Remember when TV and movies were two totally different worlds? You were allowed to swim in either the big pond or a bigger pond, but very rarely jump from one to another. If you were pulling in box office numbers, you wouldn’t dare step onto a TV set unless the checks stopped coming in. But the rules have changed since then. Big time. Being on a prestigious TV show now would net you just as much street cred as being in a blockbuster movie. Heck, sometimes TV roles are even more respected.
Shows like Game of Thrones have the kind of production value and cultural clout that easily rival any big-screen hits. That means Hollywood’s biggest names have no problem bouncing between the silver screen and the small screen. In fact, some of their best performances were TV roles!
Matthew McConaughey — True Detective
McConaughey was mostly known for playing charming womanizers with a heavy Texas twang. Not the worst genre to be stuck in, but he was itching for something more serious. And then True Detective happened. His role as Rust Cohle was a real showstopper and changed not only his career but the careers of everyone around him on the set. Suddenly, he wasn’t just some sweet heartthrob; he was one of the best actors of his generation! Emmy and Golden Globe nominations followed, and the so-called “McConaissance” was officially on.
Billy Bob Thornton — Fargo
When FX announced they were turning the Coen Brothers’ classic Fargo into a TV series, people were skeptical because it would be quite easy to ruin it. But then Billy Bob Thornton stepped in as Lorne Malvo, a menacing hitman who could chill your bones with just a smirk. His deadpan delivery made Malvo one of the best villains in TV history, and the show proved Fargo could live beyond the big screen.
Tom Hardy — Peaky Blinders and Taboo
Tom Hardy is a special case. From his mumbling Bane in The Dark Knight Rises to the weirdly lovable Venom, he’s always unpredictable. So when he popped up in Peaky Blinders and later co-created Taboo with his dad, it wasn’t too surprising. Both gritty period dramas let Hardy flex his knack for eccentric, unforgettable characters and gave fans even more reason to obsess over him.
Ed Harris — Westworld
Ed Harris in a cowboy hat is already intimidating, but in HBO’s Westworld, he took things to another level. As the mysterious Man in Black, Harris delivered a mix of cruelty, cunning, and charisma that made him the real star of the show. Robots and theme parks aside, he may have been the real reason people kept watching.
Amy Adams — Sharp Objects
Amy Adams had no reason to transition to the TV industry, but HBO’s Sharp Objects presented her with one of her most captivating roles to date. Playing Camille Preaker, a journalist grappling with trauma while investigating a string of murders, Adams chewed up every scene she was in. The performance racked up nominations from pretty much every award show imaginable, proving she can command TV just as easily as film. Then again, nobody doubted her in the first place.
Emma Stone — Maniac
Emma Stone joined Netflix’s Maniac, and the trippy series gave her a chance to show off serious range. Her character bounced through weird scenarios, so Stone had to play different messed-up versions of herself across different genres. Unsurprisingly, she nailed every single one. Plus, she pulled double duty as executive producer because why not?
Henry Cavill — The Witcher
Cavill’s Superman days were hit-or-miss, but The Witcher turned things around. Obsessed with the source material and being a self-proclaimed gamer nerd, Cavill lobbied hard to play Geralt of Rivia. His gravelly voice, monster-slaying action, and perfectly grumpy delivery made the Netflix series a smash hit. It might just be his most iconic role yet.
Robin Wright — House of Cards
Robin Wright originally signed on to play Claire Underwood, the wife of Kevin Spacey’s Frank. But after Spacey’s dramatic exit, Wright stepped into the spotlight and filled those shoes perfectly. As President Underwood, she proved she could carry the series on her own. And that shiny Golden Globe award is the proof of that.
Jim Carrey — Kidding
Jim Carrey’s career has slowed down significantly after that hot streak of the 90s, with classics like Ace Ventura and The Mask. But Showtime’s Kidding reminded fans he wasn’t just about goofy slapstick. Playing a grieving children’s TV host, Carrey proved to everyone that the range was always there from the beginning. Goofy, funny roles just paid better.