Nowadays, you probably know Kristen Bell as Eleanor Shellstrop from The Good Place, Anna from Frozen, or perhaps Joanne from her new hit rom-com series on Netflix, Nobody Wants This. But it would be remiss to completely forget about her CW roots. The Forgetting Sarah Marshall actress had a nearly decade-long stint on the popular teen drama network in the 2000s, all because she was able to use the cancellation of Veronica Mars to land Gossip Girl.

The CW in the 2000s and 2010s was primetime viewing for anyone ages 12-18, with some of the most rewatchable shows to come from that era, including One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Gilmore Girls, and Veronica Mars. Veronica Mars was Bell’s big break in 2004, where she played the titular teenage private eye for three seasons before the show was canceled due to ratings. Thankfully, the Queenpins actress is a quick thinker like Veronica, telling Vanity Fair how she turned the Veronica Mars cancellation into her next opportunity:

I can’t even imagine someone other than Bell being the voice of Gossip Girl, so it’s crazy to learn she got this role on a whim. Had she never reached out to the powers that be at the CW, we would have never gotten to hear the iconic, sassy “xoxo, gossip girl.”

Bell revealed that Veronica Mars had taught her to harness her snarkier side in her acting, something she asked to try out in the recording booth while narrating Gossip Girl. According to the Bad Moms actress, Gossip Girl’s creators had no notes, and she continued to address Upper Eastsiders the same way for all six seasons of the original show.

Bell even returned to narrate HBO’s Gossip Girl reboot for two seasons before it was swiftly canceled. It just wasn’t the same without S, B and the original cast, even with Bell narrating. However, fans did get to witness a crazy Veronica Mars/Gossip Girl crossover, with Leighton Meester guest-starring in Nobody Wants This Season 2. Although real marshmallows know this is a true Veronica Mars reunion through and through, as Meester played Carrie Bishop in the original VMars series, long before she made her debut as Blair.

As much as I would like these two to return to either Neptune, California or Manhattan's Upper East Side, the chances of another Veronica Mars or Gossip Girl reboot are slim. Bell has previously said she would play her #1 character, Veronica Mars, until the day she dies, but after Hulu’s revival killed off a fan-favorite, even the show’s cult following has sadly lost interest. I’ll never say never, though, cause clearly Kristen Bell makes her own destiny.

Nobody Wants This, on the other hand, has already been renewed for Season 3, and after fans freaked out over seeing Blair Waldorf and Seth Cohen from The O.C. onscreen together, we can hope that Leighton Meester will reprise her role as Joanne’s childhood nemesis. You can see both Gossip Girl alums in Nobody Wants This Season 2, now streaming with a Netflix subscription, and keep an eye out for Season 3 on the 2026 TV schedule.

Sometimes, you watch a show like The Wire and later discover that despite being almost universally acclaimed and often considered one of the best–if not the best–shows of all time, it never won an Emmy of any kind. How in the world does that happen? The classic, available to stream on HBO Max, is hardly alone with the dubious distinction of being a great show with no Emmys. This is a list dedicated to shows just like The Wire.

It's worth noting that we're talking about Primetime Emmys here, not Creative Arts Emmys. Some of these shows have won the latter.

Parks And Recreation

For seven seasons, Parks and Recreation made fans laugh on NBC. With an all-star cast that included Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aubry Plaza, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, and Rob Lowe, the show was one of the top-rated sitcoms of its era. Still, it never managed to win an Emmy, somehow, despite eight nominations.

Chappelle’s Show

Although it only ran on Comedy Central for three seasons, Chappelle’s Show took the world by storm, and you could argue it changed sketch shows forever. There are still countless memes based on the jokes on the show, and people still quote it all the time. It was nominated for two Emmys, but didn't win either.

Better Call Saul

There may not be a show on the list of Emmy snubs that gets its fans fired up about that fact more than fans of Better Call Saul. In six seasons, the critically acclaimed show, which was beloved by fans, was nominated for 30 Emmys, including multiple times for Outstanding Drama, but never won one. It's one of the most egregious examples of a true prestige show that didn't run on HBO on this list.

Star Trek

It's well known that Star Trek wasn't the most popular show when it first aired in the mid-'60s. Still, it's kind of crazy that the groundbreaking show was nominated for 13 Emmys during its brief three-season run, but never won one. Getting shut out for an Emmy certainly hasn't dampened the show's cultural influence or its popularity.

Yellowstone

One of the more recent shows on this list, Yellowstone, wrapped up its very successful run in late 2024 without winning an Emmy. The show has always been somewhat politically divisive, but you can't deny that it's a really great show. During its five-season run, the Kevin Costner-led show was never even nominated for a Primetime Emmy. Costner did win a Golden Globe, though.

Good Times

One of the most groundbreaking sitcoms of all time, Good Times, was probably a little too radical for the Emmys. The show wasn't just funny, it was also heartwarming and poignant. IT still couldn't win an Emmy, and that's not "dy-no-mite!"

Blue Bloods

Tom Selleck is an Emmy winner. He won for Best Lead in a Drama in 1984 for his legendary character Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. He was never even nominated for his equally legendary role as Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods. In fact, Blue Bloods never won an Emmy of any kind despite 14 great seasons and legions of fans, who are still upset the show was canceled.

Grace And Frankie

Legends Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin starred in Grace and Frankie for seven wonderful seasons that you can watch with a Netflix subscription. Netflix is no stranger to winning Emmys, but this excellent never won one. Both Fonda and Tomlin were nominated multiple times, coming away empty each time. That's okay, they are still two of the greatest of all time.

Enlightened

A decade before Mike White kept the nation in suspense with his White Lotus series on HBO, he created Enlightened, starring Laura Dern. It's a completely unappreciated show that deserved more Emmy love than it ever got.

Veronica Mars

Kristen Bell became a hero to millions when she starred as the detective Veronica Mars in the show of the same name. It's a show that is famous for its die-hard fan support, but that support didn't translate to Emmy Awards, sadly.

My So-Called Life

Of all the shows on this list, My So-Called Life is the easiest to understand why it didn't win an Emmy. Despite being a show that helped launch the careers of stars Claire Danes and Jared Leto, the show only lasted 19 episodes and only really found its fanbase after the show was canceled.

Empire

Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson led an all-star cast in the music industry drama Empire, which despite critical acclaim and running for six seasons, the show was never bestowed with an Emmy. Howard and Henson alone should have more multiple awards, if you ask fans. Henson was nominated twice, at least, but that doesn't make up for not winning any.

The Wire

There is no small contingent of people who will argue that not only was The Wire the best show on TV when it first ran in the early '00s, but it's the best television show of all time. For five seasons, the show suffered from poor ratings, but in the years since, it's found its fanbase and more. In fact, despite all the praise it receives today, it was only ever nominated twice. Clay Davis might have something to say about that.

The Good Place

Kristen Bell and Ted Danson starred in The Good Place. It's a show that struggled to find an audience for reasons that are hard to pinpoint. It's a really funny show, and it was unique in its premise and its humor. That might be why it never managed to win an Emmy, despite certainly being deserving of some.

Narcos

Netflix's Narcos is a fantastic example of a truly great peak-era TV show that somehow got snubbed by the Emmys. There was a lot of competition, sure, but Narcos was a step above many of those shows. Wagner Moura's performance as Pablo Escobar should've won every award there was, and Pedro Pascal was fantastic as well. Maybe the content scared the voters off, or that the show was bilingual, but no matter what, it should have won something.

The Leftovers

HBO dominated prestige TV in the early 2000s with shows like The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Six Feet Under, and The Leftovers. Unlike the previous two, the latter never won an Emmy. It seemed like it would be the next show in line to collect all the Emmys like the other shows on the network, but alas, it wasn't to be, and they were left behind.

The Brady Bunch

Okay, okay, this one is a bit of a stretch to wonder why it never won an Emmy, but come on, who doesn't love The Brady Bunch? Multiple generations have grown up watching the show now, and there isn't a person in America who isn't aware of this classic family sitcom. It's a perfect example of critics and Emmy voters disagreeing with viewers.

The Comeback

Of all the shows that former cast members of Friends have starred in over the years, maybe the most underappreciated is The Comeback starring Lisa Kudrow. It wasn't an immediate hit when it hit HBO in 2005 for 13 episodes, but it proved enduring, and it returned for a second season in 2014. Don't call it a comeback...

Newhart

The '80s classic Newhart, starring Bob Newhart, features one of the greatest finales in television history. It was also nominated for an astounding 25 Emmys. It never won, though. It's almost too ridiculous to believe that a show this good and with this many nominations never won one. Adding insult to injury, Bob Newhart's first hit sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, never won one, either.

Parenthood

NBC's Parenthood, which was very loosely based on the 1989 movie starring Steve Martin, was a bit of a surprise hit on the Peacock Network. The show, like the movie, had just the right combination of laughs and tear-jerking moments, and it did so successfully for six seasons. Despite having all the ingredients of a multiple Emmy-winning show, it was completely shut out. In fact, it was only nominated for one, and that was a guest star (Josh Ritter).

NCIS

For decades, NCIS ruled the ratings. Despite more than 20 seasons on the air, the show has never won an Emmy. It's one of the most popular shows ever, yet it's only ever been nominated for three Emmys, total. Wild.

Hannibal

Horror shows, like horror movies, often have a difficult time show business' biggest awards, and Hannibal is no exception. Despite being a fantastic (and really scary) show, it never won an Emmy.

Oz

One of the earliest examples of prestige TV is Oz. The show is one of the hardest-hitting, raw shows in TV history, with an amazing cast. It was probably a little ahead of its time, however, as it really never got the accolades it deserved when it was on the air. That includes never winning an Emmy.

Leave It To Beaver

We had to include this one. Leave It To Beaver is a show that basically invented and defined the family sitcom, and yet it never got the appreciation it deserved from the Emmys. The awards were still pretty new when the show was on the air, but it was incredibly popular, yet ignored by the Emmys.

Supernatural

Few shows in television history have a fan base as dedicated as Supernatural. For 15 seasons, the show kept them coming back for more, through casting changes, and even a network change, the fans kept showing their love. The Emmys never did, sadly.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

The quirkiness and enduring humor of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt would seemingly be enough to win at least one Emmy. Ellie Kemper's performance as Schmidt herself was also certainly good enough to win one. Alas, over three seasons and a remarkable twenty nominations, it won none.

New Girl

146 episodes. Seven seasons. Zero Emmys. Such is the fate of New Girl. Zooey Deschanel played the titular new girl, and even though she was widely praised for her comedic performance, she didn't win an Emmy, nor did the show. It was nominated five times, including Deschanel once for Lead Actress, but walked away empty-handed.

Mindhunter

It's a crying shame that Mindhunter only ran for two seasons. It's a prime example of Netflix canceled without a proper ending. While fans are still holding hope that the show could be revived one day, for now, we'll have to live with just the two excellent seasons. Despite how good those seasons are, they didn't win any Emmys.

Sons Of Anarchy

While many might say that Sons of Anarchy never deserved to win an Emmy, that's not fair. The show had some tremendous moments, like Opie's death, and frankly, the finale. It's one show that actually ended really well. For 92 episodes over seven seasons, we laughed, cried, and bled with SAMCRO, but the show never grabbed voters, it seems. It did receive a few Creative Arts Emmy nominations, but it was never nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

Bates Motel

As horror shows go, Bates Motel is among the best ever. For five seasons, the show scared the pants off fans, but it seems to have never scared the Emmy voters into getting an award. Vera Farmiga was nominated a couple of times, but alas, walked away without a win.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's hard to fathom just how popular and enduring It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is. It first aired way back in 2015. Now, the stars own football teams in England. It's just crazy, but not as crazy as how the gang has never won even one Emmy.

Gilmore Girls

One of the most enduringly popular shows on this list, Gilmore Girls is still as popular as ever with its fans, despite being off the air for more than 15 years. Fans still keep on the lookout for shows with the Gilmore Girls cast members, but none of those stars won an Emmy for the show. In fact, the show was completely shut out, just like the rest of the shows on this list.

What makes TV crime dramas so alluring? It could be the simple thrill of the action or the satisfaction of seeing evil brought to justice, but, for me, it's the twists and revelations that shake up the story. Let’s revisit some of the most mindblowing moments from some of the best crime TV shows, and make sure to keep our SPOILER WARNING in mind.

Omar's Murder (The Wire)

Creator David Simon's The Wire delivered a shocking death that illustrates how even the most imposing and legendary individuals can expire in an unremarkable fashion. Fans of the acclaimed HBO drama anticipated that Baltimore thief Omar Little (Michael K. Williams) might go down in a showdown against Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector), but, instead, was fatally shot by Kenard (Thuliso Dingwall ), a kid who worked for the gangster.

Adrian Solves Trudy’s Murder (Monk)

In the series finale of Monk, Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub's obsessive-compulsive detective, Adrian Monk, finally gets to the bottom of the case that has haunted him for years: the murder of his wife, Trudy (Melora Hardin). The car bomb that killed her was planted by renowned Judge Ethan Rickover (Craig T. Nelson) in order to prevent her from coming clean about their affair from years earlier, which resulted in a pregnancy.

Walt Poisons Brock (Breaking Bad)

One of the best episodes of Breaking Bad sees Walter White (Bryan Cranston) resorting to abhorrent measures in order to take down his most fearsome adversary, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Jesse's (Aaron Paul) new girlfriend's son, Brock, winds up in the hospital, leading him to suspect the boy was poisoned by Walt, who insists that the poisoning was a manipulation tactic by Gus. Indeed, it was a tactic, but orchestrated by Walt, who is revealed to have poisoned Brock so he could pin it on Gus and get Jesse to help him kill the ruthless criminal.

Junior Shoots Tony (The Sopranos)

In the Season 6 premiere of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) shows up at the home of his uncle, Junior (Dominic Chianese), who is suffering from dementia and immediately mistakes his nephew for a dead mobster who robbed him years earlier named Gennaro Malanga. Junior reacts by pulling out a pistol and shooting Tony, who passes out before he can call 911, but luckily, he is rushed to the hospital, where he is put in a coma.

Moriarty Takes His Own Life (Sherlock)

Early on in BBC's modernized reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's revered mystery stories, Sherlock, fans were introduced to Holmes' (Benedict Cumberbatch) arch nemesis, Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott). However, in only the second season finale, their quarrel of wits came to an end when the master criminal ended his life right in front of the detective.

Love Is A Killer Too (You)

In Netflix's hit crime TV show, You, serial stalker and killer Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) believes he has found someone who can help tame his dark side in Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti). However, he comes to discover that his seemingly sweet and innocent new lover has homicidal tendencies of her own.

Bones' Parents Have A Criminal History (Bones)

Emily Deschanel's eponymous forensic anthropologist from Bones, Temperance "Bones" Brennan, was abandoned by her parents when she was a teenager. Years later, she would find her mother's remains and, through subsequent investigation, discover that she and Brennan's father were career criminals.

Kristin Shepard Shot J.R. (Dallas)

One of the most iconic cliffhangers in TV history had America wondering who shot J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) in the Season 3 finale of Dallas. The mystery prompted an astonishing phenomenon that lasted the entire summer of 1980 before the primetime soap opera returned for its fourth season premiere, in which it was revealed that Kristin Shepard (Mary Crosby) attempted to kill the notorious oil baron.

Vic Kills Terry (The Shield)

Creator Shawn Ryan's intense, FX original police drama The Shield wasted no time in preparing audiences for what sort of startling twists and turns it had in store. The very first episode ends with the corrupt Det. Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) murdering federal informant Terry Crowley (Reed Diamond) in cold blood.

The Trinity Killer Murders Rita (Dexter)

Most fans of Dexter would agree that the most wicked adversary Michael C. Hall's homicidal vigilante ever faced is Arthur Mitchell (John Lithgow), a.k.a. The Trinity Killer, especially for his final kill. Dexter manages to take out the sadistic murderer, but not soon enough to prevent him from killing his wife, Rita (Julie Benz), whom he finds in a blood-filled bathtub with his infant son, Harrison, sitting on the floor nearby.

Dana Lewis Is A Murderer (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden appeared on multiple episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Dana Lewis, an FBI agent who strikes up a strong bond with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). However, their friendship would come to an end when Lewis is arrested for murdering a woman her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with.

The Yellow King’s Identity (True Detective)

The first season of HBO's hit, anthological mystery drama, True Detective, follows Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) as they investigate the murders of a killer known only as The Yellow King. Ultimately, the criminal is revealed to be Errol Childress (Glenn Fleshler), who is the nephew of one of the case's prime suspects, Reverend Tuttle.

Opie Sacrifices Himself (Sons Of Anarchy)

One of the most heartbreaking moments from Sons of Anarchy comes when the imprisoned Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), Chibs Telford (Tommy Flanagan), Tig Trager (Kim Coates), and Opie Winston (Ryan Hurst) are forced to decide which of them will face four other inmates in a brawl to the death so that Jax and Chibs can be released as part of an agreement with Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau). Opie volunteers himself and, after uttering his final words, "I got this," bids his brothers farewell before suffering a brutal end.

Cooper Is Replaced With An Evil Clone (Twin Peaks)

While all David Lynch movies are known for raising many perplexing questions, the original CBS run of the filmmaker's hit TV series, Twin Peaks, especially left audiences with a lot to ponder in the Season 2 finale, which reveals that Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan) has not returned from The Black Lodge, but has been replaced with a demented doppelgänger. More than two decades later, fans were finally treated to a continuation of the story with Showtime's 2017 revival.

The Reaper Is George Foyet (Criminal Minds)

One of the most notorious criminals that the Criminal Minds cast ever took on was an elusive killer known as "The Reaper," whose only surviving victim was a man named George Foyet (C. Thomas Howell). However, the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit comes to discover that Foyet is The Reaper after all.

Beaver Assaulted Veronica (Veronica Mars)

The season 2 finale of Veronica Mars solves the long-gestating mystery behind the young, titular amateur investigator's (Kristen Bell) traumatic assault. The perpetrator is revealed to be Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas (Kyle Gallner), who is himself a victim of assault, which has led him to become a violent person, causing even more destruction than what Veronica had suffered.

Elliott Has Been In Prison The Entire Time (Mr. Robot)

Creator Sam Esmail's USA drama Mr. Robot is the kind of series that always keeps you guessing, thanks to central character Elliott Alderson (Rami Malek) being an unreliable narrator. In fact, the seventh episode of its second season reveals that the hacker's entire life up to that point has been a delusion, and he has really been serving a jail sentence during this time.

President Logan Is Corrupt (24)

Corruption in the White House is a horrifying concept, which Fox's 24 boldly touched on with one of its most shocking twists. At the end of the 16th episode of Season 5, President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin) is seen having a phone conversation with Christopher Henderson (Peter Weller) that reveals he was behind the deaths of David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) and Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth).

Helen Is Killed (Ozark)

Few Netflix original TV shows have been as subversive as Ozark, which concluded its third season in an intense way. While it seemed that Marty Byrd (Jason Bateman) was doomed to suffer a grisly fate at the hands of Omar Navarro (Felix Solis), the cartel leader instead orders Nelson (Nelson Bonilla) to take out his lawyer, Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer), who attempted to frame Marty as an FBI informant.

Hank Realizes Heisenberg's True Identity (Breaking Bad)

The first half of Breaking Bad's fifth and final season came to a jaw-dropping end when DEA agent Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) arrived at a startling, long-awaited conclusion. He is sitting on Walt's toilet when he grabs a copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, signed to "W.W." by Gale Boetticher (David Costabile). This clues him in to the fact that the drug manufacturer he has been trying to find for more than a year has been his brother-in-law the whole time.

Ryan Killed Erin (Mare Of Easttown)

Near the end of the Emmy-winning HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown, it appears that Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny) was murdered by her older cousin and lover, John Ross (Joe Tippett), but the truth is much darker. John's 13-year-old son, Ryan (Cameron Mann), learned of the affair and set out to intimidate her into backing out of the romance, but it ended up resulting in a fatal end for the young woman.

Cody Hoyt Dies (Big Sky)

It was heavily implied in the marketing for creator David E. Kelley's ABC drama Big Sky that Ryan Phillippe would be the star of the mystery thriller. Thus, seeing his character, a private investigator named Cody Hoyt, fatally shot by crooked Highway Patrol officer Rick Legarski (John Carroll Lynch) at the end of the pilot episode certainly caught viewers off guard.

Amma Killed Ann And Natalie (Sharp Objects)

In HBO's limited series adaptation of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects, Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) comes to suspect that her abusive mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson), was responsible for the murders of Ann Nash (Kaegan Baron) and Natalie Keene (Jessica Treksa). However, in the final scene, it is revealed that Camille's younger half-sister, Amma (Eliza Scanlen), killed the young women and even used their teeth as cobblestones for her dollhouse's patio.

Hilde Is Imogene's Mother (Death And Other Details)

For years, the hero of Hulu's clever whodunnit Death and Other Details, Imogene Scott (Violett Beane), has been haunted by the murder of her mother, Kira, which the renowned Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin) was never able to solve. However, while investigating a mysterious death on a private cruise, Imogene discovers that Kira actually faked her death all those years ago and has been hiding in plain sight on the ship, disguised as Interpol agent Hilde Eriksen (Linda Emond).

Boyd Crowder Escapes Prison (Justified: City Primeval)

Walton Goggins denied multiple times that he was involved with Justified: City Primeval, the 2023 miniseries revival of the hit FX crime thriller starring Timothy Olyphant as old-school U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. However, he turned out to be full of it, as a post-credit scene shows his character, Boyd Crowder, escaping prison.

Chloe Is A Godly Blessing (Lucifer)

The pairing of the Devil incarnate, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), with Det. Chloe Decker (Lauren German), as investigative partners, as well as lovers, would prove to be a match made in Heaven... literally. It is revealed in Season 2 of Lucifer that Chloe was created by God with the purpose of being the police consultant's perfect mate.

Sydney Wakes Up Two Years In The Future (Alias)

The second season of ABC's hit espionage drama Alias ends with a real gut-punch of a twist. Sidney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) wakes up in Hong Kong with no memory of how she wound up there and eventually discovers that she has been missing for the past two years. This leads her on a journey to piece together what happened to her during all that time.

Kima Greggs Is Shot (The Wire)

Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) was initially conceived as a smaller role on The Wire before creator David Simon was convinced by HBO executive Carolyn Strauss to keep her around longer. In other words, the shocking moment from the end of the first season's 10th episode, in which she is shot during a bust gone wrong, almost sealed the character's fate.

Peter Is From Another Dimension (Fringe)

In the second season of Fringe, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) survives a deadly shockwave that leads him to realize that he was born in an alternate universe and was forcibly brought into this dimension by his father, Walter (John Noble). The twist completely recontextualizes the character's place in the show and brings to light the impact that his cross-dimensional transfer has on the world.

Paige Stays In America (The Americans)

In the series finale of The Americans, Paige Jennings (Holly Taylor) is seen exiting a train headed for the Soviet Union. This means that she has chosen to stay in the States, her true home, and that her undercover Soviet spy parents, Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), will never see her again.

Georgia Trotman Is Thrown Out A Five-Story Window (Line Of Duty)

It seemed as if Detective Constable Georgia Trotman (Jessica Raine) was destined to be an important part of the second season (or, series, as they say in the U.K.) of the BBC's Line of Duty. However, the character's first episode also proved to be her last, in which corrupt DC Jeremy Cole (Henry Pettigrew) sends her plummeting to her death outside a hospital window.

Nina Myers Killed Teri Bauer (24)

By the end of the first season of 24, one of Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) most trusted allies is not only revealed to be a mole, but the one who murdered his wife, Teri (Leslie Hope).

The bond between a parent and their child (or even between a person and their surrogate parental figure) is one of the most complex relationships there is. Hollywood certainly understands this, based on how many amazing parent-child duos have graced both the big and small screen for decades. The following are some of the world’s favorites.

Don Vito And Michael Corleone (The Godfather)

The entire Godfather saga is a tale of one man's rise to power as the leader of a ruthless mafia family, but the first of Francis Ford Coppola's Best Picture Oscar winners based on Mario Puzo's novel is, essentially, a father-son story. Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) never wanted his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), to take his place in the family business, but Michael's decision to avenge his father's attempted murder himself is what places him on this dark path.

Lorelai And Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's hit dramedy Gilmore Girls was one of the first series to introduce the idea of a parent and their child also being each other's best friends. In fact, single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), whom Lorelai had when she was a teenager, consider themselves best friends first and a mother and daughter second.

Atticus And Scout Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird)

The American Film Institute named Southern attorney Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) from To Kill a Mockingbird cinema's all-time greatest hero for his refreshing empathy and undaunted sense of justice. What makes him a movie dad one would be proud to have is the way he passes his ideals onto his impressionable children, especially his daughter, Jean Louise, better known as "Scout" (Mary Badham), who bravely comes to her father's aid in his most challenging moments.

Fred And Lamont Sanford (Sanford & Son)

Not every person's relationship with their parent is perfect, and sometimes not even time can make it better. Take, for example, the bickering duo from the classic TV sitcom, Sanford & Son, in which the cantankerous Fred Sanford (Red Foxx) and his more conscientious son, Lamont (Demond Wilson), run a junk-dealing business together.

Anakin And Luke Skywalker (Return Of The Jedi)

There has never been a more awkward reunion between a parent and their long-lost child than in the beloved Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, when Darth Vader (née Anakin Skywalker), played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones, reveals to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) that he is his father. Luckily, at the end of Return of the Jedi, the Sith Lord comes to his son's rescue against Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), turning back to the light side of the Force before it is too late.

Jim Hopper And Eleven (Stranger Things)

More than the intense otherworldly phenomena like Demogorgons and Mind Flayers, what keeps fans invested in Stranger Things is the relationships between the characters, none of which are as strong and heartwarming as that of Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). The Hawkins Police Chief, who previously lost a daughter to cancer, secretly takes in the psychic child as his own at the beginning of Season 2 and becomes her legal guardian by its end.

Goofy And Max Goof (A Goofy Movie)

Despite its initially poor critical reception and dismal box office returns, A Goofy Movie is now regarded as one of the best Disney animated films of all time. The secret is the complicated, but ultimately charming, relationship between the classic, eponymous animated character (voiced by Bill Farmer) and his teen son, Max (Jason Marsden), who he takes on a road trip that changes their lives forever.

Sophia Petrillo And Dorothy Zbornak (The Golden Girls)

The main Golden Girls cast was made up of four older women sharing a house in Miami, namely Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McLanahan), and Dorothy's quick-witted mother, Sophia (Estelle Getty). Getty's Emmy-winning performance was so convincing, lending wonderfully to her and Dorothy's back-and-forth relationship, you would never guess the actor was actually one year younger than Arthur.

Dr. Henry Jones Sr. And Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade)

Even if it is not the absolute best Indiana Jones movie (most would agree that honor belongs to Raiders of the Lost Ark), 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is easily the installment with the most heart. The key is seeing Harrison Ford's eponymous archaeologist team up with his estranged father, Dr. Henry Jones, Sr. (Sir Sean Connery), in a race against the Nazis to locate the Holy Grail.

Jack And Sydney Bristow (Alias)

Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) may have had a difficult relationship with her estranged father, Jack (Victor Garber). However, they prove to be a great team in the business of espionage after she discovers that they are both double agents serving the CIA on creator J.J. Abrams' hit, action-packed drama, Alias.

Mufasa And Simba (The Lion King)

Disney's 1994 hit The Lion King would not be such a devastating tragedy if not for the powerful father-son relationship at its core. Young Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas) falls under the impression that he caused the untimely death of his father, Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones), driving him to go into hiding and allow the true murderer, Scar (Jeremy Irons), to usurp the throne.

Endora And Samantha Stephens (Bewitched)

Bewitched exaggerated the common trope of the disapproving mother-in-law to uproarious, fantastic proportions by putting veteran witch Endora (Agnes Moorehead) at constant odds with her son-in-law, Darrin Stephens (Dick York and, later, Dick Sargent). Luckily, Darrin's wife and Endora's daughter, fellow spellcaster Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), managed to keep her mother in check, for the most part.

Ellen Ripley And Newt (Aliens)

It may seem like a bit of a cheat to include Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley and Newt (Carrie Henn, a child star who walked away from Hollywood after this role) from Aliens, as they are not biologically related or even bonded by law. However, through the survivor's fierce bid to protect the orphaned child from the Xenomorphs, she effectively becomes that little girl's mother by the end of that 1986 sci-fi movie classic.

Joseph And Murphy Cooper (Interstellar)

While Interstellar is certainly an intriguing space movie, Christopher Nolan's 2014 sci-fi odyssey is an even more powerful father-daughter story. Forced to leave Earth to search for a more habitable alternative home, Joseph "Coop" Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) becomes estranged from his daughter, Murphy, or "Murph" for short (played at different ages by Mackenzie Foy, Jessica Chastain, and finally Ellen Burstyn), not only by miles but also by decades after traveling through a time-dilating black hole.

Man And Boy (The Road)

Director John Hillcoat's 2009 adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road is a brutal post-apocalyptic thriller about a man (played by Viggo Mortensen) and child (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee) searching for sanctuary in a dystopian wasteland. However, by keeping the core duo nameless, the story of a father struggling to do what is best for his son despite insurmountable obstacles becomes a tale that any parent can identify with.

Georgia And Ginny Miller (Ginny & Georgia)

Netflix's Ginny & Georgia is a TV show often compared to Gilmore Girls for its plot involving a single mother (played by Brianne Howey) and her young adult daughter (played by Antonia Gentry) she had in her teens. However, creator Sarah Lampert's dramedy takes things in a much darker direction with distressing circumstances that tend to put the titular duo at odds with one another.

Marlin And Nemo (Finding Nemo)

The duo most people would more readily associate with Finding Nemo is the platonic pairing of Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). However, in the grand scheme of things, the Pixar movie favorite is really about the clownfish's search for his eponymous son (voiced by Alexander Gould) and the youngster's determination to reunite with his father.

Din Djarin And Grogu (The Mandalorian)

Before The Mandalorian premiered, Star Wars fans did not know what to expect from the now-acclaimed Disney+ original TV show, other than an adventure following a tough galactic bounty hunter. The moment the series and the character of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) truly won over audiences was when the show exposed his soft spot as he defied his orders and became a surrogate father to an adorable, infantile Jedi eventually called Grogu (but initially referred to by fans as "Baby Yoda").

John And Ray Kinsella (Field Of Dreams)

Field of Dreams has been described as a classic baseball movie, a mystifying ghost story, and a profound, heartwarming fantasy, but that is the tip of the iceberg. In its purest, most essential form, the 1989 favorite is the story of a farmer named Ray (Kevin Costner) given the astonishing opportunity to reunite with his late father, John (Dwier Brown), for a game of catch.

M'Lynn Eatenton And Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Steel Magnolias)

The 1989 adaptation of Robert Harling's play, Steel Magnolias, is an ensemble piece following multiple, strong Louisiana women from various walks of life. However, the core storyline, and the most memorable, is that of Mary Lynn "M'Lynn" Eatenton (Sally Field), and her struggles to let go of her grown-up daughter, Shelby (Julia Roberts), when she gets married and to come to terms with the risks that come with her diabetic condition.

Frank And John Sullivan (Frequency)

One of the most unique time travel movies ever made is 1999's Frequency, starring Jim Caviezel as John Sullivan, a modern-day homicide detective inexplicably given the chance to speak to his long-dead father, Frank (played by Dennis Quaid), from 30 years in the past over HAM radio. However, when they accidentally alter the past in grim ways, they must work together to prevent a series of murders before they happen.

Bonnie And Christy Plunkett (Mom)

The hit CBS sitcom, Mom, stars Anna Faris as single mother Christy Plunkett, who has enough on her plate trying to raise two children, in addition to maintaining her sobriety. Not making things too much easier is her mother, Bonnie (Academy Award winner Allison Janney), who is a recovering alcoholic herself, but unlike her daughter, rarely holds back from speaking her mind.

Julius And David Levinson (Independence Day)

Director Roland Emmerich's sci-fi blockbuster Independence Day is an alien invasion movie and disaster thriller with a nearly unmatched sense of charm and heart. Much of that can be credited to the relationship between MIT grad David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) and his relationship with his father, Julius (a hilarious, scene-stealing Judd Hirsch).

Keith And Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Veronica Mars was a trailblazer for coming-of-age TV shows in the way it offered more subversive and grounded takes on inter-character relationships, such as the title character's bond with her single father, who is a private investigator. While Keith (Enrico Colantoni) can be a bit overprotective of Veronica (Kristen Bell), they share a bond that almost better resembles close friends, strengthened by their mutual passion for justice.

