A natural talent with an undeniable energy, Michaela Watkins has made her mark through a variety of impressive and unforgettable roles.
Watkins has been busy. On the big screen, she starred in IFC's PAINT opposite Owen Wilson. Wilson plays Carl Nargle, a public access painter whose life is upended when a younger, better artist comes to town. Michaela plays his producer and former girlfriend. Following that was the much-buzzed about Sundance film (turned successful theatrical release) YOU HURT MY FEELINGS opposite Julia-Louis Dreyfus. Directed by Nicole Holofcener for A24, Watkins earned praise for her performance among critics, with THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER raving “Watching Louis-Dreyfus and Watkins — the secret weapon of just about everything she appears in — banter with Berlin over matters as trivial as how to transport potato salad is a joy.” She also appear
A natural talent with an undeniable energy, Michaela Watkins has made her mark through a variety of impressive and unforgettable roles.
Watkins has been busy. On the big screen, she starred in IFC's PAINT opposite Owen Wilson. Wilson plays Carl Nargle, a public access painter whose life is upended when a younger, better artist comes to town. Michaela plays his producer and former girlfriend. Following that was the much-buzzed about Sundance film (turned successful theatrical release) YOU HURT MY FEELINGS opposite Julia-Louis Dreyfus. Directed by Nicole Holofcener for A24, Watkins earned praise for her performance among critics, with THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER raving “Watching Louis-Dreyfus and Watkins — the secret weapon of just about everything she appears in — banter with Berlin over matters as trivial as how to transport potato salad is a joy.” She also appeared at SXSW with the film THE YOUNG WIFE and recently starred in the independent feature SUZE, which she also executive produced.
On the small screen, she starred opposite Kathryn Hahn in Hulu's TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS and appeared in a critically praised role opposite Amanda Seyfried in the Hulu limited series, THE DROPOUT, which was also nominated for a Golden Globe. One of her most memorable roles was that of ’ “Valerie Cole”, the lead role in Hulu’s CASUAL. Valerie is a newly divorced therapist re-entering the world of casual dating. The show, produced and directed by Jason Reitman, was widely acclaimed, with a Golden Globe nomination and recognition in THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, calling it “funny, strongly realized, self- assured and a joy to watch.”
Other recent notable TV turns for Michaela include CBS comedy THE UNICORN, opposite Walt Goggins and playing Rob Delaney’s sister in the final season of CATASTROPHE. She also joined the 3rd season of SEARCH PARTY, and the EPIX adaptation of the legendary book and film GET SHORTY. She starred in the Netflix limited series WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER and showed incredible range as multiple characters in multiple time periods in the first, second and third season of PRIME VIDEO’s ground breaking Golden Globe and Emmy winning series, TRANSPARENT. Other past television credits include starring in ABC’s critical darling, TROPHY WIFE. She was a welcome addition to VEEP, THE GOLDBERGS, ENLIGHTENED, MARRIED,NEW GIRL, MODERN FAMILY, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, KEY AND PEELE, THE KROLL SHOW and DRUNK HISTORY.
In addition to her extensive TV career, Watkins has earned her indie film darling status from her memorable performances in Lake Bell's IN A WORLD, Joey Soloway’s AFTERNOON DELIGHT, BRIGSBY BEAR, opposite Kyle Mooney and Greg Kinnear and starring opposite Jillian Bell in PRIME VIDEO’s BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON, the breakout hit and audience award winner of Sundance 2019. Watkins slayed in the critically acclaimed IFC films Horror Comedy WEREWOLVES WITHIN, opposite Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub. Other feature credits include Warner Brothers’ THE WAY BACK opposite Ben Affleck as well as stand-out roles in Universal Pictures comedy WANDERLUST opposite Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, IBIZA opposite Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer and Phoebe Robinson and THE HOUSE opposite Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Jason Mantzoukis.
In Los Angeles, Watkins grew comedy roots in the fertile soil of Groundlings Theater main stage company. Michaela followed in the footsteps of many distinguished alums, joining the SNL cast in the 2008/09 season. She made her mark with spot-on impressions of Arianna Huffington, Barbara Walters, Joan Rivers, Julia Louis Dreyfus and Hoda Kotb while also creating original characters like “Angie Tempura” whose “Bitch, Pleazzzze” catch phrase immediately struck a chord on the iconic, late night sketch show.
Never content to simply participate, Watkins, along with fellow Groundling Damon Jones, created, wrote and executive produced the USA Network comedy series BENCHED. Starring Eliza Coupe, the show was produced alongside Andrea Shay and Mark Gordon and explored the inequity of the criminal justice system through a comedic lens.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., and raised in Boston, Watkins pursued a career in regional theater before moving to Los Angeles. She studied acting and theater, and received her B.F.A. from Boston University.
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