Sutherland's first movie role was as Mae Thompson in the 1989 movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids". In 1997, she tried out for the role of Joyce Summers on The WB Television Network's television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Creator Joss Whedon later said that one of the reasons he chose Sutherland for the role was the fact that she had a warm demeanor, as well as what he felt she look similar to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was to play her daughter in the series. She was on the series often for the first five seasons. After she left at the end of season five, she returned for three more guest appearances. In April 2008, she had a guest starring role on "New Amsterdam".