Neve Campbell is one of the most iconic scream queens in cinema history. This can be attributed to her role in Wes Craven’s Scream in 1996. While playing Sidney Prescott wasn’t her first role, it certainly put her on the map. She reprised her role in all but one of the subsequent films in the franchise, and will do so again in the forthcoming Scream 7.
But Campbell’s portfolio goes way beyond her role as Sidney. From television to films, she has done everything from dramas to comedies. Frankly, her work in Scream barely scratches the surface of her acting capabilities. Whether she’s a main character or stepping into a supporting role, it’s easy to see why her career remains steady decades after her breakout role. Here are Neve Campbell’s best roles outside of Scream.
11 Daisy McKenzie
Catwalk (1992 – 1994)
One of Campbell’s earliest television roles was in the Canadian musical drama Catwalk. In the series, a group of young people decides to form a band called Catwalk to pursue their musical dreams. The series documents the tenuous path to success, namely getting a record deal, as well as the relationships between each of the six members.
Why It’s Great
Campbell plays a keyboard player named Daisy McKenzie. She used to date Catwalk’s leader, Johnnie, which complicates the dynamic within the band. Even when other love interests come in, viewers are often wondering if they’ll come back to each other. With a large cast of complex characters and musical elements, this show has a lot to love.
10 Sarah Cassidy
Panic (2000)
The year 2000 welcomed the crime drama Panic starring Campbell and William H. Macy. Alex (Macy) is an average middle-aged man with a family, except when he works as a hitman. He plans to remove killing from his life and enrolls in therapy. In the waiting room, he meets Sarah (Campbell), a woman decades younger than him, whom he falls for.
Panic! At the Therapist’s Office
While the setup may sound like the start of a twisted romance film, it becomes a lot more intense thereafter. Viewers witness how Alex got involved in contract killing and the hold his father has on him. For Campbell’s part, her character challenges Alex to rethink his life. She breathes life into Sarah and plays well off Macy.
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9 Bonnie Harper
The Craft (1996)
Outside of Scream, one of Campbell’s most beloved roles is as Bonnie Harper in The Craft. It revolves around a group of outcast teenagers who also happen to be witches. Actress Robin Tunney plays newcomer Sarah who infiltrates the group. As their power grows, so does their thirst for revenge and Sarah decides she has to take her friends down.
- Release Date
- May 3, 1996
- Director
- Andrew Fleming
- Runtime
- 101 Minutes
A Character We Love & Hate
Bonnie is an introverted, insecure girl whose body is covered in scars. Campbell is back on screen with Skeet Ulrich, who played Sidney’s boyfriend in the original Scream. Viewers feel sorry for Bonnie and cheer her on when she uses her magic to increase her confidence. But Campbell also plays the switch well, showcasing Bonnie’s spiral into her beauty obsession and narcissism.
8 Alice
Investigating Sex (2001)
In Investigating Sex (or Intimate Affairs), Campbell reunites with Tunney in this slightly absurd comedy. It’s set in Massachusetts in 1929 and follows a group studying sex. Professor Faldo invites his friends to his home to discuss the topic. He hires two stenographers, Alice (Campbell) and Zoe (Tunney) to record their findings and discussions.
A New Side to Campbell
Alice and Zoe couldn’t be more different. Where Zoe is sexually liberated and active, Alice is closed-off and inexperienced. The men may be the central focus, but it’s the contrast between these two ladies that steals the show. It’s a unique role for Campbell, who isn’t known for her comedy. Fans of the actress will be pleasantly surprised to see how she steps into this demure character.
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7 Loretta ‘Ry’ Ryan
The Company (2003)
With The Company, Campbell not only displayed her continued comfort as a leading lady, but also as a writer and producer. Joffrey Ballet is a prestigious company filled with talented dancers like Loretta Ryan aka Ry. She doesn’t mesh well with the other ballerinas, but her talent speaks to the artistic director.
An Underrated Dance Film
While ballet performances are renowned for their elegance and beauty, behind the scenes it’s a lot grittier. The Company demonstrates that well. Not only does the film follow Ry, but all the others who come together to bring the performances to the stage. It’s beautiful, heartfelt, and markedly underhyped in Campbell’s filmography.
