Nixon is best known for her portrayal of lawyer Miranda Hobbes in the popular comedy-drama Sex and the City (1998–2004). After Emmy nominations as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2002 and 2003, Nixon took home the trophy in 2004 for the series' final season. In 2006, Nixon won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Play) for David Lindsay-Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Rabbit Hole. Nixon won the 2008 Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Janis Donovan on Special Victims Unit.