Rose Byrne Champions Forgotten TV Drama That Deserved Better
The Australian actress looks back at her starring role in FX's Damages, arguing the legal thriller was unfairly overlooked during television's golden era despite influencing countless shows that followed.
Rose Byrne has built quite the resume. The Australian actress has jumped between genres with ease, tackling everything from horror flicks to superhero blockbusters. Her latest project, the psychological drama If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, earned critical praise in 2025. But when reflecting on her career, Byrne keeps circling back to one particular show that she believes got shortchanged.
That show is Damages, the FX legal thriller that ran from 2007 to 2012. Most viewers probably can't recall much about it these days. Byrne thinks that's a shame.
Golden Age Timing
"Damages is fascinating, because we came out the same year as Mad Men," Byrne told Slant magazine. "Shortly after that was Breaking Bad. HBO had set the bar with The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. It was the beginning of this 'golden age of TV' and prestige television. And I look back now and think, 'Wow, what a time to be launching that show!'"
The show starred Byrne as a young lawyer working under Glenn Close's intimidating character, Patty Hewes. Each season tackled a different complex legal case that tested their mentor-student relationship. Critics liked it. Big-name guest stars signed on. But ratings dropped off, keeping it from joining the top tier of prestige dramas.
Influence Without Recognition
Byrne sees the show's fingerprints all over television that came after. "People derive a lot from that show! A lot of shows after were Damages-lite, and it never got the credit," she said.
Several factors worked against Damages breaking through. The show committed to telling one story across an entire 13-episode season. If viewers didn't connect with the first episode, they were done with the whole season. Maintaining interest in a single storyline for that long proved challenging, especially when it would be completely dropped the following year.
There's another factor worth considering. Every other show Byrne mentioned featured predominantly male casts. Damages put two women front and center during an era when female-led dramas weren't taken as seriously. The industry has improved since 2007, but progress remains slow.
Lasting Impact
Despite never achieving the recognition Byrne wanted, Damages maintains a devoted following. Here we are, more than a decade after it ended, still discussing its merits. The show's influence on subsequent legal dramas is undeniable, even if it doesn't get proper credit.
Byrne's career has flourished since then, spanning comedies, dramas, and big-budget spectacles. But she hasn't forgotten about the show that showcased her dramatic chops during television's most competitive period. Sometimes the best work doesn't get the recognition it deserves.