Hal And Oliver Fields (Beginners)

Some people go their entire lives never fully getting to know their parents for who they truly are, but Oliver Fields (Ewan McGregor) gets the chance before it is too late in the 2010 dramedy, Beginners. Oliver becomes inspired to pursue a more spirited life and romance with Anna (Mélanie Laurent) following his strengthened relationship with his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer in an Oscar-winning performance), who reveals that he is gay at 75 years old after the death of his wife.

Richard And Alexis Castle (Castle)

If Richard Castle's (Nathan Fillion) professional and, eventually, romantic relationship with Det. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is the lifeblood of ABC's zesty crime procedural, Castle, then the heart and soul is his relationship with his daughter. The novelist-turned-police consultant has been called reckless and immature by some, but the proof that he is an exceptional father lies in the teenage Alexis (Molly C. Quinn).

Carl And Bud Fox (Wall Street)

One of the most iconic instances of a parent and child acting alongside each other is Martin and Charlie Sheen in Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Carl Fox (Martin) and his son, Bud (Charlie), are divided by their employment status (Carl being blue collar and Bud being white collar) and an ethical disagreement that nearly severs their relationship forever, but ultimately remain united by their mutual love and admiration.

Rocky And Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)

No one made being a private investigator look cooler than James Garner as street-smart former convict Jim Rockford on The Rockford Files. Of course, the detective was lucky to be able to rely on his allies, the best being his own father, Joseph "Rocky" Rockford (Noah Beery Jr.).

Tess And Anna Coleman (Freaky Friday)

There may not be a parent-child duo on this list that understands each other better than Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) from Disney's 2003 adaptation of Mary Rodgers' novel, Freaky Friday. How so? The psychiatrist and the teen musician have literally spent a day in each other's shoes, thanks to a magical fortune cookie, in the beloved body swap movie.

Calum And Sophie Patterson (Aftersun)

Writer and director Charlotte Wells' Aftersun is a heart-wrenching, but great, A24 movie starring Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal as a man trying to do right by his young daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio), amid his struggles with depression and anxiety.

Max And Page Conners (Heartbreakers)

Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt star in Heartbreakers as a mother-daughter con artist duo. They specialize in cheating wealthy men out of their money by having Max (Weaver) marry the target, having Page (Hewitt) seduce them into being adulterous, and collecting the loot in the divorce settlement.

"Big" And "Little Edith" Bouvier Beale (Grey Gardens)

The acclaimed 1975 documentary Grey Gardens introduced the world to Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, "Little Edith," who are the cousins of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore gave acclaimed performances as the reclusive eccentrics in a dramatized adaptation of the doc made for HBO in 2009.

Hollywood has conditioned audiences to expect two central characters of similar romantic preferences and with great chemistry to fall in love by the end of a film or at some point in a TV series’ run. Thus, it is typically more refreshing to see these protagonists remain compatible but without giving in to a forced will-they-won’t-they dynamic. In that spirit, here is a thankful tribute to pop culture’s best platonic couples.

Max And Furiosa (Mad Max: Fury Road)

For the fourth installment of his beloved franchise of post-apocalyptic thrillers, 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, writer and director George Miller introduced a female hero to serve as the title character's equal in another road war. Not once is there a hint of any romantic connection between Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and the modern action movie classic is beloved all the more for it.

Jerry And Elaine (Seinfeld)

One key way Seinfeld established itself early on as a groundbreaking comedy was doing away with any will-they-won't-they gimmick between Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) by starting them off as a couple, breaking them up before the show even started, and seeing them remain friends through the run. While the beloved TV sitcom occasionally dropped hints at rekindling their romance for laughs (such as when they became friends with benefits or Jerry's impromptu marriage proposal), there is no doubt they are stronger as pals.

Marlin And Dory (Finding Nemo)

Finding Nemo could have easily incorporated the typical "widowed father finds love again" trope by seeing Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) fall into a charming interbreed romance during their search for his eponymous son (voiced by Alexander Gould). However, I think most would agree that making the clownfish and Blue Tang nothing but friends is an essential aspect of what makes the Oscar winner one of Pixar's best movies.

Leslie And Ron (Parks And Recreation)

At the Paley Center for Media, Parks and Recreation co-creator Michael Schur shared that Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson were initially conceived as the "mom and dad" of the Pawnee Parks Department office, but without any intention of giving them romantic chemistry. The closest the co-workers have ever come to being more than professional is when Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman pretend to make out for the sitcom's gag reel.

Harry And Hermione (The Harry Potter Movies)

The Harry Potter movies may be named after Daniel Radcliffe's "Boy Who Lived," but the young wizard would not be able to achieve what he does at Hogwarts without the help of his very best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). In any other blockbuster franchise, the title character might end up with the girl in the end, but the thought never seems to cross their minds, and instead, Hermione and Ron come to develop feelings for each other.

Joey And Pheobe (Friends)

There always seemed to be romance in the air for the members of the Friends cast, from Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) rocky, on-again-off-again relationship to Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler's (Matthew Perry) marriage, and even Rachel and Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) attempt at being more than roommates. However, Joey and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) were practically brother and sister, even though they did kiss when he thought she was her twin sister, Ursula, and he did offer to marry her when he thought she was pregnant. That is, thankfully, the closest they ever came.

Hawkeye And Black Widow (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Natasha "Black Widow" Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint "Hawkeye" Barton (Jeremy Renner) share a deeper bond than most characters from the Marvel movies in order can claim, having known each other long before forming the Avengers together. The ultimate sign of their undying, platonic love for one another is in 2019's Avengers: Endgame when neither is willing to let the other sacrifice themselves to retrieve the Soul Stone, only for Clint to fall apart when he is forced to say goodbye to Nat.

Liz And Jack (30 Rock)

They may have gotten off on the wrong foot in the pilot for 30 Rock, but TV writer Liz Lemon (series creator Tina Fey) and her boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), eventually come to form a respectable professional team. I cannot imagine anyone would have ever expected these characters to fall for one another, but it was the mere unlikelihood of their romance that made their bond one of the comedy's strongest elements.

Bob And Charlotte (Lost In Translation)

I honestly feel like I might be cheating by including Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters from the 2000s-era movie classic, Lost in Translation, because the oft-discussed ending of Sofia Coppola's Oscar-winning dramedy suggests their bond evolves into something more. However, up until then, they share a friendship that each desperately needed and anyone would be lucky to have.

Mal And Zoë (Firefly)

One of the many issues that led to the premature cancellation of cult sci-fi series Firefly was creative demands from Fox executives, such as one note requesting that Zoë (Gina Torres) not be married to Wash (Alan Tudyk) to leave room for any romantic potential with Nathan Fillion's Captain Mal Reynolds. Thankfully, creator Joss Whedon stood his ground and adamantly refused, allowing the interplanetary outlaws to remain thick and thieves in the purest sense.

Ripley And Hicks (Aliens)

Writer and director James Cameron's second chapter of the Alien movies franchise introduced one of cinema's most revered platonic couples in the form of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and Cpl. Dwayne Hicks (Michael Biehn). There are more than enough hints at the Xenomorph survivor and the marine sharing a romantic connection, but the sci-fi movie classic leaves their level of affection ambiguous instead of ending with a big, celebratory smooch like any other filmmaker might have pushed for.

Don And Peggy (Mad Men)

With how many women on the Mad Men cast Don Draper (Jon Hamm) had affairs with, one might have expected something to happen between him and his assistant/protege, Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss). Of course, that was never on the cards for them, as the 1960s ad executive saw her as more of a daughter, sharing with her many winning professional successes and tender personal moments throughout the hit AMC series' run.

Daisy And Hoke (Driving Miss Daisy)

Driving Miss Daisy from 1989 traces the longtime relationship between a grumpy older woman, Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy), and her chauffeur, Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman). Seeing their friendship survive racial and ageist adversaries in the mid-1900s South makes this Best Picture Oscar winner an enduring inspiration.

SpongeBob And Sandy (SpongeBob Squarepants)

As a marine biologist like SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg would know, sea sponges do not require mates to reproduce (which does make the inclusion of the title character's parents a bit nonsensical, admittedly). Nonetheless, nothing could have ever happened between SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and his squirrely pal, Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence), anyway, even if some adult viewers of Nickelodeon's beloved animated series have theorized their shared passion for martial arts was a form of foreplay.

Rey And Finn (The Star Wars Movies)

It took some time for the Star Wars movies to embrace the idea of purely platonic relationships between characters of the opposite gender, specifically when the franchise was revived in 2015. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, loner Rey (Daisy Ridley) and reformed Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) become fast friends and remain allies in the fight against the First Order in the last of the sequel trilogy.

Will And Jack (Will & Grace)

During the revival seasons of Will & Grace, there were hints at Will Truman's (Eric McCormack) relationship with his friend, and fellow gay man, Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes), evolving into something more. However, that would have undermined the entire spirit of the sitcom because, as Will, the duo are meant to be "girlfriends, not boyfriends."

Jimmy And Dottie (A League of Their Own)

According to SlashFilm, director Penny Marshall shot a kissing scene between Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan and Geena Davis as catcher Dottie Hinson for the 1992 sports movie favorite, A League of Their Own. The scene was ultimately cut, maintaining the characters' strong bond as a baseball player and her coach.

Ted And Rebecca (Ted Lasso)

In the hit Apple TV+ original series, Ted Lasso, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) initially hires the eponymous American football coach (played by Jason Sudeikis), hoping that he will ruin the football team her ex-husband cherished. Instead, she comes to appreciate the good he does for the team on and off the field, and a trusting, loving friend in and out of the office develops.

Shang-Chi And Katy (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

Succeeding Black Widow and Hawkeye as the definitive platonic couple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably Xu "Shaun" Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina). In 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, when Shaun tells his best friend/co-worker/karaoke partner that he has to leave town to help protect his younger sister, she insists on coming with him without a second's hesitation.

Jake And Rosa (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Having come up at the police academy together, Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) share one of the closest bonds among the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast. Refreshingly, the New York detectives' relationship never evolves into anything beyond strict professionalism and deeply supportive friendship, as Jake eventually marries Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) and Rosa goes through various relationships with both men and women, having come out as bi-sexual in Season 5.

Drax And Mantis (Guardians Of The Galaxy Movies)

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Drax (Dave Bautista) makes it abundantly clear that he has no romantic interest in Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and, in fact, is physically repulsed by the idea of being with her. In turn, the cosmic Marvel heroes prove to have a great brother-sister dynamic, especially when they team up to find Peter "Star-Lord" Quill (Chris Pratt) the perfect holiday gift in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

Jack And Chloe (24)

No one had Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) back like Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) on 24. The CTU agent's relationship with the analyst was, essentially, one-sided at first before they became strong allies and even best friends.

Dredd And Anderson (Dredd)

To even describe Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) and Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) from 2012's underrated comic book flick, Dredd, as friends would be far from accurate. However, as law enforcement officials, they could not be a better match as partners, evidenced by their impeccable compatibility while working to bring down the wonderfully over-the-top action villain, Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), and her drug operation.

Joan And Sherlock (Elementary)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson make up one of the most iconic and influential partnerships in pop culture history. A modernized, gender-swapped reinterpretation of the characters in CBS's Elementary, starring Johnny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Joan Watson, has also been recognized as a pairing for the ages.

Arthur And Iris (The Holiday)

In the acclaimed rom-com, The Holiday, Iris Simpkins' (Kate Winslet) love interest is Jack Black's L.A. film score composer Miles Dumon. However, the visiting Brit spends most of her time in the States with elderly former screenwriter Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), which quickly becomes the most charming relationship in Nancy Meyers' 2006 holiday season favorite.

Lexi And Stefan (The Vampire Diaries)

In his many, many years as an ageless creature of the night, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) took many lovers throughout the years, but there was one female The Vampire Diaries character he called one of his best friends. Arielle Kebbel plays fellow bloodsucker Lexi Branson, who, essentially, serves as Stefan's moral compass and bonds with him over the shared passion for the music of Bon Jovi.

Edgin And Holga (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves)

What made 2023's Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves such a blast, especially for experienced players of its namesake role-playing game, was the strong sense of unity and teamwork among its cast of heroes. No characters in the fantasy adventure represent those qualities better than Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), who are endlessly loyal to one another from the start.

Veronica And Wallace (Veronica Mars)

Kristen Bell's title hero from the teen mystery drama Veronica Mars first met Wallace Fennel (Percy Daggs III) when she saw him duct-taped to a flagpole and came to his rescue. This marked the beginning of a friendship that few high schoolers can claim.

Charly And Mitch (The Long Kiss Goodnight)

In The Long Kiss Goodnight, amnesiac mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) discovers, with help from private eye Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson), her past as a deadly top agent. From then on, the 1996 thriller from director Renny Harlin becomes a fun buddy action flick as "Samantha" embraces her true identity as Charly Baltimore.

Maddie And Simon (School Spirits)

The acclaimed Paramount+ original series School Spirits is a ghost story from the perspective of a ghost, namely 17-year-old Maddie Nears (Peyton List), who is unable to interact with the living... except for one person. Her unbreakable bond with her best friend, Simon Elroy (Kristian Ventura), allows him to see her, making him the only one who can help solve the mystery of her death, which she has no memory of.

Preston And Denise (Can't Hardly Wait)

Any other fun party movie would have the nerdy teen protagonist pining for the popular girl end up with his female best friend instead. However, in Can't Hardly Wait, Preston (Ethan Embry) does end up with his dream girl, Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), while his best friend, Denise (Lauren Ambrose), forms an unexpected connection with Kenny (Seth Green) after getting locked in a bathroom together.

Meredith And Alex (Grey's Anatomy)

On a medical drama in which most people seemed to be getting into bed with each other, it was refreshing to see two characters from the Grey's Anatomy cast, namely Justin Chambers' Alex Karev and Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey, sharing a relationship that was purely friendly.

Many were introduced to Kristen Bell from Veronica Mars, the mystery drama that aired from 2004 to 2007. But the actress wasn’t done with playing the title crime solver, as she and several of her co-stars returned for the theatrical film continuation released in 2014, followed by the Hulu subscription-exclusive Season 4 in 2019. Unfortunately, Veronica Mars Season 5 never ended up happening, and when I asked Enrico Colantoni, who played Veronica’s father Keith, about this, he shared a great answer with me about what creator Rob Thomas had wanted to take this saga next.

In addition to talking about his guest appearance on Suits LA and why he considers Galaxy Quest to be a “badge of honor,” Colantoni opened up about Veronica Mars when I asked him if he was content with where the show ended or if he would have liked to return for Season 5. He answered:

Even though it’s been half a decade since Veronica Mars Season 4 hit Hulu, I’ll be courteous and put a SPOILER WARNING to be safe.

Logan Echolls is the character Enrico Colantoni is referring to, whom Jason Dohring played as a main cast member across the entirety of the show and the movie. Colantoni and Kristen Bell were the only other actors who shared that distinction, but by the time Veronica Mars Season 4 was over, Logan was no more. Immediately after he and Veronica were married and getting ready to leave for their honeymoon, Logan was blown up by a car bomb left by Patton Oswalt’s Penn Epner, who was the copycat Neptune Bomber.

It was a bold move for Rob Thomas to kill off Logan, but as Colantoni informed me, it was all part of the creative vision he intended to explore in a fifth season. Season 4 ended with Veronica leaving Neptune to solve cases while driving across the United States. That premise reminds me of of the Natasha Lyonne-led series Poker Face (which can be streamed with a Peacock subscription), and it would have been interesting to how see the series would have delving into this format.

Alas, as Enrico Colantoni mused, Thomas choosing to kill Logan might have gone a bit too far and turned Hulu off from greenlighting Season 5. Granted, considering that Veronica Mars was revived twice following its initial cancellation, maybe there will come a time when Hulu decides to give it another shot or it finds a new home on a different platform. For now, Colantoni is keeping busy starring in English Teacher, which airs on FX and can also be streamed on Hulu.

Some of the best TV theme songs were already hits or great songs that were adapted as a theme song. These are songs that were written for the show, like the retro ones that still slap, but these are all great songs.

Like The Who contributing to the CSI franchise, or Jane's Addiction lending one of its songs to Entourage. For this list, we're going to avoid covers or reworked versions of the songs that were already famous, like the cover of The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," which was used for the show Life Goes On. This is our list of existing songs that became awesome TV theme songs.

"Who Are You" - CSI

All of the CSI franchise shows have used songs by The Who as their theme song, creating a nice symmetry between the shows. The original show, CSI, or later CSI: Las Vegas used "Who Are You," and it turned out so great, that when CSI:Miami became the first spinoff, the producers chose

"California" - The O.C.

The band Phantom Planet released their second album, The Guest, in 2002, which included the earworm "California." It was a natural choice for The O.C. which has to be one of the most "California" shows ever. A fun fact about the song is that Phantom Planet's drummer at the time, and on the track, was actor Jason Schwartzman.

"I Don't Want To Wait" - Dawson's Creek

"I Don't Want to Wait" was first recorded and released on Paula Cole's second album, titled This Fire, in 1996. A couple of years later the song was chosen to be the theme song for the WB's first mega-hit Dawson's Creek. The song likewise became a hit, rocketing to #11 on the Billboard charts.

"Bad Reputation" - Freaks And Geeks

19 years after Joan Jett told the world she didn't care about her "Bad Reputation," the cult classic show Freak And Geeks used it as its theme song for its one and only season. The song has had a life far beyond the show, just as the show has had a long life beyond it's only season.

"With A Little Help From My Friends" - The Wonder Years

If you're going to set a TV show in the '60s, it's a good idea to dig deep into that well of amazing rock and soul music of the era. The Wonder Years smartly used tons of great music from the era, including a theme song by a famous musician who first had a hit with it in 1968. Joe Cocker's version of The Beatles song "With a Little Help from My Friends" was a bigger hit than The Beatles' version, and this was the song that led off The Wonder Years.

"We Used To Be Friends" - Veronica Mars

The Dandy Warhols are one of the great cult bands from the late '90s/early '00s. It was one of their songs, "We Used To Be Friends," that was chosen to be the theme of Veronica Mars and it's frankly the perfect choice for the show. The band, like the show, has a strong fanbase that won't let the song, or the show, be forgotten.

"Way Down In A Hole" - The Wire

This one is a little tricky because technically it breaks our rule about having cover versions of the original song (or the original hit, at least). The first season of The Wire featured a version of the Tom Waits song "Way Down In The Hole" by the Blind Boys Of Alabama. But we're in luck because the second season of the HBO classic features Tom Waits' original version. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th seasons would also feature cover versions of the song.

"C'mon, C'mon" - Rescue Me

The Von Bondies were a good band that really only gained the attention they deserved when their song "C'Mon, C'Mon" was chosen to be the theme song of Rescue Me, starring Denis Leary. For seven seasons, the song ran over the opening titles and as a result, became a big hit for the group.

"Teardrop" - House

Massive Attack has never been a...massive band in the United States. In Britain, however, they are huge. The trip-hop electronic act has released a slew of fantastic records, though their third album, Mezzanine, remains probably the most popular. One of the best songs on that album, "Teardrop" became the theme song for House, though a different, more generic song has been used on streaming and in syndication.

"Reflections" - China Beach

There aren't a lot of shows about Vietnam, but there are a lot of movies about the war. All those movies feature great songs from the era and thankfully the one hit show about the Vietnam War followed suit. China Beach chose the fantastic song "Reflections" by Diana Ross & the Supremes. Solid choice, for sure.

"Save Me" - Smallville

"Save Me" was the lead single on the album The Golden Hum, by the band Remy Zero. It was dubiously released on September 10th, 2001. A week later the WB hit Smallville debuted, using "Save Me" as its theme song. The song became a minor hit for the band, but sadly, Remy Zero broke up before recording a follow-up album.

"Woke Up This Morning" - The Sopranos

"Woke Up This Morning" by the British band Alabama 3 was a minor hit in the U.K. in 1997, when it was released, but didn't gain any traction in the U.S. That changed in a huge way when it was picked to be the theme song of The Sopranos. The song became one of those spine-tingling moments whenever viewers would here that famous HBO audio mark right before the beat of the song would hit as Tony drove from New York City to his house in New Jersey each week.

"Love And Marriage" - Married... With Children

For a show that took pride in just how crude it can be, it's kinda awesome that the theme song was by one of the classiest singers of all time. Married... With Children used the Frank Sinatra song "Love And Marriage" as its theme song and it worked amazing for that intro with the shot of a fountain in Chicago.

"Little Boxes" - Weeds

Malvina Reynolds wrote "Little Boxes" in 1962 and gave it to her friend, legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, who had a minor hit with it in 1964. It was Reynolds' version that would become the biggest hit when it was used as the theme for Showtime's Weeds.

"Superhero" - Entourage

Jane's Addiction had their biggest hits in the early '90s before they broke up (for the first time) in 1994. When they reconvened in 2001, they finally recorded their third "proper" album, Strays (JA fans will tell you it was their fourth album, including their debut live album commonly called XXX). The song "Superhero" from Strays became the best-known song from the album when it was used for the theme of HBO's Entourage.

"Stand" - Get A Life

Highlighting just how offbeat Get A Life, starring Chris Eliot, was, the show managed to score an REM hit for its theme song. "Stand" from the REM album Orange was a huge hit and the band was notorious for protecting their songs from too much commercialization. In short, they were the last band you'd expect to allow one of its songs to be used on TV. But the show was so unique, that it made perfect sense.

"Rock Around The Clock" - Happy Days

We know what you're thinking, "Wait a minute, Happy Days had its own song. You're right, but that famous theme song wasn't used until the show's second season. The theme in the first season was the Bill Haley and the Comets hit "Rock Around The Clock."

"Jessica" - Top Gear

"Hold on! Top Gear used a cover version of The Allman Brothers Band's song "Jessica"" is what you're thinking here. Well, you're right. But the old Top Gear, the original version that ran from the '70s until the late '90s, used the original version by The Allmans.

"Wanted Dead Or Alive" - Deadliest Catch

Even reality shows like to use big hits. Take, for example, The Deadliest Catch, which used a perfect song, Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead Or Alive." There's no way you can find a more perfect theme, nor could anyone write a more perfect one.

"Straight Up And Down" - Boardwalk Empire

One of the coolest ideas the showrunners of HBO's Boardwalk Empire had was to use a very modern song by The Brian Jonestown Massacre. For a show set in the 1920s, you wouldn't expect a song like "Straight Up and Down" and yet it works perfectly.

"Low Rider" - The George Lopez Show

It might be a little on the nose, but somehow it still works. The George Lopez Show uses the band War's hit "Low Rider" which is one of the best songs Chicano rock songs of all time.

"What A Wonderful World" - Family Matters

This is another one where you might be thinking that the show had its own, unique theme song and you're right. For most of its run Full House used its own song, but for the first five episodes of Season 1, the show used the classic "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.

"Carry On My Wayward Son" - Supernatural

If we're being honest, "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas doesn't jump out as the perfect theme song for a fantasy show like Supernatural, but today, it's impossible to think the theme song to the show could be anything other than the 1970's hit.

"Tea For The Tillerman" - Extras

"Tea For The Tillerman" by Cat Stevens is the perfect choice for the Ricky Gervais show Extras. The song wasn't a huge hit, it was more of a coda on Cat Stevens' album by the same, which was a huge hit when it was released in 1970.

"Bad Boys" - COPS

COPS is one of the longest-running TV shows of all time, as it's basically been on the air in one form or another since 1989. In total, there have been well over 1000 episodes of the groundbreaking reality show and all of those episodes have started with the song "Bad Boys" by reggae legends Inner Circle.

"Closer To Free" - Party Of Five

Wisconsin band BoDeans landed their biggest hit when their song "Closer To Free" from their fifth album became the theme song to Party Of Five. The song charted as high as #16 once the show took off.

"Bad Things" - True Blood

Singer-songwriter Jace Everett released "Bad Things" in 2005, but it failed to make a big impression on the public. It was a great song though, and when it was picked as the theme to the HBO hit True Blood, the song, like the show, took off and became a hit among fans of the show.

"Livin' On The Edge" - Ice Road Truckers

Following in the footsteps of his cousin, Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers picked another song from a hair metal band. The theme for the first four seasons of the nail-biting show was "Livin' On The Edge" by Aerosmith, a perfect choice.

"Next Year" - Ed

NBC's Ed found a cult following during its four seasons on the air, but the band whose song was the theme, The Foo Fighters, is anything but a cult band. They were then and are still one of the biggest bands in the world and their song "Next Year" is one of their many hits.

"Flagpole Sitta" - Peep Show

it's sad to say that Harvey Danger, who released "Flagpole Sitta" in 1997, is a one-hit wonder. They deserve so much better. But alas, "Flagpole Sitta" was their lone hit, but what a hit it's been. It's seemingly everywhere, even more than two decades since its release. That includes as the theme for the British show Peep Show for the show's final eight seasons.

"Where You Lead" - The Gilmore Girls

The Gilmore Girls has been a surprisingly enduring show over the years. Though it ended almost two decades ago, the show remains beloved by its fans. It's fitting that the show's theme song is an enduring hit too. "Where You Lead," by Carole King, was first released in 1970. it's worth noting that the theme song is slightly reworked by King and recorded for the show by King and Louise Goffin.

"Forever Young" - Parenthood

Parenthood pulled off quite the coup when they landed the Bob Dylan song "Forever Young" as its theme song. Dylan is famously protective of this music.

Are you craving something else like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder? If so, I've got you covered. 

It feels like we were waiting for years for the long-awaited book adaptation of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and thankfully, 2024 was the year it was delivered to us, first on the BBC in the United Kingdom and then on Netflix here in the United States. But, there are only a few episodes, with no plans for Season 2 so far, and I'm sure you're trying to find a new show to scratch that mystery-solving itch. 

Well, look no further, as we have a list of the ten best shows like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder that will also have you putting on your mystery-solving cap. Let's get into it. 

One Of Us Is Lying (2021 - 2022)

Based on the novel of the same name by Karen M. McManus, One Of Us Is Lying is a Peacock original that follows five high school students who are in detention together, but one of them dies during it. Then, the four of them find themselves in the middle of a long investigation where anything can happen. 

With two seasons, I actually think One Of Us Is Lying is the best show to watch if you really want something like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. It's dramatic, has good tension, a great story, and features teenagers trying to figure out a murder, so it's everything you could want. 

Stream One Of Us Is Lying on Peacock.

Cruel Summer (2021 - 2023)

If you're looking for a mystery that'll take you back in time, then Cruel Summer is the one for you. Taking place in the 1990s, this is a teen drama/mystery anthology that follows two different stories – the disappearance of a girl and how another seems to take her place in Season 1, and the development of a friendship that changes lives forever in Season 2.

Honestly, I'll never forgive Hulu for cancelling this show after two seasons because the premise itself is fascinating, and the mysteries are entertaining to follow. You'll find something new to love about both seasons, and you'll be on my side by the time you finish watching all 20 episodes and are craving more. 

Stream Cruel Summer on Hulu.

Nancy Drew (2019 - 2023)

Of course, I had to put Nancy Drew on here. The CW series, based on the mystery novels of the same name, is a drama that follows a teenage detective as she investigates mystery after mystery, throwing herself into danger, conspiracy, and more. 

I'm pretty sure I would have gotten flack if, for some reason, I didn't place Nancy Drew here. I will say I don't think the mysteries in this show are quite as tight as in Good Girl's Guide, but they are super enjoyable, and you'll fly through those four seasons. 

Stream Nancy Drew on Max. 

Pretty Little Liars (2010 - 2017)

Duh. Pretty Little Liars was one of the biggest shows ever when it came out on Freeform. It follows a group of friends over the course of several years who receive threats from an anonymous person known as "A," who holds secrets over their heads. And, it's up to them to figure out who's threatening them. 

Based on the novels of the same name, Pretty Little Liars was a phenomenon across television in my younger years and well into my first year of college. Everyone talked about this show for all seven seasons, even if the story ended up being weird towards the end. Regardless, it's a good mystery and one you should check out. We had people theorizing for hours about who A.D.'s identity was.

Stream Pretty Little Liars on Hulu.

Riverdale (2017 – 2023)

Okay, hear me out on this one. Riverdale was one of the best CW shows for a time and is based on Archie comics, following a group of teenagers living in the titular town and their experiences with not only high school and romance but death and many mysteries. 

Specifically, the first two seasons of this show are great. Riverdale is a series that got weirder and weirder as time went on, and the plot was lost. However, the first two seasons were solid mysteries and fun to watch. After those, it may be best to move over to another mystery series from this list. 

Stream Riverdale on Netflix. 

Wednesday (2022 – Present)

Of course, you've heard of Wednesday. It would be shocking if you hadn't. The Netflix series, based on the Addams Family characters, follows the daughter, Wednesday, as she attends Nevermore Academy and makes it her mission to solve a murder mystery there while also dealing with all the woeful drama that comes with being a teenager at a supernatural school. 

Wednesday was monumental for many reasons. The Wednesday cast is talented, the story was intriguing, and, of course, we can't forget about all the viral moments that were everywhere when this show came out. We are all waiting anxiously for Wednesday Season 2, so check out the first season. 

Stream Wednesday on Netflix.

The Afterparty (2022 – 2023)

A comedy murder mystery, The Afterparty is one of Apple TV+'s best shows. It follows a different story each season, one at a high school reunion and one at a wedding, where each episode focuses on a different person's perspective in order to figure out who the killer is.

This is another case where this show could have run for years if it got more publicity because it's so funny. The cast makes the murder mysteries all the better, but you'll still be intrigued enough that you'll be wanting to solve the mysteries yourself from your couch. 

Stream The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

School Spirits (2023 – Present)

Starring Peyton List, School Spirits is a supernatural teen drama that follows a teenager who doesn't believe she is dead but eventually decides to investigate her own disappearance as she's stuck in the afterlife – specifically, high school in the afterlife. 

This series has everything you're looking for – mystery, murder, secrets, lies, supernaturalness, and more. It's been renewed for a second season, so you might as well check out the first. 

Stream School Spirits on Netflix.

Veronica Mars (2004 – 2019)

Starring Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars is a teen noir mystery drama that tells the story of new mysteries each season, each time through the perspective of teen detective (later adult detective) Veronica Mars. 

The series had an incredibly dedicated fanbase during its time on air, and though it only ran for three seasons initially, it was brought back for a film in 2014 and then had a fourth season in 2019, where Bell came back to reprise the role again for eight episodes. 

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

Yellowjackets (2021 – Present)

Last but not least, we have to talk about Yellowjackets, one of the best Showtime shows out there. The series bounces back and forth between two timelines: the 1990s, when a high school soccer team crash-lands in the mountains of Canada and has to do whatever it takes to survive, and the present day, where the women on that trip are grown up and dealing with the repercussions of said crash years later. 

What I love about Yellowjackets is that even now, two seasons in, there are still so many mysteries left to solve. It feels like when one is solved, another is waiting right around the corner, which is what makes this show so good. Yellowjackets Season 3 is confirmed, so you should check out the first two. 

Stream Yellowjackets on Paramount Plus.

Now, this just makes me want to find my detective cap and go on my own murder mystery adventure. Where's my magnifying glass? 

It shouldn't come as a surprise that some of the best TV theme songs are courtesy of some of the greatest musicians in pop culture. Iconic TV theme songs can be as fondly remembered as the characters on the show, sometimes even more so. These are themes that still slap because they were created by the best of the best. Here is our list of some of the great songs that became iconic TV theme songs.

Friends - The Rembrandts

The legend goes that REM was first approached to have their song "Shiny Happy People" used as the theme song to Friends, but they turned the producers down. According to Michael Stipe, the producers then turned to the LA-based dup The Rembrandts to write an REM-like song. Frankly, "I'll Be There For You," the song that became a hit as the theme doesn't sound much like REM, but it's a great song, even if the band found the fame very stressful and almost quit over it. 

Orange Is The New Black - Regina Spektor

The creative team behind Orange Is The New Black found the perfect voice in Regina Spektor to compose and perform the theme song for the show. "You've Got Time" was written for the show and lyrically and musically it fits the show perfectly. 

The Wire - Tom Waits

The Wire did something unique with its theme song. Each season, the same song, a dark, brooding song called "Way Down In The Hole" written by Tom Waits and included on his 1987 classic album  Franks Wild Years. In the first season, it was performed by The Blind Boys of Alabama. Waits' original version was used for Season 2. Seasons three and four saw the theme performed by  The Neville Brothers and a group of local Baltimore kids dubbed  DoMaJe, respectively. For the fifth and final season, singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who also played Waylon on the show, did the song. 

The Golden Girls - Andrew Gold

"Thank You For Being A Friend" is certainly most well known for being the theme to the classic sitcom The Golden Girls, but it was written and recorded by singer Andrew Gold almost a decade earlier and became a top 25 hit in 1978. Singer Cindy Fee sang the TV version. 

Get A Life - REM

In the early days of the Fox network, they were throwing anything and everything at the wall to see what stuck. One brilliant show that never found its audience was Get A Life starring Chris Elliott, now most famous as being from the cast of Schitt's Creek. The show even featured "Stand" by REM as its theme. 

