---
name: "Alia Shawkat"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/alia-shawkat"
fi1m_id: "alia-shawkat"
imdb_id: "nm0790057"
tmdb_id: 61178
wikidata_id: "Q466051"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "18 April 1989"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-21T04:27:43.050697+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Alia Shawkat

## Identity

Alia Shawkat

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/alia-shawkat
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** alia-shawkat
- **IMDb ID:** nm0790057
- **TMDB ID:** 61178
- **Wikidata ID:** Q466051
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alia_Shawkat, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466051, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0790057/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/61178

Actor and director. Born 18 April 1989 in Riverside, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 18 April 1989, Riverside, California, USA
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Also known as:** Άλια Σόουκατ, Alia Martine Shawkat, Алия Шокат, אלייה שאוקט, آلیا شوکت
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 11: 10 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Anish Savjani](https://film.one/person/anish-savjani.md), [Neil Kopp](https://film.one/person/neil-kopp.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (1), 2000s 87 (1), 2010s 84 (4), 2020s 76 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 73 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 8 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 4, Horror 2, Mystery 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $159m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alia_Shawkat, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466051, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0790057/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/61178

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Arrested Development*](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md) (87), [*Green Room*](https://film.one/film/green-room.md) (83)
- **Hulu:** [*Search Party*](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md) (92)
- **HBO Max:** [*Scavengers Reign*](https://film.one/tv/scavengers-reign.md) (86)
- **Tubi:** [*First Cow*](https://film.one/film/first-cow.md) (85)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Being the Ricardos*](https://film.one/film/being-the-ricardos.md) (61)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Alia Shawkat

> Alia Shawkat is at her most persuasive when she keeps a comic reaction small and lets the surrounding fuss do the rest. We rate that restraint, and the more sustained demands of *Search Party* suit her.

In *Arrested Development* (2003), Alia Shawkat lets Maeby Fünke react quietly while the rest of the family works harder to be noticed. Will Arnett's Gob labours to maintain his importance, while Tony Hale makes Buster's awkwardness physical. Alongside Michael Cera as George Michael, Shawkat gives the comedy a welcome change of pace. We felt relieved by their smaller reactions: the family was funny enough without everybody competing to be the loudest. Her restraint is one reason we recommend a series whose storytelling can grow tiring.

Maeby was her breakthrough, though subsequent typecasting as a quirky teenager made preferred roles harder to secure. Supporting parts in independent films followed, including Mike Mills's *20th Century Women* (2016). The more significant change came with *Search Party* (2016–2022), which put her at the centre as Dory Sief. Creators Charles Rogers, Sarah-Violet Bliss and Michael Showalter gave her a character who could change substantially over five seasons. Shawkat's ability to keep that character credible as the programme shifts between genres makes this a more demanding use of her abilities than simply asking for another dry reaction.

There is pleasure in the casting of *Blink Twice* (2024), with Shawkat playing Jess for director Zoë Kravitz. Its rich men talking like their therapists are funny, and the film is handsome. But it borrows its shape from *Get Out* and has less to say than it thinks once the mystery is out. We would recommend it with reservations about the writing, rather than treat its appealing cast as sufficient reason to overlook the trouble.

For a first encounter, we would choose *Arrested Development*, with a warning about the tiring storytelling in its later stretches. Watch how Shawkat and Cera keep their performances smaller beside Arnett and Hale without seeming to belong to a different programme. The restraint works because there is so much commotion around them; playing everyone at the same volume would lose the joke. For what she can do when the responsibility is hers, go next to *Search Party*.

## Biography

Alia Shawkat is an American actress. Born on 18 April 1989 in Riverside, California, she is known for her role as Maeby Fünke in the television series *Arrested Development* (2003–2019) and as Dory Sief in *Search Party* (2016–2022).

