Jemima Kirke, the talented daughter of Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, truly made a name for herself in the world of television and film, especially with her standout role on Lena Dunham’s much-talked-about series Girls (HBO, 2012–17). Born on April 26, 1985, in London, Jemima Kirke spent her early years there before relocating to New York City, where she would eventually grow into the multifaceted artist she is today. After finishing high school, Jemima Kirke pursued her passion for visual art, studying painting at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design—a path that led her to open her own studio later on.
Interestingly, Jemima Kirke’s acting journey began almost by chance when her longtime high school friend, Lena Dunham, cast her in the indie breakout hit Tiny Furniture (2010). In that film, Jemima Kirke delivered a scene-stealing performance as a glamorous yet delightfully off-kilter free spirit, earning widespread praise. Her work in the film even earned her a shared nomination for Best Ensemble Cast at the Gotham Awards—an impressive feat for someone who still saw herself primarily as a painter rather than an actress.
Not long after welcoming her first child, Jemima Kirke reconnected with Dunham for the HBO series Girls, this time stepping into the role of Jessa Johansson, a bohemian world traveler whose unpredictable return to Manhattan brought both charm and chaos to her circle of friends—played by Dunham, Allison Williams, Zosia Mamet, and Adam Driver. Over the course of six seasons, Jemima Kirke’s portrayal of Jessa stood out consistently, with critics often highlighting her nuanced and magnetic presence. Despite not originally setting out to be an actress, Jemima Kirke received some of the most glowing reviews among the ensemble cast.
Between seasons of Girls, Jemima Kirke continued expanding her range, taking on roles in projects like the horror-comedy Ava’s Possessions (2015) and Jeff Baena’s quirky indie The Little Hours (2017). She also made a fun cameo alongside her Girls co-stars in an episode of The Simpsons (Fox, 1989–), adding another unique credit to her growing resume. After Girls wrapped, Jemima Kirke reunited creatively with family, co-starring with her younger sister Lola Kirke in the indie drama Untogether (2017), further proving her dedication to compelling, character-driven storytelling. Through it all, Jemima Kirke has remained a quietly influential figure in modern cinema and television.
So, when it comes to Jemima Kirke’s filmography, one standout performance definitely comes to mind—her highest rated project being Sylvie’s Love from 2020. It really showcased her range and brought in some great reviews. On the other hand, looking at Jemima Kirke’s body of work, not every title hit the same high notes. For instance, Wild Honey Pie (2018) ended up with lower ratings compared to her other works. Still, it’s interesting to see how Jemima Kirke has explored different roles over the years, with Sylvie’s Love clearly being a career highlight so far. Jemima Kirke definitely continues to be someone to watch in both film and music spaces.