Boardwalk Empire - The Brian Jonestown Massacre

HBO's Boardwalk Empire may have been set in the 1920s, but the theme is from the 1990s. The song, "Straight Up and Down" comes from the excellent 1996 album Take It From The Man by the notorious Brian Jonestown Massacre. Side note - that's the best band name ever. 

A Different World - Aretha Franklin

When A Different World was spun off from the most popular sitcom of its era, The Cosby Show, you know they had to go big with the theme song. It doesn't get any bigger than the Queen of Soul herself, the legendary Aretha Franklin, who sang the theme song for Seasons 2 through 5 after Phoebe Snow sang it in the first season. Later Boyz II Men took over. 

Freaks And Geeks - Joan Jett

Joan Jett didn't give a darn about her bad reputation, nor did the characters in Freaks and Geeks, making the rocker's song, "Bad Reputation" the perfect theme song for the beloved cult show. 

The Big Bang Theory - The Barenaked Ladies

A show about nerds deserves a theme song by a band made of, let's be honest, other nerds. The Barenaked Ladies had a slew of hits in the '90s with their unique brand of dorky, catchy tunes like "Brian Wilson" and "If I Had A Million Dollars," and that aesthetic was perfect for The Big Bang Theory's theme about the origins of the universe. 

China Beach - The Supremes

In the late 1980s, Baby Boomer nostalgia was at its peak, with shows from the '60s being rebooting left and right, and shows like China Beach, about the Vietnam War, finding success on the airwaves. The theme song had to fit the era, and so the producers chose "Reflections" from 1967 by Diana Ross and The Supremes. 

South Park - Primus

An offbeat cartoon like South Park needs an offbeat theme song, so there was no better choice than to enlist Les Claypool and Primus to write and perform it. The theme has become iconic and Primus has even occasionally played it in concert. You just can't imagine the show beginning with anything but that twangy intro. 

The Proud Family - Solange And Destiny's Child

Let's be honest, it's kind of shocking that The Proud Family only aired for two seasons on the Disney Channel in the early '00s. It was a ground-breaking cartoon featuring an African-American family and as such, it deserved a theme song by legends like Solange and Destiny's Child. 

Entourage - Jane's Addiction

HBO's Entourage has one of the coolest intros of any TV show of its era as the characters cruise through Hollywood in a vintage convertible. The Jane's Addiction song "Superhero" plays over the scenes, adding to that coolness. It's a song that comes from JA's 2003 release Strays, but feels very much like it could have been written for the show. 

Dog The Bounty Hunter - Ozzy Osbourne

Dog The Bounty Hunter was a wild show, and having one of rock's wildest characters, Ozzy Osbourne perform the theme song was a match made in heaven. It doesn't sound much like a song you'd expect from the heavy metal legend, but you can't mistake his trademark vocals. Really, it's the best part about the show, if we're honest. 

Miami Vice - Jan Hammer

Jan Hammer might not be a household name, but he's played with some of the biggest jazz and rock legends of all time. His career stretches back to the late 1960s and throughout the '70s he played with legends like Billy Cobham, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and John McLaughlin. He also composed virtually all of the music for Miami Vice throughout the show's entire run, including the iconic theme song. 

House - Massive Attack

If you watch House on a streaming service, you likely won't hear the song it originally used as its theme, "Teardrop" by Massive Attack. Instead, there is a generic song that vaguely sounds close to that song but is not nearly as good. 

That '70s Show - Cheap Trick

The theme to That '70s Show has a disjointed history. The song, "In the Street," was originally written and performed by Big Star, and released in 1972. A slightly reworked version, renamed "That '70s Song" was performed by Todd Griffin for the show's first season. Starting in Season 2, Cheap Trick recorded a version of "That '70s Song" which remained the theme for the rest of the show's eight-season run. 

The Drew Carey Show - The Presidents Of The United States of America

The best-known theme song from The Drew Carey Show is "Cleveland Rocks" by the Seattle band The Presidents of the United States of America. However, it actually had a completely different theme in its first season, a song by Carey himself called "Moon Over Parma." 

All That - TLC

Nickelodeon's All That was groundbreaking in a lot of ways. An SNL for kids that helped launch the careers of actors like Nick Cannon, Kennan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Gabriel Iglesias, and Jamie Lynn Spears. It has to be said that the TLC, who performed the theme song also got a boost from the show, though they were already pretty huge when they recorded it. 

Malcolm in the Middle - They Might Be Giants

In a lot of ways, Malcolm in the Middle defines what being a kid in the early 2000s was all about. Though it was about Milennial childhood, the band who recorded the theme song, They Might Be Giants, are Gen X stalwarts. "Boss of Me" even won the group a Grammy. 

Dawson's Creek - Paula Cole

Paula Cole's song "I Don't Want To Wait" was first released on her 1996 album This Fire and hit #11 on the Billboard charts in 1997. In 1998, it became the theme song for Dawson's Creek and has become simply iconic in the years since. 

The Wonder Years - Joe Cocker

Of course, a show set in the '60s had to have an epic '60s song for its theme song. For The Wonder Years that meant going with Joe Cocker's version of The Beatles' "A Little Help From My Friends." Due to its appearance at the beginning of every episode, Cocker's version is at least as well known by Gen X as the original by the Fab Four, if not more. 

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Who

The original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, set in Las Vegas, spawned spin-offs set in Miami and New York, and all the shows used songs by The Who as their theme songs. For the original, it was "Who Are You," for CSI: Miami it was "Won't Get Fooled Again," and for CSI: NY it was "Baba O'Riley." The short-lived CSI: Cyber, which only had 31 episodes also used a song by The Who, "I Can See For Miles."

One Day At A Time - Gloria Estefan

When One Day At A Time was rebooted by Netflix in 2017, this time about a Latino family, the famous theme song was recorded by one of the greatest Latin artists of all time, Gloria Estefan. You couldn't have asked for a better match. 

Weeds - Malvina Reynolds

Malvina Reynolds has one of the most fascinating stories in 20th-century music. She didn't even start her career in earnest until she was in her forties and her biggest hit, "Little Boxes," was written and recorded until she was in her 60s. The song, first released in 1962, became a hit again as the theme song to Weeds in the '00s. 

The O.C. - Phantom Planet

The most famous member of Phantom Planet is an actor and drummer, Jason Schwartzman, so it tracks that they would find their biggest success when their song "California" was picked to be the theme song of The O.C. Without a doubt, it's a banger and fits the show perfectly. 

Gilmore Girls - Carole King

Carole King's massive hit album Tapestry sold millions of copies on the strength of two hit songs, "I Feel The Earth Move" and "It's Too Late." A third song from that album, "Where You Lead" was re-recorded by King and served as the theme song to Gilmore Girls decades after it was first written. 

Married... With Children - Frank Sinatra

When it comes to 20th Century recording artists, it doesn't get any bigger than Old Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. You wouldn't expect one of his biggest hits, "Love and Marriage" to serve as the theme to a raunchy sitcom like Married... With Children, and yet it works perfectly. 

Veronica Mars - The Dandy Warhols

The show Veronica Mars and the band that performed the theme song, "We Used to Be Friends," by The Dandy Warhols, have something in common. Both the show and the band were critically lauded and gained a loyal and rabid fanbase, but neither really broke through to a broader mainstream audience. Fitting partners, for sure. 

Party Of Five -  BoDeans

For more than a decade, starting in the early '80s, Wisconsin band BoDeans worked hard to develop their career in music. It all came together for them in the early '90s with their album Go Slow Down, which featured their hit "Closer To Free." The song ended up as the theme song to Party Of Five and has since become iconic. 

Sanford & Son - Quincy Jones

When it comes to TV theme songs, there is not bigger banger than the theme to Sanford & Son. The infectious, impossibly funky tune was written by one of the all greats, composer and producer Quincy Jones. So if you ever wondered what made it so great, there's your answer. 

Ed - Foo Fighters

For decades, The Foo Fighters have been on top of the rock n' roll world. There isn't much that the Dave Grohl-led band hasn't done and that includes having a song serve as a theme song to a TV show. Ed was an underrated hit show on NBC in the early '00s and the Foos' "Next Year" was a great choice for a theme.

One of the main things classic mystery shows like Columbo and modern crime dramas like Sherlock have in common is that they center around not just good detectives, but incredibly intelligent investigators who find unique ways to solve crimes or other mysteries.

But who are the smartest detectives to ever grace the small screen? Well, let us solve that mystery for you as we break down a few dozen of the greatest of all time.

Inspector Columbo (Columbo)

“One more thing” is a phrase that viewers of Columbo loved to hear just as much as the show’s various criminals and bad players feared it. Peter Falk’s titular detective often put on the impression that he wasn’t putting it all together, but in that brain of his, he had it all figured out, which makes him seem even brighter.

Theo Kojak (Kojak)

Telly Savalas’ Theo Kojak wasn’t just a tough-as-nails, no-nonsense detective, he was also one who had the perfect mix of street and book smarts. Don’t let his iconic lollipop fool you, this NYPD investigator didn’t mess around one bit and could stand up to anyone and everyone both with his brawn and his brain.

Luther (Luther)

John Luther, played by Idris Elba throughout the duration of the BBC series’ run plus a Netflix movie, wasn’t necessarily a morally superior detective, but the high-ranking and embattled member of London’s SCU was the best when it came to solving crimes. He always had a plan, as well as one on the back burner when stuff eventually hit the fan.

Jimmy McNulty (The Wire)

Dominic West’s Jimmy McNulty, a character from The Wire who appeared in the most episodes, could have probably been Baltimore’s greatest police officer if he didn’t allow himself to get in the way. Despite his relationship issues, insubordination, and morally questionable decisions, he was a cop through and through and an extremely intelligent investigator.

Batman (Batman: The Animated Series) 

They don’t call Batman the world’s greatest detective for no reason. Throughout Batman: The Animated Series, the Caped Crusader gets to the bottom of a myriad of crimes, disappearances, and strange happenings in his tireless fight to clean the streets of Gotham and put no-gooders in Arkham.

Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote)

There are countless reasons why we miss Murder, She Wrote, but at the top of that list is the intelligence, warmth, and pure likeability of the series’ main character, Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). The idea of a mystery writer becoming a detective and solving all manner of crimes seems far-fetched, but the qualities listed above made Fletcher one of TV’s great criminal minds.

Rustin "Rust" Cohle (True Detective)

Do you think a big dummy could come up with something like “Time is a flat circle”? Nah, Rustin “Rust” Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) in True Detective’s first season is without a doubt one of the smartest detectives to ever take the screen. This guy spent decades getting to the bottom of what some thought was an unsolvable crime. Was he odd? Totally. Dumb? Not at all.

Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)

There have been so many different Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows over the years, but one of the best representations of the iconic detective is Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal in Sherlock. Though rude and hard to deal with at times, this remarkably talented sleuth with an unparalleled intellect was in a league of his own.

Adrian Monk (Monk)

Tony Shalhoub’s Adrian Monk could very well be one of the greatest TV detectives of all time, no matter how you cut it. Tasked with solving all kinds of unconventional cases, this private detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder and a range of other issues could do just about anything unless his various phobias got in the way.

James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs (Miami Vice)

James “Sonny” Crockett and Richard “Rico” Tubbs from Miami Vice were good detectives on their own, but together they were the best South Florida had to offer. Throughout the series, the due balanced their personal issues with those of the department all while getting to the bottom of some nasty crimes requiring both their brains.

Olivia Benson (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has been a major force on Law and Order: SVU ever since the show’s debut back in 1999, and during that time, she’s been instrumental in solving some serious crimes. Though she can sometimes lose her cool, the detective-turned-commanding officer can get to the bottom of some perilous situations better than most.

Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie's Poirot)

There have been some great portrayals of Hercule Poirot over the years, including David Suchet’s take on the famous character in Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Throughout the show’s 13 seasons, the legendary detective used his brains and wits to bring an end to all kinds of mysteries. And just when it looked like Poirot was about to be outdone, the mustached detective would pull off some trick and bring it home. 

Lennie Briscoe (Law & Order)

If there is one character from the original Law and Order series that folks remember the most (at least on the detective side of the show), it would have to be Jerry Orbach’s Lennie Briscoe. Despite his rough-and-tumble demeanor and hardened attitude, this homicide detective had no problem solving murders, even if he had to put someone in a corner.

Lester Freamon (The Wire)

Behind just about every great idea in The Wire was Clarke Peters’ Lester Freamon, an intelligent, wise, and loyal detective from the Baltimore Police Department. Though a bit prickly at times (aren’t they all?), Lester was essentially the father figure of the Major Crimes Unit and had decades of experience.

Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life On The Street)

Frank Pembleton, played by the late, great Andre Braughter, was essentially the key member of the Homicide: Life on the Street ensemble cast and one of the smartest characters ever created by Tom Fontana and David Simon. Both eccentric and intelligent, the young detective constantly found new and unorthodox ways to go about murder investigations.

Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Don’t let Veronica Mars’ (Kristen Bell) age make you think she’s not a capable, or smart, detective, as this crafty private eye is probably one of the best to ever do it on the small screen. Throughout the original Veronica Mars series, the film adaptation, and the revival series years later, this sleuth was wise beyond her years.

Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)

On top of having a banger of a theme song, The Rockford Files also featured one of the best TV detectives with James Garner’s Jim Rockford. Brash, daring, and wildly smart, this private eye could hold his own both physically and mentally.

Bunk Moreland (The Wire)

Though prone to make mistakes and lapses in judgment alongside Jimmy McNulty, Bunk Moreland (Wendell Piere) was honestly one of the smartest and hardest-working detectives featured on The Wire. Plus, that one scene in “Old Cases” is perhaps one of the greatest TV moments of all time.

Virgil Tibbs (In The Heat Of The Night)

Taking over a role made famous by Sidney Poitier two decades earlier was no easy task, but Howard Rollins did a masterful job of playing Virgil Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night. Not only was he great when solving cases, but his mental chess with Carroll O’Connor’s Police Chief Bill Gillespie was about as good as it gets.

Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks)

Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) is technically an FBI special agent on Twin Peaks, but there’s no way we could make a list of the smartest TV detectives and not include the iconic character. His idiosyncrasies, his love of coffee and pie, and his inability to let things go all make Agent Cooper someone anyone would want investigating a case.

John Munch (Homicide: Life On The Street)

Richard Belzer’s John Munch is undeniably one of the most annoying detectives to ever grace the small screen, but part of that is because he’s also undeniably one of the smartest. Throughout Homicide: Life on the Street and Law and Order: SVU. 

Thomas Magnum (Magnum, P.I.)

Thomas Magnum is up there in the rankings of the best Tom Selleck characters, and it’s not just because he looked cool and kicked a lot of butt on Magnum, P.I. Behind the mustache, behind the cool shirts, behind the great cars there was a big brain, one who knew that nuns don’t work on Sundays.

Shawn Spencer (Psych)

Did Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) actually have psychic abilities that allowed him to solve “unsolvable” crimes? It’s debatable. What isn’t though is the fact that this crime consultant was outrageously smart, had a photographic memory, and used unmatched observational skills to pull off some impressive feats.

Peter Burke (White Collar)

The more by-the-books and old-fashioned member of White Collar’s FBI White Collar Crime Unit, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) is as smart as he is thorough in anything he does. He definitely takes a more no-nonsense approach to his day-to-day than Matt Bomer’s Neal Caffrey, which makes them a dynamic duo.

Kima Greggs (The Wire)

When talking about incredibly smart characters from The Wire, Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) is near the top of the list. Throughout the show’s five seasons, she constantly pushed herself to the next level, both physically and mentally. One of the most dedicated members of the show’s core unit, she was also one of the most articulate and methodical.

Stella Gibson (The Fall)

Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) from The Fall is not only one of the smartest TV detectives, she’s also one of the best. Her tactics in tracking down serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan) were both unorthodox and ahead of the curve, and it’s hard to imagine the killings would have stopped without her.

Sergeant Philip Fish (Barney Miller)

Though some will remember the late Abe Vigoda more from his portrayal of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather, for the sake of this story we’re going to focus on his brilliant take on Sergeant Philip K. Fish on Barney Miller and the spinoff series, Fish. He didn’t appear in every episode of the classic sitcom, but the wise-cracking detective did make his mark on the series throughout its run. Grumpy, smart, seasoned, and hilarious, Fish knew how to solve a case while also making us laugh. 

Danny Reagan (Blue Bloods)

Whenever the conversation comes up about the Blue Bloods cast, it doesn’t take all that long before Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan enters the conversation. One of the major characters throughout the show’s historic run on CBS, this hard-nosed NYPD detective has both street smarts and keen police skills up his sleeve and is ready to use both whenever and wherever needed. If there’s a CBS detective you’d want on your case (or not covering it if you’re a perp), this would be the guy.

Gil Grissom (CSI)

Even though Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is technically a forensic entomologist and not a detective, he’s still a worthy addition to this list. For the first nine seasons of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Gil was the man of the CBS crime drama. With a high level of expertise, an unmatched intellect, and attention to detail, this Las Vegas-based investigator could solve just about anything that crossed his desk.

Patrick Jane (The Mentalist)

Simon Baker, who was great in George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead, was also superb in his portrayal of Patrick Jane on CBS’ The Mentalist. Jane, a psychic-turned-consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, used his unique set of skills and mental abilities to help the CBI solve all kinds of murders, most of which couldn’t have been wrapped up if not for him.

Jim Brass (CSI)

Played by Paul Guilfoyle, Jim Brass was a dedicated Las Vegas Police detective who worked closely with the key team on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Though not soft on crime, Brass did play things by the book and preferred to use conversation and other non-violent police skills over more aggressive and violent methods. 

Spencer Reid (Criminal Minds)

Portrayed by Matthew Gray Gubler, Dr. Spencer Reid was a quirky and hyper-intelligent special agent who was crucial to the happenings of Criminal Minds. Though his personality rubbed some the wrong way, there’s no denying the fact that he was legitimately the smartest person in any given room.

I am an absolute sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers plotline. Whether it's the best enemies-to-lovers movies or the best enemies-to-lovers relationships in TV shows, it draws me in every time. So, in honor of that, we're going to dig into the best enemies-to-lovers relationships in movies and TV that still make me swoon.

Mia And Nicholas (The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement)

I feel like The Princess Diaries series is a forgotten Disney company movie, but I know that there are a certain number of people out there who are still craving to see a third. And man, I would give anything to see Mia and Nicholas again. Truthfully, they weren't the biggest enemies, but the tension was there, and they had such good sarcastic banter. 

Leslie And Ben (Parks And Recreation)

It's hard to remember a time when Leslie and Ben didn't get along because their relationship always felt so pure in later seasons. But they were not friends when Ben entered the show. Eventually, they learned to respect each other, and that respect later turned to love, and it made me adore the Parks and Recreation cast so much. 

Tyler And Nora (Step Up)

Tyler and Nora are a vital example of enemies that tend to have more in common than you'd think. Step Up is one of the best dance movies out there, and truthfully, I could watch these two dance and fall in love slowly over an hour again and again. I mean, they were so good that the two actors were married in real life for a time. 

Quinn And Logan (Zoey 101)

As someone who grew up watching Zoey 101, seeing Quinn and Logan get together was eye-opening. I never realized that the cute boy could get the nerdy girl, and what made it even better is that it really did feel like genuine love—one that was confusing at first but turned out to be the most healthy relationship of everyone. 

Melanie And Jake (Sweet Home Alabama)

Reese Witherspoon's best movies will always include Sweet Home Alabama, and the critical relationship of that movie, Melanie and Jake, defined my expectations of romance. What makes them so good is the fact that they already have a past, so there's tension there, and it's like lovers turning into enemies and then turning back into lovers. Adorable. 

Max And Kyle (Living Single)

Living Single is probably one of the most classic sitcoms of all time, and of course, it had to have a great enemies-to-lovers storyline with Max and Kyle. These two ripped at each other for years, but eventually, they ended up in the same bed and became one of the best couples in the series. 

Elizabeth And Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice)

I literally could not think of a better example of enemies to lovers than Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. They are the prime pick for something like this. I don't even need to explain why they make me swoon. Heck, I need my own, Mr. Darcy. 

Josh And Mindy (Drake & Josh)

If we're being honest, Josh and Mindy were the perfect couple in Drake & Josh. They started off as nemesis because both of them excelled at being, well, smart, which they both seriously loved. Eventually, enough push and pull led to them getting together, and they wound up having a hilarious relationship—one that I still quote with my own partner, where he even says, "One condition: I get to be the boyfriend."

Jake And Neytiri (Avatar)

I know! A part of me forgot they were enemies to lovers after how loving they were to each other in Avatar: The Way of Water. But Neytiri literally hated Jake—which she had the right to. His people invaded her home and killed her loved ones. But once he started to see the beauty behind her culture and began to love her for her, everything changed. 

Jon And Ygritte (Game Of Thrones)

The Game of Thrones cast features several relationships, most of which end in disaster or pain, and Jon and Ygritte are the perfect example of that. The two went from enemies to lovers and then back to enemies, but right at the very end, she gets an arrow through the heart—a shocking Game of Thrones moment that still makes me sad. 

Cher And Josh (Clueless)

It always blows my mind when I rewatch Clueless and see young Paul Rudd because he literally looks the exact same. Then it blows my mind to remember that Cher develops feelings for her ex-stepbrother, and I try to recall that this movie is fictional. This is the definition of a crazy enemies-to-lovers romance—one I can barely believe. 

Clarke And Lexa (The 100)

The 100 was hands down one of the best CW shows, and one of the best relationships on there was Clarke and Lexa, known as Clexa to the fans. They are another excellent example of people who were enemies to lovers to kind of enemies to so much more before it was all stolen away – and yes, I still remember the online protests. It was a time to be alive. 

Damon And Elena (The Vampire Diaries)

Admittingly, I hopped on The Vampire Diaries train much later in the game, but the number of people who were obsessed with Damon and Elena blew my mind—which is crazy considering they ended up finding their happy ending. They were heated towards each other, but as he started to change more, they got together. 

Johnny And Baby (Dirty Dancing)

Ohhh, Dirty Dancing is the ultimate "hate at first sight" because these two were not on the same wavelength. However, when the two are forced to train together for a competition, sparks begin to fly, and it's there that you really start to see just how well they fit together. 

Anthony And Kate (Bridgerton)

Look, I'm a massive fan of Bridgerton’s sweet romances just as much as the next person. I love the story of Colin and Penelope, and I adore Daphne and Simon. But these two brought the spice that was desperately needed for this story. Anthony and Kate did everything but get together and kiss in the second season of Bridgerton, which made that tension delicious. 

Lou And Will (Me Before You)

Emilia Clarke's best movies will always include Me Before You because she kills it in this movie, but I consider it a challenge not to cry during this film. Lou and Will are the purest examples of a love that you never thought you would have, but the moment you realize just how good it is, it's ripped from you. They weren't the best of friends at first, but man, when this ending hits, it hits. 

Cece And Schmidt (New Girl)

I love the New Girl cast, and I love Schmidt the most. A big reason is that Cece and Schmidt are hilariously adorable. Yes, there were indeed some significant differences and toxic moments between them along the way, but in the end, they were a pretty healthy couple who had grown a lot. I was fully rooting for them. 

Andy And Benjamin (How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days)

These two are honestly secretly enemies in the schemes they are doing, using them for their advantage. But what happens when actual love begins to take over? Of course, hilarities happen, and yes, you will laugh and cry and love Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey that much more. 

Mia And Sebastian (La La Land)

While my opinion on the La La Land ending has changed, I'll openly say that the enemies-to-lovers romance between Mia and Sebastian is actually pretty accurate to how it would happen in real life. These two just somehow always run into each other at their worst moments and basically make a love story out of it – you can't help but love that. 

Maria And Captain Von Trapp (The Sound Of Music)

The Sound of Music is one of those movies that, when you watch it as an adult, you really start to understand it so much more. While the music is fantastic, the love story that grows between Maria and Captain Von Trapp makes it that much better because it's love in its purest form. 

Klaus And Caroline (The Vampire Diaries)

The Vampire Diaries featured plenty of love affairs that either ended happily or terribly, and one that I have to point out is Klaus and Caroline in The Vampire Diaries. These two were the epitome of hot and cold, but man, if it didn't draw you in, you didn't didn't have a heart. They'd be at each other's throats one episode and then make out ten episodes later. You have to love it. 

Loretta And Ronny (Moonstruck)

Moonstruck is a great movie overall, and honestly, Loretta and Ronny have one of the best romances that I've seen in a film because it feels natural. It's all about that slow realization about the person who drives you crazy and how, sometimes, it could be the person you least expect to be who gives you the passion you are looking for. 

Mickey And Ian (Shameless)

I could go on for hours about Mickey and Ian from the Shameless cast. Oh my God – if you were on Tumblr during this time, I salute you. We are soldiers who somehow survived the heavy influx of all the shipping of these two. Beginning off as literal enemies who were at each other's throats to getting married several seasons down the line, you can't help but love them. 

Emma And Hook (Once Upon A Time)

Okay, okay, I'm going to admit something. Hook was definitely one of my first significant boy crushes, and I was the hugest fan of this relationship between him and Emma, which is an enemy-to-lover relationship. Even the way they fought when they were enemies was so steamy, and when they finally got together, I felt like I had won the lottery. We truly won. 

Patrick And Kat (10 Things I Hate About You)

10 Things I Hate About You is one of the most iconic teen comedies of all time, mainly because of the steamy chemistry between Heath Ledger's Patrick and Julia Stiles' Kat. These two, from the beginning, have this sarcastic nature that is so endearing to you, but as the film goes on, and he tries to win her back, you learn to love them more. 

Belle And The Beast (Beauty And The Beast)

They are the blueprint. Belle and the Beast are pure enemies to lovers. While there was really no fighting between the two, Belle traded herself over to save her father from the Beast, therefore making her his prisoner. She was not a massive fan of him. But as they started to get to know each other, love blossomed in the best way. 

Catra And Adora (She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power)

Look, if anyone knows me, they know I'm a huge fan of cartoons. I don't care if some of these might be meant for kids, but these two are just such a great pair. It felt that for years, these two wouldn't get together, but eventually, they did, and it felt like the world was at peace, if just for that one moment, after so many years of fighting. 

Andrew And Margaret (The Proposal)

The Proposal is one of those films that I put on when I know I'm going to need a good laugh because you can't laugh at Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock as Andrew and Margaret. These two have such quippy, sarcastic banter, and when love eventually comes despite their hating start, it's some of the best you'll witness. 

Logan And Veronica (Veronica Mars)

As someone who hadn't watched Veronica Mars for a long time but had friends who had, they always said Logan and Veronica were the perfect example of enemies to lovers. They started not on a positive note, but another favorite trope of mine – forced proximity – makes them work together – and sparks begin to fly. 

Giselle And Robert (Enchanted)

Okay, so they weren't really enemies, per se – more like grumpy x sunshine – but there's no denying that Robert was not a fan of Giselle whatsoever when they first met. But her bubbly nature was too much to say no to, and he probably fell even harder than her. 

Kathleen And Joe (You've Got Mail)

There are a few Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movies we could point to, but we'll stick with You've Got Mail for now because it's a great enemies-to-lovers romance. These two are rivals in real life but secretly online penpals, unknowingly, to the other, and when they eventually find out, it's how they fall after that makes it so good. 

Harry And Sally (When Harry Met Sally)

While they are friends for a good portion of the movie, these two do not get along at first in When Harry Met Sally. Sally hates Harry's whole vibe, but eventually, they fall for each other in the very end. 

Gosh, this makes me want to rewatch all these shows and movies. I need some good romantic comedies with these storylines. 

So, sometimes, certain characters become fan favorites when it comes to TV. They capture the interest of television viewers, and almost instantly, we are pulled into their stories. 

But sometimes, these characters that we love are repulsive human beings. They all have significant issues, whether evident at first or slightly subdued. Today, we'll be going over 32 TV characters that, at first, you might like but you would not want to be friends with in real life. 

Joe Goldberg (You)

This is an obvious one, but I have to put Joe Goldberg from You because there was a time when it seemed everyone was falling for this guy. He's the main character of the series and is played by the talented Penn Badgley. 

Look, I think the actor is handsome too, and Badgley can bring a sort of charisma to Joe that makes him hard to deny – hence why, every season, it seems like he can score some new woman. 

But don't get it twisted – Goldberg is a serial killer. He may think that he's killing people for the sake of his love to make sure all their problems are taken care of, but he's still killing people. And even in the fourth season, when he tries to be "better," he ends up just giving in to his dark side and deciding that killing is acceptable. He is as repulsive as a human as you can get. 

Andrea Harrison (The Walking Dead)

I watched all eleven seasons of The Walking Dead, and few characters annoyed me as much as Andrea – which makes sense since she was killed off quite early compared to the comics. She was whiney, trigger-happy, and always turned everyone down when it came to help – and she nearly killed Daryl, so instantly, that makes her the worst. 

Pete Campbell (Mad Men)

Mad Men was a huge show, and Pete Campbell was a prominent character. But man, this dude was the absolute worst. At first, he seems like a cocky businessman, a smug person who thinks he deserves everything. But as the seasons go on, he gets worse in every way possible. He would be in jail now if this were the real world for all he had done. 

Ross Geller (Friends)

I love the Friends cast just as much as the next person, but let's be honest – Ross Geller is awful. He may be hilarious in specific ways and sometimes sweet, but he's self-centered, has pretty bad anger issues, and cheated on Rachel. And no, they were not on a break. 

Merle Dixon (The Walking Dead)

Ironically, I didn't necessarily hate Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead – maybe because I was such a big fangirl of Daryl as a teenager – but he certainly wasn't my cup of tea. And now, years later, he was just a repulsive human being in many ways. While he did have a love for his little brother, Merle left people to die, killed innocents, and only had one redeemable moment – when the Governor killed him after releasing Michonne from her captivity. 

Dawson Leery (Dawson's Creek)

Yes, we all know that famous meme crying face, but have we ever talked about how the titular character or Dawson's Creek is the worst? Dawson Leery is a miserable crybaby who thinks just because he's a more likable guy than most, he deserves more when, in reality, he's just a whiner.

Lori Grimes (The Walking Dead)

While there have been plenty of female characters from shows that people have hated for no good reason, Lori Grimes from The Walking Dead was pretty bad – in many ways. Not only was she a major complainer about everything, but her significant repulsive action was that she slept with her husband's best friend not that long after he was supposedly left to die in a hospital – and then got pregnant with his baby. Judith is sweet and all, but come on. 

Piper Chapman (Orange Is The New Black)

The Orange is the New Black cast has plenty of great characters, but Piper Chapman, the main character the show follows, is probably one of the worst. She's selfish, doesn't know what she wants, and leads many people on. She also had a crazy power trip a few seasons in that turned her into a malicious person.

Will Schuester (Glee)

I'm sorry, Will Schuester from the Glee cast must be imprisoned. Let's push to the side that he sort of lays all his problems out for his students to see half the time – what kind of chorus teacher has his children sing adult songs like "Toxic" in front of the entirety of the school – and join in? Jailtime, right now. 

Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Everyone at this point knows how terrible Rory is, in so many ways. She may have been kind in earlier seasons, but she treats her mom horribly, doesn't take her advice well, drops out of school to run on with boys, and treats her significant others pretty terribly. She's awful. 

Madison Sinclair (Veronica Mars)

I usually give high school mean girls a pass because nine times out of ten, they're just going through something at home that makes them that way. But Madison Sinclair in Veronica Mars was as vicious of a mean girl as possible. And what makes it even worse is that she's still just as petty and malicious in the Veronica Mars film, so it's just her personality. 

Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl)

There are several people from the Gossip Girl cast I can point out on this list, and one is Blair Waldorf. No, she does not get an excuse for being a teenage girl and making stupid decisions because she keeps making them as time goes on to get what she wants. She's the stereotypical rich girl. 

Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory)

Let's be honest – if Sheldon Cooper were our friend, we wouldn't like him. Sure, the Big Bang Theory cast is extremely talented, including Jim Parsons, but the character of Sheldon Cooper is the worst. He's a know-it-all who has the emotional range of a teaspoon (in Hermione Granger's words) and would probably be the worst friend to have. 

Jenny Humphrey (Gossip Girl)

God, don't even get me started on Jenny Humphrey. She started the series as a pretty innocent girl on Gossip Girl, but it didn't take long for her to rebel and start doing pretty messed up stuff to fit in, and she just started getting worse and worse. I'm not surprised that her character was barely in the show by the time it ended. 

Santana Lopez (Glee)

Look, I love Glee just as much as the next person and Satana Lopez's vocals were some of the best on the show. She killed in every single solo she was in. And while a part of me is in love with her attitude and the fact that she's great representation for LGBTQ+ viewers, she's also kind of a jerk. Like actually. 