She began acting as a child, appearing in *Three Kings* (1999) and the series *State of Grace* (2001–2002). Other film roles include Gertie Michaels in *The Final Girls* (2015), Sam in *Green Room* (2016) and Jess in *Blink Twice* (2024). Her maternal grandfather was the actor Paul Burke.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

### Performed in (10) — the average rests on these

- *Blink Twice* (2024), Fi1m 64, as Jess — [page](https://film.one/film/blink-twice.md)
- *Scavengers Reign* (2023), Fi1m 86, as Levi (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/scavengers-reign.md)
- *Severance* (2022), Fi1m 86, as Gwendolyn Y. — [page](https://film.one/tv/severance.md)
- *Being the Ricardos* (2021), Fi1m 61, as Madelyn Pugh — [page](https://film.one/film/being-the-ricardos.md)
- *First Cow* (2020), Fi1m 85, as Woman with Dog — [page](https://film.one/film/first-cow.md)
- *Green Room* (2016), Fi1m 83, as Sam — [page](https://film.one/film/green-room.md)
- *Broad City* (2014), Fi1m 80, as Adele — [page](https://film.one/tv/broad-city.md)
- *Transparent* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Lila — [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Arrested Development* (2003), Fi1m 87, as Maeby Fünke — [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *Three Kings* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Amir's Daughter — [page](https://film.one/film/three-kings.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Search Party* (2016), Fi1m 92, as Dory Sief — [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)

