Who does Annie Murphy play in Russian Doll season 2?

Russian Doll season 2 is now streaming on Netflix after an extraordinarily long wait for new episodes. When you start you binge-watch, you’ll be reunited with the usual suspects in the comedy series, but you will also see Schitt’s Creek star Annie Murphy.

Although the Emmy winner’s casting was announced ahead of time, Annie Murphy‘s role was kept under wraps until the new season premiered. From the first look photos of Murphy’s character, we could tell she rocked some throwback fashion, which didn’t seem too out of place next to Nadia.

In Russian Doll season 2, Nadia picks up four years after the events of the first season, but once again finds herself in the midst of an adventure through time. This time, she’s out of the time loop but into a time portal as the series expands its existential reach for its main characters.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Russian Doll season 2!

Annie Murphy character in Russian Doll season 2

Annie Murphy makes her first appearance in the second episode of Russian Doll season 2 as Young Ruth. The season establishes Ruth (Elizabeth Ashley) as an important presence in Nadia’s life, even as her health seems to be of constant concern.

Nadia meets back up with Young Ruth in 1982, where she takes the form of her mother, Lenora (Chloë Sevigny), who happens to be pregnant with Nadia at the time. As Lenora’s closest friend, Ruth helps Nora (though really Nadia) though her time-spanning adventure.

Once again, Annie Murphy delivers other incredible performance and brings even more stellar character work to the table. But we wouldn’t have expected anything less from the erstwhile Alexis Rose and current star of Kevin Can F*** Himself.

If Russian Doll returns for season 3, it’s unlikely that Murphy would return as Young Ruth, given how the season ends. But you should never say never with a show like this, which bends time in any direction that it wants to. We’d love to see more Young Ruth!

What did you think of Annie Murphy in Russian Doll season 2 on Netflix? Sound off in the comments!