At least in the first few seasons, Santana is manipulative in the worst way possible, and if she was going down, she often dragged her friends down with her. It wasn't until later seasons we saw her break out of her shell more and learn to be kinder. 

Serena Joy (The Handmaid's Tale)

The Handmaid's Tale may be one of the best shows on Hulu, but Serena Joy is arguably one of the most despicable characters in the series. You can give me all the backstory into how she became the way that she is, but there is no denying that she is a massive reason why this oppressive society began, and there is nothing you can do or say that will make me forgive her, ever. 

Goku (Dragon Ball Franchise)

Nah, man. I may love anime and will introduce it to everyone, but if they say their favorite character is Goku from Dragon Ball, I'm unfriending them. Why? Because Goku is a deadbeat dad, and he leaves his family and children, especially Gohan, so much that it's a joke that Gohan isn't his kid. 

Erwin Smith (Attack On Titan)

I love Attack on Titan, and Erwin Smith was a part of some of the best arcs of the franchise. But my guy was almost too into the idea of what lay beyond the Walls of Paradis – so much that he's willing to sacrifice hundreds – if not thousands – of the lives of young soldiers just to win a battle. I don't care if you're an army commander – that's pretty messed up, no matter how dire the situation is. He's a kick-butt character, don't get me wrong, but also not that good of a person.

Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother)

We can all laugh at Barney Stinson from the How I Met Your Mother cast as much as we want, but if we met a real-life Stinson, we'd all hate him. He's the definition of a womanizer and has the attitude to match in many ways.

Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

Nope. No. I don't care if he's marketed as the "bad boy," he and Blaire are an entertaining but toxic Gossip Girl relationship and, more so, a horrible person. No random acts of kindness can make up for how bad he truly is. 

Dwight Schrute (The Office)

Dwight Schrute can take a vegetable beat and suck it – but on a real note, he isn't a great person. The Office cast is exceptionally talented, and yeah, Rainn Wilson certainly gives some humorous moments as Dwight. Still, at the same time, I'm pretty sure the office worker has some OCD with how he micromanages his job and others around him and will sacrifice anyone to get to the top.

George Costanza (Seinfeld)

The Seinfeld cast is full of characters that are all pretty bad in many ways, but let's be honest and say that George Costanza is one of the worst – if not the worst. He may be funny, but he's done some pretty bad things to get ahead in life or out of precarious situations. His frugality even led to the death of his fiance after buying toxic envelopes because they were cheap. 

Angelica Pickles (Rugrats)

No, she does not get a pass because she is a child – Angelica Pickles got her start as a mean girl early in her life with how she treated those babies, and what makes it worse is that she's still a brat in the spinoff, All Grown Up. I don't know who took her bottle away at a young age, but she's just awful. 

Brian (Family Guy)

While Brian is biologically a dog, he's practically a human in the way he speaks in Family Guy and man, has this "hilarious" dog done some messed up stuff. There is not another character that's as self-righteous as this dog, where he thinks he's just better than any other person and always uses that against them. It just makes him so unlikable. 

Dennis Reynolds (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)

I mean, do we even really need to explain this that much? Dennis Reynolds, at first, seems like a typical narcissistic male – a womanizer who thinks he's better than most just because his daddy has money. But there are some severe cracks in his mental state and moments where you wonder if this dude would let you walk out of a hookup with him.

Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

I love Jujutsu Kaisen, but Gojo is also a repulsive human being. Yes, I know he's the anime boy that everyone – even some of my closest friends – seems to have a crush on, but he's as selfish as they come and always thinks he'll win everything just because he's powerful. I'm also pretty sure he would sacrifice innocent lives to live, and that's pretty repulsive. 

Ned Flanders (The Simpsons)

There are plenty of popular The Simpsons characters that I could talk about, but Ned Flanders is a pretty repulsive person. I know, at first, he seems like a friendly neighbor, but as the series progresses, he gets more wrapped up in this radical religious mindset. Don't get me wrong, it's alright for you to have your faith – but when you push it on others like Flanders begins to do, that's never the right choice. 

Charlie Harper (Two And A Half Men)

It's his character to be repulsive, but I feel like we've all let that slide because it's Charlie Sheen, and he's funny as Charlie Harper. But if we all met a real-life Charlie Harper, we wouldn't want to be close or even related to him, no matter how many times we watch Two And A Half-Men. 

Eric Forman (That '70s Show)

At first, Eric Forman seems agreeable, but when you rewatch That 70s Show, he is one of the worst characters here. He's just lazy and uses that as an excuse for so many things, and also, he does not deserve the angel that is Donna. 

Debbie Gallagher (Shameless)

Oh, Debbie. At first, Debbie Gallagher of the Shameless cast felt like a misguided teenager who needed someone to help her, but then she got an attitude. And then it got worse. And then she purposefully got pregnant at fifteen. What? It's no wonder Fiona practically lost her mind with this family. 

Rachel Berry (Glee)

Rachel Berry is the type of theater kid that you would never want to be friends with. In Glee, she makes everything about herself, always strives to steal opportunities from others, and even when she goes through something terrible, it doesn't feel like she grows up at all. I could never understand why Finn dated her. 

Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother)

There are so many things wrong with Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother, so much so that I could write an entire article about them. He would continuously pursue women no matter what despite trying to find the perfect match and still somehow ended up with Robin in the end, even after his wife passed away – which isn't right. 

There are plenty of other characters that I could add to this list, but let's cap it there – and now, I feel the need to check out different characters that make me happier than some of these horrible ones. 

All-time great shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and The Simpsons have introduced viewers to some of the greatest TV characters that have entertained us over the years. But there have been times where those beloved heroes (and some villains) were unexpectedly killed off, leaving those at home shocked and worried about how storylines would carry on.

Well, here are 30+ examples of TV shows that killed off a fan-favorite characters and how things shook out for the series following the big moment (or moments).

The Walking Dead (Multiple Characters)

One of the most popular shows of the past decade, The Walking Dead, has introduced its fair share of beloved characters, who eventually met their demises. Whether it’s Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun), Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) or any number of others, the drama series always found a way to move forward, even if some of us never got over those heartbreaking deaths.

The Wire (Omar Little)

Omar Little, played by the late Michael K. Williams, was one of the most unforgettable, and beloved, characters on The Wire. He also had a shocking yet very on-brand death. The Robin Hood of Baltimore was killed not by one of his rivals or a police officer near the end of the show’s final season, but by a young boy in a convenience store. His place in the “Charm City” ecosystem was picked up by Michael Lee (Tristan Wilds) in the series finale.

Game Of Thrones (Multiple Characters)

There were all kinds of gruesome Game of Thrones deaths over the years, but some hit fans a lot harder than others. But with the beheading of Ned Stark, the Red Wedding and even the ambush of John Snow, the popular fantasy series always kept the momentum going within its stories. Well, until the show lost its way in later seasons.

Dexter (Rita Morgan)

Is there a TV death more shocking than that of Rita Morgan (Julie Benz) in the Dexter Season 4 finale? Just when Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) thought he defeated the Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), he came home to find that his wife was murdered in their bathtub. Some would argue that this moment was the peak of the series and that it was never really the same afterwards.

Downton Abbey (Matthew Crawley)

The untimely death of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) on Downton Abbey had a major impact throughout the rest of the series (and its two movie sequels). A character who was most effected by arguably Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery). Years after that turn of events, Steven has still been apologizing to fans who never really got over his character’s passing.

Lost (Charlie Pace)

There are probably a ton of Lost fans who will agree that Charlie Pace's (Dominic Monaghan) drowning during the third season was the show’s most traumatizing death. The beloved character was a major staple of the mystery thriller’s early days and was sorely missed by Henry Ian Cusick and more after that fateful moment. The show moved on, but Charlie’s absence could still be felt through the very end.

Sons of Anarchy (Multiple Characters)

Sons of Anarchy featured a lot of major character deaths over the years. However, few, if any, come close to sacrifice of Opie Winston (Ryan Hurst), who was in prison during the show’s fourth season when it happened. Several more seasons followed, but his longtime best friend Jax Teller (Charlie Dunnam) never really got over it -- and neither did we.

This Is Us (Jack Pearson)

After teasing it for some time, This Is Us finally showed the death of Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia) in 2018 amid the second season. Though he survived the fire many thought would claim his life, the Pearson family patriarch passed away from heart failure shortly after. However, due to the show’s use of flashbacks, fans were still able to see the character until the series finale in 2022.

South Park (Chef)

After nearly a decade as Carman, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny’s most trusted adult on South Park, Chef was killed off in over-the-top fashion in 2006. The decision to take out the fan-favorite character came after Isaac Hayes, or someone from his camp, quit the show for its attacks on Scientology. Though various versions of Chef have appeared in specials and video games since then, the OG's presence within the franchise moving forward was essentially non-existent.

Grey's Anatomy (Dr. Derek Shepherd)

Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama that pretty much deals with death on a weekly basis, but the passing of Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) in the show’s 11th season was tragic, to say the least. The impact of McDreamy’s fatal accident was felt for years, and Shepherd eventually returned when wife Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) having visions of him years later.

Two and a Half Men (Charlie Harper)

After nearly a decade on the incredibly popular sitcom Two and a Half Men, Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) was killed off after the actor who portrayed him was fired in 2011. Ashton Kutcher was brought in for the show’s ninth season, and that positive turnaround can be attributed to a CBS exec. Charlie (the character played by a double) would reappear briefly in the show’s final season before being killed off again.

ER (Mark Greene)

The early seasons of the hit ‘90s medical drama ER were headlined by Anthony Edwards and George Clooney as Mark Greene and Doug Ross, respectively. Though Ross resigned from Cook County General Hospital and started anew in Seattle, Greene wasn’t as fortunate, as he died of brain cancer. Edwards later reprised the role in flashbacks during the show’s final season.

Breaking Bad (Hank Schrader)

Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) spent the vast majority of Breaking Bad being a thorn in the side of his brother-in-law, Walter White (Brian Cranston). The DEA agent eventually died near the end of Season 5 as a result of the criminal mastermind's actions up to that point. But he would get the last laugh from the beyond the grave, as Hank’s murder helped expose Walt’s actions to the world.

8 Simple Rules (Paul Hennessy)

Paul Hennessy was the main character on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules, but the father of three had to be written off after John Ritter, the actor who played him, died suddenly in September 2003. The death of the family patriarch would be a major topic throughout the show’s final two seasons before it was canceled in 2005.

Six Feet Under (Nate Fisher)

The critically acclaimed HBO drama series Six Feet Under dealt with death more so than pretty much any show on the network, mostly due to it being set in a funeral home. However, imagine fans' shock when the show’s main character, Nate Fisher (Peter Krause), died in the fifth and final season. Following the wild death/fantasy sequence, the final episodes were spent following the Fisher family as they dealt with Nate’s passing.

House of Cards (Zoe Barnes)

The House of Cards cast had change-ups throughout the Netflix series’ run, but one of the most shocking was that of Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) in the Season 2 opener at the hands of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey). She would later return as a hallucination, along with Peter Russo (Corey Stall), another one of Underwood’s victims.

The O.C. (Marissa Cooper)

The O.C., a hit from the early 2000s, had all kinds of drama going on throughout its run. Yet one of the most harrowing moments was the death of Marissa Cooper, Micha Barton’s popular character, in the third season. The teen drama would continue for one more year before coming to an end in early 2007.

Homeland (Nicholas Brody)

Homeland's Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) was a character who kept fans guessing when it came to his morals, but he was still one of the most popular characters on the spy series. He died relatively early in the show’s eight-season run, as he was executed in the Season 3 finale. Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) would carry the loss with her for the remainder of the series, in more ways than one.

The Conners/Roseanne (Roseanne Conner)

Not long after Roseanne was brought back in 2018, the show’s star, Roseanne Barr, made inflammatory comments, leading ABC to quickly cancel the show. When the sequel/spinoff series, The Conners, came out later that year, the family matriarch was dead and buried (with Barr herself spoiling the character's fate). The sitcom, which features John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and other stars, is still on the air.

Charmed (Prue Halliwell)

After being a fixture of the Charmed cast during its first three seasons, Shannen Doherty stepped away from the hit series, resulting in the death of her character, Prue Halliwell. Prue was eventually replaced by her long-lost younger half-sister, Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan), who would remain on the show until its completion.

Stranger Things (Bob Newby)

There have been several major Stranger Things character deaths over the years, but one that still stings after all this time is Bob Newby (Sean Astin), who died in the show’s second season. Though our time with Bob was brief, his charm and sacrifice, sticks with characters on the show and the millions who eagerly await new episodes. (Eddie Munson’s Season 4 swan song is another great option.)

And Just Like That (Mr. Big)

And Just Like That…, the sequel series to HBO’s landmark dramedy Sex and the City, started off with quite a bang. Its premiere featured the death of Mr. Big (Chris Noth), a shocking twist few saw coming. The death of Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) husband was integral to shaping the show’s first season, and the impact could still be felt in the sophomore chapter.

M*A*S*H (Henry Blake)

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) was a major part of the first three seasons of M*A*S*H and one of the most popular characters in the large ensemble cast. But the character would only make it partway through the show’s 11-season run, as he died in a plane crash after being discharged. Colonel Sherman Potter (Harry Morgan) would then come in and take up the spot as the commanding officer.

Veronica Mars (Logan Echolls)

One of the major aspects of Veronica Mars was the complicated relationship between Veronica and Logan Echols throughout the show’s run. However, that subplot came to an abrupt end when Logan, played by Jason Dohring, was killed off in an explosion. Kristen Bell’s character would mourn the loss but would eventually push on and take her crime-solving skills nationwide.

The Simpsons (Maude Flanders)

Maude Flanders, the wife of Ned Flanders and neighbor of Homer Simpson on The Simpsons, had one of the most random and strangest cartoon deaths. As crazy as it sounds, she was knocked off the grandstand by a t-shirt cannon at a racing event. The death would affect Ned in some morbidly funny ways and was later referenced in the 2022 “Treehouse of Horror” special. 

Misfits (Alisha Daniels)

Alisha Daniels (Antonia Thomas) was important to the early phase of Misfits, but her story came to an abrupt, and tragic, end when her throat was slashed amid the show’s third season. Her sudden passing would have a tremendous impact on boyfriend Simon Bellamy (Iwawn Rheon), who would go on to become the masked vigilante Superhoodie.

House M.D. (Lawrence Kutner)

Lawrence Kutner was only part of House for a short while, but he quickly became a popular character, thanks in part to Kal Penn’s multi-faceted performance. However, the character ended up committing suicide in Season 5, and his death would leave Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) feeling out of sorts.

Parenthood (Zeek Braverman)

January 2015 saw the airing of Parenthood's bittersweet series finale, which ended its six-season run. The episode most notably featured the death of family patriarch Zeek Braverman (Craig T. Nelson). The passing of the beloved character was a major part of the final episode, as his family (and fans watching at home) said their goodbyes.

All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place (Edith Bunker)

After sitting beside her cantankerous husband for nine seasons and 200+ episodes on All in the Family, Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) passed away between the first and second seasons of the continuation series, Archie Bunker’s Place. After a short mourning period, Archie (Carroll O’Connor) moved on and continued to run his bar and date again.

Ally McBeal (Billy Thomas)

Billy Thomas (Gil Bellows) was a major part of Ally McBeal, and his dating history and up-and-down relationship with Calista Flockhart’s titular character was one of the major storylines throughout the legal dramedy series. His death in the show’s third season would leave a mark on Ally, who carried his memories with her.

Luther (Justin Ripley)

DS Justin Ripley (Warren Brown) played a major part in the early goings of the BBC crime drama Luther, after being introduced as DCI John Luther’s (Idris Elba) young partner. His tragic death in the show’s third season would become another emotional wound that the lead character would carry with him for the rest of the series.

Barry (Janice Moss)

Janice Moss (Paula Newsome) was only around for the first chapter of Barry, but her death in Season 1 finale of the HBO crime dramedy greatly impacted Bill Hader’s eponymous character as well as Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler). One of Barry’s many victims, this one always seemed to stick with the guilt-riddled assassin.

The Goldbergs (Albert 'Pops' Solomon)

Following George Segal’s death in March 2021, The Goldbergs's creative team decided to kill off his beloved character, Albert “Pops” Solomon. It was established that the family patriarch passed away in his sleep, and the character (and his portrayer) received a perfect goodbye in the Season 9 premiere.

These are just 30+ deaths of fan-favorite characters that have impacted viewers in some way over the years, as the list had to be cut off somewhere. Each of these beloved characters may be gone, but they’ll certainly never be forgotten.

Veronica Mars is one of the pivotal shows of the early 2000s. It was a critically acclaimed show with a dedicated fan base. Therefore, of course, many actors and actresses longed to be a part of it. The Veronica Mars actors were also talented and really helped give the show its identity. 

Even the Veronica Mars actors who guest starred added to the show’s appeal. Some of these guest stars and recurring characters were once unknown on Veronica Mars and are now household names. 

Let’s look back at some of the many now well-known actors who once appeared on the show.

Melissa Leo 

Academy Award winner Melissa Leo appears in over a hundred film and television projects. The Fighter earned her her first Oscar but she received critical acclaim and award-season recognition for many performances, including ones in Mildred Pierce, Louie, Prisoners, and Frozen River. 

Leo appeared in Veronica Mars Season 1 Episode 3, “Meet John Smith.” She plays Julia Smith, a transgender woman who reunites with her son after Veronica (Kristen Bell) helps him track her down. 

Jane Lynch 

You can’t think of Jane Lynch without thinking of Sue Sylvester from Glee. Sue is terrible but hilarious and often creates iconic moments with the main cast and the unforgettable Glee guest stars. In 2020, Lynch began hosting a revival of The Weakest Link. She has appeared in Two and a Half Men, Criminal Minds, Party Down (which is also co-created by Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas), Mascots, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. 

Lynch makes a brief appearance in Veronica Mars Season 1 Episode 6, “Return of the Kane.” She plays Mrs. Donaldson. a faculty member that Veronica approaches about voter rigging at a Neptune High election. 

Jessica Chastain 

As one of the most respected actresses of the last decade, Jessica Chastain has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award. Her first Academy Award happened in 2022 for her performance in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. She also received Academy Award nominations for Zero Dark Thirty and The Help. Her filmography includes A Most Violent Year, Scenes from a Marriage, George and Tammy, and It Chapter Two.

Before Chastain could deliver one of her many great performances, she appeared in Veronica Mars. It was one of her first screen roles. She appears in the 7th episode of Season 1, “The Girl Next Door” as Sarah Williams. Sarah is a neighbor friend of Veronica's who goes missing. 

Aaron Paul 

Aaron Paul became a household name for playing Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad. He also played the character on El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Better Call Saul.  Some of Paul’s screen highlights include roles in Truth Be Told, Westworld, The Path, and BoJack Horseman. He’s also had a great cameo or 20 in various projects and made plenty of guest appearances, including in Black Mirror and The Simpsons. 

Paul plays Eddie LaRoche, the main suspect in a murder and disappearance case in Veronica Mars Season 1, Episode 11, “Silence of the Lamb.” His sketchy behavior makes him a likely culprit. 

Anthony Anderson 

Anthony Anderson has created many memorable characters throughout his career. A few include Dre in black-ish, Detective Kevin Bernard in Law & Order, J.D in the Barbershop movies, and Antwon Mitchell in The Shield. He also appeared in Psych, Shameless, Beats, and Scream 4. Anderson has so many great forgotten performances as well.

He plays a gangsta rapper and former criminal named Bone Hamilton in Veronica Mars Season 1, Episode 13, “Lord of the Bling.” He hires Keith (Enrico Colantoni) to help him locate his missing daughter, who also used to be a friend of Veronica.

Adam Scott 

Adam Scott is best known for comedic roles in television shows such as Parks and Recreation, Step Brothers, The Good Place, and Party Down. He’s also the star of the AppleTV+ hit series Severance. 

Scott takes on a much more serious role in Veronica Mars. He plays Mr. Rooks, a teacher that divides Veronica and Keith in Veronica Mars Season 1, Episode 14, “Mars v. Mars. He’s accused of having an affair with a student. Veronica believes that he is innocent, but Keith can’t ignore the evidence. It’s one of the best Veronica Mars episodes. 

Leighton Meester 

Leighton Meester’s performance is the reason Blair Waldorf is such a beloved Gossip Girl character. Her film and TV credits include The Roommate, Single Parents. Life Partners, Making History, The Orville, and How I Met Your Father. 

Meester appears on multiple episodes of Veronica Mars as Carrie Bishop. Her first appearance is in “Mars v. Mars.” Her character accuses Adam Scott’s character of having a secret sexual relationship with her. The character of Carrie Bishop returns in the Veronica Mars movie, but Andrea Estella plays her. 

Tessa Thompson 

Tessa Thompson’s fame really blew up when she started playing Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, she has been in many well-known movies and TV shows. Some of her most popular movies include For Colored Girls, Dear White People, Selma, the Creed franchise, Sorry to Bother You, Passing, and Men In Black: International.

Tessa Thompson may be one of the people on this list that you do remember from Veronica Mars because she was a main character all throughout Season 2. She plays Jackie Cook, the main love interest of Wallace (Percy Daggs III). The character immediately left at the end of Veronica Mars Season 2. 

Taylor Sheridan 

Taylor Sheridan is an actor, director, and screenwriter. He has written many popular movies and TV shows, including Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, 1883, and 1923. He also wrote the screenplay for the films Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River, Without Remorse, and Those Who Wish Me Dead.

Sheridan’s few acting credits include Veronica Mars. He had a recurring role as Danny Boyd in Veronica Mars Season 2. The character first appeared in Veronica Mars Season 2 Episode 8, "Ahoy, Mateys!" His character is part of a notorious crime family in Neptune.

Michael Cera 

Michael Cera may currently best be known for playing Allan in the Barbie movie. Before being the best male in Barbieland, he appeared in Juno, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Arrested Development, Black Mirror, and Life and Beth. 

Cera appears alongside his Arrested Development co-star Alia Shawkat in Veronica Mars. They appear in the episode “The Rapes of Graff” from Season 2. He plays Dean, a student at Hearst College who leads Veronica and Wallace’s tour of the campus

Armie Hammer 

Armie Hammer first stepped into the spotlight by playing the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network. He then appeared in such popular movies as J. Edgar, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, Call Me by Your Name, Sorry to Bother You, and Death on the Nile.

Hammer appears in Veronica Mars Season 3 Episode 3, “Wichita Linebacker.” He plays Kurt Fenstermacher, a football player who may lose his scholarship if he can’t retrieve the team’s playbook that was stolen from him.

Paul Rudd  

It’s hard to imagine anyone who hasn’t heard of Paul Rudd. He’s been in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man. He was Josh in Clueless. Mike in Friends. He’s also been in many iconic comedies such as Wet Hot American Summer, the Anchorman movies, The 40-Year Old Virgin, I Love You Man. He has so many great movies. Rudd has appeared in TV shows such as Parks and Recreation, Party Down, iZombie, and Only Murders in the Building. 

Rudd appears in Veronica Mars Season 3 Episode 17, “Debasement Tapes.” He plays Desmond Fellows, an aging rock star who Piz (Chris Lowell) gets to interview. However, the man is a disaster. 

There are a lot of other great actors and reality stars that you may have forgotten appeared on Veronica Mars, including Paris Hilton, Lisa Rinna, and Dianna Agron. You can catch all these stars and more by rewatching Veronica Mars. It’s definitely worth another rewatch.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu. 

Veronica Mars is one of the best early 2000s TV shows. It’s also one of my all-time favorite series. Therefore, I was overjoyed when fans funded the movie. I saw it twice in the theater during opening week; first at a special fan screening for Kickstarter supporters, then the next night with a friend. I loved the movie after both viewings because there was just intoxicating energy seeing it with a crowd full of superfans. We laughed, cheered, and swooned over all the Logan (Jason Dohring) and Veronica (Kristen Bell) moments. 

It was a great love letter to dedicated fans who were devastated by the cancellation. However, as much as I enjoyed the movie, I don’t think I ever rewatched it after seeing it twice in one week. It didn't feel like something I needed to revisit, but I recently rewatched it, and it felt as nostalgic and satisfying as the first two viewings, but I did notice a few new things while watching the Veronica Mars movie nearly a decade later.

Let’s discuss some of my new observations.

Warning: Veronica Mars movie and TV show spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

The Seamless Way The Other Characters Are Brought Back And Incorporated Into The Story 

Of course, the movie brought back fan favorites, and past Veronica Mars cast members. However, I was impressed this time around by how easily and naturally the writers incorporated these characters into the film. And, I am not just talking about major characters such as Keith (Enrico Colantoni) and Wallace (Percy Daggs III), but also 09ers that had recurring roles, such as Gia (Krysten Ritter), Luke (Sam Huntington) and Sean (Kevin Sheridan). 

Adding these characters really made the whole movie feel like a high school reunion. As Veronica saw classmates she hadn’t seen in years, the viewers got the same sense of nostalgia as they saw characters long forgotten. During my recent rewatch, these characters were also exciting to see because I had just rewatched some of the original TV series and they were fresher in my memory. 

The only character I wish we got to see in flashbacks was Lily (Amanda Seyfried). The series is one of Amanda Seyfried’s best shows, so I would have loved to see her appear in the film in some capacity.

Veronica And Logan Really Feel Destined In The Movie 

Veronica and Logan have been one of my favorite TV couples ever since their first kiss. I know their relationship was very complicated, and I was often not confident that they would end up together. I was even genuinely annoyed when the pre-movie press kept talking about the Veronica, Logan, and Piz (Chris Lowell) love triangle.

We didn’t need this love triangle to continue. After rewatching the movie, it was pretty clear that Piz had a 0.0 chance of still being with Veronica by the end. She and Logan just felt so magnetic. No matter who they dated or what happened, they’d somehow end up together. 

I didn’t get that same feeling watching the show all those years before, but the movie had that energy that these are two people destined to be together. However, the rewatch, once again, made me mad about that Veronica Mars Season 4 decision.

I Feel Bad For Piz Now 

I didn’t hate Piz as a character, but Veronica and he just weren’t that interesting or exciting as a pair. He was a step up from Duncan (Teddy Dunn), but definitely a step down from Leo (Max Greenfield) and Logan. He wasn’t a bad guy, just not right for her.

I had no sympathy for him during the first two viewings because he was just delaying the inevitable. However, I felt really bad for Piz during this viewing. Veronica was kind of unintentionally horrible to him. She basically forgot he existed anytime Logan was around and then stood him up when it was time to meet his parents.

When he finally ends things, Veronica only seemed to slightly care, but he seems devastated. Piz didn’t deserve the heartbreak. I can admit that now. 

Cobb Being The Killer Slightly Changes Up The Bad Guy Formula From Seasons 1 Through 3 

The first two seasons of Veronica Mars had the rich and the privileged turn out to be murderers or criminals. Cassidy (Kyle Gallner) was a little complicated because he was rich but he was also an outsider in his family. The Season 3 culprit, at least the first half of the season, also likely had some wealth.

Cobb (Martin Starr) is one of the few major villains who explicitly didn’t come from wealth. Gia describes him as trailer trash. She also talks about how she and others paid him as part of his blackmail. This character background choice made Cobb a less obvious villain, as you’re going to assume it’s one of the 09ers because it's typically them. This choice once again proves that Veronica Mars is such a great whodunnit because it still has some tricks to surprise us. 

Veronica’s Decision To Stay In Neptune Was Probably Not The Healthiest Choice 

Veronica admits that she’s addicted to the danger and darkness of Neptune. She knows it’s not a healthy decision to come back, but she can’t stop herself from doing it. Now that I am older, I can see how Veronica giving up her New York life for Neptune is a really bad and crazy decision.

I can completely understand why Keith is so worried about her. Season 4 kind of rectifies this decision by putting her on the road. It also put her in therapy, which she very much needed. She likes the dark too much if she gives up a sensible life for danger. 

The Sheriff And The Corrupt Cops Storyline Seems Unfinished 

The corrupt cops and sheriff's department is a subplot in the movie. It gets some resolution, but feels incomplete, and my guess is that creator Rob Thomas wanted to keep the door open to explore this story more in a future season, book, or sequel film. 

Other Observations 

Here are some other things I noticed this time watching the Veronica Mars movie:

• Bonnie DeVille, a.k.a. Carrie Bishop (Andrea Estella), is Logan’s second dead girlfriend. It’s like death follows him.
• Andrew Estella’s band, Mr Twin Sister’s song, “All Around And Away We Go,” plays in the movie. 
• Quite a few 09ers die in this movie.
• I don’t know if I got the gag during the original watch, but I immediately understood why Logan was wearing the trucker hat this time around.
• Ruby Jetson (Gaby Hoffmann) is a very funny character.
• I got The O.C. reference when Dick (Ryan Hansen) says “Welcome to the B.C., Bitch.”  
• Sacks (Brandon Hillock) was an underrated character and his death is sadder because of it.
• James Franco's cameo feels like just a way for the writers to make fun of him, with him being in on the joke.

Veronica Mars is one of Kristen Bell’s best characters and one of the great TV detectives. Therefore, the movie acts as a nice reminder of the series I loved so much. 

Rent or buy Veronica Mars on Prime Video.

Major spoilers from the Veronica Mars TV show and movie ahead!

Veronica Mars may be one of the best whodunnit series of all time. Some of the reasons why it’s such a great series is that it was able to capture the loneliness and anger of being an outsider while delivering captivating weekly mysteries. The mystery and intrigue are what made us watch the show, but the many other compelling elements of Veronica Mars, including Logan and Veronica’s relationship, kept us tuning in. 

Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls may have had one of the most complicated relationships on television. They were either extremely cute together or completely toxic to one another. Basically, they were epic. Their relationship played out over four seasons and a movie, but their relationship occurred nearly over two decades. 

Let’s take a look back at the highlights of Logan and Veronica’s relationship. 

In Season 1, We Learn That, At 12 Years Old, Logan Meets Veronica

In Veronica Mars Season 1 Episode 4, “The Wrath of Con,” Veronica (Kristen Bell) recalls when Logan (Jason Dohring), Duncan (Teddy Dunn), Lily (Amanda Seyfried), and she went to homecoming together. It included some teen shenanigans, such as a game of Truth or Dare. During this game, Logan admits that when he first saw her, he immediately thought 12-year-old Veronica was hot. 

Veronica And Logan Start Dating The Kane Siblings 

Despite this early crush, Logan apparently did not act on it because eventually Logan and Veronica began dating Lily and Duncan. They also become a really tight foursome until Logan becomes an obligatory psychotic jackass. 

Lily Dies; They Become Mortal Enemies 

The tragic story of Lily’s death leads to the group falling apart, and Logan deciding to torture Veronica because her sheriff father, Keith (Enrico Colantoni), accuses Duncan and Lily's father, Jake (Kyle Secor), of murdering Lily. 

Veronica and Logan remain hostile towards one another for quite a while, especially when they’re both still grieving and haunted by Lily. Amanda Seyfried gives one of her best performances as Lily as she haunts Veronica in flashbacks and hallucinations throughout Veronica Mars Season 1. 

Logan Asks Veronica To Help Him Find His Mother 

Logan and Veronica’s relationship begins to change when Lynn Echolls (Lisa Rinna) seemingly dies by suicide. However, Logan doesn’t believe that his mother is really dead, so he hires Veronica to help him find her. It’s the first time since Lily’s death that the two have actively spent time together and not tried to destroy each other. 

It’s discovered that Lynn is, in fact, dead. This sad revelation allows Veronica and Logan to bond. Additionally, she also learns about Aaron Echolls’ (Harry Hamlin) abusive relationship with Logan. The entire situation gives Veronica a new sympathy and understanding of him.

They Kiss When He Rushes To Protect Her 

Veronica and Logan don’t exactly become friends from what happens with Lynn, but they have a less volatile relationship. However, it crosses over to the enemies to lovers territory when he rushes to a hotel to save her from a guy he thinks is a danger to her.

In typical Logan fashion, he starts punching and asks questions later. Instead of the usual Veronica fashion of scolding him for it, she surprises everyone (including Logan) by kissing him. She seems to even surprise herself. He then responds with shock and a longer, more passionate kiss. They then run away from each other to avoid talking about it. 

Logan And Veronica Start A Secret Romance 

Later, Veronica and Logan finally talk about their kiss. They decide they want to continue to explore their romantic connection, but secretly. This leads to lots of secret makeout sessions, both in and out of school. However, their romance takes a turn when Veronica learns that Logan had the GHB the night she was drugged and sexually assaulted. 

