Okay, so you want to know what has Lili Simmons been in, huh? I don’t blame ya. She’s one of those actresses who sneaks up on you — suddenly, she’s everywhere you look, but not the kind of name that shouts from billboards.
Honestly, I first noticed her in Banshee, and thought, “Wait, who is this?” Fast forward a few rewatches and some obsessive Googling, and bam — I was hooked. So, here’s the lowdown on what has Lili Simmons been in, from her early days to her latest TV show gigs.
Early Days: Model-Turned-Actress Vibes
Before she was haunting True Detective or kicking ass in Banshee, Simmons started out modeling. Yeah, that’s right. She was a Ford model as a teen — walking runways and striking poses. I tried modeling once. Let’s just say my “blue steel” looked more like “blue cheese.”
Anyway, she jumped from modeling to acting pretty smoothly. Her first role? A guest spot on some Disney Channel-y show you might have forgotten called Zeke and Luther (2010). Small part, but hey — everybody’s gotta start somewhere.
The Big Break: Rebecca Bowman on Banshee
Alright, if you’re asking what has Lili Simmons been in that really made waves, it’s gotta be Banshee.
She played Rebecca Bowman — an Amish girl who, spoiler alert, leaves her buggy and steps into a world full of knives, guns, and lots of bad decisions. Wild character arc. Like, one minute she’s innocent, the next she’s a total badass. Watching that transformation was kinda like watching my attempts at baking sourdough last year — messy but oddly satisfying. (RIP, Gary, my sourdough starter.)
If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. The show’s violent and gritty, and Simmons fits right in.
TV Side Hustles: From True Detective to Ray Donovan
After Banshee, you’d think she’d be chilling on a yacht somewhere. Nope. She’s been busy, busy, busy.
She had a small role on True Detective Season 1 (that haunting Louisiana vibe? She was part of it). Not a leading role, but enough to get her noticed by those who pay attention.
Then, there was Ray Donovan — she played Natalie James. A big leap from Amish to Hollywood starlet-with-issues. It’s like she’s saying, “I can do all the things.” I mean, I can’t even keep a cactus alive. (Shoutout to Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave, whose cracked watering can I mercilessly overused. Sorry, Pete.)
Guest Appearances You Might Have Missed
Here’s a little secret: Simmons has popped up all over network TV. Like, blink and you might miss her.
- Hawaii Five-0: Played Amber Vitale, who’s got her own share of drama.
- Bones: She was a rebellious teen in one episode. I rebelled in high school too — mostly against homework.
- Jane by Design: A tiny part here, a little sparkle there.
All of these pile up to the answer when someone asks what has Lili Simmons been in outside the cable drama world.
Quick Recap: TV Credits You Should Know
Let me break it down — here’s the “greatest hits” so you can skim and impress your friends next time someone asks about what has Lili Simmons been in:
- Zeke and Luther (2010) – Quinn Whitaker (her first on-screen role, woot!)
- Jane by Design (2012) – Piper Grace
- Banshee (2013–2016) – Rebecca Bowman (the big one)
- True Detective (2014) – Beth (haunting vibes)
- Hawaii Five-0 (2016–2017) – Amber Vitale
- Ray Donovan (2017) – Natalie James
- Westworld (2018) – New Clementine Pennyfeather (brief but cool)
- Power Book IV: Force (2022–Present) – Claudia Flynn (current and kicking)
Now, About Those Movie Roles…
Sure, TV’s her jam, but she’s dipped her toes into film too.
She was in Fat Kid Rules the World (2012), an indie gem where she plays Amy. Sweet story, and Simmons fits right in.
Then there’s Bone Tomahawk (2015). Oh boy, this one. Picture a horror-Western with cannibals. Yep. Simmons plays Samantha O’Dwyer, who gets kidnapped by some seriously nasty folks. I can’t imagine being in that role — I get nervous just walking past a bee.
And in Bad Match (2017), she leads as Laci, navigating the scary world of dating apps gone wrong. I learned the hard way not to swipe right on people who don’t text back. Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged.
Movie Credits at a Glance
- Geek Charming (2011) – A cute Disney Channel flick.
- The Guilty Innocent (2011) – TV thriller, low-key but decent.
- Bone Tomahawk (2015) – Horror-Western classic.
- Bad Match (2017) – Indie thriller with a tech twist.
What’s Hot Now? Power Book IV: Force
Right now, Simmons is killing it as Claudia Flynn in Power Book IV: Force. It’s a gritty show about the Chicago drug game. She’s playing a smart, complicated character, ice-cold but full of layers.
If you’re catching up on what has Lili Simmons been in recently, this show’s where it’s at.
Why I’m Stanning Lili Simmons
So, why do I care so much about what she’s been in? Because she’s not your average “Hollywood actress.”
She’s versatile. She chooses roles that are challenging, messy, and sometimes dark. She’s not just eye candy — she’s got chops.
Plus, she’s relatable. Like when she plays someone battling their demons — I get it. I wrestle with my overgrown herb garden every summer (my first herb garden died faster than my 2020 sourdough starter—RIP, Gary).
Fun Fact Time
Did you know Victorians believed talking to ferns would keep you sane? Yeah, sounds bonkers, but hey — I talk to my begonias just in case. Maybe that’s how Simmons taps into her complex characters — whispered sweet nothings to her ficus.
Wrapping It Up (But Not Really)
Anyway, here’s the kicker: what has Lili Simmons been in isn’t just a list. It’s a journey through some of TV and indie film’s most interesting characters of the past decade.
She’s more than just a face — she’s a chameleon, a badass, and sometimes just a girl trying to keep her plants alive.
So next time someone asks, you’re ready. And if you want me to handwrite a version of this with coffee stains, just say the word. I’m kinda proud of that mess.