Willa Fitzgerald Bio: Age, Movies, TV Shows, Career & Net Worth
Willa Fitzgerald is an American actress known for her work across television, film, and theater. She gained major attention through Scream, Dare Me, and Reacher. More recently, she starred in Netflix’s medical drama Pulse and appeared in several major films.
Born on January 17, 1991, in Nashville, Tennessee, Fitzgerald developed an interest in performance at a young age. She later attended Yale University, where she initially studied psychology.
However, acting eventually became her main career goal. Today, Willa Fitzgerald has built a diverse acting career through television dramas, thrillers, horror films, and period productions.
Who Is Willa Fitzgerald?
Willa Fitzgerald is a 35-year-old American actress as of August 2026. She began working professionally during the late 2000s and expanded her television career after graduating from Yale.
She first attracted attention through supporting television roles. Later, she landed leading parts that helped establish her name internationally.
Her breakthrough came when she played Emma Duval in MTV’s Scream. The role introduced Fitzgerald to a large young-adult audience.
She subsequently played Colette French in Dare Me. The series showcased her ability to portray complicated and emotionally demanding characters.
However, many viewers know her best as Roscoe Conklin in Reacher. Her performance opposite Alan Ritchson helped increase her international profile.
Willa Fitzgerald Age and Birthplace
Willa Fitzgerald was born on January 17, 1991. She grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
As of August 2026, Willa Fitzgerald is 35 years old.
She comes from a musical family. Her parents worked as musicians and performed together in a band for many years.
That creative environment influenced Fitzgerald during her childhood. Nevertheless, she developed her own passion for acting rather than pursuing music.
Her early experiences helped her discover confidence through performance. She began participating in competitive acting during elementary school.
Willa Fitzgerald’s Early Life and Education
Fitzgerald attended Harpeth Hall School in Nashville. She graduated from the school in 2009 before continuing her education at Yale University.
Interestingly, Fitzgerald did not immediately choose theater as her university major.
She initially studied psychology at Yale for approximately three years. At the same time, she continued performing in numerous theatrical productions.
Eventually, she realized that acting offered the career path she wanted.
She changed her academic direction and studied theater instead. Fitzgerald eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Studies from Yale University in 2013.
Her education gave her valuable theatrical training. Moreover, her academic background helped her develop a thoughtful approach to character development.
How Did Willa Fitzgerald Start Acting?
Fitzgerald discovered acting during her school years. She participated in a competitive performance activity known as Forensics.
The activity involved performing monologues and competing against students from other schools. Fitzgerald reportedly reached the finals during her first experience.
That early success encouraged her to continue performing.
She later began pursuing professional acting opportunities while developing her theatrical skills. Her first film appearance came with For the Love of a Dog, which she filmed during her teenage years.
After graduating from Yale, Fitzgerald quickly expanded her professional credits. She entered television with a role in the political comedy series Alpha House.
Her early television work also included appearances in Blue Bloods, The Following, and Gotham.
Willa Fitzgerald’s Breakthrough in Scream
One of Fitzgerald’s most important early roles came with MTV’s Scream.
She portrayed Emma Duval, the central character in the television adaptation of the famous horror franchise.
The series premiered in 2015 and gave Fitzgerald an opportunity to lead a major television production.
Emma faces terrifying circumstances while trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious killer. Fitzgerald brought vulnerability and determination to the character.
The role helped her reach a much wider audience. It also established her as an actress capable of carrying suspense-driven stories.
Consequently, Scream remains one of the most recognizable entries in Willa Fitzgerald’s television career.
Willa Fitzgerald in Dare Me
Fitzgerald later joined the cast of Dare Me, a psychological drama based on Megan Abbott’s novel.
She played Colette French, a demanding high-school cheerleading coach.
The series explored ambition, friendship, rivalry, manipulation, and power. Fitzgerald’s character played a major role in the show’s complicated relationships.
Her performance demonstrated a different side of her acting abilities. Instead of portraying a vulnerable teenager, she played an experienced adult with considerable authority.
Although the series ended after one season, it strengthened Fitzgerald’s reputation for complex dramatic performances.
Willa Fitzgerald as Roscoe Conklin in Reacher
In 2022, Fitzgerald appeared in Reacher, the Amazon Prime Video action series.
She played Officer Roscoe Conklin, a police officer working in the fictional town of Margrave, Georgia.
The character becomes closely connected with Jack Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson.
Fitzgerald brought toughness, intelligence, and emotional depth to Roscoe. Therefore, the character quickly became an important part of the show’s first season.
Reacher introduced Fitzgerald to an even broader international audience.
The show’s popularity also helped increase interest in her earlier work.
Although Roscoe does not remain a central character throughout the entire series, the role remains one of Fitzgerald’s most recognizable performances.
Willa Fitzgerald in The Fall of the House of Usher
Fitzgerald continued exploring darker material with Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher.
The 2023 horror miniseries came from creator Mike Flanagan. Fitzgerald portrayed a younger version of Madeline Usher.
Her performance required her to explore ambition, intelligence, family relationships, and moral complexity.
The role also demonstrated her ability to transform significantly between projects.
Fans who knew her from Scream and Reacher could see a different performance style in the Netflix series.
As a result, the series further strengthened Fitzgerald’s reputation as a versatile performer.
Willa Fitzgerald and Strange Darling
One of Fitzgerald’s most acclaimed film performances came with Strange Darling.
The psychological thriller, directed by J.T. Mollner, stars Fitzgerald alongside Kyle Gallner.
Fitzgerald plays a character credited as The Lady. The movie deliberately presents its story through a fragmented timeline.
Therefore, viewers gradually discover important information about the characters and their relationship.
