Sarah Margaret Qualley is an American actor and former ballet dancer, born in 1994 and the daughter of Andie MacDowell. Margaret Qualley keeps choosing parts that test timing, movement, and nerve.
She first drew recognition on HBO’s The Leftovers, then went viral in Spike Jonze’s KENZO World short, which showed off her oddball physicality and Ryan Heffington’s choreography.
She has two Primetime Emmy nominations, supporting for Fosse/Verdon and lead for Maid.
If you’re meeting her for the first time, start with the titles below; if you already rate her, this is a quick refresher on the performances people still talk about, plus where to watch them in the UK.
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Most recently she co-stars in Coralie Fargeat’s Cannes talking-point The Substance with Demi Moore, which premiered to lengthy standing ovations.
Maid (2021, Netflix)
Qualley’s Alex is flinty without losing tenderness: a survival story that refuses easy pity and rises on small, observed choices (eye contact, breath, posture).
The part earned her an Emmy lead-actress nomination and put her squarely on awards radars. Where to watch (UK): Netflix; buy: Apple TV, Amazon.
The Substance (2024/25, MUBI)
Coralie Fargeat’s Cannes shocker isn’t just Demi Moore’s renaissance; Qualley’s “perfect” counterpart has a cold poise and physical exactness that makes the satire bite.
The film took festival ovations and rolled into the 2024–25 awards season with heat. Where to watch (UK): MUBI (also via MUBI on Prime), Paramount+ (Basic with ads); digital on Amazon, Sky Store, Rakuten, Apple.
The Leftovers (2014–2017, HBO/Sky/Now)
As Jill Garvey, she brings spiky teenage grief into focus, helping give the series its emotional wallop—one reason critics still point to her arc when explaining why the show endures. Where to watch (UK): availability fluctuates; check current options via JustWatch.
Sanctuary (2023)
A tightrope two-hander with Christopher Abbott: Qualley toggles between control and vulnerability, using dancer’s timing to turn a single room into a chessboard. Critics singled out the performances as the film’s engine. Where to watch (UK): digital on Apple, Rakuten, Amazon, Sky.
Fosse/Verdon (2019, Disney+)
Playing Ann Reinking demanded craft and homework—weekly calls with Reinking, plus deep dives into archival footage—which helped earn Qualley an Emmy nomination.
You feel the dancer’s lineage in every held line and softened wrist. Where to watch (UK): Disney+; buy: Apple, Amazon.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
Her “Pussycat” is the switchblade smile in Tarantino’s sun-dazed hangout: flirtatious, feral, and crucial to the Spahn Ranch tension.
Contemporary coverage often singles the character out despite limited screen time. Where to watch (UK): commonly rotates; check current options (often Netflix/Prime buy).
Stars at Noon (2022)
Claire Denis’ humid mood piece divides critics, but most agree Qualley is the live wire—restless, impulsive, and keyed to Denis’ languor.
If you want to see her carry a film’s temperature, start here. Where to watch (UK): digital on Apple, Amazon, Sky Store, Rakuten.
Blue Moon (2025)
Linklater’s Berlin-premiered chamber drama about Lorenz Hart trades spectacle for rhythm and repartee; reviews praised the ensemble give-and-take with Ethan Hawke and the film’s intimate, stage-craft feel. Where to watch (UK): theatrical during rollout; streaming TBA—track with listings.
Drive-Away Dolls (2024)
A breezy 84-minute queer caper: Qualley leans into loose, goofy energy opposite Geraldine Viswanathan. UK critics called it a cheerful romp, even when mixed on the script. Where to watch (UK): NOW/Sky Cinema; buy: Apple, Rakuten, Amazon, Sky.
My Salinger Year (2020)
Not a consensus favourite, but Qualley’s sincerity opposite Sigourney Weaver holds this old-school literary coming-of-age together; festival reviews noted her warmth.
Where to watch (UK): Prime Video (also with ads); free with ads on Rakuten; digital on Apple, Amazon, Sky, Rakuten.
Rising/Recent: Honey Don’t! (2025)
Ethan Coen’s noir side-quest gives her a hardboiled lead; Cannes write-ups paint it as throwaway fun, but a sign of an ongoing Coen-Qualley collaboration. Where to watch (UK): in cinemas; streaming TBA.
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UK availability verified via JustWatch. It is the most reliable way to confirm where a title is streaming in your region and it updates as rights move.
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