In 2010, Clarkson had a supporting role in Martin Scorsese's thriller "Shutter Island", followed by roles in the mainstream comedies "Easy A" and "Friends with Benefits". She subsequently portrayed the villainous Ava Paige in "The Maze Runner" (2014) and its two sequels. She returned to theater in 2014, playing the role of Madge Kendal in a Broadway production of "The Elephant Man", for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress. In 2017, she won a British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Sally Potter's drama "The Party", and guest-starred on the Netflix series "House of Cards". She co-starred with Amy Adams on the HBO miniseries "Sharp Objects" in 2018, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.