Fitzgerald delivers an intense performance that demands considerable emotional and physical range. Critics particularly praised her work throughout the unconventional thriller.
Entertainment Weekly highlighted Fitzgerald’s performance while discussing the film’s approach to traditional horror conventions.
The Times also described her performance as a standout turn.
Strange Darling became an important career milestone for Fitzgerald. It showed that she could lead an ambitious independent film.
Willa Fitzgerald in Pulse
In 2025, Fitzgerald took another major television role in Netflix’s medical drama Pulse.
She plays Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms, a third-year emergency medicine resident.
The story follows medical professionals working inside a busy Miami emergency department.
Danny unexpectedly becomes the chief resident after her former partner faces suspension.
Her character must then manage professional pressure, personal conflict, and complicated workplace relationships.
Fitzgerald’s performance gave her another opportunity to lead a television series. Biography.com identified Pulse as one of her most significant recent roles.
The series expanded her television résumé beyond horror, action, and psychological drama.
Willa Fitzgerald’s Movies and TV Shows
Fitzgerald has developed a substantial filmography throughout her career.
Some notable Willa Fitzgerald movies and TV shows include:
- For the Love of a Dog
- Alpha House
- Blue Bloods
- The Following
- Royal Pains
- Gotham
- Scream
- Little Women
- Dare Me
- Reacher
- The Goldfinch
- The Fall of the House of Usher
- Wildcat
- Desperation Road
- Strange Darling
- Relay
- Pulse
- Alarum
- Regretting You
- A House of Dynamite
Her recent film credits show her continued movement between different genres.
Willa Fitzgerald’s Recent and Upcoming Projects
Fitzgerald remains active in film and television during 2026.
Her recent credits include Regretting You and A House of Dynamite.
In A House of Dynamite, Fitzgerald plays Abby Jansing, a CNN reporter working from the White House briefing room. Netflix confirmed her character’s role in the disaster thriller.
She also has several projects listed as upcoming.
These include The Billion Dollar Spy, Callback, and New England Toys. Current listings also show Skeletons among her upcoming work.
In The Billion Dollar Spy, Fitzgerald plays Mae Lenihan. The project currently appears in post-production listings.
Meanwhile, New England Toys is a period thriller starring Fitzgerald and Ruby Cruz. Production began in Buffalo, New York. Fitzgerald also serves as an executive producer on the project.
These projects suggest that her career continues expanding into different genres.
Willa Fitzgerald Acting Style
Fitzgerald has developed a reputation for choosing varied and challenging characters.
She has played teenagers, police officers, doctors, cheerleading coaches, reporters, and psychologically complicated women.
Moreover, she frequently works within suspenseful or emotionally intense stories.
Her theater education also gives her performances a strong character-focused foundation.
Rather than staying within one genre, Fitzgerald continues experimenting with different roles.
Her versatility has become one of the strongest features of her career.
Is Willa Fitzgerald Married?
Willa Fitzgerald generally keeps her private life away from the spotlight.
She does not frequently discuss romantic relationships in public interviews.
Therefore, reliable information about her current relationship status remains limited.
Most public coverage focuses on her acting career, education, projects, and professional achievements.
This privacy allows Fitzgerald to maintain a clear separation between her professional and personal life.
What Is Willa Fitzgerald Known For?
Willa Fitzgerald is best known for several major performances.
Scream introduced her to many television viewers. Reacher then brought her to a broader international action audience.
Meanwhile, Dare Me highlighted her dramatic range.
More recently, Strange Darling demonstrated her ability to lead a demanding psychological thriller.
Her role in Pulse further established her as a leading television performer.
Together, these projects show how Fitzgerald has steadily expanded her career.
What Is Next for Willa Fitzgerald?
Willa Fitzgerald’s career continues to develop through both television and film.
Her upcoming projects include The Billion Dollar Spy, Callback, New England Toys, and Skeletons. Current listings place these productions at different stages of development or production.
Therefore, audiences can expect Fitzgerald to remain active across multiple genres.
Her recent work also suggests that she is moving toward increasingly prominent film roles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Willa Fitzgerald
How old is Willa Fitzgerald?
Willa Fitzgerald is 35 years old as of August 2026. She was born on January 17, 1991.
Where was Willa Fitzgerald born?
Willa Fitzgerald was born in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
What is Willa Fitzgerald famous for?
She is famous for Scream, Dare Me, Reacher, The Fall of the House of Usher, Strange Darling, and Pulse.
Did Willa Fitzgerald attend Yale?
Yes. Fitzgerald attended Yale University and graduated with a degree in theater studies in 2013.
What role did Willa Fitzgerald play in Reacher?
Fitzgerald played Officer Roscoe Conklin in the first season of Amazon’s Reacher.
Who did Willa Fitzgerald play in Scream?
She played Emma Duval, the lead character in MTV’s Scream.
Who does Willa Fitzgerald play in Pulse?
Fitzgerald plays Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms, an emergency medicine resident.
What is Willa Fitzgerald’s latest work?
Her recent work includes Pulse, Regretting You, and A House of Dynamite. She also has several upcoming projects.
Final Thoughts on Willa Fitzgerald
Willa Fitzgerald has built a versatile career through television, film, and theater.
Her journey began with school performances and eventually led to Yale University.
After graduation, she steadily developed her professional career through television and film.
Her performances in Scream and Reacher brought her widespread recognition.
However, projects such as Strange Darling and The Fall of the House of Usher demonstrated her broader artistic range.
Meanwhile, Pulse gave her another leading television role.
As her upcoming projects continue to develop, Fitzgerald appears poised for another important stage in her career.
Her ability to move between genres remains one of her greatest professional strengths.
For that reason, Willa Fitzgerald remains an actress worth watching as her filmography continues to grow in 2026 and beyond.