Everyone Finds Out About Their Secret Romance 

Veronica then avoids Logan until she finally tells him why she hasn’t spoken to him. This leads to her further investigating what happened that night. Though Logan isn’t completely innocent, as he did drug Duncan’s drink without his knowledge, Veronica forgives him. They resume their secret romance.

But, it all gets exposed when Aaron decides to throw Logan a surprise birthday party and everyone there catches Logan and Veronica kissing. Logan stands up for her when Dick (Ryan Hansen) is being, well a dick. Logan refers to Veronica as his girlfriend and tells anyone who doesn’t like Veronica that they can leave. 

Duncan decides to leave, fracturing Logan and Duncan's best friendship. 

She Accuses Him Of Killing Lily 

Romantic bliss doesn’t last too long for Veronica and Logan because she soon finds cameras in his pool house. She worries that he killed Lily. Veronica takes what she knows to the police, and Logan is arrested, but eventually, he’s freed. 

Logan confronts her about the betrayal: It’s over for them. The together/not together Logan and Veronica’s relationship whirlwind begins.

Season 2: They Date Over The Summer Before Senior Year But Breakup Before School Starts 

The big mystery cliffhanger from Veronica Mars Season 1 was who was at the door at the end of the finale. Many fans were delighted when it was Logan, but that wasn't necessarily a good thing. The Veronica Mars Season 2 premiere episode, "Normal Is the Watchword,” showed how Veronica and Logan got back together but only for a few months.

The class wars, Logan’s rage, and attraction to danger, darkness, and chaos eventually lead to Veronica ending things with him. However, like many great teen dramas, the show couldn’t let the love triangle die. Veronica begins dating Duncan a few weeks after breaking up with Logan. 

This makes Veronica and Logan enemies again. 

Logan’s Epic Speech 

Veronica and Duncan date for about half of Veronica Mars Season 2. He eventually leaves to hide out with his child. Logan also has a couple of romances/hookups during this season. As graduation nears, Logan and the 09ers host an alternative prom.

Logan gets drunk and then tells Veronica (in a truly amazing speech) that he thought they were soulmates and didn’t want to lose her from his life. Before they can kiss, Veronica runs off. The next morning, she tells him that she wants to give their relationship another chance. However, he was so drunk that he doesn’t remember the speech and hooked up with Kendall (Charisma Carpenter) that night.

A distraught and humiliated Veronica hastily leaves.

They Get Back Together When He Saves Her From Cassidy 

Another near-death experience brings them back together. When once sweet little Cassidy (Kyle Gallner) is revealed to be a victim-turned-psychotic-killer and rapist, he tries to kill Veronica, but Logan manages to come just in time to save her. 

He then takes care of her when she thinks Keith has also been murdered by Cassidy. One of the best episodes of Veronica Mars becomes even better when it ends with Veronica and Logan restarting their relationship again. 

Season 3: Logan and Veronica’s Relationship Continues In College 

In a truly shocking Season 3 reveal, Veronica and Logan manage to survive the summer and start college together as a couple. However, they struggle to find the same interests, their friends aren’t fans of them together, and Logan’s protectiveness and Veronica’s stubbornness often clash. They have a ton of issues but they manage to stay together for a big chunk of Veronica Mars Season 3. 

They Breakup, But Get Back Together, But Breakup Again 

Veronica and Logan eventually break up because Logan feels like he can't live up to Veronica’s high standards. Their breakup lasts all of one episode because after talking to Piz (Chris Lowell), she decides to get back together with Logan.

The romantic bliss once again is short-lived. They break up again two episodes later when she discovers that he slept with her true mortal enemy, Madison Sinclair (Amanda Noret), during their brief breakup. She’s so hurt and disgusted by the betrayal that she ends things for good this time. 

Logan Dates Parker, And Veronica Dates Piz 

Eventually, Logan begins to date Parker (Julie Gonzalo), and Veronica dates Piz. Veronica and Logan try to stay friends while dating other people. However, when a sex tape leaks showing Veronica and Piz hooking up, Logan reverts back to his violent ways and beats up Piz. 

This leads to Veronica cutting off ties with him, and Parker breaking up with him. 

The Veronica Mars Movie: They Reunite 9 Years Later And Get Back Together

The Veronica Mars cast reunites for the Veronica Mars movie. In it, Logan and Veronica also reunite. It’s been nine years since they’ve talked and a lot has changed, including Logan joining the Navy and Veronica dating Piz again. Logan enlists her help to clear him of the murder of his ex-girlfriend and their ex-classmate Carrie Bishop, now known as Bonnie DeVille (Andrea Estella).

Piz realizes he can’t compete with their history and chemistry, so he ends things with Veronica. This allows Veronica to act on her feelings for Logan. They get back together. 

Season 4: Logan Proposes And Veronica Says No 

Veronica Mars Season 4 takes place a few years after the movie, and Logan and Veronica’s relationship is stronger than ever. They have built a whole life together that Veronica doesn’t want to ruin with marriage. Logan proposes but she swiftly says no. 

Logan surprises everyone, Veronica especially, when he reacts calmly to her rejection. It’s a sign that therapy has worked for him. However, Veronica wants a bit of the dangerous Logan back. They have some issues with him wanting her to go to therapy too, but overall, this is the healthiest and happiest viewers have seen Logan and Veronica’s relationship. 

Later, She Says Yes When He Returns From A Brief Time Away  

Logan gets called back to duty, but returns after only a brief time away. While he’s gone, she has a sex dream about Leo (Max Greenfield), and she nearly dies. Both incidents make her realize just how much she loves Logan. She decides she wants to marry him.

Veronica And Logan Get Married 

Veronica and Logan go to city hall to get married. They live happily ever after… just kidding. 

Logan Dies  

In a truly anger-inducing moment, a betrayal some may say, a planted bomb goes off and kills Logan. After some time of grieving, Veronica hits the road to solve crimes nationwide. However, she does listen to one of Logan’s final requests and starts therapy.

Logan and Veronica’s relationship is one of the reasons Veronica Mars was one of the great shows of the early 2000s. It left fans in constant distress, but it was worth the wild ride. They don’t make shows about the ones that come easy. 

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu. 

If the Knives Out movies have taught us anything, we can depend on Rian Johnson to give us an entertaining and engaging mystery. Peacock’s Poker Face just adds more proof to this theory. It’s the kind of must-see television series that I look forward to watching each week.

It follows Charlie (Natasha Lyonne) as she stumbles upon a new mystery weekly, and the show has an old-school mystery-of-the-week vibe but is modernized for the streaming service-loving generation. Its positive reviews and quickly developing fanbase highlight why this is a show to add to your TV queue if you haven’t already.

If you have discovered the wonders of the series and Natasha Lyonne’s refreshing detective, Charlie, then you may want to watch some similar TV shows and movies, so here are a few to check out if you like Poker Face. 

Murder, She Wrote (Peacock) 

Angela Lansbury stars in Murder, She Wrote as Jessica Fletcher, a mystery novelist who often finds herself right in the middle of a real major whodunnit. The show ran for 12 seasons, from 1984 to 1996. 

Poker Face and Murder, She Wrote overlap in quite a few ways. They both involve the main character constantly finding themselves with a mystery to solve, and both Jessica and Charlie are extremely skilled at solving crimes but neither are professional detectives. In another lifetime, the two would hit it off and work together to find the culprits. Rian Johnson clearly loves this classic. It’s obvious with the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery cameo and how Poker Face takes inspiration from Jessica and her crime-solving expertise.

Stream Murder, She Wrote on Peacock.

Columbo (Tubi) 

Columbo is an NBC and ABC crime drama that aired for 10 seasons. It starred Peter Falk as the title character, a homicide detective who often uses his intuition and street smarts to solve crimes. He’s not the typical buttoned-up cop.

In many ways, Poker Face feels like this show's offspring . Charlie feels like Columbo’s reincarnation. They have a similar demeanor and attitude that makes them outsiders in the world of law enforcement. Additionally, they can read people like a well-written book, enthusiastically and with precision. Johnson's series also borrows the classic's episodic pattern, as each starts by showing who committed the crimes and why. Then we watch as our lead figures it all out. 

Stream Columbo on Tubi.

Veronica Mars (Hulu) 

Veronica Mars is a CW show that ran for three seasons. It then came back several years later when a Kickstarter helped revive the franchise with a movie. Then the series returned again in 2019 for Season 4 on Hulu. 

Some of the best Veronica Mars episodes involve the titular teen solving crimes by using her skills of observation and people-reading. Charlie also has these skills. Both characters also aren’t typical TV detectives. Poker Face fans may enjoy the older show because they both involve strong heroines solving crimes as experts in their fields who don’t do it for the glory, but for a need to discover the truth.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.
Buy Veronica Mars on Amazon.

The Knives Out Movies (Netflix/Amazon) 

Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery both revolve around Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) trying to expose a murderer who also happens to be wealthy. These films fall into the eat-the-rich movie mystery genre. Both the Knives Out cast and the Glass Onion cast include many A-list stars like Chris Evans, Kate Hudson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kathryn Hahn.

Obviously, the Knives Out films and Poker Face are both created by Johnson, so they have that in common. They also both show a vast appreciation and admiration for the mystery genre. This makes them sort of tributes to the power of a good mystery story. 

Rent/buy Knives Out on Amazon.
Stream Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix.

Only Murders In The Building (Hulu) 

Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez play an unlikely trio in Only Murders in the Building. This Hulu original series follows Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) as they find a body in their building and then must work together to solve the mystery and try to clear their names. They also start a podcast along the way.

It's one of Hulu’s best original TV shows because it introduces an engaging mystery each season. It also works because of the cast’s chemistry and the hilarious writing. Poker Face also introduces an engaging mystery each week. You may know who did it from the start but you want to see how it all comes together. 

Natasha Lyonne is also really good at creating chemistry with her scene partners. When Charlie’s new friends are either murdered or the murderers, you feel that betrayal or hurt because these characters' chemistry matters. 

Stream Only Murders In The Building on Hulu. 

Clue (Amazon Prime Video) 

Remember that classic board game that you play with your family every holiday season? Well did you know it’s a movie? Of course you did, because it’s also a classic. Clue is a 1985 dark comedy that stars Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, and Colleen Camp. Six strangers arrive at a mansion and the seventh guest is suddenly murdered. 

They must work together to bring down the murderer or at least try not to be the next victim. Clue and Poker Face share their dark comedy tone. Overall, the Peacock series is a comedy, but it blurs those lines when dealing with some of the more serious cases, while the classic is also generally a fun whodunit. If you enjoy the entertaining nature of the crimes on Poker Face, then you’ll love this movie.

Stream Clue on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Clue on Amazon.

iZombie (Netflix) 

iZombie follows Liv Moore (Rose McIver), a woman who is bitten by a zombie at a boat party. She then gets a job at a morgue to resolve her brain cravings by eating the brains of the deceased. There is only one big problem: she absorbs their personalities and memories.

She uses this new power to solve crimes, especially murder cases. Poker Face and iZombie are both unconventional mystery shows, as Charlie isn’t the typical crime solver and neither is Liv. They both use their gifts — and curses — to solve crimes. The environments also play a major factor in each episode. Liv mentally becomes whoever she eats, and Charlie adapts to the environments she enters during each episode.

Stream iZombie on Netflix.
Buy iZombie on Amazon. 

Russian Doll (Netflix)  

Russian Doll is a Netflix original TV show that follows Nadia (Natasha Lyonne), a woman who enters a time loop on her 36th birthday. She tries to figure out how to escape it.

Though Nadia and Charlie are not the same characters, they’re both played by Lyonne so they have similarities. If Poker Face is your introduction to her, then Russian Doll is a good place to start for other great Natasha Lyonne projects. It showcases her ability to create a complex character who is not perfect, but trying not to be terrible. The overlapping mystery elements on both series also make them good companion shows to watch. You can get a double dose of her trying to solve mysteries.

Stream Russian Doll on Netflix.

The Nice Guys (Netflix) 

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling play Jackson and Holland respectively in The Nice Guys. Holland works as a private investigator and Jackson works as an enforcer. They end up working on the same case and decide to team up to solve the mystery.

In another cinematic universe, Jackson, Holland, and Charlie all work together, because they have a similar style. Yes, some time-traveling would need to happen, but it could work. All these characters have messy lives and methods of handling their cases. However, each of them is actually really good at their jobs, even if everything else in their lives is a mess. Charlie's fans will also enjoy getting to know Holland and Jackson.

Stream The Nice Guys on Netflix.
Rent/buy The Nice Guys on Amazon.

See How They Run (HBO Max) 

Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) is assigned to solve the murder of film director Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody). Inexperienced WPC Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) tags along to help and gain experience. Agatha Christie’s play The Mousetrap happens to be at the center of this crime and the film.

Though this isn’t a direct adaptation of a Christie story, it’s clearly influenced by her work. This makes sense, because she is the queen of a good mystery story. Both Poker Face and See How They Run use and spin some of the classic mystery stories to create tributes and homages to this genre. They also both do this with a comedic tone.

Stream See How They Run on HBO Max.
Rent/buy See How They Run on Amazon.

Perry Mason (Freevee Via Amazon) 

The original Perry Mason TV show ran from 1957 to 1966, for nine seasons. It stars Raymond Burr as the title character, a defense attorney who often gets involved in solving crimes to help his clients. This often leads to him finding the real criminal and freeing his clients.

The tone here is more dramatic than on Poker Face, but they are both about passionate characters who really want to get to the truth. Generally, Mason does it to help his clients, and he has a need to know the truth behind each case. Though Charlie may have different motives for solving her cases each week, they all stem from a desire to find out what really happened. 

Stream Perry Mason on Freevee.

A Simple Favor (Amazon) 

A Simple Favor follows vlogger and single mom Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) who tries to solve the mystery of her friend, Emily’s (Blake Lively) disappearance.

If there is a genre of main characters who are kind of a hot mess, both Stephanie and Charlie belong in that category, though I would argue that the latter seems a lot more emotionally stable than the former. They are also both amateur crime solvers, but Charlie is a lot better at it and does it because it’s more of a calling. 

A Simple Favor and Poker Face are also both simply really fun entries into the mystery genre. 

Poker Face is one of Peacock’s best TV shows, so as you anxiously await the next episode or season, make sure to check out some movies and TV shows on this list. 

Stream A Simple Favor on Amazon.
Stream Poker Face on Peacock.

It’s a mystery - a murder mystery. 

Like it or not, lots of people are into murder mysteries. We like the adventure that it brings, the questions that are raised, and everything else involved. And while there are plenty of murder mystery movies out there, such as Murder on the Orient Express or Knives Out (which is getting a 2022 sequel on Netflix), sometimes, we want a mystery that takes place over several episodes and not just two hours. 

That’s where these fantastic “whodunnit” TV shows come into play. From hits coming from the 2022 TV schedule, such as Only Murders in the Building, to older shows that you’ll surely love just as much, these are 10 of the best “whodunnit” TV shows that you should most certainly check out. 

Only Murders In The Building (2020 - Present)

If you want an amazing show that’s recent, you need to check out Only Murders in the Building. Starring Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, the series tells the story of a group of true crime fans who decide to create their own murder mystery podcast when a murder occurs in their building, and also attempt to solve the case.

Truly, this has been one of my favorite shows of 2022 overall, and a fantastic whodunnit show. Not only is the chemistry between the three lead stars spectacular, but the story itself is full of twists and turns that you would never expect, and it makes you wonder what could possibly happen next. As someone who has been a fan of all of these actors for many years (especially Selena Gomez, since I grew up watching her), this is one of their best projects in years. And, a third season is already on the way for 2023 - with Paul Rudd!

Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.

Twin Peaks (1990-1991)

Next up, we have Twin Peaks, an older show from the nineties that is an amazing whodunnit series. In this show, we follow Dale Cooper, the detective on the case of the murder of Laura Palmer. But, as the mystery starts to unravel, he begins to notice that things aren’t all that they seem. 

The series, while it originally only lasted for two seasons, returned for a third in 2017 after it gained a cult following. The show itself is such a staple in whodunnit television and a series where you have no idea what the heck is going to come next. And, let me talk about the cinematography, some of the shots in this series are beautiful. It’s done so well and is a series you should certainly check out if you’ve never seen it before. 

Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.

True Detective (2014 - Present)

This HBO anthology series is one of the best out there. True Detective is a crime drama where, in each season, we follow a new cast and a new story as they take on a new mystery that somehow gets even crazier than the last, from serial killers to corrupt politicians to so much more. 

This show is seriously so good, and the fact that each season has a completely new plot makes it even better. The stories themselves are widely different and really capture your attention right away, and the casts are always star-studded. The latest season of the show (which released in 2019), stars Mahershala Ali. Season 4 is already confirmed with several new stars. 

Stream True Detective on HBO Max.

Pretty Little Liars (2010 - 2017)

If you want to talk about a landmark in teen television dramas, this is the one. Pretty Little Liars tells the story of five best friends in a clique that falls apart when Alison, their leader, suddenly vanishes. But, a year later, they begin receiving messages from an unknown source called “A,”  threatening to expose their past and secrets. Now, it’s up to them to figure out what happened to Alison and who A is. 

God, this series. I remember distinctly when this show came out when I was in middle school that it was so popular, to the point where I didn’t even want to watch it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve given the show a shot and honestly, it’s a lot of fun. I do enjoy the mystery behind it and I believe that it was worthy of the hype. It even got a new HBO Max spinoff, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, years later, so it’s worth your time. 

Stream Pretty Little Liars on HBO Max.

Dexter - Season 1 (2006 - 2007) 

Dexter is one of the best Showtime shows out there. Featuring the titular character, Dexter Morgan, the first season of this series follows a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, who has a habit of killing bad people to soothe his carnal desire for blood. However, when another killer begins to play games with him, he takes it upon himself to figure out who it is. 

While I would mainly consider the first season of Dexter a “whodunnit” show for the purpose of this list, the rest of the series is great (minus that ending, but Dexter: New Blood made up for it). Michael C. Hall is a great leading man for the role of Dexter, and the show has plenty of moments that will shock and amaze you all at once. The mystery of the first season, though, is one of the best. And, the ending will leave you with your jaw hanging wide open. 

Stream Dexter on Showtime.

Mare Of Easttown (2021)

Next up on this list, we have Mare of Easttown, an HBO limited series starring Kate Winslet. In this drama, we follow a detective in Pennsylvania who is struggling with her own issues and her world is rocked when a murder occurs in her small town. Now, it’s up to the detective to figure out who did this, as well as the link between the murder and a suspicious amount of missing women who have been reported. 

I think what I love about the Mare of Easttown is that it’s a very condensed story. It doesn’t get too crazy or out of this world, mainly just takes place in this small town, and features some truly amazing actors. The Mare of Easttown cast is great, too, offering very compelling performances. The mystery is believable, and you won’t be able to put down the remote after you start watching it. 

Stream Mare of Easttown on HBO Max.

Veronica Mars (2004 - 2019)

Next up, we have the popular CW series (which returned later on Hulu), Veronica Mars. Starring Kristen Bell, this teen drama follows her story as the titular character who also tries to solve mysteries as a private investigator, with her father’s help. And while each season she tries to solve smaller mysteries, there’s always one major case that she’s working towards solving by the end of the season. The first focuses on her friend’s murder, the second on a group of students killed in a bus crash. 

The first two seasons of Veronica Mars are truly the “whodunnit” seasons of the show and the best, but the other two seasons have interesting mysteries that people can enjoy. It’s really Kristen Bell in her lead role that makes this show so fun, because she’s just so good as Veronica Mars. Truly, one of Bell's best characters. 

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

One Of Us Is Lying (2021 - Present)

If you’re looking for a Peacock original series, check out One Of Us Is Lying. In this teen mystery, five students go into detention one day, and only four come out. Now, we're along for the ride to see who of the four students is lying about the death of one of their classmates. 

As someone who read the book, this was such a good adaptation that I actually ended up watching it twice. The One Of Us Is Lying cast is outstanding in their roles, and the mystery is played out very well over the course of the first season. There’s even a Season 2 coming out very soon, so you might as well check it out now. 

Stream One Of Us Is Lying on Peacock.

The Afterparty (2022) 

AppleTV+ has been coming out with some awesome shows, and The Afterparty only adds to that. This Apple TV+ original stars plenty of famous names, such as Tiffany Haddish, Dave Franco, Sam Richardson, and more, and tells the tale of a high school reunion gone wrong when someone is murdered. 

The Afterparty is such a distinct murder mystery, and what I like about it is that it tells the night from different perspectives. You don’t really know who to trust at first because everyone seems to have a reason as to why they aren’t the killer, but seeing it through the eyes of everyone else is so cool, and it helps that the show is seriously funny. Season 2 is on the way, so you might as well watch it now. 

Stream The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

How To Get Away With Murder (2014 - 2020)

Last but not least, we have How To Get Away With Murder. Starring Viola Davis, this series starts off when a local sorority girl is murdered. A law professor and five of her students end up getting all caught up in it, and not everyone is being so truthful about who knows what. 

This show is so unbelievably good. The murder mystery is done so well and I truly am astounded at what they were able to do. The How To Get Away With Murder cast is amazing - and of course, Viola Davis is always a win. She ended up winning an Emmy award for her portrayal in the show, so you know she is just astounding.  

Stream How To Get Away With Murder on Netflix.

Honorable Mention: Riverdale In Its Earlier Seasons (Seasons 1 And 2, 2016-2018) 

Okay, hear me out. 

Riverdale is a CW show that takes place in the town of Riverdale where strange things happen all the time, mainly following Archie Andrews and his friends. Don’t watch Seasons 3-6. They’re just bad, and the twists and turns have gotten even stranger - and some don’t even make any sense. 

However, the first two seasons of the show are actually pretty good television. The murder mystery surrounding the death of Jason Blossom, and the Black Hood killings really captured attention, and I think that for anyone who is into whodunnits, this would be entertaining to watch. Give it a shot. Just don’t see the rest of the show after, ugh. 

Stream Riverdale on Netflix.

With so many amazing choices, you’ll be swimming in murder mysteries for ages. It’s time to get on your detective hat and retrieve your notepad - we got some murders to solve!

Have you ever been watching your favorite TV show when a certain actor popped into frame and you could not help but wonder where else you might have seen them? There is a good chance that it could have been another episode of the same program, as many television series have a history of casting the same actor for entirely different roles. In fact we have a hefty amount examples below of actors who have played multiple TV characters in one series.

Giovanni Ribisi On Friends (Condom Guy, Frank Buffay Jr.)

Before he joined the Friends cast in the recurring role of Frank Buffay Jr. - the younger half-brother of Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) - Emmy nominee Giovanni Ribisi made an uncredited Season 2 appearance as a guy who asks if he can retrieve the condom he dropped in Phoebe’s guitar case moments earlier. Considering Phoebe never found out about this sibling until later that season, fans have speculated that Frank and “Condom Guy” are the same person, but this has never been confirmed.

Queen Latifah On The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (Marissa Redman, Dee Dee)

Before she was in the Living Single cast, future Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah shared the screen with fellow rapper-turned-actor Will Smith on two episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1991. She played a vain, domineering actress who hires Hilary (Karyn Parsons) as an assistant for her first appearance, and returned to play a woman whose friendship with Will is tested when he does not defend her from ridicule about her weight.

Jerry Orbach On Law & Order (Defense Attorney Frank Lehrman, Detective Lennie Briscoe)

The late, great Jerry Orbach of Dirty Dancing fame is even better known for his 12 seasons in the Law & Order cast as Detective Lennie Briscoe, for which he received his third Emmy nomination. However, his first appearance on creator Dick Wolf’s long-running crime procedural (which was revived in 2022) was in Season 2 (a year before he official joined the cast) as Frank Lehrman - a lawyer defending a woman who shot her estranged husband and his mistress. 

Justin Theroux On Sex And The City (Jared, Vaughn Wysel)

On the premiere season of Sex and the City, Justin Theroux appeared as Jared - Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) post-Mr. Big rebound - before showing up again the following season as Vaughn Wysel -  Carrie’s writer boyfriend whose stories are short, just like his bedroom stamina. The star of HBO’s The Leftovers explained on an episode of People Magazine’s Couch Surfing how he prepared for his second role on the iconic romantic-comedy series by shaving his head.

Dean-Charles Chapman On Game Of Thrones (Martyn Lannister, Tommen Baratheon)

It is not so unusual for a Game of Thrones cast member to die and come back later (i.e. Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow), but Dean-Charles Chapman is a special case. The 1917 star appeared in two episodes of the third season as a Lannister House squire named Martyn before being brought back the next year (and with a sweet promotion) as the polarizing King of the Andals, Tommen Baratheon.

Peter Capaldi On Doctor Who (Caecilius, The Doctor)

Because of Time Lords’ regenerative process, the titular hero of the phenomenal British sci-fi series, Doctor Who, has been played by 13 different actors so far - including Oscar-winner Peter Capaldi (who looked to David Bowie for inspiration for the role) from 2013 to 2017. However, die-hard Whovians may recall when the Scotsman and The Suicide Squad cast member appeared opposite the Tenth Doctor, David Tenant, in 2008 as a man The Doctor saves from Vesuvius’ eruption named Caecilius.

Karen Gillan On Doctor Who (Soothsayer, Amy Pond)

In the same 2008 episode of Doctor Who in which Peter Capaldi made his first appearance in a different role, future Marvel movie star Karen Gillan also made her debut on the cult favorite series as a soothsayer who gained psychic powers from breathing in dust from the volcano, Vesuvius. Two years later, the Scottish actress was cast as Amy Pond, who would accompany Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor on adventures until 2012.

Ted McGinley On Married… With Children (Norman Jablonsky, Jefferson D'Arcy)

On Married… with Children (which some believe is due for a revival), the Bundy Family’s next-door neighbor, Marcy (Amanda Bearse), was married twice - the second time to Jefferson D’Arcy, who was played by Ted McGinley after he joined the cast in Season 5. The previous season, he appeared in a holiday episode inspired by It’s a Wonderful Life in which Al (Ed O’Neill) is shown an alternate reality where Peg (Katey Segal) is, instead, married to a more successful, better looking man named Norman Jablonsky (McGinley).  

Terry O’Quinn On The X-Files (Lt. Brian Tillman, Shadow Man)

Emmy winner Terry O’Quinn, best known from the Lost cast, has starred in a number of series created by Chris Carter - including one of the best ’90 shows, The X-Files, as both a police lieutenant in Season 2  and a super-soldier who tries to kill Scully (Gillian Anderson) in Season 9. He was also a regular on another supernatural series by Carter called Millennium, which once crossed over with The X-Files - meaning O’Quinn has really played three characters within this same universe.

Garret Dillahunt On Deadwood (Jack McCall, Francis Wolcott)

Garett Dillahunt is one of the few names on our list who, instead of just two guest appearances, can claim to have two different, multi-episode recurring roles in the Deadwood cast. He played the crooked-nosed murderer Jack McCall in the HBO series’ first season, before returning in Season 2 as geologist Francis Wolcott. He even made an uncredited cameo in the series’ feature-length continuation from 2019 as random drunk.

S. Epatha Merkerson On Law & Order (Mrs. Denise Winters, Lieutenant Anita Van Buren)

Emmy winner S. Epatha Merkerson, who went on to be a staple of the One Chicago franchise, is best known for playing Lt. Anita Van Buren on Law & Order from 1993 to 2010. Yet, her first role on the iconic crime drama was as the mother of two young shooting victims in the the series’ premiere season.

Paget Brewster On Community (Debra Chambers, Frankie Dart)

During Paget Brewster’s temporary absence from the Criminal Minds cast, she had a starring role on Community as Frankie Dart - a consultant hired to help improve things on the Greendale campus. There is a clever joke from Season 6 of creator Dan Harmon’s cult favorite comedy when Frankie claims to have some bizarre trouble when trying to reach out to Greendale’s I.T. department head, Debra Chambers - whom Brewster also played in the previous season.

James Cromwell On Barney Miller (Sgt. Wilkinson, Neil Spencer, Jason Parrish, Dr. Edmund Danworth)

The producers of Barney Miller (one of funniest and best classic mystery shows) cast several actors in multiple guest appearances over its eight seasons, including Oscar nominee James Cromwell. He first appeared as a police sergeant in 1977, a representative of the department of energy two years later, and both a corporate representative and stress researcher in 1981.

Denise Dowse On Beverly Hills, 90210 (Professor Harriet Welkman, Mrs. Teasley)

Years before appearing on the hit HBO comedy Insecure or FX’s acclaimed crime drama Snowfall, Denise Dowse appeared on a total of 24 episodes as part of the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast from 1990 to 2000. In 23 of those episodes, she played West Beverly Hills High School vice principal Yvonne Teasley, and also played a college professor in an episode of Season 1, which was also her first.

Diane Neal On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Amelia Chase, A.D.A. Casey Novak)

Diane Neal has starred on the crime procedural spin-off Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (initially as a regular and later in recurring and guest appearances) as Casey Novak - an assistant district attorney who also appeared in an episode of the short-lived Law & Order: Trial By Jury. The actress has actually played two characters in this universe - the first being a stockbroker convicted of the rape and murder of a male stripper who staged the murder of her accomplice as a suicide, on SVU’s third season.

Freema Agyeman On Doctor Who (Adeloa Oshodi, Martha Jones)

Before joining the New Amsterdam cast and starring in The Matrix Revolutions, Freema Agyeman first appeared with the Doctor Who cast as Torchwood technician Adeloa Oshodi in 2006. The following year, she was cast as Martha Jones - a companion to David Tenant’s Tenth Doctor - who was later revealed to be Adeloa’s cousin to explain the resemblance between the two.

Christa Miller On Seinfeld (Ellen De Granmont, Paula)

If her starring roles on The Drew Carey Show, with the Scrubs cast, and on Cougar Town do not earn Christa Miller the right to be called sitcom royalty, how about her two disparate guest roles on one of the most celebrated sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld? Miller contributes to two memorable George Costanza moments - the first being when she cost Jason Alexander’s iconic character a bra salesman position after a disastrous attempt at hitting on her in Season 5. In Season 6, she played a woman already dating George, but her unflattering doodle of him suddenly makes him unsure if her affection is genuine.

Nelson Franklin on The Office (Graphic Design Guy, Nick)

Comedian and Being the Ricardos star Nelson Franklin is known for having notable recurring roles on a number of sitcoms, including with The Office cast as Dunder Mifflin-Sabre’s begrudgingly overlooked IT guy, Nick, in Season 6. Two seasons earlier, he appeared in the episode “Job Fair” as a graphic design expert whom Pam (Jenna Fischer) approaches with interest in the field.

Sean Gunn On Angel (Mars, Lucas)

Before his older brother, James Gunn, cast him in multiple roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies (namely Kraglin and Rocket Raccoon, for whom he performed the mo-cap), Sean Gunn play two different characters in the first season of the David Boreanaz-led Buffy spin-off, Angel. The future Gilmore Girls cast member first played a spa manager helping an inter-dimensional demon princess hide other women of her kind from the males who enslave them, before returning a few episodes later as a demon himself - specifically the kind that Angel’s ally, Allen Doyle (Glenn Quinn), is a descendent of on his father’s side.

Hayden Panettiere On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Ashley Austin Black, Angela Agnelli)

Back when she was still best known for Disney movies like A Bug’s Life and Remember the Titans, Hayden Panettiere guest-starred on Season 2 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as the surviving young daughter of two singers accused of neglecting their recently deceased son. Right before joining the Heroes cast made her a household name, the actress and singer appeared on the spin-off’s sixth season as a Catholic high school student whose participation in a sex tape also featuring her classmate and an adult doctor, drove her to murder.

James Jordan On Veronica Mars (Lucky, Tim Foyle)

Years before joining the Yellowstone cast as Steve Hendon, one of James Jordan’s first major TV characters was Tim Foyle - a rival of Kristen Bell’s titular hero from the Veronica Mars cast who appeared in seven episodes, including the 2019 revival season. However, Jordan actually starred in a total of 10 episodes of the hit mystery drama and, for his first three, played a Neptune High janitor ironically named Lucky, who was shot and killed by a school security guard after showing up with an unloaded gun after he was fired.

Michael Cudlitz On CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Officer William Spencer, Josh Barston)

Earlier in his career, former The Walking Dead cast member Michael Cudlitz made a guest appearance on each of the first three editions of the CSI franchise (and each time as a different character, too), but the original is the only one on which he appeared twice. His first played a cop driven to crime by greed in Season 2, and later played a contractor driven to murder by love in Season 9.

BONUS: Kali Rocha On Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Cecily Addams, Halfrek - Confirmed To Be The Same Character)

For years, it was debated among fans of Buffy of the Vampire Slayer whether or not Kali Rocha's roles of Cecily Addams - a 19th Century socialite whose rejection of Spike (James Marsters) resulted in his vampirism - and the vengeance demon Halfrek were the same person. Writer Drew Goddard would confirm in a DVD commentary track (via ScreenRant) that the theory is, indeed, true, which we have chosen to mention as a bonus item on this list just in case there were any fans who may have needed clarification.

