8 Actresses Who Are Also Becoming Directors This Year

Noel Wells spent a season on Saturday Night Live, but it's her work as Aziz Ansari's love interest on the first season of Master of None that really endeared her to us. Now, Wells has written, directed, and starred in an indie film. Mr. Roosevelt is based on Wells' experiences in Hollywood and the comedy scene: Her character, Emily, returns to her hometown after two years of struggling in the entertainment business. Early reviews from the SXSW Film Festival applauded the film's subtle charm and thoughtful narrative—just the sort of thing we'd expect from Wells.

Alice Lowe wrote and directed dark comedy Prevenge, which premiered at Cannes last year. It's Lowe's first time behind the camera, even though the British actress is well known for her film and TV career, which includes parts in Paddington, Skins, and The World's End. Here, a pregnant woman (Lowe does triple duty, also playing the lead) is convinced that her unborn child is trying to compel her to commit murder. Extra badass points: The movie was filmed while Lowe was actually pregnant. 

Hostages actress Quinn Shephard enlisted Chris Messina and Tate Donovan to co-star alongside her in her directorial debut. With parallels to The Crucible, the sex-fueled thrilled Blame explores a high-school student's taboo relationship with her drama teacher. Jealousy sets off an inexorable, dangerous chain of events. Shephard is only 20 years old—and she came up with the concept for this film at 15. After a well-received Tribeca debut last month, all eyes should be on Shephard as an actress and filmmaker to watch.

Paint It Black, based on Janet Fitch's 2006 novel, tells a poignant story: Thanks to the sudden death of her boyfriend, Josie (played by Alia Shawkat) finally meets his mother. Intimidating and suspicious, his mother (Janet McTeer) is a tough sell, not least because she blames Josie for her son's death. Visually stunning—all black and red and draping and darkened corners—the thriller is a perfect start to poet and actress Amber Tamblyn's career as a director. 

What do you do when the romance is gone? Start a band, of course. For her directorial debut, actress Zoe Lister-Jones mines relationship drama for comedy. In the film, Lister-Jones and Adam Pally play a married couple who try to switch marital strife for music. It's a fun summer premise, and the characters can't help but be well-drawn and charming, especially with a cast featuring Fred Armisen, Retta, Brooklyn Decker, and Jesse Williams. If you're not already familiar with Lister-Jones, this is one of the best ways to get acquainted.

Greta Gerwig has a lot of experience writing films (Mistress America, Frances Ha), but Lady Bird will mark her first time as a solo director. She co-directed Nights and Weekends with Joe Swanberg back in 2008, so this one feels like a long time coming. Lady Bird stars Saoirse Ronan as the title character, a high school senior who lives in Sacramento. Gerwig, who recently starred in Mike Mills' 20th Century Women, hasn't revealed any of the plot thus far, but based on her track record, we're betting Lady Bird will be quirky, insightful fare about a woman who is happily flawed.

If you follow comedian Whitney Cummings on social media, then you know she is a lover of dogs (especially rescues) and that she is a proudly independent woman who isn't that focused on men right now, thanks. Instead, Cummings has put her energy into directing a film based on a book by neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine that charts brain chemistry among couples at different stages of a relationship. Cummings also stars in the film, alongside Sofia Vergara, James Marsden, and Cecily Strong. We assume it's going to be hilarious and, to be honest, we'd also appreciate it if some of Cummings' dog friends appeared in the film. Please?

For her first time behind the camera Brie Larson is directing Samuel L. Jackson, Joan Cusack, and Bradley Whitford. So, you know, no pressure. But if anyone is up to the challenge it's Larson, who won an Oscar for her performance in Room and is prepping to play superhero Captain Marvel. Plus, we're truly at peak unicorn right now. In Unicorn Store, Larson's character moves back in with her parents and receives a mysterious invitation that challenges her ideas about what it means to grow up. Consider us intrigued.