Some TV actors were so perfect for their iconic roles, like Bryan Cranston as Walter White or Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, that no one else could’ve played them.The art of castingis to find an actor who’s well-suited to the role, but there are usually a few alternate options in case of scheduling issues or bad chemistry. That makes it all the more special when a pairing of actor and character comes along that’s so perfect, it’s impossible to imagine it any other way.
No one other than Al Pacino could’ve played Michael Corleone. No one other than Daniel Day-Lewis could’ve played Daniel Plainview. The reason a lot ofTV actorsend up intrinsically tied to their most iconic roles is because they played the part so well that audiences can’t imagine anyone else playing them.
20Lauren Graham As Lorelai Gilmore
Gilmore Girls
The mother-daughter relationship at the heart ofGilmore Girlsgave the show a cross-generational appeal. With another actor playing Lorelai, it might’ve been unbelievable that Rory would want to hang out with her mom all the time. But who wouldn’t want to hang out with Lauren Graham all the time?
19Michael Richards As Cosmo Kramer
Seinfeld
Intrusive next-door neighbors are a common trope in sitcoms, butCosmo Krameris so beautifully eccentric that he stands out from the pack. Michael Richards’ performance as Kramer isa masterclass in physical comedy. The writers could come up with a gag as simple as Kramer becoming a ballboy or Kramer putting cement in a washing machine, and Richards would do something hilarious with it.
18Norman Reedus As Daryl Dixon
The Walking Dead
No one besides Norman Reedus could’ve playedThe Walking Dead’s breakout character Daryl Dixon, becausethe role of Daryl was created specifically for Reedus. Reedus initially came in to read for Merle. The producers found that he was much too lovable and sympathetic to be Merle, but they loved what he was doing, so they gave Merle a sweet younger brother and TV history was made.
17Danny McBride As Kenny Powers
Eastbound & Down
Danny McBride’s idiosyncratic comic persona is encapsulated by the character of washed-up pitcher Kenny Powers inEastbound & Down. Kenny is boorish, offensive, and arrogant, and in any other actor’s hands, he’d be unbearably unlikable. ButMcBride has a way of showing that, deep down, these brash, obnoxious characters are really sad, broken individuals.
16Antony Starr As Homelander
The Boys
Plenty of other actors have put a friendly facade over cold sociopathy — that’s nothing new — butAntony Starr’s portrayal of Homelanderdoes something completely fresh with that conceit. Homelander’s charming facade is convincing, but he’s still terrifying, and the sociopathy still shines through.Every time Homelander enters a room, it’s unclear if everyone (or anyone) will leave the room alive— and it’s all down to the glint in Starr’s eyes.
15Mary Tyler Moore As Laura Petrie
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Mary Tyler Moore was cast to simply play the foil to the title star inThe Dick Van Dyke Show, but she quickly showed the producers she could do everything. She had pitch-perfect comedic timing, real dramatic chops, an inherent warmth and lovability, and she could sell the reality of every absurd comic situation. She even got to perform plenty of song-and-dance numbers in character as Laura. Before too long, Moore would have a show with her own name on it.
14Tatiana Maslany As All The Project Leda Clones
Orphan Black
Tatiana Maslany’s role inOrphan Blackwasn’t just about getting into the head of one character and rounding out their personality; she had to embody a bunch of different characters, all cloned from the same person, often acting off herself. It’s a performative feat that most actors wouldn’t even dare to attempt, but Maslany made it look effortless. The real magic trick is that,after a while, you forget you’re watching the same actor.
13Jon Hamm As Don Draper
Jon Hamm played Don Draperwiththe smoldering charisma of an old-school movie star like Cary Grant or Clark Gable. Any other actor would’ve madeMad Menfeel too modern, but Hamm plants it firmly in the ‘60s. His performance had the nuance to do the subtleties of the writing justice on-screen, and he had the comedic abilities to pull off the show’s zanier moments.
12Andre Braugher As Captain Raymond Holt
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
When he was first introduced inBrooklyn Nine-Nine, the role of Captain Holt required dry, deadpan line deliveries. But as the show went on and revealed his backstory, it required a dramatic performance of someone who had to overcome decades of prejudice to build a successful career. Other actors might’ve done a good job with one or the other, but only Andre Braugher could nail both.
11William Shatner As James T. Kirk
Star Trek
No one elseacts quite like William Shatner. Like Nicolas Cage and Christopher Walken, he makes choices that no other actor would make, and that’s what makes audiences enjoy watching him so much. Anyone could’ve played Captain Kirk as a generic renegade sci-fi hero, butonly Shatner could imbue him with the unique personality that made him a timeless icon.