Let this list be a lesson to any aspiring actor to never take a TV guest appearance or small recurring role for granted. It could be the first of many appearances on that show alone or could get you promoted to a regular position.

Amanda Seyfried has solidified herself as a star of both movies and television since her first roles in the early 2000s. Appearing in big-time hits such as Mean Girls, Les Miserables and more, this actress has truly blossomed into a talented star with plenty of acting ability. And today, we’re going to celebrate with some of her best projects yet. 

Here are some of the best Amanda Seyfried movies and TV shows, and how you can watch them streaming. Who knows? You might end up just finding a new favorite movie to watch featuring our favorite girl. 

Veronica Mars (2004-2006)

On this popular teen series, Veronica Mars follows the titular character, Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), a seemingly normal everyday teen with a thirst for knowledge about mysteries, acting as a private investigator under her father, learning the ways of the world while trying to solve some of the most interesting cases out there. 

For the first two seasons, Amanda Seyfried portrayed Lilly Kane, the main subject of one of the bigger mysteries that Veronica was trying so desperately to solve. Even at such a young age, you could see just how talented Amanda Seyfried was, showing how much promise she had to come. 

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

Mean Girls (2004)

Arguably what most people probably know Amanda Seyfried from is Mean Girls. This hilarious comedy told the story of Cady, a young girl who just moved from South Africa and transfers to a school in the United States, only to butt heads with the "plastics," her school's version of the popular girls. 

Amanda Seyfriend portrayed Karen Smith, one of the more naive members of the Plastics who believed that she could tell the weather by touching her breasts. I mean, that premise alone makes me laugh, but the way that Amanda Seyfried pulls it off is astounding. After seeing so many of her films, it’s always fun to return back to this one and watch her comedic timing, because truly, this just makes me want to see her in many more comedies. She’s so good at them. 

Stream Mean Girls on Paramount Plus. 
Rent Mean Girls on Amazon.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Hands down, one of my favorite modern musicals, and my ultimate feel-good movie. Mamma Mia! is based on the Broadway show of the same name, telling the story of a young girl who is about to get married. However, she’s missing one thing - her biological father. When she finds her mother’s old diary that details the summer of when she slept with three men - the same summer she was conceived - she takes it upon herself to invite them to he wedding destination to find out who is who. 

This was the first time I had ever heard Amanda Seyfried sing and act at the same time, and every time I watch Mamma Mia!, I always get the biggest smile on my face. While I do love Seyfried in her more dramatic roles, I’ve always adored her character here because she’s so genuine. All she wants is for her father to walk her down the aisle, but she comes to realize that maybe she doesn’t need to know and she can be happy just the way she is. There was also a sequel, where she shines as well.

Stream Mamma Mia! on Starz. 
Rent Mamma Mia! on Amazon.

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Definitely an underrated horror movie and one that deserves so much more praise, Amanda Seyfried co-starred in Jennifer’s Body, alongside Megan Fox. In this horror film, two best friends head out for a night of fun at a bar that turns into terror. The next day, one of them starts to change, and horrible moments begin to occur. 

First off, let me tell you that Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox should have been in more movies together. These two have such amazing chemistry that I would pay so much money to see them in the same film once more. Secondly, I really love Seyfried’s character in this movie, Needy. She starts out literally being “Needy” for her best friend and evolves into a badass young woman who is willing to risk her life to save others, and I love the character progression. I wish there had been a sequel with just her after the ending. If you haven’t watched it, check it out now. 

Stream Jennifer’s Body on Amazon. 
Rent Jennifer’s Body on Apple TV+.

Dear John (2010)

If you’re looking for a romantic film mixed in with a war movie, check out Dear John, based on the novel of the same name. A tale as old as time, when two people fall in love and one of them gets sent off to war, they decide to keep in contact by constantly exchanging letters back and forth. 

You know, I don’t care what anyone says - this movie may be cliche but sometimes, you just need that kind of romance movie, and it doesn’t change the fact that Amanda Seyfried is still great in it. Dear John doesn’t have anything remotely groundbreaking in it compared to other romantic dramas out there, but it’s still a good romantic movie that boasts great couple chemistry between both Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. Give it a try if romance is your thing.

Stream Dear John on Netflix. 
Rent Dear John on Amazon.

Big Love (2006-2011)

I bet when you think of HBO, you think of dramas, and Big Love was one of those for some time. This series, starring several big-time stars, follows a practicing Mormon family that practices polygamy, following their every day lives while living in Utah. 

Amanda Seyfried played Sarah Henrickson, one of the daughters in the family, and watching this makes me want to see more of her in the future in TV shows as a main character. While I do love her in movies, I feel like Big Love was such a reset in her career because it not only allowed her to show off her acting ability on a weekly basis but her skills in a dramatic role. I also loved the contrast between her character and her family. It creates a sense of conflict that makes it hard to look away from the television screen. 

Stream Big Love on HBO Max.

Les Miserables (2012)

I think at this point everyone has heard of Tom Hooper's Les Miserables. This musical movie, based on the musical production of the same name, mainly follows Jean Valjean, a man who had served many years in prison after stealing a loaf of bread, and when he is released, focuses on his new life when he meets the little girl, Cosette. 

Look, I’m one of the first people to say that the movie isn’t as great as the stage production. It has its moments, but as someone who loves musical theater, it could have been better. That being said, I did love many of the portrayals in the movie, and that includes Amanda Seyfried as Cosette. She had that perfect combination of a girl who is happy with what she has but wanting more with someone else, mixed in with her singing voice. While I do think some things could have been done better, there’s no denying that Seyfried has so much talent. 

Stream Les Miserables on Netflix. 
Rent Les Miserables on Amazon. 

The Art Of Racing In The Rain (2019)

I’ll be honest - this film will make you cry. The Art of Racing in the Rain, based on the book of the same name, follows Denny, a race car driver who has a very special connection with his dog Enzo. And this dog has a mind of his own - an idea of what life could be like after he dies. 

I know, I’m probably already making your heart clench with the idea of a movie where the dog actively knows it’s going to die, but The Art of Racing in the Rain is a great comedy-drama that tells a sweet story about a person and the love they have for their animal, and how that love can transfer over to others. Amanda Seyfried’s character, Eve, has amazing chemistry with Milo Ventimiglia’s character, effectively feeling like a real relationship that anyone could relate to. And let’s be honest - the Golden Retriever is the cutest dog you’ve ever seen, almost on par with Lucky from Hawkeye. 

Rent The Art of Racing in the Rain on Amazon.

Scoob! (2020)

Amanda Seyfried decided to step into the world of voice-acting for this one. In Scoob!, we see the origin story of everyone’s favorite animated dog, Scooby-Doo, and years later when he, his owner, Shaggy, and his friends of Mystery Incorporated are involved in their biggest mystery yet. 

Seyfried voices Daphne, one of the members of Mystery Inc. and a part of the all-star Scoob! cast. Hear me out - as someone who literally talked about the best Scooby-Doo movies, I can assure you that Scoob! is a good time. The cast does an excellent job with their voice roles, including Seyfried’s Daphne, and they all mold very well together, creating a fun experience for not only new faces to the franchise but old fans as well. It’s a fun time, regardless of how old you are. 

Stream Scoob! on HBO Max. 
Buy Scoob! on Amazon. 

Mank (2020)

Next up, we have the Netflix original film, Mank, directed by David Fincher. This drama tells the story of the real-life screenwriter, Herman Mankiewicz, otherwise known as “Mank,” and his struggles with trying to create the next big hit for film. This, in turn, led him to create one of the most known films of all time, Citizen Kane. 

Amanda Seyfried portrayed Marion Davies, a real-life actress who was close with Herman and had a big influence on the screenplay he was writing, and her portrayal is wonderful from beginning to end. While Amanda Seyfried shines in a lot of modern-set movies like Mamma Mia! or A Mouthful of Air, I've always loved her in these period pieces, as you can really tell the dedication she pours into the role to fully become that character. 

Stream Mank on Netflix.

A Mouthful Of Air (2021)

Last but not least, we have Seyfried’s latest entry into the film world, A Mouthful of Air. This drama film tells the story of a young woman who faces something that so many new mothers face today - postpartum depression, and how it affects her life following the birth of her son. 

I wish that this movie had gotten more attention than it did because this, to me, is one of Seyfried’s best performances. It feels so real. This isn’t a fantasy movie or a musical or even a romantic drama. It’s a genuine story about a very real topic that many can likely relate to. The emotion that Seyfried portrays is so raw and enthralling that you’ll be entranced by her performance from start to finish. Truly, one of her best. 

Rent A Mouthful of Air on Amazon.

With so many amazing films and TV shows, one can only wonder what Amanda Seyfriend will do next. Could the Mean Girls cast reunite for a second movie? Perhaps another fun Mamma Mia! movie? Only time will tell. 

One of the most well-known genres of television is the teen drama. For years, these types of shows, filled with steamy romances, the highs and lows of high school sports, fashion gods, and so much more, have been a major part of television. From some older options to brand new ones, there are plenty of shows out there for the teen drama enthusiast. 

If you’re looking for your next binge, check out the best teen drama TV shows streaming, that you can watch right now. 

Riverdale (Netflix)

Riverdale is the titular name of a small little town in upstate New York on this show from The CW, where everything seems normal until one person begins to dig a little deeper into the area's dark history, and murders start to pile up, creating plenty of drama for its residents. 

Riverdale has certainly gone up and down in quality over its run, but I’ll always have a special place in my heart for its craziness. The characters are all so different, and the relationships are very entertaining to follow. It’s definitely a great murder mystery show and while it has its moments of utter strangeness - like those weird musical episodes - it’s still an entertaining teen drama. 

Stream Riverdale on Netflix. 

All American (Netflix)

Next up, we have a classic sports show, All American. This teen drama follows a young high school football player who transfers to Beverly Hills High after being recruited from South L.A. We follow his wins and losses, both on the field and off. 

As someone who is a huge fan of sports movies, and loves watching football, I can confirm that this is an awesome show. I especially love that All American isn’t afraid to really dive deeply into hard to talk about topics that not a lot of older teen dramas really got into, such as racial injustice. The series is a lot of fun, and has great storylines filled with inspiration. 

Stream All American on Netflix. 

Elite (Netflix)

This international series on Netflix, Elite, is set in an elite secondary school, and follows the story of three working-class students who end up attending through a scholarship program, and clash with their wealthy classmates. 

I’ve always felt that Elite is like the Spanish version of Gossip Girl, except I think the characters are a lot more personable and fun to follow. We follow some truly crazy storylines, and I also especially love that the school they film in really does look like an amazingly private prep school. The romances in this are also so much fun to root for as well. There are six seasons and a seventh on the way, so time to binge.

Stream Elite on Netflix. 

Euphoria (HBO Max)

Next up, we have the HBO original series, Euphoria. While there’s a whole ensemble of characters, the main two that we follow are Rue and Jules, two young women, as they struggle through high school, and the social problems that surround them. 

Out of all the picks on this list, Euphoria is definitely the most mature. I’d say it even teeters between teen drama and adult drama with some of its content. However, I do feel that it’s an important show to watch, as it talks about some serious themes such as sexual assault, drug abuse and addiction, gender transitioning, and more. Zendaya is brilliant in her starring role, but the whole Euphoria cast is excellent, as well. Truly a great hit for HBO. 

Stream Euphoria on HBO Max.

The 100 (Netflix)

Another CW show, The 100, follows a group of delinquents from a spaceship, who are sent back down to Earth to investigate if the planet is ready to be occupied by humans again, after a nuclear apocalypse. But, the kids find out that not only is the planet habitable - they are not alone. 

I absolutely adore dystopian shows like this, but mix that in with some teen drama and it’s a winner for me. From The 100 cast to the storylines to its surprisingly great costuming and set design, it’s such a well-done show, and the lore is truly interesting. I’m not the hugest fan of the last season, but the rest is great. 

Stream The 100 on Netflix.

Degrassi: The Next Generation (Amazon Prime)

Taking place more than a decade after Degrassi Junior High, this show, Degrassi: The Next Generation, follows the obstacles of being a teenager, whether that means having to deal with relationship problems, sexuality, bullying, or even darker themes like sexual assault, gun control, and more. 

I’m going to be honest - Degrassi: The Next Generation was a little bit before my time of teen dramas, however, I recently binged it with a friend and I have to say, it holds up. The topics that are talked about are still relevant to today’s teens - if not even more so - and Degrassi: The Next Generation’s cast is full of talent and produced an entertaining show. I mean, the show even has Drake before he was super famous. It’s definitely worth a watch. 

Stream Degrassi: The Next Generation on Amazon Prime. 

Gossip Girl (HBO Max)

A classic CW show, Gossip Girl follows Serena Van der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively), a teenager growing up on the Upper East Side of New York City. We follow her daily struggles with schooling, her best friend, relationship issues and more, through six seasons of craziness. 

As someone who recently just watched all of this for the first time, I can understand why it was so popular. The Gossip Girl cast is ridiculously skillful in their portrayals of these characters, and it’s no wonder why most of them went on to have very fulfilling careers. The storylines are intense and crazy, the characters easy to follow, and the fashion impeccable. The latest HBO Max remake isn’t that great, in my opinion, so better to just stick with the original. 

Stream Gossip Girl on HBO Max.

Ginny & Georgia (Netflix)

With two seasons so far – and a third one on the way – this is probably one of Netflix’s most popular original teen shows. Ginny & Georgia follows Ginny, a young teenager who moves to a new town with her brother and mother, who had her as a teenager. Ginny lovers her mother, but as she starts to settle into this new town, she begins to discover secrets about her mom’s past that she never would have guessed – and it changes her life forever. 

Ginny & Georgia is one of those shows where you either enjoy the heck out of it or you can’t make it past the first season because the way the high schoolers talk can be very dated (as is the case with many teen shows). But what I will say is that the story is honestly really good and has a lot of suspense around Georgia’s character, and Season 2 especially dives into much heavier themes. 

Stream Ginny & Georgia on Netflix. 

One Tree Hill (Hulu)

Another classic teen drama, One Tree Hill, is all about the Scott brothers, Lucas and Nathan, half siblings who are competing against each other for spots on the basketball team, romances, and a lot more, in the town of Tree Hill, North Carolina. 

I feel like everyone has heard of One Tree Hill. It’s such a great combination of genres within a teen drama, like having a sports storyline, including so much romance it’s almost impossible to keep up with it, and much, much more. Plus, the One Tree Hill cast is full of stars, such as Chad Michael Murray, Hilarie Burton, and James Lafferty. The show had nine seasons, so you know it was, at the very least, quite successful. 

Stream One Tree Hill on Hulu. 

Pretty Little Liars (HBO Max)

Pretty Little Liars follows a group of five best friends, but their lives start to fall apart when their leader, Alison, suddenly vanishes. A year later, the friends reunite when they are threatened by a person named ‘A,’ who is saying they will expose all their darkest secrets. 

I feel like Pretty Little Liars is famous for so many reasons, whether it be for its drama, its romances, its dark twists and turns, or something else. The show became incredibly popular, and Pretty Little Liars cast went on to succeed in many different projects after the series finale. 

Stream Pretty Little Liars on HBO Max. 

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

In this popular CW series, Veronica Mars follows the titular character as she moves from high school to college, while also working as a private investigator, thanks to her father, who is a detective. In each new episode, we get to follow Veronica as she takes on a new case, while constantly trying to figure out the bigger mystery at hand. 

Starring Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars is the perfect example of a teen drama that can be entertaining for teens and adults. The mysteries that are involved are so much fun, but what really makes it such a great series is how, at the end of each season, it’s all tied to the bigger mystery of the season. And, how can you not love Kristen Bell as Veronica? She has that spunky personality that’s just impossible not to like.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu. 

Teen Wolf (Hulu)

Loosely based on the '80s film of the same name, Teen Wolf follows Scott, a seemingly normal high schooler whose world is turned upside down when he is bitten by a werewolf the night before his sophomore year, completely changing the course of his life. 

This is an excellent werewolf show, if not for the costume design, then for the Teen Wolf cast. Everyone works so well together and helped create a truly entertaining fantasy series that’s full of lore, enjoyable characters, and really cool monsters. My personal favorite character from the series is Stiles. Definitely one of Dylan O’Brien's best movies and TV shows. 

Stream Teen Wolf on Hulu. 

Outer Banks (Netflix)

Lastly, we have the Netflix original series, Outer Banks. This series is set in the town of Outer Banks, North Carolina, where there’s a stark difference between the wealthy and the working-class, called Kooks and Pogues. We follow a group of Pogues, who are on a mission to find out what happened to their ringleader’s father, who mysteriously disappeared. 

I personally think that this show sometimes dives a little too deep into teen drama tropes by making these romances as intense as they are. However, Outer Banks provides some awesomely fun adventure with its inclusion of mystery, mixed in with a warm feeling provided by the setting’s atmosphere. I love to watch this show in the winter when it’s cold, as it reminds me of summer. 

Stream Outer Banks on Netflix. 

While there are plenty of awesome teen dramas that we can all look forward to popping up on the 2023 TV schedule, sometimes it’s better to just sit back, relax, and binge what's come before. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to re-watch Gossip Girl for the umpteenth time.

For the better part of the past decade, there have been a lot of great Taylor Sheridan movies like Wind River and Hell or High Water as well as TV shows like Yellowstone and its various prequel series about the Dutton family. And with so much else in the works, it looks like the actor-turned-filmmaker will be dominating the big screen and small screen for the foreseeable future. 

If you have yet to experience any of Sheridan’s movies and shows outside of the adventures at the Dutton Ranch, look no further, as we have put together a quick yet comprehensive list of the Oscar and Golden Globe nominee’s best movies and shows and how you can watch them.

1883 (2021)

Set more than a century before the events of Yellowstone, The 2021 prequel series, 1883 shows a much earlier generation of the Dutton family long before they became one of the most powerful entities in the American West. The series follows James Dillard Dutton (Tim McGraw) and his wife, Margaret (Faith Hill), John Dutton’s great-grandparents as they navigate the free, fierce, and unforgiving wilderness of the frontier in the years following the American Civil War. Along with characters like Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) and Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott), the prequel further expanded the budding franchise.

1883, though set decades before the events of Yellowstone, very much has the same feeling to it with its tight family bonds, resourcefulness, and deadly power plays between characters who wish to stake their claim and build their legacy. But we’ll have to wait and see if this is the end of the story or if we’ll get a second season of 1883.

Stream 1883 on Paramount+.
Buy 1883 on Amazon.

1923 (2022 - Present)

In 2022, Taylor Sheridan further expanded the Yellowstone universe with 1923, another prequel series that took place during one of the most turbulent times in American history. With Prohibition raging, the Great Depression just beyond the horizon, and a series of radical changes either taking place or waiting around the corner, the series sees a Dutton family, at this point in time led by Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara (Helen Mirren), in a state of chaos. However, as we’ve seen with other generations of the family, they are nothing if not resilient and resourceful.

The series was picked up for a second season in February 2023, but a year later, fans are still waiting for those episodes, along with Sheridan’s other Yellowstone shows, to drop on Parmount+. 

Stream 1923 on Paramount+.
Buy 1923 on Amazon.

Tulsa King (2022 - Present)

In 2022, Sylvester Stallone made his long-awaited TV debut with the popular crime series, Tulsa King. The show, which was created by Taylor Sheridan and executive-produced by Terence Winter, follows Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone), a recently paroled mafioso who is sent by his bosses to Oklahoma to expand their criminal enterprise. But like so many movies and shows with this same premise, things don’t go according to plan.

Not long after its first season premiered on Paramount+, the show was picked up for at least another chapter And while we don’t know a whole lot about Tulsa King Season 2 at this point, it’s easy to see why fans are so excited for its return.

Stream Tulsa King on Paramount+.
Buy Tulsa King on Amazon.

Mayor Of Kingstown (2021 - Present)

In November 2021, Taylor Sheridan released Mayor of Kingstown upon the world. Co-created by Sheridan and Hugh Dillon (who also has a major role), the series follows Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner), the reluctant leader of a powerful family who has long kept peace in the not-so-quiet town of Kingstown, Michigan by serving as an in-between for the various criminal and political elements of the community.

Though not a major hit with critics, the show has consistently been popular with fans, which explains its 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. And fans of Mayor of Kingstown received some great news in January 2024 when Jeremey Renner, who almost died a year earlier in a snow plow accident, kicked off production on Season 3.

Stream Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+.
Buy Mayor of Kingstown on Amazon.

Special Ops: Lioness (2023 - Present)

Taylor Sheridan created another hit show in August 2023 with the Paramount+ original series, Special Ops: Lioness. Similar to his movies like Sicario and Without Remorse,  Lioness is a spy action thriller that follows Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), a former Marine who is recruited to join a mysterious CIA program to combat global terrorism. Zoe Saldaña and Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman also appear in this thrilling series.

If you’re looking for intricate storylines, dynamic characters, and awesome firepower, Sheridan’s latest TV project is going to be the way to go.

Stream Special Ops: Lioness on Paramount+.
Buy Special Ops: Lioness on Amazon.

Wind River (2017)

While out on patrol on the outskirts of an American Indian reservation, wildlife officer Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) discovers the body of a young woman who was brutally raped before freezing to death in the vast openness of Wyoming. In response to the heinous crime, FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) is sent in to solve the case, but she soon realizes that her standard way of doing things won’t cut it out here, and they just might get her killed.

Taylor Sheridan, who had already made a name for himself as an excellent screenwriter, made his directorial debut with the 2017 neo-western thriller, Wind River. One of the best murder mysteries in recent years, the movie also features its fair share of tense and expertly-paced scenes, including an anxiety-inducing standoff on an oil drilling site.

Stream Wind River on Freevee.
Rent/Buy Wind River on Amazon.
Buy Wind River on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Yellowstone (2018 - Present)

The Paramount Network original series, Yellowstone, tells the story of the Dutton family, the owners of the largest ranch in the United States, who fight with developers, Indian reservations, the federal government, and even each other as they attempt to protect their land and legacy, one battle at a time.

In 2018, along with John Linson, Taylor Sheridan co-created one of the most talked about shows on TV and introduced millions of viewers to the turmoil experienced by John Dutton (Kevin Costner), his family, and close allies. Although the show hasn’t taken home many awards, Yellowstone has built up a dedicated fanbase and turned Sheridan into one of the most sought-after figures in show business.

Stream Yellowstone on Peacock.
Buy Yellowstone on Amazon.
Buy Yellowstone on DVD on Amazon.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Hannah Faber (Angelina Jolie), a wildland firefighter overcoming past failures by working in a fire lookout tower in Montana, is at the right place at the right time when she encounters Connor Casserly (Finn Little), a young boy on the run after witnessing his father’s murder. With a pair of assassins on one end and a massive wildfire on the other, Hannah seeks not only redemption for her past mistakes but also safety for the scared child in her care.

A throwback to action movies of an earlier era, Those Who Wish Me Dead has all of the hallmarks of Taylor Sheridan’s best work: fast-paced and thrilling set pieces, an emotionally damaged protagonist, and a great understanding and use of tension. 

Stream Those Who Wish Me Dead on Hulu.
Stream Those Who Wish Me Dead on Max.
Buy Those Who Wish Me Dead on Amazon.
Buy Those Who Wish Me Dead on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Hell or High Water (2016)

With their family ranch on the brink of foreclosure, brothers Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner Howard (Ben Foster) come up with a rather unorthodox method of paying off the debt and keeping their childhood home: rob various branches of the bank threatening them, launder the cash at a local casino, and use the proceeds to get out of the red. However, in doing so, they cross paths with Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges), a seasoned Texas Ranger looking to solve one more case before hanging up his boots.

One of the best Westerns of all time, this heartbreaking story leaves you with not heroes and villains, but people doing everything they can to provide a better life not for themselves, but their families, no matter what they stand to lose.

Steam Hell or High Water on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Hell or High Water on Amazon.
Buy Hell or High Water on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Sicario (2015)

FBI Agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) finds herself in a difficult situation joining a task force led by the mysterious and morally ambiguous CIA officer, Matt Graver (Josh Brolin), that has been assembled to root out the ruthless leader of a Mexican drug cartel through any means necessary. Along with prosecutor-turned-hitman Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) and other members of this elite squad, Kate travels back and forth across the southern border carrying out one job after another. 

Written by Taylor Sheridan and directed by Denis Villeneuve, the 2015 crime thriller Sicario is one of the best movies set in Texas as well as a brilliant exploration of the impact of the United States’ “War on Drugs.”

Stream Sicario on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy Sicario on Amazon.
Buy Sicario on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Sicario: Day Of The Soldado (2018)

When a suicide bombing in Kansas City, Missouri, claims the lives of more than a dozen innocent victims, CIA officer Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) is given the go-ahead to turn up his already questionable practices to get even with the Mexican drug cartels who helped smuggle in the terrorists responsible for the heinous attack. Everyone begins to feel the pressure of the ongoing war between the U.S. government and drug lords, when Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) kidnaps a cartel boss’ daughter. From there, things only get more complicated.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado didn’t see the return of director Denis Villeneuve or star Emily Blunt, but the 2018 sequel does feature the same intense action, biting dialogue, and tense situations (as well as more of those questions about the morality of the U.S. government’s role in the drug war. 

Stream Sicario: Day of the Soldado on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Sicario: Day of the Soldado on Amazon.
Buy Sicario: Day of the Soldado on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Without Remorse (2021)

Following the murder of his pregnant wife, unborn child, and his closest friends by an elite Russian hit squad, Navy SEAL John Kelly (Michael B. Jordan) sets off on a one-man crusade, not seeking justice, but revenge, only to uncover a plot by forces within the United States government and its interests that could start the war of all wars with Russia. In a race against time and possibly the end of the world, Kelly sets off to avenge his loved ones while also stopping those at the center of this sinister plan, becoming the famed Tom Clancy character John Clark in the process.

Written by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples, and directed by Stefano Sollima, the 2021 Amazon Studios original action thriller, Without Remorse, serves as an origin story for the late Tom Clancy’s second most famous character, John Clark (only second behind Jack Ryan), in this fast-paced and action-packed revenge thriller. The movie also perfectly sets up a possible adaptation of the military-fiction novelist’s iconic novel, Rainbow Six.

Stream Without Remorse on Amazon.

Sons Of Anarchy (2008 - 2010) (Acting Only)

One of the best FX original series of all time, Sons of Anarchy told the story of the tight-knit group of outlaw bikers commonly known as SAMCRO, as they attempted to legitimize themselves as working members of their fictional town of Charming, California, while also running a successful less-than-legal enterprise on the side. The main focus of the series was on club vice president (and later president) Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the son of the group’s late co-founder, as he attempted to figure out his life both in and out of the club.

Before Taylor Sheridan went off to become an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and the favored son of Paramount+, he was Charming Deputy Chief of Police David Hale on the first three seasons of Sons of Anarchy. At times at odds with SAMCRO and at others one of their most loyal allies in law enforcement, David Hale was one of the major players in the early goings of the beloved FX series. 

Stream Sons of Anarchy on Hulu.
Buy Sons of Anarchy on Amazon.
Buy Sons of Anarchy on DVD on Amazon.

Veronica Mars (2005 - 2007) (Acting Only)

The mystery drama series Veronica Mars spent four seasons (three on UPN/The CW, a fourth on Hulu in 2019) and one movie diving into the various investigations carried out by the titular teenage private detective played by Kristen Bell. From her days in high school, to college and beyond, the series followed Veronica as she became one of the most iconic characters on TV in the early 2000s.

Veronica Mars had plenty of notable guest stars over the years, including Paul Rudd, Amanda Seyfried, and Jane Lynch, and Taylor Sheridan is among them. Sheridan made his TV acting debut as Danny Boyd, a toned and tattooed character who had connections with some of the less savory characters in Veronica’s investigations. Even though he only appeared in a handful of episodes, Sheridan’s performance opened up plenty of doors and led to a successful career.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.
Buy Veronica Mars on Amazon.
Buy Veronica Mars on DVD on Amazon.

Taylor Sheridan has come a long way since his days of navigating the seedier parts of Neptune, California, on Veronica Mars, and if his momentum keeps up, we'll be watching his movies and TV shows for years to come.

Professors, colleges, sorority drama - oh my! These are some of the aspects of one of my favorite genres of TV shows - academic dramas/comedies. While some of us try to watch TV to get away from the stresses of school, I always loved to watch shows that took place in a school or a college, simply for the drama or the comedic hijinks these characters would get up to in their own schools.

That’s why when The Chair released on Netflix, I was eagerly excited to watch it. However, after binging the show so quickly, it left me wanting more and craving another academic drama or comedy to view. If you’re feeling the same way and need a new Netflix TV show or something else, then look no further than these 10 shows that are like The Chair in their own way, with plenty of academic craziness - some of which might even be appearing on the 2021 fall TV schedule.

Grown-ish (Hulu)

In this spin-off of black-ish, grown-ish follows the eldest daughter of the Johnsons’ from the original series, Zoey, when she begins to go to college, starting her journey into adulthood, discovering that the world isn’t exactly as she had imagined it to be once she left home.

As someone who has watched both shows, I’d say that you don’t even need to have watched the original series to like grown-ish, because it does a great enough job establishing itself as a separate series. For fans of The Chair, grown-ish does a good job at portraying what life is currently like in higher education, and how it’s sometimes hard for people to fit in there.

Stream grown-ish on Hulu.

Rent grown-ish on Amazon.

Gossip Girl (HBO Max)

In this classic CW show, Gossip Girl tells the story of Serena Van der Woodsen, a young woman with a group of friends attending the best private school in all of New York with the rest of its elite members, following them as they grow up through their own issues, problems, and into their success in college.

There’s a reason why Gossip Girl has become so popular even now almost a decade after it finished, which is why it’s perfect for fans of The Chair. The Gossip Girl cast is full of stars, such as Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley and so many others. The story is actually full of surprising twists and plots that will have you clicking “next episode” several times. The show was so popular it’s even spawned a spinoff on HBO Max years later - albeit not as good as the original. If you’re looking for an excellent academic drama, this is by far one of the best.

Stream Gossip Girl on HBO Max.

Rent Gossip Girl on Amazon.

Dear White People (Netflix)

Based on the film of the same name, Dear White People follows a group of Black college students at an Ivy League institution, touching on issues that surround modern day race relations, and how that relates to attending college.

I won’t lie when I believe that this is one of the best shows on Netflix, right up there with The Chair. I think not only is it relevant and speaks volumes and lessons about current day college culture, but the story is very compelling and even has a bit of humor to it as well. It’s certainly a very heavy show with plenty of deeper meanings, but I do believe that Dear White People is a dramedy that everyone should watch at least once.

Stream Dear White People on Netflix.

Rent Dear White People on Amazon.

Community (Netflix)

Jeff Winger is an ex-lawyer who must attend a community college after it is discovered that he faked having his Bachelor’s degree. However, in Community, he ends up joining up with a group of misfits for a study group, finding a weird yet surprising community.

Okay, so Community isn’t as serious as The Chair is, but it’s still an amazing show. I binge-watched all of Community within a couple weeks of starting it, and I can say that this is one of the funniest shows ever. From Rick and Morty creator, Dan Harmon, I can assure you there will be moments you’ll end up snorting your drink from laughing so hard. The Community cast has such great chemistry, and the stories are absolutely bonkers but at the same time have so much heart you’ll be rooting for every single character - especially Troy and Abed.

Stream Community on Netflix.

Rent Community on Amazon.

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

In this classic CW show, we follow high schooler (later college student) Veronica Mars as she moonlights as a private investigator under the tutelage of her father, solving mysteries by herself while also working to also solve bigger, more complex cases as the series goes on.

Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars is awesome, and she rocks it in her role, alongside the rest of the great Veronica Mars cast. What really makes Veronica Mars stand out though for fans of The Chair is while it has plenty of focus on the lifestyle of school, it also incorporates mysteries that are genuinely fun to follow and make for a very interesting academic series, one that separates itself from the rest. There’s always something new to discover.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

Rent Veronica Mars on Amazon.

Coach (Amazon Prime)

In Coach, we follow the story of Hayden Fox, a football coach at a university as he tries to not only bring his team to success, but himself and his family as well.

I feel that for fans of The Chair, this is sort of that similar premise where the show is instead focused on the people who do the teaching at the school rather than the students, except Coach is primarily focused in sports and football. Plus, there are so many amazing guest stars that pop up, such as football legend Troy Aikman. It’s really a great show, even if it is a bit older than the others here. And with nine seasons to binge, I think it’s worth a shot.

Stream Coach on Amazon Prime.

