Maxine Peake was a talented actress who made a name for herself through her compelling performances in a wide range of drama films. Early in her career, Maxine Peake appeared in the television special The Way We Live Now (PBS, 2001–02), which helped set the stage for her growing reputation. Over the years, Maxine Peake consistently delivered strong performances, including in the comedic drama Girls’ Night (1998) alongside Brenda Blethyn and Mike Leigh’s poignant All or Nothing (2002).
As her career progressed, Maxine Peake took on more diverse and challenging roles. She starred in the gritty crime drama Clubbed (2009) with Colin Salmon, followed by a standout performance in Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010). That same year, she appeared in 1980: The Red Riding Trilogy Part 2, a crime drama featuring Andrew Garfield. Maxine Peake also played a key role in Best Laid Plans (2012), further showcasing her versatility.
Throughout the 2010s, Maxine Peake remained highly active in film, taking on roles in Svengali (2014), Keeping Rosy (2014), and the dramatic adaptation Private Peaceful (2014), which starred Jack O’Connell. In 2014, she also appeared in the acclaimed biographical film The Theory of Everything. Another notable moment came in 2015 when Maxine Peake took on the iconic role of Hamlet, captured in the recording Maxine Peake As Hamlet (2015). Most recently, Maxine Peake delivered a powerful performance in The Falling (2015), continuing to cement her status as one of the most dynamic actresses of her generation.
Maxine Peake has been part of several notable projects throughout her career, but one of her most acclaimed works to date is Tish (2023), which stands out as her highest-rated film. On the other hand, Clubbed (2008) is often regarded as the least favorably reviewed entry in her filmography. While Maxine Peake has consistently delivered strong performances, these two titles represent the opposite ends of critical reception in her body of work. It’s interesting to see how Maxine Peake’s career has evolved over the years, with Tish marking a particularly high point in terms of audience and critic appreciation.