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6 Julia Salinger
Party of Five (1994 – 2000)
The Salinger family in Party of Five consists of five siblings, including fifteen-year-old middle child Julia (Campbell). Their world is shattered when a drunk driver kills their parents and now their irresponsible older brother Charlie is tasked with raising them at the ripe age of twenty-four.
Let’s Talk About the Salingers
Party of Five is equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. Each Salinger sibling feels like a real person and their love is palpable through the screen. Across six seasons, it hits on tough topics such as grief and PTSD, domestic abuse, and addiction, among others. The show follows Julia from age 15 to 20, from navigating loss to navigating relationships.
5 Suzie Marie Toller
Wild Things (1998)
Wild Things is a polarizing erotic thriller. Set in Miami, Kelly (played by Denise Richards), a rich and popular student, accuses the high school guidance counselor of rape. In the wake of this, Suzie (Campbell), a poor and unpopular girl, claims she was also a victim of this counselor. Suzie eventually recants on the witness stand. But the story isn’t over here. Who is telling the truth?
Too Many Twists to Count
There’s so much within Wild Things that cinephiles will eat up. The setting, the explosive characters, the fast pace. Yet some critics believe that subject matter as heavy as this deserves more care and less overt sexualization of the two main stars. Others believe these choices were carefully made. No matter which side a viewer falls on, Wild Things undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression.
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4 P.D. McCall
Medium (2005 – 2011)
Medium is a supernatural procedural drama about a psychic medium named Allison DuBois who works with Phoenix’s district attorney’s office. Allison’s character is based on a real woman of the same name who that purports her psychic abilities assisted various law enforcement cases. The series ran for seven seasons with over 125 episodes in its catalog.
A 3-Episode Blitz
Campbell joined as a guest star in three episodes in season 3. She plays P.D. McCall, a new friend of Allison’s. Allison becomes concerned that Debra is a serial killer’s next target. The three episodes Campbell is in are full of mystery and remind us of her Scream days. If Allison was around in Woodsboro, Sidney Prescott would’ve saved herself a lot of trouble.
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3 Maggie McPherson
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022 – Present)
One of Campbell’s most recent shows is the popular Netflix legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer. Mickey Haller is an attorney who operates his practice from his Lincoln Navigator. Among the many people in his life is Maggie McPherson (Campbell), a criminal prosecutor and Mickey’s first ex-wife (yes, he has multiple).
Why It’s Great
The world has seen plenty of legal shows that take place in Los Angeles. But the fans of the book series it’s based on and the 2011 film adaptation showed up in droves to ensure this adaptation’s success. Maggie and Mickey don’t always see eye-to-eye, whether it’s differences in parenting their daughter or how to approach cases. But their chemistry is top-notch and viewers enjoy seeing how it continually develops.
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2 LeAnn Harvey
House of Cards (2013 – 2018)
House of Cards is a political thriller based on a novel. It was previously adapted into a British series before crossing the pond to the States. Campbell shows up in season 4 as LeAnn Harvey, a political consultant from Texas. LeAnn is hired by the president’s wife to help run her campaign for a congressional seat.
Win At All Costs
The more entwined LeAnn gets with the president and First Lady, the dirtier her tactics become. By season four, House of Cards already had a dedicated fanbase. It can be hard to come into a show that’s already found its groove and make a mark, but Campbell did just so. LeAnn is cunning, morally gray, and unpredictable.
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1 Laura Sobiech
Clouds (2020)
Clouds is a musical drama based on a true story. For teenager Zach Sobiech, music distracts from his devastating cancer diagnosis. One day his mom Laura (Campbell) has to rush him to the hospital where Zach undergoes emergency surgery. They’re told his cancer is terminal and he has months to live. With death on the horizon, Zach decides to go all-in on his musical dreams.
Music Heals All
This film flew under the radar likely due to its 2020 release date. However, most who didn’t miss it love the film. While the terminal illness premise isn’t unique, drawing upon the memoir of the real Laura Sobiech provided emotional authenticity to Clouds. This movie will make viewers laugh, cry, and sing along to the great music, including several tracks performed by Sabrina Carpenter.