- Primary Subject: Nicole Kidman’s television career rankings.
- Key Update: This article is a comprehensive guide ranking Nicole Kidman's TV performances from Lioness to Big Little Lies ahead of her Scarpetta debut.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: Nicole Kidman's TV roles are ranked from her underutilized turn in Lioness to her award-winning, career-defining masterclass as Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies.
Beyond her legendary film career, Nicole Kidman has spent the last several years cementing her status as a titan of the small screen. From prestige limited series to gripping multi-season dramas, she has consistently displayed a transformative range that few can match.
This week, she returns to television in Prime Video’s highly anticipated series Scarpetta. Based on the celebrated Patricia Cornwell novels, the show features Kidman in the titular role of medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.
To mark the occasion, we’ve looked back at her television works to rank them from worst to best.
7. Lioness
To be fair, Lioness is far from a failure. In fact, it’s arguably one of the most cohesive entries in Taylor Sheridan’s expansive Paramount+ empire. It’s sharp, high-stakes, and polished.
However, Kidman’s turn as Kaitlyn Meade feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. While she delivers a perfectly fine supporting performance, the script rarely asks her to break a sweat. Her character is a functional, standard authority figure, leaving you wondering why an actor of Kidman's caliber signed on for a role with so little narrative meat on the bone.
6. Top of the Lake: China Girl
Kidman delivers a characteristically solid performance in Top of the Lake: China Girl, marking a high-profile reunion with director Jane Campion for the second season of the acclaimed series. Interestingly, this remains the only television project in her recent streak where she didn't also serve as an executive producer.
As Julia Edwards, Kidman is perfectly fine, leaning into the character's eccentricities with a steady hand. While it doesn't quite reach the standout status of her more transformative roles, it remains an admirable piece of work that clearly benefits from her shorthand with a world-class filmmaker like Campion.
5. Nine Perfect Strangers
Nine Perfect Strangers represents a significant swing for Kidman. Taking on the role of Masha Dmitrichenko, she commits fully to a thick Russian accent and a layer of ethereal, slightly menacing character work. Even when the execution falters, Kidman’s absolute dedication to the bit remains unquestionable.
As a whole, the series is a bit of a mixed bag; the writing across both seasons often feels scattered, struggling to find a consistent tone. Nevertheless, it remains a compelling watch, largely thanks to a stacked ensemble cast and Kidman’s undeniably fascinating, high-wire performance.
4. The Perfect Couple
The Perfect Couple is an entertaining mystery that quickly captivated audiences with its sharp pacing and eclectic cast of characters. It’s a compelling watch that leans into its genre tropes with style.
While Kidman delivers a polished performance, she isn't the singular standout here, largely because the series operates as a true ensemble piece where her character isn't the sole focal point. Nevertheless, she navigates the story’s lighter, more satirical tone with ease, providing a steady anchor for the show’s central conflict.
3. Expats
Expats stands out as a somber, atmospheric shift in Kidman’s television career. Set against the vibrant but isolating backdrop of Hong Kong, the series tackles heavy subject matter with a narrative tone that is as much about internal grief as it is about external surroundings.
Kidman’s portrayal of Margaret Woo is a masterclass in restraint. She breathes a quiet, agonizing depth into the character while skillfully stepping back to allow her co-stars to shine in their own interconnected stories. It remains an underrated project in her TV filmography; a haunting, beautifully shot meditation on loss that deserves a much wider audience.
2. The Undoing
The Undoing stands as an impressive showcase for Kidman, who masterfully portrays a woman caught in the agonizing uncertainty of whether her husband is a cold-blooded killer. Her performance is thick with intrigue, grounding the high-stakes drama in a deeply compelling emotional struggle.
The series itself is equally strong, delivering a mystery that kept audiences guessing through every stylish twist and turn. It is a definitive piece of work that once again proves Kidman’s immense range, demonstrating her ability to command a massive, prestige production with nuanced psychological depth.
1. Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies remains the undisputed gold standard of Nicole Kidman’s television career. As her first major foray into prestige TV, the series didn't just garner a sweep of awards; it effectively revitalized her career, reminding the world why she is one of the preeminent actors of her generation.
In the role of Celeste Wright, Kidman delivers a performance of profound sensitivity and grace. She navigates the agonizing complexities of domestic violence with a raw honesty that makes Celeste’s journey both devastating and deeply relatable. It is, by every definition, a masterwork that remains as powerful today as it was at its debut.
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