Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Maggie Gyllenhaal: A career in pictures

As new drama The Kindergarten Teacher is released, we look back at the film's stars best roles

Louis Chilton
Tuesday 05 March 2019 14:12 GMT
Comments
Trailer for The Kindergarten Teacher, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Maggie Gyllenhaal may have been born into the film industry, but it was her talent that got her where she is today.

Her mother, Naomi Foner – then Naomi Achs – was a screenwriter and producer while her father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, was an independent filmmaker. It was in their father’s films that a teenage Maggie and her brother – Jake Gyllenhaal – made their acting debuts.

After a few years of minor roles, most prominently a supporting turn in Donnie Darko, Gyllenhaal’s career took off with a lead role in the acclaimed sadomasochistic romance Secretary.

Her most well-known Hollywood role came in 2008 smash hit The Dark Knight, but Gyllenhaal has also pursued many transgressive smaller-budget projects exploring human sexuality, including 40 Days and 40 Nights, Happy Endings, Trust the Man and Hysteria. Most recently, she has had a regular role on HBO’s sex-themed 1970s drama The Deuce, the latest show from The Wire creator David Simon.

Here, we look back on some of the highlights of Gyllenhaal’s career, which spans more than two decades.

Her new film, The Kindergarten Teacher, is released in cinemas on 8 March.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in