective as it is because of Close and Byrne’s stunning performances throughout the series. For the role, Byrne received a number of first-time nods, including two Primetime Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nods. The series has also been celebrated by fans and critics alike, scoring an average 91% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, and 87% from viewers.

With that said, while Byrne’s compelling performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is certainly a turning point in her career, with it generating Oscar buzz months prior to the award show season, Byrne has been delivering standout performances throughout her career. In Damages, she portrayed a young lawyer who learns the ropes in a trial by fire, and who becomes hardened, wiser and more ruthless as time goes on. It’s another must-watch, and it offers a glimpse into the massive actress she’d soon become.