From 2001 to 2004, Shawkat played Hannah in "State of Grace". As Maeby Fünke, Shawkat was a regular cast member of "Arrested Development" for the entire run of the show from 2003 to 2019. The series received nearly universally positive reviews, with Shawkat's performance occasionally singled out for praise. Pop-culture commentator Brian M. Palmer remarked that she was "one of the brightest lights on a show populated solely by bright lights," and Scott Weinberg of eFilmCritic described her as "one "funny" young lady." In an interview with The A.V. Club in 2010, Shawkat remarked that many of her "formative moments" as an actress took place on the "Arrested Development" set: " creator Mitch Hurwitz was like a father figure to me. In a way, it was great to be around cast, because I feel that my understanding of comedy was able to grow really well during that time."