Mary Rose Byrne (born 24 July 1979) is an Australian actress. Known for her versatility across film and television, Byrne is particularly recognized for her leading roles in blockbuster comedies, independent dramas, and horror films. Her accolades include a Golden Globe Award, two AACTA Awards, a Silver Bear, and a Volpi Cup, in addition to nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Byrne made her screen debut in the film Dallas Doll (1994) and continued to act in Australian film and television throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. She gained her first leading film role in The Goddess of 1967 (2000), which earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. She further demonstrated her range as an actress with roles in the comedy The Rage in Placid Lake (2003), the historical drama Marie Antoinette (2006), and the horror film 28 Weeks Later (2007).
Byrne established herself as a prominent comedic actress with roles in films such as Get Him to the Greek (2010), Bridesmaids (2011), Neighbors (2014), Spy (2015), Neighbors 2, Sorority Rising (2016), and Instant Family (2018). During this period, she also starred in the horror franchise Insidious (2010–2023), the X-Men prequel films (2011–2016), and the family comedy films Peter Rabbit (2018) and Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021). For her performance as a troubled mother in the psychological drama If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You (2025), she received the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
On television, Byrne starred as Ellen Parsons in the legal thriller series Damages (2007–2012), which earned her two consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She has since portrayed Gloria Steinem in the miniseries Mrs. America (2020) and led the Apple TV comedy series Physical (2021–2023) and Platonic (2023–present).
In 2007, Byrne had significant parts in two studio sci-fi thriller films. She played a space vessel’s pilot in Danny Boyle’s Sunshine, alongside Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans, and also an army medical officer in Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s 28 Weeks Later, the sequel to Boyle’s 28 Days Later. While Sunshine flopped, 28 Weeks Later was a critical success and grossed over US$64.2 million globally. In 2007, Byrne began playing Ellen Parsons, a bright, young attorney, in the FX legal thriller television series Damages, alongside Glenn Close. Her performance was widely praised; she was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2009 and 2010, and for Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film in 2008 and 2010. She appeared in all 59 episodes of the series until its finale in September 2012.
In 2018, Byrne voiced Jemima Puddle-Duck and played a local woman named Bea who spends her time painting pictures of the rabbits in the live-action comedy Peter Rabbit, which made US$351.2 million worldwide. She reprised her role in the 2021 sequel, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. In Juliet, Naked (also 2018), a romantic comedy adapted from Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name, she appeared as a woman dating an obscure rock musician (played by Ethan Hawke). The film was an arthouse success, with Rotten Tomatoes’ critical consensus reading: “Juliet, Naked’s somewhat familiar narrative arc is elevated by standout work from a charming cast led by a well-matched Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke. “I Am Mother (2019) is a thriller and sci-fi movie with Clara Rugaard and Oscar-winning Hilary Swank. Byrne costarred with Adam Devine, Alexandra Shipp, and Wanda Sykes as a voiced virtual assistant in the movie Jexi (2019). She voiced Brandy Cattle in season 3 of Bluey in the episodes “Onesies” and “The Sign”.
In 2025, she received the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival for her performance as a troubled mother in If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You (2025). Later that year, Byrne won the Best Actress award at the 58th Sitges Film Festival for the same role.