## Complete filmography (93)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Wrong Girls* (2026), as Molly · Executive Producer
- *Atropia* (2025), as Fayruz · Executive Producer
- *LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails* (2025), series, as Meryet / Train Driver (voice), Meryet (voice)
- *#1 Happy Family USA* (2025), series, as Mona Hussein (voice)
- *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew* (2024), series, as Kh'ymm (voice)
- *Blink Twice* (2024), as Jess — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/blink-twice.md)
- *The Listener* (2024), as Sharon (voice)
- *Drift* (2024), as Callie
- *Scavengers Reign* (2023), series, as Levi (voice) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/scavengers-reign.md)
- *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Kate Forster — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md)
- *The Old Man* (2022), series, as Emily Chase / Angela Adams
- *Severance* (2022), series, as Gwendolyn Y. — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/severance.md)
- *Being the Ricardos* (2021), as Madelyn Pugh — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/being-the-ricardos.md)
- *Ultra City Smiths* (2021), series, as Little Grace (voice), Woman's Voice (voice)
- *Love Spreads* (2021), as Kelly
- *Pride* (2021), series, as Madeline Tress
- *Cinema Toast* (2021), series, Actor
- *The Thanksgiving Play* (2021), as Alicia
- *Eer* (2021), as Woman with JFD
- *Moonbase 8* (2020), series, as Alix
- *The Letter Room* (2020), as Rosita
- *First Cow* (2020), as Woman with Dog — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/first-cow.md)
- *Alina* (2019), Actor
- *Living with Yourself* (2019), series, as Maia
- *Transparent: Musicale Finale* (2019), as Lila
- *Animals* (2019), as Tyler
- *Shako Mako* (2019), as Laila
- *The Shivering Truth* (2018), series, as (voice)
- *Blaze* (2018), as Sybil Rosen
- *Summer Camp Island* (2018), series, as Blanche / Werefloer (voice), Blanche (voice), Cinnamon Raisin Toast (voice), Butter Goth (voice)
- *Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town* (2018), as Agatha Benson
- *Duck Butter* (2018), as Naima · Writer, Executive Producer
- *Big Mouth* (2017), series, as Roland (voice)
- *The Good Time Girls* (2017), as Ruth
- *20th Century Women* (2016), as Trish
- *Search Party* (2016), series, as Dory Sief · Producer, Director — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *The Intervention* (2016), as Lola
- *Party Legends* (2016), series, Actor
- *Paint It Black* (2016), as Josie
- *Green Room* (2016), as Sam — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/green-room.md)
- *Adam Green's Aladdin* (2016), as Emily · Associate Producer
- *Pee-wee's Big Holiday* (2016), as Bella
- *Me Him Her* (2016), as Laura
- *Prestige Ingredients* (2016), as Alia
- *10 Crosby* (2016), as Dumpling Girl
- *Nasty Baby* (2015), as Wendy · Co-Producer
- *The Final Girls* (2015), as Gertie Michaels
- *The Driftless Area* (2015), as Carrie
- *Wild Canaries* (2014), as Jean
- *Transparent* (2014), series, as Lila — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *May in the Summer* (2014), as Dalia
- *In Short: Show Girl Sexuality* (2014), Director
- *Night Moves* (2014), as Surprise
- *Bunion* (2014), as Rachel
- *Broad City* (2014), series, as Adele — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/broad-city.md)
- *Getting On* (2013), series, as Colleen Hoover
- *Center Jenny* (2013), as Take Kim
- *The To Do List* (2013), as Fiona
- *The Moment* (2013), as Jessie
- *Setup, Punch* (2013), as Dottie Kaufman
- *The End of Love* (2013), as Alia Shawkat
- *That's What She Said* (2012), as Clementine
- *The Brass Teapot* (2012), as Louise
- *Ruby Sparks* (2012), as Mabel
- *Damsels in Distress* (2012), as Mad Madge
- *The Lie* (2011), as Seven
- *The Oranges* (2011), as Vanessa Walling
- *The Wrong Ferarri* (2011), Actor
- *Cedar Rapids* (2011), as Bree
- *Portlandia* (2011), series, as Mayor's Kid
- *Adventure Time* (2010), series, as Betsy (voice)
- *The Runaways* (2010), as Robin
- *The League* (2009), series, as April
- *Amreeka* (2009), as Salma Halaby
- *Whip It* (2009), as Pash
- *The Starter Wife* (2008), series, as Robin
- *Prom Wars: Love Is a Battlefield* (2008), as Diana Riggs
- *Bart Got a Room* (2008), as Camille
- *Deck the Halls* (2006), as Madison Finch
- *The Business* (2006), series, as The Screenwriting Manicurist
- *Not Like Everyone Else* (2006), as Brandi Blackbear
- *Queen of Cactus Cove* (2005), as Billie
- *Rebound* (2005), as Amy
- *Veronica Mars* (2004), series, as Stacy Wells — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/veronica-mars.md)
- *Arrested Development* (2003), series, as Maeby Fünke — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *Boomtown* (2002), series, as Denise Stein
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Sioban Arintero
- *Presidio Med* (2002), series, Actor
- *State of Grace* (2001), series, as Hannah Rayburn
- *The Trial of Old Drum* (2000), as Dee
- *Three Kings* (1999), as Amir's Daughter — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/three-kings.md)
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Young Sarah MacKenzie
- *42.6 Years*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Alia Shawkat at the premiere of Green Room, 2015 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-aa88a37b7ca7.jpg) Alia Shawkat at the premiere of Green Room, 2015 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Alia_Shawkat_2015.jpg/1280px-Alia_Shawkat_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alia Shawkat at the premiere of Pee-Wee's Big Holiday. Taken at SXSW 2016.](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-0c58dbed85f1.jpg) Alia Shawkat at the premiere of Pee-Wee's Big Holiday. Taken at SXSW 2016. — Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Alia_Shawkat_SXSW_2016.jpg/1280px-Alia_Shawkat_SXSW_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alia Shawkat at the Arrested Development 2011 Reunion](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-957ddebc0da1.jpg) Alia Shawkat at the Arrested Development 2011 Reunion — Arrested_Development_2011_Reunion_vi.jpg: Theornamentalist
derivative work: Theornamentalist (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Alia_Shawkat_at_Arrested_Development_Reunion.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Alia Shawkat, actor, at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival for the movie Atropia.](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-659676418133.jpg) Alia Shawkat, actor, at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival for the movie Atropia. — Timelessblue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Alia_Shawkat_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Alia_Shawkat_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-26219f6cf5dc.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Image via TMDB
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-0dcff96bea02.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Image via TMDB
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-2b6e19f27634.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Image via TMDB
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-aaef9fa65263.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Timelessblue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Alia_Shawkat_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Alia_Shawkat_at_the_2025_Sundance_Film_Festival_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-48e28adb2504.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Image via TMDB
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-954e5f79643c.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Image via TMDB
- ![Alia Shawkat](https://film.one/media/person/11054/gallery-44e2973ff1da.jpg) Alia Shawkat — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/alia-shawkat