State of Affairs
In the NBC thriller, President Constance Payton (Alfre Woodard) employs a CIA analyst (Katherine Heigl) to be her daily briefer and prioritize the biggest international threats facing the nation.
12 Years a Slave
Woodard portrays a former slave named Mistress Shaw in the 2013 film about Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free man from upstate New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery.
True Blood
The acclaimed actress received an Emmy nomination for her role in several episodes of the HBO drama as Ruby Jean Reynolds, Lafayette's (Nelsan Ellis) crazy mother.
The Family That Preys
Woodard portrays matriarch Alice Pratt in the Tyler Perry film about two families—one wealthy, one working class—who must figure out how to get along despite their differences.
Desperate Housewives
Woodard was honored with another Emmy nomination for her guest role on the ABC hit as Betty Applewhite, a single mother who moves to Wisteria Lane with her two sons and a deadly secret.
Beauty Shop
The actress plays outspoken hairstylist Ms. Josephine in this ensemble comedy also starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Silverstone and Andie MacDowell.
Star Trek: First Contact
Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his crew travel back in time where they meet Zefram Cochran (James Cromwell) and Lily (Woodard), who help right the future after it is altered by the Borg.
Primal Fear
Judge Miriam Shoat (Woodard) presides over the murder trial of an altar boy (Edward Norton) after he is accused of killing a Catholic archbishop in this crime thriller also starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney.
How To Make An American Quilt
The actress plays one of several women who share their stories of romance and heartbreak while making a quilt in an effort to help reluctant Finn Dodd (Winona Ryder) make a decision after her boyfriend's marriage proposal.
Passion Fish
Soap opera actress May-Alice Culhane (Mary McDonnell) begins a downward spiral after a car accident leaves her paralyzed. Her attitude begins to change when she bonds with her nurse Chantelle (Woodard) who also has problems of her own.
Cross Creek
Woodard received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Geechee, a woman who offers to help aspiring author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (Mary Steenburgen) with her novel after she moves to "the Creek" to write in peace.