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Kate Mara

Kate Mara

Actor, also producer · Born February 27, 1983 (43) · Bedford, New York, USA

Primetime Emmy nominee · 1 other major award body

Kate Rooney Mara (born February 27, 1983) is an American actress. She is known for her work in television, playing reporter Zoe Barnes in the Netflix political drama House of Cards (2013–2014; 2016), computer analyst Shari Rothenberg in the Fox thriller series 24 (2006), wronged mistress Hayden McClaine in the FX miniseries American Horror Story: Murder House (2011), Patty Bowes in the first season of the FX drag ball culture drama series Pose (2018), and a teacher who begins an illicit relationship with an underage student in the FX miniseries A Teacher (2020). For the latter, she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best New Scripted Series as an executive producer. Mara made her film debut in Random Hearts(1999). She has since appeared in Brokeback Mountain (2005), We Are Marshall (2006), Shooter (2007), Transsiberian (2008), Stone of Destiny (2008), The Open Road (2009), Transcendence (2014), The Martian (2015), Fantastic Four (2015), Morgan (2016), Megan Leavey (2017), My Days of Mercy (2017), and Chappaquiddick (2018). Description above from the Wikipedia article Kate Mara, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 27, 1983 (43)
From
Bedford, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
54 on MovieCove · 68 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 22% in 30 days

What are Kate Mara's films like?

Across their 38 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 7th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
24%
Morality
21%
Self
20%
Survival
12%
Power
11%
Ideas
6%
Society
6%
Family bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 34 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 6 · Dark 19

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 20 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 8 · Charged 11 · Intense 15

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 20 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 14 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 7

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 7 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 15

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 12 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

20 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 8 of 20 analyzed roles.

Ally
8 of 20
Hero
7 of 20
Shadow
3 of 20
Herald
1 of 20
Shapeshifter
1 of 20
Show the 20 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
28
Melancholic
18
Dread
9
Contemplative
10
Hopeful
10
Other
33

How their films linger

Bittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet25
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kate Mara's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 45 of their 54 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kate Mara's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

68 credits, 54 with a MovieCove page; 12 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Bucking Fastard(2026)

    as Jean Holbrooke

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Imperfect Women(2026)

    Show 8 episodes · as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • The Dutchman(2025)

    Producer · as Lula

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Astronaut(2025)

    as Sam Walker

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Easy's Waltz(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Friendship(2024)

    as Tami Waterman

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Smell of Money(2022)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Class of '09(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Ashley Poet

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Call Jane(2022)

    as Lana

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Invincible(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Becky (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • A Teacher(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · Executive Producer · as Claire Wilson

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Pose(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Patty

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Chappaquiddick(2017)

    as Mary Jo Kopechne

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • My Days of Mercy(2017)

    Producer · as Mercy

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Megan Leavey(2017)

    as Megan Leavey

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Man Down(2015)

    as Natalie Drummer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Morgan(2016)

    as Lee Weathers

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Martian(2015)

    as Beth Johanssen

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Captive(2015)

    as Ashley Smith

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Moonbeam City(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · as Chrysalis Tate (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Fantastic Four(2015)

    as Sue Storm

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Almost Not Beautiful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Lisa

  • ARES: live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · as Beth Johanssen

  • The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards(2015)

    as Lisa

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Tiny Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Detective Kate

  • The Robot Chicken: Bitch Pudding Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Raspberry Parfait/Schlorpette (voice)

  • Transcendence(2014)

    as Bree

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • House of Cards(2013)

    Show 39 episodes · as Zoe Barnes

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Deadfall(2012)

    as Hanna

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Out of the Shadows: Meet the House Ghosts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • 10 Years(2011)

    as Elise

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Black Mirror(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Lana Stanfield

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • American Horror Story(2011)

    Show 8 episodes · as Hayden McClaine

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Queen of Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Queen of Hearts

  • Happythankyoumoreplease(2010)

    as Mississippi

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Ironclad(2011)

    as Lady Isabel

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • 127 Hours(2010)

    as Kristi Moore

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Peep World(2010)

    as Meg

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Iron Man 2(2010)

    as U.S. Marshal

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Open Road(2009)

    as Lucy

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • T Takes: Brooklyn '09 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 3 episodes · as Kate

  • Big Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kate

  • Stone of Destiny(2008)

    as Kay Matheson

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Transsiberian(2008)

    as Abby

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Shooter(2007)

    as Sarah Fenn

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Full of It(2007)

    as Annie Dray

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • We Are Marshall(2006)

    as Annie Cantrell

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Zoom(2006)

    as Summer Jones / Wonder

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Brokeback Mountain(2005)

    as Alma Del Mar Jr. (age 19)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Californians(2005)

    as Zoe Tripp

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Urban Legends: Bloody Mary(2005)

    as Samantha Owens

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 4 episodes · as Brittany

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Jill Shelby

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 4 episodes · as Vanessa Bartholomew

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephanie Brooks

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kate Morris

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Tadpole(2002)

    as Miranda Spear

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • 24(2001)

    Show 5 episodes · as Shari Rothenberg

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Public (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Helena Gelbke

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Janelle Macklin

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Madigan Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Random Hearts(1999)

    as Jessica Chandler

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lori

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Joe the King(1999)

    as Allyson

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Jenna Erlich

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • She Kills Them (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Chloe Jacobs

  • The Little Bedroom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Trust the Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles, 65 of them dated from 1990 to 2026; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

The Martian (2015)

$631M worldwide

Highest rated

The Martian (2015)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Shooter (2007)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19902026

Peak 2016 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 15 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting67 of 68: 65 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thProducing3 of 68: 1 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

1990s4 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s28 · 28 acting · 1 crew2020s11 · 10 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 15% of 33 roles
990914

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 major nominations and no wins, 2014–2021.

  1. 2021
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best New Scripted Series
  2. 2014
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Kate Mara's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 37; across their 34 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 34

Approval · how many liked their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 34

Reach · how many have seen their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 34

Midcredits score across 54 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 54 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Easy's Waltz (2025)

94th percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Martian (2015)

Midcredits 98th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 32 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Kate Mara's work okay for kids?

Across up to 25 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore20 titles26–88 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity25 titles10–59 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity19 titles39–74 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles16–50 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense19 titles29–88 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Kate Mara work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kate Mara's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael Peña shares the most, 3.

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers