There was a time when movie stars making the move to TV was essentially a death knell for their careers on the big screen, but times have changed. Over the last few years, we have seen TV show budgets balloon to rival those of blockbuster movies. Storytelling has become more audacious and layered, the scale of shows has widened exponentially, and A-list actors have pivoted to the small screen, which has emerged as a viable career choice for them.
As the expectations for what a TV program can deliver have risen, so too have the caliber of performances in these shows. Several movie actors have actually given their greatest performances in a TV show, adding depth and complexity to their roles over a series of episodes, as opposed to just having a couple of hours to work with in a movie. This list will focus on actors who were movie stars first and then worked in TV, as opposed to actors like Jon Hamm or George Clooney who gained popularity on TV first.
10Paul Rudd — Living With Yourself
Paul Ruddis one of the most lovable actors in all of Hollywood, and he really got the opportunity to flex his acting muscles in 2019’sLiving With Yourself.Rudd plays Miles, who undergoes an experimental treatment to become a better person, but instead discovers that he has been replaced by an improved version of himself.
What makesLiving With Yourselfan interesting watch is that the show initially feels like it is going to lean on its sci-fi angle, but instead has a philosophical spirit with humor that fails to make the most of its innovative premise. Regardless, Rudd was in excellent form delivering arguably the best performance of his career. His two versions of Miles are understandably similar, but differentiated enough to be seen as their own entities requiring an actor to bring a great deal of subtlety and nuance in bringing these characters to life.
RELATED:Best Paul Rudd Movies, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes Score
9Sean Bean — Game of Thrones
Sean Beanbecame a bit of a meme after his stint inGame of Thronesbecause people realized thathis character diesin almost every project he is in. Even though Bean only had a season to work with in George R.R. Martin’s fantastical world, he made the most of it. As the patriarch of the Stark family, Bean’s character Ned Stark represents the spirit of the North; hardy, tough, and immensely loyal.
It is through Ned that fans understand just what values the Stark children seek to live up to as Bean brings a great deal of gravitas and solemnity to the role that makes him so compelling. Ned’s death is one of the largest dominos to fall, setting up the events of the rest of the show. The impact of his passing would not have been felt nearly as powerful if not for Bean’s fantastic performance.
8Jessica Lange — American Horror Story
Jessica Langeis a two-time Academy Award-winner and one of the finest actors of her generation. It may be controversial to some, but despite her stellar work in film, her finest performance is in Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed horror anthologyAmerican Horror Story.Lange has been a part of five of the show’s 10 seasons and has excelled in a variety of roles. Whether she was playing a tyrannical nun inAHS: Asylumor carnival freak show owner inAHS: Freak Show,Lange was a standout in every season.
The legendary actress' versatility and ability to immediately immerse viewers into a new world with each season was unparalleled. Odds are that years from now, people will look back on Lange’s work inAHSfar more favorably than they already do.
7Alec Baldwin — 30 Rock
No one really knew what to expect fromAlec Baldwinas NBC exec Jack Donaghy in Tina Fey’s highly-acclaimed sitcom30 Rock, but everyone’s concerns were laid to rest by the time the pilot episode ended. Baldwin’s take on Donaghy perfectly matched the satirical, sometimes surreal tone of the world Fey had created. Beyond that, it was Baldwin’s phenomenal comedic timing and ability to bounce off anyone on the cast that made him an immediate standout.
Even though the show wasbased on Fey’s experiencesatSaturday Night Live,it is Baldwin who is indispensable. He plays a character who delivers one iconic quote after another with a raspy voice that most30 Rockviewers have tried to imitate more than once.
6Nicole Kidman — Big Little Lies
At first glance,Big Little Liesmight seem like a show about mom-politics, parenthood, and a murder thrown in to keep things interesting. But anyone who takes a moment to scratch the surface will discover a show stacked with complex characters navigating lies, pain, and the harrowing secrets between spouses. Through all the moving parts, a common thread in the show is the budding friendship betweenNicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley’s characters.
Woodley’s character is the powder keg that sets off the show’s events, but it is Kidman who steals every single scene she is in. Kidman plays Celeste, a woman in a difficult marriage coming to terms with the harsh reality of her situation. She is absolutely extraordinary, bringing her wealth of experience to add dimension to Celeste’s character; giving her years of suppressed pain with a steely resolve, but she never loses sight of her compassion when dealing with her children. Every elite performer has a performance that defines their career, and this is Kidman’s.
5Christian Slater — Mr. Robot
Mr. Robotcame out of nowhere. Developed by Sam Esmail, the show was a launching pad for future-Academy Award-winner Rami Malek, and with good reason. Malek’s Elliot is an infinitely layered character, struggling with an identity disorder, depression and anxiety, with his naturally introverted nature lending itself well to his vigilantism, but not his life as a whole.
But he is rarely alone.Christian Slateris Mr. Robot, an anarchist who pushes Elliot into a world of subterfuge and chaos. What makes theBroken Arrowactor’s performance unique is his ability to keep viewers guessing, about his intentions and endgame, making his very presence disconcerting. His chemistry with Malek is also phenomenal, as he consistently pushes deeper into the tortured hacker’s psyche to get what he wants.
4Winona Ryder — Stranger Things
There is a lot to love about the first season ofStranger Things.The mystery surrounding Eleven, viewers being introduced to the Upside Down, the curmudgeonly Hopper, and Will’s shocking disappearance.Winona Ryderhas delivered in every season of the show, but the first one was really her time to shine.
While everyone in the town of Hawkins sees Will as a lost cause, his mother Joyce (played by Ryder) knows in her soul that her son is alive. Her desperation is tinged with inextinguishable hope as she goes to extreme lengths to find her son and get him back.Ryder is an absolute powerhouseand is the heart of the show in its first season.
While the kids are busy unraveling their own mysteries, she is the catalyst for getting Hopper involved and finding a way to get in touch with Will and confirm the fact that he is alive.Stranger Thingssimply would not be as beloved as it is without Joyce Byers' manic energy driving the first season.
3Woody Harrelson — True Detective
The first season ofTrue Detectivereceived widespread acclaimed upon its release, with a lot of critics praising Matthew McConaughey’s portrayal of Rust Cohle. While there is no denying he was phenomenal, his scene partner,Woody Harrelsonwas also fantastic as Marty Hart.
McConaughey got the meatier role; he is nihilistic, contemplative, and wrestles with a problematic world view that affects every aspect of his being. While Cohle knows who he is, Hart repeatedly struggles with his responsibilities as a cop, his responsibilities to his family, and his role as a man as he ages. But most importantly, Harrelson’s performance gives perfect balance to McConaughey. As Cohle launches into philosophical monologues, Hart is the ‘straight man’ trying to understand his place in the world while grounding Cohle in reality.
2Cillian Murphy — Peaky Blinders
Peaky BlindersisCillian Murphy’s magnum opus. He plays Tommy Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders as the show chronicles the expansion of the gang between the 1910s and the 1930s. While the show has a stellar cast across the board, it ultimately rises on Murphy’s shoulders.
As the leader, Tommy Shelby can be cold, aggressive, and ruthless when it comes to protecting his business and the people he cares about. His piercing gaze combined with the period setting and fashion make him one of the coolest characters on modern television. People will remember this role for years because Murphy is masterful over the course of the show, adding layers of depth to his portrayal of Tommy Shelby as the character navigates treacherous ground.
RELATED:Every Peaky Blinders Season, Ranked
1Lena Headey — Game of Thrones
Cersei Lannister is one of the most ruthless, cunning, and manipulative characters ever put to paper.Lena Headey’s portrayal of the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms isone for the ages. Not only will she do anything to keep her power and gain more, but she actively leaves a trail of pain (and sometimes destruction) in her wake.
Her endless machinations drive the political aspects ofGame of Thronesas Headey delivers a performance that is irredeemable but compulsively watchable. Heady clearly relishes the opportunity to play Cersei, weaving an impossibly intricate web of deceit as one of the greatest TV villains of all time.
