Ruth Whitefeather Feldman: Disjointed (2017-2018)
How stoked was the stoner community when we heard this show was coming? Bates was infectious as Ruth, a dispensary owner, divorcee, and mom. The show itself was hampered by uneven writing and an irksome laugh track—but Bates made sure it was funny, endearing, and covered topics central to marijuana use and the laws surrounding it.
Agnes Mary Winstead: American Horror Story: Roanoke (2021)
In a season where nothing is what it seems and murderous ghosts are everywhere—Bates manages to play a villain within a villain. Agnes is an actress confusing her murderous ‘Butcher’ character with real life—to the point of attacking her fellow actors with an array of sharp implements. Still, Bates makes us feel a little sorry for her.
Jo Bennett: The Office (2005-2013)
The American version of The Office had a cast so beloved, it must have been daunting to come in late in the game. But Bates held her own as Jo Bennet, the CEO of Sabre, the company that buys a struggling Dunder Mifflin. Her giant hair, no-nonsense attitude, and impossibly huge dogs are as unforgettable as she.