Fans might have first learned about Elizabeth Olsen because she’s Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s sister, but since she started starring in movies and TV shows in 2011, the actor has made a name for herself as an absolute star. Before she found mainstream success as Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Olsen starred in smaller, indie films like “Martha Marcy May Marlene” and “Silent House.” She also starred in the Facebook Watch series “Sorry For Your Loss,” all about a young widow’s grief.
Now, Olsen is gearing up for the release of her new series, “Love & Death.” She stars as Candy Montgomery, a Texas housewife who killed Betty Gore with an axe. Interestingly, a Hulu limited series, “Candy,” told the same story earlier this year.
Back in May, Olsen reflected on how her MCU success hurt her ability to be cast in indie roles. “I started to feel frustrated,” she told The New York Times. “I had this job security but I was losing these pieces that I felt were more part of my being. And the further I got away from that, the less I became considered for it.”
“It [Marvel] took me away from the physical ability to do certain jobs that I thought were more aligned with the things I enjoyed as an audience member,” she explained. She had wanted to be part of the movie “The Lobster” but had to say no because of filming commitments. “And this is me being the most honest,” she said.
As Olsen continues to build up her impressive résumé, revisit her most iconic movie and television roles ahead.
HBO
"Love & Death" (2023)
Olsen will star in crime drama “Love & Death” about the Candy Montgomery story. Her castmates include Jesse Plemons, Patrick Fugit, Lily Rabe, and Krysten Ritter.
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"WandaVision" (2021)
Olsen broke hearts everywhere with her turn as Wanda in “WandaVision” on Disney+. She starred alongside Paul Bettany as Vision, Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau.
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"Avengers: Age of Ulton" (2015)
Olsen first joined the MCU in 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Wanda has a thick Sokovian accent in that film, which Olsen eventually phased out.
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"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2022)
Olsen explored the dark side of Wanda’s grief in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” alongside Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character.
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"Avengers: Infinity War" (2018) and "Avengers: Endgame" (2019)
Olsen also appeared as Wanda in “Avengers: Infinity War” in 2018 and briefly in “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
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"Captain America: Civil War" (2016)
Olsen’s Wanda appears with her Avengers brethren in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.”
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"Ingrid Goes West" (2017)
In 2017, Olsen starred with Aubrey Plaza in “Ingrid Goes West,” a movie about the obsessive allure of social media.
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"Sorry For Your Loss" (2018-2019)
Olsen received major critical acclaim for her starring role in “Sorry For Your Loss,” which aired on Facebook Watch from 2018 to 2019. The series, about a woman grieving the unexpected death of her husband, also stars Kelly Marie Tran.
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"Martha Marcy May Marlene" (2011)
Olsen made her film debut in 2011’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene.” Olsen played Martha, who’s struggling with delusions and paranoia after escaping a cult.
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"Silent House" (2012)
In 2012’s horror film “Silent House,” Olsen played a young woman who’s terrorised while cleaning a vacation home.
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"Red Lights" (2012)
“Red Lights” is a supernatural thriller that stars Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Toby Jones, Joely Richardson, and Olsen. The 2012 film is about physicists who end up in a supernatural mystery.
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"Liberal Arts" (2012)
Olsen starred with Josh Radnor in the 2012 comedy “Liberal Arts.”
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"Oldboy" (2013)
Olsen teamed up with Josh Brolin for the 2013 thriller “Oldboy.”
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"Kill Your Darlings" (2013)
“Kill Your Darlings” is a 2013 drama about the Beat Generation. Olsen played Edie Parker, who was married to Jack Kerouac. Daniel Radcliffe starred as Allen Ginsberg.
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"In Secret" (2013)
Olsen starred with Oscar Isaac in 2013’s “In Secret.” The erotic thriller is based on Émile Zola’s 1867 novel “Thérèse Raquin.”
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"Very Good Girls" (2013)
Dakota Fanning and Olsen starred in “Very Good Girls.” The 2013 film is about two friends enjoying their last summer together.
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"Godzilla" (2014)
Olsen appeared in the 2014 “Godzilla” reboot.
Everett Collection / Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"I Saw the Light" (2015)
Olsen linked up with her Avengers costar Tom Hiddleston for the 2015 Hank Williams biopic “I Saw the Light.” Olsen played Hank’s first wife, Audrey Williams.
