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Dana Delany

Dana Delany

Actor, also producer · Born March 13, 1956 (70) · New York City, New York, USA

2 Primetime Emmys · Golden Globe nominee · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Dana Welles Delany (born March 13, 1956) is a multi-award winning American film, stage, and television actress. She is known for her role sas Colleen McMurphy on the ABC's China Beach (1988–1991), Katherine Mayfair on Desperate Housewives (2007–2010), Megan Hunt on Body of Proof (2011–present) and, as a voice-actress, Lois Lane in the DC Animated Universe as well as the television series The Batman. In an interview, she said she loves to play "complicated characters". Delany has been active in film, television, and stage since the late 1970s.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 13, 1956 (70)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
63 on MovieCove · 91 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 139% in 30 days

What are Dana Delany's films like?

Across their 44 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Drama13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
33%
Self
21%
Bonds
19%
Survival
11%
Society
7%
Power
5%
Ideas
4%
Justice14 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief8 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 37 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 13 · Serious 10 · Dark 14

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 24 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 11 · Charged 18 · Intense 8

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 24 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 22 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 18 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 14 · Affecting 16 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 26 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

26 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 10 of 26 analyzed roles.

Ally
10 of 26
Hero
8 of 26
Shapeshifter
3 of 26
Herald
2 of 26
Mentor
2 of 26
Trickster
1 of 26
Show the 26 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
26
Melancholic
16
Warm
11
Hopeful
10
Contemplative
11
Other
37

How their films linger

Bittersweet15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous11
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dana Delany's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 63 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dana Delany's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

91 credits, 63 with a MovieCove page; 22 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Basics of Philosophy(2026)

    as Gloria

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Union(2024)

    as Nicole

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Tulsa King(2022)

    Show 29 episodes · as Margaret Devereaux

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Troy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Dee

  • The Code(2019)

    Show 12 episodes · as Colonel Eisa Turnbull

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • The Other Two(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Emily Overruled

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Mayans M.C.(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as Patricia Devlin

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Literally, Right Before Aaron(2017)

    as Wendy (Allison's Mom)

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Bull(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Assistant US Attorney Sylvia Banner

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Comedians(2015)

    Show as Julie Crystal

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Hand of God(2014)

    Show 20 episodes · as Crystal Harris

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox(2013)

    as Lois Lane (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Freelancers(2012)

    as Lydia Vecchio

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Drunkboat(2010)

    as Eileen

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Body of Proof(2011)

    Show 42 episodes · as Dr. Megan Hunt

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Firebreather(2009)

    as Margaret Rosenblatt (voice)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Camp Hell(2010)

    as Patricia Leary

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Multiple Sarcasms(2010)

    as Annie

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • A Beautiful Life(2008)

    as Anne

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jordan Shaw

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Batman: The Brave and the Bold(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Vilsi Vaylar (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Route 30(2007)

    as Amish Martha

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Kidnapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ellie Cain

  • Superman: Brainiac Attacks(2006)

    as Lois Lane (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Related (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Francesca Sorelli

  • Kojak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Getting to Know You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Marla

  • Battlestar Galactica(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Sesha Abinell

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Samantha Fleming

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 65 episodes · as Katherine Mayfair

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Batman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lois Lane (voice)

  • Justice League Unlimited(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Loana (voice) · as Lois Lane (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Baby for Sale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Nathalie Johnson

  • The L Word(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Senator Barbara Grisham

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • A Time to Remember(2003)

    as Britt Calhoun

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Spin(2003)

    as Margaret

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Open House(2003)

    Co-Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Conviction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Martha

  • Presidio Med (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 16 episodes · as Dr. Rae Brennan

  • Mother Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Karen Bennett

  • Justice League(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lois Lane (voice) · as Lois Lane / Maggie Sawyer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Pasadena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Catherine McAllister

  • Final Jeopardy(2001)

    Executive Producer · as Alexandra Cooper

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Right Temptation(2000)

    as Anthea Farrow-Smith

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Sirens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sally Rawlings

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary Sullivan

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Carolyn Spencer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Resurrection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Clare Miller

  • Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Couples(1998)

    as Johtje Vos

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Patron Saint of Liars(1998)

    as Rose Cleardon Abbott

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Wide Awake(1998)

    as Mrs. Beal

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Curve(1998)

    as Dr. Ashley

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Batman Superman Movie: World's Finest(1997)

    as Lois Lane (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • True Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sarah McClure

  • For Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Hope Altman

  • Wing Commander Academy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 13 episodes · as Gwen 'Archer' Bowman (voice)

  • Fly Away Home(1996)

    as Susan Barnes

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Superman: The Last Son of Krypton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Lois Lane (voice)

  • Superman: The Animated Series(1996)

    Show 54 episodes · as Lois Lane (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Live Nude Girls(1995)

    as Jill

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story(1995)

    as Margaret Sanger

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Exit to Eden(1994)

    as Lisa Emerson

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Enemy Within(1994)

    as Betsy Corcoran

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Duckman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Susan Fox (voice)

  • Batman: Mask of the Phantasm(1993)

    as Andrea Beaumont (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Tombstone(1993)

    as Josephine

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Donato and Daughter(1993)

    as Lt. Dena Donato

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Fallen Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Fiske

  • Wild Palms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 5 episodes · as Grace Wyckoff

  • Light Sleeper(1992)

    as Marianne Jost

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dana Delany

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Housesitter(1992)

    as Becky Metcalf

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • A Promise to Keep(1990)

    as Jane Goodrich

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Earth Day Special(1990)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Patty Hearst(1988)

    as Gelina

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Moon Over Parador(1988)

    as Jenny

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • China Beach(1988)

    Show 64 episodes · as Colleen McMurphy

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • China Beach: Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Colleen McMurphy

  • Masquerade(1988)

    as Anne Briscoe

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • thirtysomething (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sweet Surrender (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 6 episodes · as Georgia Holden

  • Where the River Runs Black(1986)

    as Sister Ana

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Liberty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Moya Trevor

  • A Winner Never Quits(1986)

    as Nora

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Almost You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Susan McCall

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Jillian Armstrong

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Threesome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Laura Shaper

  • The Streets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Jeannie

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Metheny

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Fan(1981)

    as Saleswoman in Record Store

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 3 episodes · as Cynthia Farrell

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 91 titles from 1980 to 2026; peak year 1993.

Biggest box office

Housesitter (1992)

$95M worldwide

Highest rated

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Tulsa King (2022)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19802026

Peak 1993 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 10 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting90 of 91: 89 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thProducing2 of 91: 1 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s17 · acting1990s31 · acting2000s26 · 25 acting · 2 crew2010s13 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 12% of 25 roles
819606

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 Primetime Emmys from 9 major nominations, 1989–2009.

WinNomination
  1. 2009
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  2. 2008
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  3. 2001
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
  4. 1992
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
  5. 1991
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
  6. 1990
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
  7. 1989
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Dana Delany's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 37 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 43rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Midcredits score across 63 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th19
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 63 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved12
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed24

Most divisive · actor

The Earth Day Special (1990)

94th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Dana Delany's work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles26–75 · median 48 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity15 titles25–69 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles15–61 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles11–81 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles16–65 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Dana Delany work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dana Delany's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tim Daly shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles