In the early 1990s, television was changing—and Picket Fences, with its quirky characters and small-town weirdness, helped lead the charge.
At the heart of this Emmy-winning series was a character who often balanced justice and personal integrity with sharp wit and heart: Deputy Maxine Stewart, played flawlessly by Lauren Holly.
Lauren Holly’s portrayal of Maxine wasn’t your typical female deputy. She was fierce, loyal, tough, and yet deeply empathetic—a woman navigating a town filled with bizarre legal dilemmas, moral grey zones, and deeply human stories.
As part of the fictional Rome, Wisconsin police department, Maxine was often the grounding force in a show known for pushing boundaries.
What made Holly’s performance stand out was her ability to switch between steely professionalism and emotional vulnerability—sometimes in the same scene.
Whether she was arresting a suspect, standing up for what was right, or dealing with personal struggles, Maxine always felt real. She wasn’t perfect—but that’s what made her iconic.
While Lauren Holly would go on to star in major films like Dumb and Dumber and Any Given Sunday, her role in Picket Fences remains one of her most nuanced and underrated performances.
The show itself won multiple Emmys and remains a cult classic—but Holly’s Maxine deserves special mention for being a trailblazing female cop on TV before it was common.
In many ways, Maxine Stewart helped pave the way for the strong female leads we now expect in police dramas. And Lauren Holly brought her to life with unforgettable presence, intelligence, and charm.