WCW: Alison Pill – Frock Flicks

Alison Pill

Canadian actress Alison Pill broke through as a child performer on stage and in television. She’s since built a wide-ranging film and TV career with roles in Milk (2008), Pillars of the Earth (2010), and Hail, Caesar! (2016), to name a few that I’ve enjoyed over the years. Today we’re going to take a look at the historical flicks she’s appeared in over the years.

Degas and the Dancer (1998)

Alison Pill in "Degas and the Dancer" (1998) — I had some reservations about the premise of this film, but apparently it was highly praised. The artist Degas befriends a ballerina while studying her troupe for what would become his famous series of paintings and sculptures of Parisian dancers.

What Katy Did (1999)

Alison Pill in "What Katy Did" (1999) — Based on the novel of the same name by Susan Coolidge, the film’s tagline boldly claims to be “in the tradition of Anne of Green Gables,” so you can more or less infer that Katy is a spirited young girl who gets into all manner of shenanigans in her small Ohio town.

Dear America: A Journey to the New World (1999)

Alison Pill in "Dear America: A Journey to the New World" (1999) — A TV movie about a young girl who accompanies her parents on the Mayflower, arriving in the New World. Based on a series of YA books by Kathryn Lasky.

Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001)

Alison Pill in "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows" (2001) — Alison Pill has a brief scene playing a young Lorna Luft.

Milk (2008)

Alison Pill in "Milk" (2008) — One of Alison Pill’s earliest adult roles, she plays Harvey Milk’s campaign manager and LGBTQ activist, Anne Kronenberg.

The Pillars of the Earth (2010)

The Pillars of the Earth (2010) — Alison Pill does a fantastic job portraying Empress Maud, the rightful heir to the throne of England, who becomes embroiled in a bitter war with her cousin, Stephen of Blois, who usurped the throne while she was busy being Holy Roman Empress. Their rivalry and resulting war forms the background against which the main characters live their lives in a kingdom torn apart by conflicting loyalties.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Midnight in Paris (2011) — Alison Pill portrays Zelda Fitzgerald as the protagonist falls into a time warp and is transported back to Paris in the 1920s.

Hail, Caesar! (2011)

Alison Pill in "Hail, Caesar!" (2016) — Alison Pill’s next historical role is as Eddie Mannix’s wife in the Coen Brothers’ film loosely based on the early-1950s “red scare” in Hollywood. Excellent film with an amazing cast; do yourself a favor and give it a watch if you haven’t already.

Them (2021)

Alison Pill in "THEM: Covenant" (2021-) — Set in 1953, a Black family moves into a white neighborhood and things quickly turn psychotic. Alison Pill plays main villain, Betty Wendell. She gives a really interesting interview about how the costumes helped her build the rigid, unyielding mindset of Betty.

Hello Tomorrow! (2023)

Alison Pill in "Hello Tomorrow!" (2023) — I gave this show a try but ultimately never finished it, despite it having an interesting, retro-futuristic premise and fully committed aesthetic.

What’s your favorite film or TV show starring Alison Pill? Tell us in the comments!

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Tags: 1860s 1920s 1950s 1960s adapted from books Alison Pill Hail Caesar (2016) inspired by a true story Midnight in Paris (2011) playing fast & loose with history The Pillars of the Earth (2010) TV Victorian videos Zelda Fitzgerald

2 thoughts on “WCW: Alison Pill”

Beth says:

July 22, 2026 at 8:36 am

Oh wow – her name didn’t ring a bell, but Midnight in Paris is my favorite Woody Allen movie, and she was great as Zelda – exactly as Gil described her, all over the place. That’s the only one of her films I’ve seen, and I’ll have to look out for more. She’s got a young Reece Witherspoon vibe going, which makes her face work for period films. I honestly didn’t recognize the first headshot in this post.

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Saraquill says:

July 22, 2026 at 8:54 am

I was not a fan of Them season 1. I only caught an episode or two before giving up on it. It felt too much like Lovecraft Country, but with more trauma porn.

I do have happy memories of Degas and the Dancer. This movie even inspired me to dress as the flower dancer for one Halloween.

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