How To Get Away With Murder (Netflix)

In How To Get Away With Murder, Viola Davis stars as Annalise Keating, a professor of law at a Philadelphia university, who ends up getting entwined in a murder plot with five of her students.

First off, Viola Davis was the absolute perfect choice to play Keating. I couldn’t think of a more talented actress to do so, because she is perfect in this role. Secondly, what I really love about How To Get Away With Murder for fans of The Chair is while it does incorporate the lifestyle of living at college, there’s this incredible storyline of murder, betrayal and mystery that’s even more captivating.

Stream How To Get Away With Murder on Netflix.

Rent How To Get Away With Murder on Amazon.

Fresh Meat (Amazon Prime)

In this TV series that hails from the United Kingdom, Fresh Meat follows the story of six students who are living together, about to embark on one of the most exciting times of their lives - university, and the struggles that come from within.

I loved Fresh Meat for many reasons. I feel that it’s one of the best options for fans of The Chair because it’s a bare basics college comedy that really goes in depth into the world of university. I especially love that they focus more on the aspects of living with a complete stranger at first, and the problems that can arise with being in a new environment like college. It’s so funny yet heartwarming - a really good pick.

Stream Fresh Meat on Amazon Prime.

Felicity (Hulu)

In Felicity, we follow Felicity Porter, a young woman who is attending the University of New York (based off of the real-life New York University) for her four years of college, in a completely different environment from her home in Palo Alto, California.

Keri Russell definitely stands out in one of her first big roles in Felicity as the title character, but I think what makes me like this show so much - especially for fans of The Chair - is the simplicity of it. Felicity cuts it after four seasons, only covering Felicity’s time at college. It keeps the story tight and sharp, with no room for plot holes and plenty of adventures to explore in those four seasons.

Stream Felicity on Hulu.

Rent Felicity on Amazon Prime.

Greek (Amazon Prime)

For those who have ever wondered what fraternity or sorority life is like, look no further than Greek. In this show, we follow students at the fictitious university, Cyprus-Rhodes, who all participate in the school’s Greek system, which is filled with plenty of problems, issues, and drama all around.

For fans of The Chair, I believe Greek would be a good series to watch just because it’s different from the normal high school/college dramedy. It doesn’t focus in too much on the schooling aspect, but still somehow keeps your attention with how much drama happens within the four walls of these big Greek houses.

Stream Greek on Amazon Prime.

Rent Greek on Apple TV.

School is coming back in session soon - which means there’s no better time than to binge-watch some awesome academic dramas or comedies now. Which one are you going to embark on next?

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I don’t know if you know this, but The CW has a lot of shows. So many that I hardly even know what to do with myself. Some are even premiering on the 2021 fall TV schedule soon, so now is the perfect time to catch up.

From classics like Gossip Girl and Jane the Virgin, to newer shows like Riverdale or All American, these are some of the best (non-Arrowverse) The CW shows you can watch that are streaming right now.

Dynasty

A remake of the classic soap opera, Dynasty tells the story of Fallon Carrington, a young woman who is unhappy to find her billionaire father engaged to a rival employee at the family company, creating tensions, until mysteries unfold.

Starring Elizabeth Gillies from Victorious, she shines exceptionally well in this remake. If you thought that your family had drama, just wait until you dive into the Carrington’s, where a lot of what they do will shock and surprise you, no matter what you’ve seen before.

Stream Dynasty on Netflix.

Jane The Virgin

Jane the Virgin tells the story of a young virgin, named Jane, who ends up accidentally inseminated while she is at a regular check-up with her gynecologist, spurring on a whole world of problems.

Gina Rodriguez stars as Jane here, and honestly, she’s amazing in the role, alongside her awesome Jane the Virgin cast. While the premise does sound a little wacky, that’s sort of what you’re signing up for. Everyone here has their own personal issues and ends up doing crazy things, but somehow, it still works wonderfully.

Stream Jane the Virgin on Netflix.

Reign

In this historical drama, Reign tells the story of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her rise to power in the French court.

Keep in mind that this is a TV show, so it’s not going to be accurate to the true story of the legendary figure. But, Reign is full of fun stars, a story that will intrigue you, and some awesome set and costume design. If you’re looking for a fictionalized medieval history show, Reign is definitely a great choice.

Stream Reign on Netflix.

Riverdale

In Riverdale, we follow Archie Andrews and his friends in Riverdale, a small town that seems to be perfect from the outside, but hides dark secrets within.

Okay, look, Riverdale has it’s issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not an entertaining show. The mysteries it explores are creative, even when they feel unbelievable, and the romances are fun...For the most part - but you’ll find out about that later. If you want to know all about the legend that is Riverdale, be sure to check out this show.

Stream Riverdale on Netflix.

One Tree Hill

Looking back on a classic, One Tree Hill is set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, and follows two brothers, Lucas and Nathan, who are competing for spots on the school’s basketball team, while also showing the drama of their romances.

One Tree Hill is a classic teen drama for a reason, and, honestly, one of the best CW shows, in my opinion. The One Tree Hill cast is full of stars, and the stories are full of the drama and intensity you would expect from a show like this. With nine seasons to binge, One Tree Hill is the perfect series for you to enjoy on a rainy day when you feel like watching a good teen drama.

Stream One Tree Hill on Hulu.

The 100

In The 100, based the book series of the same name, we follow a group of delinquents who are sent down to Earth more than a hundred years after life seemingly went extinct, to see if it is habitable again. However, when they are down there, they run into trouble almost immediately.

I’ve always loved The 100, and especially The 100 cast. Their chemistry works so well together, and the friendships and stories that they build will make any fan of post-apocalyptic shows tune in. The series just came to a close over this past year.

Stream The 100 on Netflix.

iZombie

Of course the CW needed a zombie show at some point - and that’s where iZombie comes into play. This dramedy follows the story of a doctor-turned-zombie, a Seattle Police medical examiner named Olivia, who helps solve murders after eating the victims’ brains and temporarily inheriting their memories.

I feel like this show covers all the basics for a TV series to succeed. It has an interesting premise, some really funny bits, a great cast, and somehow makes the crime genre even more creative by adding on the zombie twist. In a world where we live in a time filled with zombie media, such as Army of the Dead or the AMC series, The Walking Dead, it’s nice to have a comedy-filled drama with zombies instead of constant death.

Stream iZombie on Netflix.

Walker

Walker, which is a reimagining of the long-running series, Walker, Texas Ranger, follows the story of Cordell Walker, a widower and a father with his own personal moral code, returning home after working undercover for two years.

Starring Supernatural star Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker, this remake stands out about the rest on The CW's offerings. Not only does Padalecki (who works as an executive producer on the show) shine as Cordell, the rest of the cast does, as well, adding a new layer to the story of Cordell Walker. The second season is set to come out in October, so now is the perfect time to watch.

Stream it on the CW.

All American

Inspired by the life of Spencer Paysinger, All American tells the story of a young boy from South L.A. who is recruited to play football for Beverly Hills High School, showing the struggles of two families from very different communities as they collide.

All American is one of those series that, even if you aren’t a big fan of sports, it’s still an engrossing series for you to watch. The dynamic between social classes is well discussed, and they talk about serious issues often on the show, from discrimination to the Black Lives Matter movement. With Season 4 around the corner, take the time now to catch up on All American before it premieres.

Stream All American on Netflix.

Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars is the story of a high school student who works as a private investigator behind the scenes, under the tutelage of her detective father.

Starring a young Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars is a great example of what a mystery show should be about, with plenty of interesting stories and exciting characters. The show was so popular it spawned a movie and recent series revival, so give it a shot if mysteries are your go-to genre.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

Charmed

In this reboot of the original series, Charmed, we follow a trio of sisters, known as the Charmed Ones, who are powerful, good witches. Their job is to use their combined power to save innocent lives from evil forces, such as warlocks, or demons.

Charmed is one of those fantasy shows that truly shines because of its main characters. The Charmed cast, and their amazing chemistry together, is what drives this show. With three seasons so far, if you’re craving magic and sorcery, Charmed is the show for you.

Stream Charmed on Netflix.

Gilmore Girls

A classic dramedy, Gilmore Girls centers around the titular Gilmore girls, Rory, a teenager, and her mother, Lorelai. The two of them live in a small Connecticut town called Stars Hollow, and we follow the ups and downs of their lives.

Known for its simplicity and mother-daughter storylines, Gilmore Girls is a wonderful coming of age series. We get to follow the story of Rory as she grows up, goes to college, makes mistakes, falls in love, and everything else in between, while also following the story of Lorelai trying to become successful in her career. Plenty of careers took off after it premiered. A reunion mini-series happened on Netflix not that long ago because the show was so popular. If you haven’t given it a shot, check it out now.

Stream Gilmore Girls on Netflix.

Supernatural

Supernatural follows the story of brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, who both hunt down supernatural beings, getting themselves into trouble in various different ways in each episode, getting help along the way.

Supernatural is arguably one of the CW’s most popular shows ever, with fifteen seasons, all with episodes that are more than forty minutes long. And, it got popular for a reason. If you don’t love the brotherly love between Sam and Dean, you’ll surely learn to care for Castiel, or Bobby Singer, or many other characters. With so many amazing episodes, you’ll find it hard to pick the best one.

Stream Supernatural on Netflix.

Gossip Girl

Another classic CW show, Gossip Girl follows the story of a group of privileged teenagers on the upper East side of New York City, who are suddenly targeted by an unknown person, who calls themself “Gossip Girl.”

First off, the Gossip Girl cast is one of the best out there, with soon-to-be big-time names starring in it like Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, and more. Not only that, but the story is genuinely so much fun and filled with that constant mystery hanging over your head - who exactly is Gossip Girl? And, why are they doing this? It’s one of the best CW shows they've had - so much so that it received a (not so great) reboot that premiered on HBO Max earlier this year, but I'd rather stick to the original.

Stream Gossip Girl on HBO Max.

The Vampire Diaries

Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, The Vampire Diaries follows the story of Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl whose parents passed away in a car accident, and who falls in love with a 162-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore.

The Vampire Diaries premiered when the Twilight films were coming out, and created a whole slew of vampire-obsessed fans. However, The Vampire Diaries carries itself well and created a fun, fantasy experience with plenty of entertaining moments, including a strong love triangle between Elena, Stefan, and Damon. It’s not my favorite fantasy series, but it’s definitely worth the watch if vampires are your thing.

Stream The Vampire Diaries on Netflix.

With so many great shows to pick from, one can only imagine that you'll have fun diving in. What are you feeling? Mystery? Sports? Comedy? No matter what, the CW has you covered with plenty of options.

Over the past four or five years, Tessa Thompson has ascended from promising up-and-coming talent to a bonafide A-list star who's headlining major blockbusters, while also appearing in premiere paid cable series. This career transformation didn't happen overnight, though. The actress has demonstrated her talents in a number of movies and TV series over the past 15-plus years, including a handful of high-profile shows that you might not associate with the star. While you probably know Thompson best from movies like Dear White People, Creed I and II, and Thor: Ragnarok, as well as HBO's Westworld, she has also made guest star appearances in several signature shows, while also providing supporting turns in some notable movies. You're forgiven if you've overlooked her presence in these recognizable titles.

Here are a few performances you might've forgotten from Tessa Thompson, including appearances in shows like Grey's Anatomy, Veronica Mars, Rizzoli & Isles, and Heroes.

Scarlet - When A Stranger Calls (2006)

Playing the part of Scarlet, the best friend of Camilla Belle's Jill Johnson, Tessa Thompson made her feature film debut in the psychological horror film, When A Stranger Calls, Simon West's 2006 remake of the 1979 horror movie of the same name.

While this chilly February flick got the cold shoulder from critics, it was a moderate box office hit, and it gave the up-and-coming actress a sizable role in a major studio picture. Indeed, while When A Stranger Calls isn't a classic of the genre, everyone needs to get their start somewhere on the silver screen, and this not-so-scary film ultimately wasn't the worst way to kick off a movie career. Thankfully, Tessa Thompson's future big-screen roles would later prove to be a better showcase of her versatile acting skills.

Jackie Cook - Veronica Mars

As Jackie Cook, a fellow Neptune High School student who doesn't get along with our titular teenage sleuth, Tessa Thompson received one of her first prominent roles in the beloved series, Veronica Mars. In fact, for many viewers, this show served as their introduction to the future star. But, since her part in the series was well before she found starry roles in Dear White People, Creed, and Thor: Ragnoak, to name only a few, it's understandable if you forgot Thompson's involvement in this cult-favorite show. That said, while Thompson only appeared in 22 episodes, she made a big impression, eventually becoming one of Neptune High's most successful alums.

Camille Travis - Grey’s Anatomy

Playing the part of Camille Travis, Richard Webber's cancer-stricken niece, Tessa Thompson had an emotional role in the second season of ABC's popular medical drama, Grey's Anatomy. Though the actress only appeared in two episodes, this recurring guest spot provided Thompson with a pivotal part during the show's ratings height. Alas, when Camille returned in Season 4, Thompson had been recast. Still, this prominent television role certainly benefitted her continued career growth.

Zoe Salter - Private Practice

In addition to her brief role in Grey's Anatomy, Tessa Thompson played another, completely separate character in Private Practice, ABC's spin-off, which ran from 2007 - 2013. As Zoe Salter, a pregnant woman whose embryo is mistakenly implanted into another woman, Thompson similarly only appeared in two episodes of this show's 100-plus episode run, though she still played a prominent part. While the series never gained the same popularity as its (still ongoing) predecessor, Private Practice was another major show with a brief-but-meaningful role for Thompson. Each of these performances played its part in expanding her resume and leading to her eventual fame.

Rebecca Taylor - Heroes

Playing the part of Rebecca Taylor, i.e. Becky, an evolved human who can turn invisible, Tessa Thompson can be seen in three episodes in Heroes' fourth and final season. While the actress would soon gain a great deal of fame for playing Valkyrie in the constantly-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, it was actually in this show that Thompson got her start in the superhero genre — though her time in this once-popular series was ultimately short-lived.

While Heroes had jumped the superpowered shark at this stage and lost fans to the point of cancellation, the NBC drama was still a big deal for the rising actress. Based on its limited viewership at the time her episodes aired, however, you'd be forgiven if you don't remember Thompson in this genre series.

Nyla/Purple - For Colored Girls

As one of the most increasingly prolific writers/directors/producers/studio heads in the industry, there's a high volume of well-known performers who've worked with Tyler Perry, including Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Idris Elba, Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, and Tessa Thompson. Regarding the latter, the soon-to-be-famous actress starred in For Colored Girls, 2010's big-screen adaptation of the acclaimed 1976 theater piece For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

In what became one of her earliest high-profile roles, Tessa Thompson played Nyla Adrose, who represents the color purple, in this intense film. Certainly, the material is dark and challenging, and this part is one of her most dramatic and devastating. While Perry's movie adaptation wasn't met with an overwhelmingly positive response, the performances were widely praised and it's considered one of his best works. Thus, it gave Thompson a prominent movie part at the start of her best career decade to date.

FBI Agent Anna Farrell - Rizzoli & Isles

In the role of FBI Agent Anna Farrell, Tessa Thompson made a guest star appearance in a 2011 episode of TNT's Rizzoli & Isles. While the procedural crime drama never became a major pop culture hit like some its broadcast competitors, the series kept a dependable audience, resulting in seven seasons and over 100 episodes. Thompson's brief-but-notable Season 2 role came shortly before she starred in BBC America's Copper — previously one of her biggest roles before she would hit the big leagues.

Still, even among the most diehard fans of Rizzoli & Isles, this is probably not the performance that audiences most commonly associated with the rising star. But, as we noted before, the small-but-active role in this dependable cable favorite helped Tessa Thompson gain notice and recognition, particularly as her career grew.

Lady - Lady and the Tramp (2019)

Admittedly, Tessa Thompson's voice-only role in Disney+'s live action(-ish) Lady and the Tramp remake was a pretty high-profile gig for the actress and her A-list career. But, even one year after its streaming debut, Disney's small-screen redo is mostly unremembered, to the point where I, at least, forgot about it completely when I was perusing Tessa Thompson's resume to research this article.

That's not to disparage the movie's general quality, which is relatively harmless, at least as far as Disney live-action remakes go. Rather, it's to note that, if I forgot about it, surely other folks did, too. While it was one of Tessa Thompson's most recent starring roles, in the same year she prominently appeared in Annihilation, Men in Black: International, and Avengers: Endgame, it probably won't be remembered as one of her greatest screen parts. Still, having one-half of the title roles in this shiny remake of a Disney classic isn't a small deal.

Do you remember these Tessa Thompson performances? What are some other forgotten roles from the Men in Black: International actress that you know or love? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Tessa Thompson has appeared in some of your favorite movies, TV shows, and even music videos. Her diverse body of work has made her one to watch. Whether appearing in the Marvel Universe in the Thor movies or being a piece of the heart in Creed, or even playing in a world with robots in Westworld, Thompson commands the screen and makes you want to watch more.

There may be about a thousand streaming services out there, which can be overwhelming, but the beauty of all of them is that you have access to so much content, which is handy when you want to do a marathon of a favorite show, movie franchise, or actor or actress. If you’re in the mood for some Tessa Thompson content, here’s some streaming options.

Thor: Ragnarok (Disney+)

Thor: Ragnarok is the third film in the Thor universe. It’s the film that finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a new planet as he must face a few obstacles, including The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to get back to Asgard and face-off against Hela (Cate Blanchett ).

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Thor: Ragnarok is the film that introduces Tessa Thompson to the Marvel Universe as Valkyrie. Valkyrie is a fun character, smart, resourceful, strong, and a warrior and hero in her own right. In Thor: Love and Thunder, we’ll see Valkyrie step into more power, and we’ll get to see more of her new role as the king of new Asgard. Thor: Ragnarok is the best film to watch to re-familiarize yourself with that character before the next film comes out.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Creed II (Amazon Prime)

Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson return for this Creed sequel. Creed II deals with Donnie (Jordan) embarking on another life-changing fight with an opponent that has ties to his father’s past.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Like with the Rocky movies, a big part of the Creed movies is the heart that comes from the love story. Donnie and Bianca's (Thompson) love story grows much deeper in this film, and it shows a bit more of Bianca’s life and her own struggles. It also expands the Creed family and establishes Bianca as an even more important part of Donnie’s life and future.

Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Sorry To Bother You (Hulu)

Sorry to Bother You is is a unique satirical movie that explores corporate greed, racism, slave wages, and various other relevant topics. Lakeith Stanfield stars as Cassius ‘Cash’ Green. Cash gets seduced by the money, and viewers watch how that has disastrous and monstrous results.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Thompson plays Cash’s girlfriend, Detroit. She has a bit of a whimsical quality to her because she’s very certain of her beliefs and morals. She stands out because she’s not just Cash’s loving girlfriend, instead, she very much has her own identity with and apart from him.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Westworld (HBO Max)

Westworld is an HBO series about an amusement park that allows rich occupants to live out their fantasies without consequences or punishments, that is until the artificial conscious hosts start to understand what’s happening.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Tessa Thompson appears in Westworld at the start as Charlotte Hale. Thompson gets to show off her badassery in various ways throughout Westworld. Partly by showing off her stellar acting skills, through action scenes, compelling story-arcs, and by playing a multifaceted character.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

For Colored Girls (Netflix)

For Colored Girls is Tyler Perry’s adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. It contains a series of interlocking stories that mainly focus on the struggles that black women face. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry Washington, and Thandie Newton.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Thompson plays Nyla aka Lady in Purple. Her vignette explores an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. Her story also ties with her familial issues and dysfunctional relationship with her mother and sister, played by Newton and Goldberg. For Colored Girls is a very dark drama that explores topics of sexual abuse, child endangerment, STDs, murder, domestic violence, and more, so it’s not a fun, lighthearted film. However, it’s an interesting movie because of the performances by the all-star cast and the poetic style.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

Veronica Mars is a series that refuses to die. The fans first resurrected the show about a teen detective in the form of a movie. Then Hulu brought it back to life with a Season 4. It may be another ten years until we see Veronica and the gang again, but she’ll likely find new life in some form at some point in the future.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Veronica Mars was Thompson’s first major TV role. She played Jackie Cook, Wallace (Percy Daggs III)’s love interest throughout the second season. She only appeared in one season, but she was a vital part of Wallace’s growth that season. Veronica Mars also offers a good introduction into Thompson’s eventual star power and leading lady potential. She added another dynamic character to the Veronica Mars list.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Men In Black International (Starz)

Men in Black International expands the Men in Black universe. It follows American Molly/Agent M (Thompson) as she uncovers the Men in Black organization, and gets assigned to work in London. She joins Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) as they work to uncover a mole in MIB.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: This film once again pairs Hemsworth and Thompson, who have great on-screen chemistry. Men in Black International didn’t fare well with critics, but if you are a huge fan of Thompson or Hemsworth, and/or enjoy funny (semi-silly) action adventures, then this film should suit your needs.

Stream it on Starz here.

Dear White People (Tubi)

Dear White People is a 2014 satirical film about racial tensions that especially exist within the collegiate system. Justin Simien directed and wrote the film that eventually became a Netflix series.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Thompson plays one of the main characters, Sam. She hosts the radio show Dear White People, where she questions the administration and the white students at Winchester University. Dear White People is a thought-provoking movie that brings some of the issues facing black students at prestigious universities to the surface. It’s a film that blends comedy and drama while also trying to start conversations about race, identity, education, and culture.

Stream it on Tubi here.

Little Woods (Hulu)

Little Woods is Nia DaCosta’s feature film directorial debut. It follows Ollie (Thompson) as she’s a few days away from being off probation. Ollie tries to live a normal, law-abiding life in North Dakota, but when her sister Deb (Lily James) needs some money for her unexpected pregnancy, Ollie rejoins the world of drug dealing.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Little Woods is a slow-burning drama that deals with these two sisters who both aren’t really living happy, successful or exciting lives, but they’re put into dangerous--potentially life-ruining-situations to survive. Little Woods draws you in because of Thompson’s performance and the relationship between Deb and Olie. They may not be close, but they’re there for each other when needed.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Lady And The Tramp (Disney+)

Disney’s beloved animated film Lady and the Tramp got a live-action update, just for Disney+. Lady (voiced by Thompson) enjoys her in-door home life with owners Jim (Thomas Mann) and Darling (Kiersey Clemons), but when Darling becomes pregnant, everything changes for Lady. One day, when left with Aunt Sarah (Yvette Nicole Brown), Lady ends up on the street. She reunites with the street dog she met before, Tramp (Justin Theroux), and the two have a wonderful day together.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Thompson has a great voice for voice-over work, especially those involving house dog characters. Hopefully, she'll lend her voice to more animated or live-action animated characters in the future. Lady and the Tramp is a great Disney remake that is enjoyable to watch from start to finish.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Furlough (Hulu)

Furlough follows Nicole (Thompson), a part-time corrections officer who wants a full-time job. She’s assigned to transport a criminal, Joan (Melissa Leo) to see her mother one final time. In exchange for a successful run, she’l be promoted to a full-time position. Whoopi Goldberg has a small role as Nicole’s mother, making this the second time Thompson and Golberg played mother and daughter.

Why It’s A Good Option For Tessa Thompson Fans: Furlough is a very funny film. Joan takes Nicole on one misadventure after another as she tries to get the most out of her brief time away from prison. Towards the end of the movie, Furlough takes a more serious tone. The film works so well because Leo and Thompson are both frustrating and charming at different points in Furlough.

Stream it on Hulu here.

If you want more Tessa Thompson content, she has a fictional podcast called The Left Right Game. Amazon bought the rights to it, so it’ll be a future series that she stars and produces. The 10-episode audio-series is currently available to stream. You can also stream Thompson’s new movie Sylvie’s Love on Amazon Prime. on December 23.

There have been some really great Anthony Anderson movies and TV shows over the years with performances that have earned him NAACP Image and Primetime Emmy Awards in programs like Black-ish. And since making his acting debut 25 years ago, Anderson has continued to remain a prominent figure in show business, both in front of and behind the camera, but during that time, the former Law & Order star has had appearances that may have been forgotten to the sands of time.

So, as we look forward to at least another 25 years of Anthony Anderson filling up our television screens and movie theaters, now's the perfect time to look back on some of those forgotten gems, those great comedic and dramatic roles that have made the actor such a success in Hollywood. Here are eight great performances you may have forgotten about.

Percy "Bone" Hamilton - Veronica Mars

There must be some unwritten rule in Hollywood that required all major stars to appear on Veronica Mars at one point in the show's four-season run. Well, you can add Anthony Anderson to that list following his 2005 appearance as Percy "Bone" Anderson, a record company owner with a checkered past who calls on Mars Investigations to help him find his missing daughter. Throughout the episode, Anderson's character walks the line between a tough guy and a father who would do anything for his daughter's safe return.

Anthony Anderson was already a star at this point in his career thanks to movies like Barbershop and Kangaroo Jack, but with so much time passing between now and the first airing of "Lord of the Bling," the appearance falls in forgotten territory unless you're a diehard Veronica Mars fan who's watched the series over and over.

Tony Brown - The Departed

Martin Scorsese's 2006 crime epic The Departed remains one of the best efforts from the legendary director in recent years thanks in part to its phenomenal cast. With Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and a who's who of top talent in the early years of the 21st Century, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there are some actors who appeared in the movie who have been forgotten in the 14 years since its release.

You can include Anthony Anderson's Tony Brown in that category. We first meet Tony at the police academy with Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a few more times throughout the movie before one of the few decent cops on the force is killed just moments after his friend is killed in the film's most shocking moment. And admittedly, it's a small role for Anderson, but still one that stands out.

Antwon Mitchell - The Shield

Before FX was known for shows like Fargo and Sons of Anarchy, one of its most notable and controversial releases was the gritty cop drama The Shield. In addition to its main cast which included Michael Chiklis, Walton Goggins, and C.C.H. Pounder, Hollywood mainstays like the Glenn Close, Forest Whitaker, and Anthony Anderson appeared in extended guest roles throughout different seasons of the hit drama.

Between 2004 and 2005, Anthony Anderson showed up in 15 episodes as drug kingpin Antwon Mitchell, who attempted to improve his image following a stint in prison by becoming a community leader. However, with a show like The Shield, things are never as they seem and Antwon continues his operation behind closed doors while making himself a saint in front of the public. It's just a shame that The Shield doesn't get talked about as much as it should these days.

Anthony Anderson - All About The Andersons

Long before Anthony Anderson was bringing home awards for his performance on Black-ish, he had a sitcom of his very own, although it didn't have the run that his future show would get years later. Between 2003 and 2004, Anderson led All About the Andersons on The WB. The show, which only lasted 16 episodes before it was cancelled, centered on a single father and struggling actor (Anderson) after he is forced to move back in with his parents. Things aren't simple for the character (they never are) especially after he discovers that his old bedroom has been rented out to someone else.

It's a shame All About The Andersons didn't get the opportunity to really take off, especially when you consider the combination of Anthony Anderson and the legendary John Amos, who portrayed the struggling actor's father.

Terry Nolan - Big Momma's House

By the time the 21st Century rolled around, Martin Lawrence was a massive star and his summer 2000 hit comedy Big Momma's House only made a stronger case for the box office draw. Seriously, the movie remains one of the funniest of Lawrence's career and that era in general, 20 years later. In addition to Lawrence, the movie also featured a star-in-the-making with Terrence Howard, Paul Giamatti, Nia Long, and none other than Anthony Anderson.

Appearing as Terry Nolan, the dim-witted security guard who always finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time, Anthony Anderson pretty much steals every scene he's in, but those appearances are few and far between. Anderson wasn't quite the movie star he would become when he appeared in Big Momma's House, which is probably why he's not as remembered here.

Jamaal Baileygates - Me, Myself & Irene

It's no secret that Jim Carrey's best work isn't found in the 2000 Farrelly Brothers' comedy Me, Myself & Irene. And while it's true that Carrey is borderline annoying in his approach to a character with split-personality disorder, one thing that can be agreed on by everyone is the amazing work by the actors who portrayed his three sons. Seriously, Jerod Mixon, Mongo Brownlee, and Anthony Anderson are consistently the best thing about the movie whenever they get a chance to shine.

This isn't the first movie to come to mind whenever Anthony Anderson's name is brought up, but it should be at the top of everyone's list for the way he and his brothers go from goofing around to absolutely tearing each other apart (lovingly, I should add) by breaking down complex issues dealing with their above-average intellect.

Teddy Brodis - Hang Time

Remember the NBC Saturday morning show Hang Time? Well, you're not alone if don't recall the teenage sitcom about the Deering Tornados boys' basketball team. Maybe that's why Anthony Anderson's character, Teddy Brodis, doesn't come up so much 24 years after he debuted on the show. Over the course of 39 episodes, a young Anderson brought comedic relief to the series that tackled a number of societal issues, including the teen smoking episode where Teddy tries to hide his smoking habits from his teammates and coach.

If anyone talks about Hang Time these days, it's mostly to remember a cameo from a young Kobe Bryant shortly after he was first drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the mid 1990s.

Burger Shack Employee - Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle

And then there is the Burger Shack employee from the 2004 stoner comedy Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle. In a brief, but hilarious appearance, Anthony Anderson's character not only tells the titular characters how to get to the famed 24-hour White Castle, he describes the burgers in such detail that it will make everyone want to go seek out those greasy square-shaped patties, even if you swore them off after a bad night shortly after you graduated from college.

The role doesn't get brought up as much as the appearance by Neil Patrick Harris later in the movie, but it still should be one we look back on and laugh at all these years later.

These are just a few of the great Anthony Anderson performances that get overlooked these days. And as much as I wanted to include the likes of Scream 4 and Anderson's appearances in horror parodies like Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4, those titles come up from time to time, just not as much as they should.

Between its network jumps, its Kickstarter-funded movie, and its late-in-the-game fourth season on Hulu, Veronica Mars hasn't had the smoothest run, but the noir-influenced show continues to amass a loyal following, particularly thanks to Kristen Bell's beloved lead performance. Over the years, Bell and several other cast members, including Tessa Thompson and Krysten Ritter, have found fame, which showcases the detective show's sharp eye for up-and-coming talent. Though, of course, it's possible these stars wouldn't be where they are today if this acclaimed program didn't give them a boost. Who can say? With that said, here's what the Veronica Mars cast is doing now.

Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars)

As the titular teenage investigator, Kristen Bell was given the role that paved the way for her star status. Prior to this performance, Bell starred in Spartan and Pootie Tang and episodes of Deadwood, Everwood, and The Shield. Since then, Bell's profile ballooned enormously, notably with Pulse, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Fanboys, When In Rome, Burlesque, Scream 4, and the Bad Moms movies. Most notably, Bell provides the voice of Anna in Disney's ever-popular Frozen films. On television, Bell played key roles in Gossip Girl, House of Lies, and Heroes. She also gave a Golden Globe-nominated performance in NBC's The Good Place, which ended its celebrated run in January.

Currently, Kristen Bell is the host and presenter of Disney+'s Encore. She also provided her voice to Central Park, though she recently left the role. Up next, Bell will star in Queenpins alongside Leslie Jones. Additionally, last year, outside of acting, Bell and her husband, Dax Shepard, founded the company Hello Bello, which is a plant-based baby care product line. It's available exclusively through Wal-Mart. And, of course, Bell reprised her title role in Hulu's fourth season of Veronica Mars.

Enrico Colantoni (Keith Mars)

In the role of Keith Mars, the father of Veronica Mars, Enrico Colantoni played a parental figure throughout this teenager-based series, as well as her private detective mentor. Previously, he was best known for his starring roles in Just Shoot Me and Hope & Faith, as well as Galaxy Quest, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, NYPD Blue, and Money Train. In the following years, Colantoni played lead roles in Flashpoint and Remedy, while also starring in Person of Interest, The Mysteries of Laura, American Gothic, and The Good Fight. Recently, Colantoni was seen in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Feel the Beat, and Westworld. Outside of acting, Colantoni directed episodes of Remedy, Nasty Habits, and iZombie.

Percy Daggs III (Wallace Fennel)

As Wallace Fennel, Veronica's best friend and occasional investigating partner, Percy Daggs III played a prominent role in Veronica Mars. Previously seen in Boston Public, NYPD Blue, The Amanda Show, and Freaks & Geeks, Veronica Mars was easily the actor's most high-profile role. Since then, Daggs starred in the web series, The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy, while also making appearances in iZombie, Undone, and Southland. He also starred in American Son, Detention, In the Hive, and Restored Me. He also reprised the role of Wallace in Play It Again, Dick, and the newest season of Veronica Mars. Recently, Daggs made the TV movie, Christmas in Louisiana. Next, he'll star in Delicate State.

Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls)

In the role of Logan Echolls, Veronica's future husband, Jason Dohring plays a central character in Veronica Mars, both as Veronica's love interest and for his frequent involvement in the ongoing drama. Before this show, Dohring was known for Deep Impact, Baywatch, JAG, and more. In the following years. Dohring played a main role in Moonlight (the show) and a recurring role in iZombie. He also appeared in Searching For Sonny, CSI, Supernatural, Ringer, and more. He also co-narrated the audiobook for The Moral Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire alongside Sophie Turner. He also plays Terra in the Kingdom Hearts video games. He was last seen in You Are Here and All Rise. Next, he'll star in Violet.

Ryan Hansen (Dick Casablancas)

Playing Richard "Dick" Casablancas, Logan's womanizing and trouble-making best friend, Ryan Hansen was a recurring character who became a main player. Outside of Veronica Mars, Hansen is known for Party Down, which was also created by Rob Thomas. He was in the main cast of Friends With Benefits, Bad Teacher, and Bad Judge and he had recurring roles in Burning Love and 2 Broke Girls. He also starred in Superhero Movie, Friday the 13th (2009), G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jem and the Holograms, Central Intelligence, Hit & Run, Bad Santa 2, CHIPS, Unicorn Store, and, recently, Like a Boss. He was last seen in Fantasy Island and Bless this Mess. Next, he'll star in Friendsgiving. He also played a fictionalized version of himself in YouTube Premium's Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television.

Francis Capra (Eli "Weevil" Navarro)

As Eli Navarro, i.e. "Weevil," Francis Capra played the head of a local biker gang who served as an ally to our titular teen detective. Prior to Veronica Mars, the actor appeared in A Bronx Tale, Kazam, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, and SLC Punk. In the following years, he appeared on iZombie, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Strain, Blue Bloods, Friday Night Lights, and Heroes. Next, Capra stars in Shadows.

Teddy Dunn (Duncan Kane)

As Duncan Kane, Veronica Mars' ex-boyfriend, Teddy Dunn played a key role in Seasons 1 and 2. He also appeared in Gilmore Girls, 2004's The Manchurian Candidate, Jumper, Grey's Anatomy, CSI: NY, and Kill Theory, but Dunn quit acting in 2009 with A Good Funeral, morbidly enough, to practice law. He worked for the law firm Walden Macht & Haran LLP until this year, when he became Assistant U.S. Attorney at the District of Columbia United States Attorney's Office.

Kyle Gallner (Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas)

As Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas, the central antagonist of Veronica Mars Season 2, Kyle Gallner played an emotionally complex character. Prior to Veronica Mars, Gallner starred in Wet Hot American Summer and Red Eye. Following his time on Veronica Mars, Gallner worked on Smallville, CSI: NY, Law & Order: SVU, Big Love, The Walking Dead, and The Shield. Movie-wise, Gallner is known for Jennifer's Body, The Haunting in Connecticut, Red State, Beautiful Boy, A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), Dear White People, Beautiful Creatures, and American Sniper. Gallner also starred in and produced 2015's dramedy, Welcome to Happiness. He also played the lead role in the short-lived Outsiders and reprised Beaver Casablancas in Play It Again, Dick. He's currently starring in Interrogation. Next, he stars in The Catch.

Tina Majorino (Cindy "Mac" MacKenzie)

In the role of Cindy MacKenzie, i.e. "Mac," Tina Majorino was a computer hacker who became a good friend and a great resource for our titular sleuth. Outside of Veronica Mars, Majorino is a former child star best known for Andre, Waterworld, When a Man Loves A Woman, Corrina, Corrina, and Napoleon Dynamite. Following Veronica Mars, Majorino appeared in several prominent TV shows, including Big Love, Bones, True Blood, Grey's Anatomy, Legends, and Scorpion. She also reprised her character of Deb for Fox's short-lived Napoleon Dynamite animated series. Most recently, Majorino appeared in Into the Dark. While offered a chance to return for Veronica Mars' fourth season, she declined when she realized it was a cameo.

Michael Muhney (Don Lamb)

As Don Lamb, one of Veronica Mars' main enemies, Michael Muhney played one of the more prominent adult characters in this teen-based mystery-noir series and was often at odds with Veronica. Prior to this show, Muhney had bit roles in JAG, ER, Charmed, Without a Trace, and Numb3rs. Shortly after his final Veronica Mars appearance, Muhney became Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless. Since leaving the soap, Muhney works notably less; his most high-profile appearance was in The Good Doctor in 2017. Additionally, in 2011, Muhney co-wrote, produced, and starred in the indie dramedy, Act Your Age.

Tessa Thompson (Jackie Cook)

As Jackie Cook, Wallace's romantic love interest, Tessa Thompson established herself as an actress through this second season character. Since her time on the show, Thompson became a star, particularly through Dear White People, Selma, Creed I & II, Sorry to Bother You, Annihilation, Thor: Ragnarok, Little Woods, Avengers: Endgame, Men in Black: International, and 2019's Lady and the Tramp. Currently, Thompson is seen on HBO's Westworld. Her other TV credits include Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Heroes, and a primary role on Cooper. Next, Thompson stars in Sylvie's Love, which she also produced, and Passing. Thompson also co-produced/lent her voice to the mystery sci-fi podcast, The Left Right Game, earlier this year. Amazon picked it up. We'll also see her reprise her role as Valkyrie in Thor: Love And Thunder.

Julie Gonzalo (Parker Lee)

Playing Parker Lee, Mac's extroverted roommate who goes through a traumatizing event at the start of her freshman year, Julie Gonzalo played a prominent role in Veronica Mars Season 3. Prior to this role, Gonzalo starred in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, A Cinderella Story, Must Love Dogs, Freaky Friday (2003), and Christmas with the Kranks, as well as Drake & Josh and NCIS. Following Veronica Mars, including her Season 4 guest star role, Gonzalo stayed on television, notably with Eli Stone, Dallas, and Supergirl, as well as supporting roles in Grey's Anatomy, Lucifer, CSI: Miami, Nikita, and Castle. Most recently, Gonzalo starred in the indie horror-thriller, A Dark Foe, which played on the film festival circuits. Next, Gonzalo appears in the TV movie, Jingle Bell Bride.

Chris Lowell (Stosh "Piz" Piznarski)

Playing Stosh "Piz" Piznarski, Wallace's roommate, Chris Lowell had a fun role during Veronica Mars' third season and its Kickstarter-funded film. Before Veronica Mars, Lowell had a main role in the short-lived teen drama, Life As We Know It. Following Veronica Mars, Lowell earned lead roles in Private Practice, Enlisted, Graves, and, most recently, GLOW. Outside of TV, Lowell starred in Up in the Air and The Help. He also wrote, directed, and produced 2014's Beside Still Waters. Next, Lowell appears in Promising Young Woman and Breaking News in the Yuba County. Outside of acting, Lowell is a vocalist and a harmonicist for the acoustic band, Two Shots for Poe.

Krysten Ritter (Gia Goodman)

As Gia Goodman, a fellow Neptune High student, Krysten Ritter had a recurring role in Season 2 and Veronica Mars' movie adaptation. Prior to that, Ritter appeared in Mona Lisa Smile and Someone Like You. In the years since her time in the movie and series, Ritter's profile rose by starring in one of the lead roles in Don't Trust The B in Apartment 23, a significant part in Breaking Bad, and the title role in Netflix's Jessica Jones — a character she also played in The Defenders. She also starred in such films as 27 Dresses, Listen Up Philip, Big Eyes, She's Out of My League, and Margaret. She starred and co-wrote the 2011 indie comedy, L!fe Happens. She also wrote the novel Bonfire and sings and plays guitar in the band, Ex Vivian.

Amanda Seyfried (Lilly Kane)

As Lilly Kane, Veronica Mars' slain best friend who dramatically altered our main character's life forever, Amanda Seyfried played a small-but-pivotal role in Veronica Mars. Previously, Seyfried was best known for All My Children and As the World Turns, as well as her scene-stealing character in Mean Girls. Since then, Seyfried's profile has risen enormously, notably with starring roles in the Mamma Mia movies, Les Miserables, Dear John, Red Riding Hood, In Time, Jennifer's Body, Chloe, Alpha Dog, Lovelace, First Reformed, Ted 2, Letters to Juliet, and more. She also played significant roles in Big Love and Twin Peaks' third season. Most recently, Seyfried was seen in You Should Have Left and The Art of Racing in the Rain and heard in Scoob! Next, she'll star in Things Heard & Seen, Mank, and A Mouthful of Air, which she also produced.

Syndey Tamiia Poitier (Mallory Dent)

Playing Mallory Dent, i.e. Ms. Dent, Veronica Mars' journalism teacher, Syndey Tamiia Poiter (the daughter of Sidney Poitier) played a primary role during Veronica Mars' first season. Previously, Poitier had a recurring role in Joan of Arcadia and the titular part in Abby. She also starred in Clint Eastwood's True Crime. Since then, Poiter stayed primarily on TV, notably with a main role in the short-lived Knight Rider reboot, as well as recurring roles in Chicago P.D. and Homecoming. She also played brief parts in Grey's Anatomy and Hawaii Five-0, as well as Death Proof, Nine Lives, Clinical, and Too Late, among other film roles. Nowadays, Poitier plays a main role in the Canadian cop series, Carter.

Who is your favorite Veronica Mars actor? Please let us know in the comments!

Building a snowman had never been a winter tradition with such emotional weight before it was the titular focus of a song in Frozen. The song in question was question is sang by Princess Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, but if her role in the massively popular Disney animated film is all you know her from, you have much, much more to learn.

The Michigan-born daughter of a nurse and a television news director has been involved in show business since her teens, made her feature film debut in Chris Rock’s Pootie Tang, and, soon after, landed her breakout role as the title character Veronica Mars, which was brought back for a fourth season on Hulu in 2019. The short-lived, but much loved, high school detective series’ 2007 cancellation led to Kristen Bell’s casting as the voice of Gossip Girl, which she is also returning to for the shows’ upcoming HBO Max revival.

Of course, all of that is just the tip of the iceberg for the Frozen star. The following eight facts are things you may not have realized about Kristen Bell.

Kristen Bell’s Street Hockey 'Career' Was Cut Short By Injury

While she may not play the sister from Frozen with wintry powers, Kristen Bell has always been one with a warm feeling for ice, particularly on the hockey rink as a lifelong fan of the sport. In fact, the self-proclaimed tomboy once tried to emulate her heroes, the Detroit Red Wings, in her teens by playing street hockey with her friends. That turned out out to be a "shortly-lived career," as she told Rich Eisen, when one game resulted in her breaking both of her wrists, putting her in dual casts for the remainder of the school year.

Kristen Bell Used To Eat Dessert After Each Meal

In addition to ice, one could most likely add ice cream to a list of Kristen Bell's favorite things, or at least "before [she] turned 35." Tim Kash, host of The IMDb Show, asked The Good Place star to clarify a bit of trivia on her IMDb page claiming that she follows every meal with a dessert, even after breakfast, which she was able to confirm before explaining that her indulgences had an expiration date as she would eventually realize she has an allergy to sugar.

While Volunteering In Brazil, Kristen Bell Helped Deliver Two Newborn Babies

In a 2012 interview with the Dispatch-Argus newspaper, Kristen Bell reveals her daredevil side, recounting her times skydiving or swimming with sharks, but the most unique of her adventures has to be delivering two infants in Brazil. The actress witnessed "life take its first breath" on a trip with her nurse mother, Lorelei, to volunteer at a clinic in the South American nation, where she assisted with the delivery of two different newborns.

Kristen Bell’s Veronica Mars Was Originally A Male YA Novel Character

At 24, Kristen Bell broke out as Veronica Mars, hero of the teen crime series of the same name, and received much praise for her performance as a strong, young, female lead (of which there were very little in 2004). However, that was almost not the case as creator Rob Thomas had originally conceived the character as a male teenager for a then untitled young adult mystery novel before the plot evolved into what is now a modern TV fan favorite with a feature-length spin-off and several tie-in books by Thomas himself.

It Took Time For Kristen Bell’s Daughters To Become Frozen Fans

While it sounds like every child's dream come true to have a Disney princess as their mother, Kristen Bell's childre with husband Dax Shepard, named Lincoln and Delta, apparently, "could [not] care less," at least upon their initial viewing. During a conversation with host Jimmy Kimmel on his late night talk show, the actress described her daughters', then 3 and 1, frightened reactions to watching Frozen the first time. As Bell Shared with Today, her kids would eventually let it go and she now uses her character, Anna, and on-screen sister, Elsa, as models for proper behavior when disciplining them.

Kristen Bell Checked Into A Hotel Using A Ted Danson Character’s Last Name

Before co-starring on The Good Place, Kristen Bell first met Ted Danson on the set of the 2012 family drama Big Miracle and made sure that her introduction to the former Cheers star was a memorable one. In a dual interview of the stars of the NBC afterlife comedy with The Wrap, the actress recalled how she told Danson that she and Dax Shepard checked into a hotel under the aliases "Arthur and Holly Frobisher," a reference to Danson's character and on-screen wife from the FX drama Damages. While it did not make the best first impression, Danson and Bell would eventually become great friends after becoming regular co-stars.

Kristen Bell Rescued Her Frozen Co-Star’s Parents From A Hurricane

Ted Danson is not the only person whose professional relationship with Kristen Bell has evolved into friendship. Take, for example, Josh Gad (the voice of talking snowman Olaf in Frozen), whose parents and other relatives were trapped in the eye of Florida's Hurricane Irma in 2017, but survived with the help of Princess Anna herself, who brought them to safety at her Orlando hotel. Gad expressed his appreciation for his co-star and friend's good deed in an incredibly gracious Instagram post.

Kristen Bell Has A Soft Spot For Animals, Especially Sloths

Most of Kristen Bell's "rescues" have been the many furry friends she has adopted into her life from shelters, yet dogs are not the only animal that she has a strong affinity for. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bell shared footage of her having nothing short of a panic attack based on a mere (and correct) hunch that her husband Dax Shepard was going to surprise her with a sloth for her 31st birthday. DeGeneres then seized the opportunity for a cruel prank by convincing her guest that they had booked a sloth for her on the show before breaking her heart with the truth in one of the actress' most memorable, and adorably teary-eyed, moments on TV.

Be sure to check back for updates and additional information about Kristen Bell, as well as even more revealing facts about your favorite celebrities, here on CinemaBlend.

Veronica Mars, the character and series are like this unstoppable force that continues to find new life even after many deaths. That kind of perseverance and spunky go-getter attitude is why the series’ fans continue to support Veronica Mars. The reason I, and so many others, love the show is because of its intriguing mysteries, fully formed characters, and clever writing. Some of Veronica Mars’s best episodes take you by surprise with their twists, unexpected villains, and the wit Veronica uses to solve the case.

Veronica Mars is a series for mystery lovers as much as it’s a series for those that just enjoy some witty banter and intense drama. The mysteries are half the fun of a captivating episode of Veronica Mars. For this list, I picked ten episodes that I personally really enjoy, but also believe that in some way they capture the series’ heart and essence.

I included at least one episode from almost every season. You may notice that no episodes from Season 4 appear on this list. That is because I believe overall (except one big mistake) the season was interesting as a whole, but there aren’t many standalone episodes that will go down in history as one of the best. The season works best as a single unit, more than it does as individual parts.

10. Weapons Of Class Destruction, Season 1, Episode 18

Neptune High has been receiving a series of bomb threats, and Veronica (Kristen Bell) tries to find out who's behind them and what their plans are. This leads to her uncovering a potential FBI conspiracy. Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Joey Lauren Adams guest star.

This is overall an okay Veronica Mars episode. The mystery is interesting enough, but the conclusion feels a bit thrown together, and we don’t learn enough about the motives behind Jonathan Taylor Thomas’s character’s actions, besides just wanting to make a lot of arrests. However, the mystery doesn’t matter for this episode, because this is the big LoVe episode. Fans receive a major shock when former enemies, now kind of friends Veronica and Logan (Jason Dohring) share their first kiss. It was one of the most shocking moments of the series, and then inspired a 10-year-plus obsession with the pair.

9. Mars Vs. Mars, Season 1, Episode 14

Veronica’s favorite teacher, Mr. Rooks (Adam Scott) is accused of statutory rape by Carrie Bishop (Leighton Meester). Veronica is sure that Carrie is lying. She just needs to prove it. However, all of Keith (Enrico Colantoni)’s evidence points to Mr. Rooks being guilty.

“Mars Vs. Mars” is one of the rare times in the series that Veronica is actually wrong (sort-of). It takes you down a path where you also start to believe that Carrie is lying and Rooks is innocent. This makes the final reveal all the more satisfying. Adam Scott has such a natural good guy aura that it makes perfect sense to cast him in this charming teacher role. You just want to believe this guy. “Mars Vs. Mars” shows as smart as Veronica is, she really is still just a teen who sometimes gets it wrong.

8. Look Who’s Stalking, Season 2, Episode 20

“Look Who’s Stalking” revolves around Gia (Krysten Ritter) worrying that someone is stalking her. The clues to find her stalker takes lots of turns, including bringing a brief appearance by Leo (Max Greenfield). Meanwhile, the 09ers are hosting an alternative prom after their antics get it cancelled.

This Veronica Mars episode has a good overall mystery of the week that directly ties into the big season case. This one leaves a lot of breadcrumbs about what eventually unfolds on the season finale. Of course, this episode also makes my list because of Logan’s alternative prom speech. How can I not include this one with lines like this: 

“Come on. Ruined lives? Bloodshed? You really think a relationship should be that hard?” “

No one writes about the ones that come easy.” 

It’s epic.

7. Spit & Eggs, Season 3, Episode 9

After being dumped by Logan, Veronica has a new focus and determination. She’s tired of having the campus rapist walk free. She’s going to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of these crimes, even if it means putting herself in danger.

Veronica Mars Season 3 had a lot more misses than hits, but there are a few really strong episodes, and “Spit & Eggs” might be the strongest of the bunch. The series returns to form with some big unexpected reveals with the rapist, we have a really likable character die, plenty of twists, and a side of heartbreak with the LoVe breakup. It also nicely sets up the mystery for the second half of the season.

6. Donut Run, Season 2, Episode 11

Duncan (Teddy Dunn) has disappeared with his child, and everyone suspects that Veronica is involved. However, Duncan and she broke up before his disappearance. She’s also trying to help the police find Duncan and baby Lily. Lucy Lawless guest stars as Agent Morris.

“Donut Run” proves why Veronica is one of the best TV P.Is in the business. The way she carefully plans and plots in this episode is the work of a girl genius. This episode is also the official final episode with Duncan as a main character. It’s a sad goodbye for Veronica and him, but an exciting and fitting end to their story.

5. An Echolls Family Christmas, Season 1, Episode 10

Logan hosts a poker game at his house that includes a Hollywood hunk (Travis Schuldt), a fellow 09er (Kevin Sheridan), Duncan, and Weevil (Francis Capra). Weevil wins the game, and then his money goes missing. Veronica gets involved to retrieve the cash.

“An Echolls Family Christmas” is one of those Veronica Mars episodes with a really good final reveal. When you find out who stole the cash and why, you can’t help but appreciate the writers for how they give you all the clues but still need Veronica to spell it out for you. This episode also gives a closer look into the dangerously dysfunctional Echolls clan.

4. Pilot, Season 1, Episode 1

Meet Veronica Mars. She used to be one of Neptune High’s “It” girls, but when her best friend Lily (Amanda Seyfried) was murdered, and her father accused the wrong man of the crime, she became the black sheep of the town. Now she’s constantly bullied by the haves, including Lily’s ex-boyfriend Logan. Every school needs an” obligatory psychotic jackass”, and he’s theirs.

I’m someone who has seen hundreds of pilot episodes, and they are rarely that good.  Veronica Mars’ first episode proves that sometimes really good shows also have really good pilot episodes. It did a perfect job of introducing the major characters, the town, and how Veronica was too clever for most of the adults in Neptune.

3. A Trip To The Dentist, Season 1, Episode 21

Veronica wants to finally find out what really happened at Shelly Pomroy's party. It is a bad trip down memory lane as she discovers that multiple people were complicit in her sexual assault. “A Trip to the Dentist” is even more heartbreaking when the whole truth comes out. The episode also ends with Logan and Veronica becoming an official couple, and the start of the big grand finale.

Veronica Mars is nothing if not dark at times. This episode tackles a heavy subject without completely crossing the “too dark for network television” line. You feel everything that Veronica suffers: sadness, humiliation, violence, rage, and so on. The episode ends with a satisfying explanation of what happened, and the case feels closed, until the truth resurfaces during the Veronica Mars Season 2 finale. Viewers learn to always expect the unexpected with Veronica Mars.

2. Leave It To Beaver, Season 1, Episode 22

Veronica has found a new prime suspect for the Lily Kane murder. She betrays a friend, only to later discover that she was wrong. By the end of “Leave it to Beaver,” Veronica faces off against Lily’s real killer in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

I am someone who believes that great shows always deliver with their season finales. Veronica Mars is a perfect example of this theory. The first season finale takes you on a thrill ride. First, Lily’s killer is actually surprising, but when you think about it, you’re like of course it was that person. Then it ends with a simple cliffhanger: who is at the door? “Leave It to Beaver” ties all the major loose ends up, but it lays a lot of the groundwork for next season’s big mystery. It also has some major clues to the answer to that crime.

1. Not Pictured, Season 2, Episode 22

Veronica is close to figuring out who caused the bus crash. It exposes some very dark secrets of Neptune’s finest, especially Woody Goodman (Steve Guttenberg). By the end of the episode, Veronica faces the killer and all his demons.

If there is anything I’ve learned from Veronica Mars, it is to always have trust issues with this show. Most of the time, the character you expect the least is the one behind the crime. “Not Pictured” puts fans through the ringer as they learn a likable character isn’t so innocent, and a bunch of other stuff you thought you knew were lies. It’s also bittersweet justice with the criminal because most of his behavior is due to childhood trauma. He’s more of a victim than a criminal. This proves another great thing about Veronica Mars, the good and bad guys can’t neatly be put in a box.

Kristen Bell really helped create an iconic character with Veronica Mars. Though I’m still not over the season 4 finale, in a few years, like ten, I’m sure I’d gladly return to the world of Veronica Mars to see what happens next.

This poll is no longer available.

Who would've thought that Riverdale, a mature-minded, twist-friendly teen drama based on Archie Comics characters, would be one of the hottest, most popular shows on television? Certainly, it's a credit to the showrunners for turning what some people thought would be a laughing stock into a series that continues to appeal to viewers young and old. With the fourth season currently airing on The CW and a fifth season already ordered, Riverdale is a huge hit. If you're looking for another TV show to stream that's in a similar vein, we have some recommendations that'll suit your fancy.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix)

What The Show Is About: A bold new take on the popular Archive comic book character, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a supernatural horror series centered around Sabrina and the difficulties she faces balancing her identities as a half-mortal, half-witch fighting forces haunting her waking life.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: It only makes sense. Sabrina the Teenage Witch was originally a character from the Archie comics. Naturally, if you liked the revamped take of The CW's Riverdale, you'll probably be interested to check out Netflix's The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Particularly with its charming lead performance from Kiernan Shipka as the title character, this Netflix hit doubles down on everything people love about Riverdale. It also helps that it comes from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, i.e. the creator of Riverdale. Basically, if you are looking for recommendations, this is a given.

Where To Stream: The first season and the first half of the second season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are now available on Netflix.

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

What The Show Is About: A teen noir mystery centered around a high school girl who moonlights as a private detective with her father in California.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: If you love watching teenage detectives trying to solve mysteries around town, you'll definitely get a kick out of Veronica Mars. In the title role that propelled her into stardom, Kristen Bell gives a tremendous performance as the young ace detective, one who must balance her investigations with school life. Thanks to its sharp writing and strong performances, it's no mystery why Veronica Mars gained a following.

Where To Stream: Every season of Veronica Mars, including the new fourth season and the movie, is available to stream on Hulu.

Teen Wolf (Amazon Prime)

What The Show Is About: A modernized spin on the 1985 movie of the same name, Teen Wolf follows a high schooler who turns into a werewolf.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: The blend of high school drama and supernatural elements typically serves as a fun way to get viewers enticed, as you'll see from a few other shows listed in this article, and Teen Wolf's mix of intrigue and drama fits in line with what you can expect from Riverdale.

Where To Stream: All six seasons of Teen Wolf are available on Amazon Prime.

Titans (DC Universe)

What The Show Is About: A re-imagining of the DC Comics crime-fighting team, Titans takes a grittier, darker spin on the crime fighting young superheroes as they band together once more to take down evil forces found in various different places, with their base centered in San Francisco.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: Similar to Riverdale, in the days leading up to Titans' premiere, the Internet was ready to write it off as an overly brooding, direly humorless take on a beloved comic book property. But when the first season of Titans was unveiled, it surprised critics and audiences alike with its strong ensemble and its fresh take on the material, which is similar to how people felt when Riverdale finally premiered its first season on The CW. Titans is often criticized for its tonal problems and its inconsistent writing, but these are often criticisms that are lobbied against Riverdale. If you don't mind the flaws of Riverdale and you enjoy its campy, moodier take on the familiar Archive comic books, Titans might be worth your while too.

Where To Stream: The first two seasons of Titans are now available on DC Universe, with the third season expected to premiere sometime this year.

True Detective (HBO Go)

What The Show Is About: An acclaimed anthology crime drama series, with each season containing different characters, striking backdrops, and self-contained, non-linear narratives, True Detective follows angst-ridden detectives as they try to solve a crime that has haunted them for decades on end.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: During a Reddit AMA, Cole Sprouse made an unlikely comparison. As Season 2 was getting ready to air, the TV actor compared Riverdale to HBO's acclaimed True Detective, which seems like an odd point of reference at first glance, but it does make an okay bit of sense upon reflection. Sprouse noted that the dynamic shared between Jughead, the role he plays on The CW show, and KJ Apa's Archie is similar to the relationship shared between Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey in True Detective's first season. Indeed, if you like the more brooding, ponderous aspects of Riverdale, specifically in the oddball friendship between Jughead and Archie, you'll find a lot to like in True Detective. Notably in the show's excellent first season. While Season 2 isn't quite as strong, Season 1 and Season 3 have a lot going for them. You should check them out.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of True Detective can be found on HBO Go.

Twin Peaks (Netflix/Showtime)

What The Show Is About: Twin Peaks follows FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in his attempt to find out who was behind the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer in the quaint, strange little town of Twin Peaks, Washington. From there, well, let's just say that a lot of weird stuff starts to happen.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: If you're a fan of all the kooky, bizarre antics and plot twists that ensue throughout Riverdale, particularly in the newer seasons, you might want to give Twin Peaks a try. In fact, the two shows mirror each other at times. While Riverdale is way more conventional than the often outright-bizarre Twin Peaks, if you find yourself grooving with The CW's show commitment to weirdness, you should give this one a spin.

Where To Stream: The first two seasons of Twin Peaks can be found on Netflix. The third season, Twin Peaks: The Return, is available on Showtime.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Hulu)

What The Show Is About: Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, Buffy the Vampire Slayer follows the latest in a line of vampire slayers, known simply as "the Slayer," who fights demons, vampires (naturally), and other dark forces while also dealing with the challenges that come with high school.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: The immensely popular supernatural drama series is, in some ways, what Riverdale was for earlier generations. The series blended horror elements with the day-to-day troubles of being a high schooler, and it was critically and commercially acclaimed for its witty dialogue, stylish filmmaking, and winning characters. Suffice to say, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an appealing TV series for viewers who love Riverdale.

Where To Stream: The complete seven-season series can be found on Hulu.

Scream (Netflix)

What The Show Is About: Based on the slasher film series of the same name, MTV/VH1's Scream is a serialized anthology series which follows a similar plot to the movies that inspired it: it centers around a group of self-aware teenagers who become targeted by a serial killer with a white mask.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: In terms of story, there are quite a few similarities between Riverdale and Scream. In fact, it's fair to say that Riverdale is probably at least somewhat influenced by the original Scream movies, to the point of including a reference to Scream in a recent Season 3 episode. Both shows center around small towns with looming mysteries that teenagers need to solve, include camp value in frequent measure, have a winking meta tone, and pay reverence to the past while also trying to establish their own footing. Riverdale and Scream share common grounds.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of MTV/VH1's Scream are available to stream on Netflix.

Fargo (Hulu)

What The Show Is About: An anthology series based on the the Coen brothers' 1996 masterpiece of the same name, Fargo is a darkly comedic crime drama focused on the interconnecting misdeeds and criminal activities of the off-beat citizens of Fargo, North Dakota, throughout numerous decades.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: Beyond being one of the sharpest, funniest, stylish, and most entertaining shows on television, Fargo is another series centered around small-town characters revealing the insidious nature of their seemingly-friendly surroundings. In the midst of these very well-mannered humble folk are dangerous games of deception, untrustworthy characters, and delightfully dark moments of pitch-black comedy. While it might not appeal to the sensibilities of every Riverdale fan, Fargo will certainly win over anyone who enjoys the sensibilities of the original '90s movie.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of Fargo are available on Hulu, with the fourth season soon set to premiere in April.

Stranger Things (Netflix)

What The Show Is About: In 1980s Indiana, a group of small-town youngsters investigate the disappearance of their friend while also connecting with a mysterious young girl with a shaved head and psychokinetic powers. They soon discover a series of supernatural oddities happening around them.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: Certainly, if there's a chance that you've seen any show on this list, it's most likely Stranger Things. The hugely popular Netflix series, meshing elements of sci-fi, horror, drama and comedy into one package, has been immensely successful for the streaming site, and it continues to endear viewers with its influences of John Carpenter, Steven Spielberg, and Stephen King. Certainly, if you like the plucky spirit of Riverdale and its mix of horror, drama, and comedy centered around school-age protagonists, you'll find a lot to enjoy in this immensely popular show.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of Stranger Things are now available on Netflix, with the fourth season set to premiere later this year.

These are just a few shows currently available to stream that you might like if you love Riverdale. Which are you favorites? Tell us in the comments!

In the past decade of TV shows, The Wire is widely considered one of the greatest television dramas ever produced. Former President Barack Obama even called it one of the greatest pieces of art created in the last couple of decades. The Wire creator David Simon weaved together a series that took a hard look at how institutions indirectly and directly have a part in drug trade and corruption. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for The Wire; the show deals with different divisions of the city, but the stories and themes featured in the show resonate with cities all over the globe. The Wire is a great TV drama that helped define the early 2000s era of television.

Thanks to the power of streaming services like Netflix, The Wire and other great television shows of the early 2000s are available to watch on any device. The early 2000s was a critical time for the small screen because it’s when many of the formulas that now dominate the airwaves started to form. Anti-hero main characters, sci-fi epics, political dramas, and feel-good-but-makes-you-cry shows began to find their place in pop culture and on mainstream television. As we embrace a new decade of television, let’s take a look at some of the best TV shows of the early 2000s that are available to stream.

This list only includes dramas from the early 2000s that are available to stream through a subscription service. It’s also limited to series that began between 1999 and 2006, and series that reached their final episodes by 2011.

The Wire (Amazon Prime Video)

The Wire premiered in 2002. It features actors who have become some of today’s biggest names in Hollywood, including Aidan Gillen, Michael B. Jordan, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, and Dominic West. The Wire gave a gritty and honest portrait of Baltimore: the show highlights how different institutions influence crime in the city. The Wire received critical acclaim but the Emmy voters mostly ignored it—one of the Emmy’s many great injustices. The Wire aired from 2002 to 2008. All five seasons are available to stream on HBO Now and Amazon Prime Video. Stream The Wire HERE.

The Sopranos (Amazon Prime Video)

Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) was the man in charge from 1999 to 2007. Fans may never know what really happened to Tony after everything faded to black, but his legacy continues. David Chase’s Sopranos revolutionized the television world in a couple of ways. First, it de-glamorized the mob lifestyle, and second it let viewers know that it was okay to follow the bad guy over the course of multiple seasons. The Sopranos paved the way for the Walter White and Dexters of the TV world. The premise of a mob boss in therapy expanded to a look at a damaged family, a deconstruction of the mob drama, and a conversation on mental health. All six seasons of The Sopranos are available on HBO Now and Amazon Prime Video. Stream The Sopranos HERE.

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

From 2004 to 2007, Kristen Bell played everyone’s favorite Marshmallow, Veronica Mars. Veronica Mars was a teen drama that was smart, funny, surprising, and heartbreaking in all the right ways. Veronica Mars’ original run left viewers wanting more after the CW’s abrupt cancellation of it after three seasons. By the end of the series, the teen P.I had won a loyal cult following that was willing to go to the ends of the earth for their LoVe of the series. This meant the show would receive two revivals, first as a movie and then as an additional season. It also had a book series and a web series about Dick. All four seasons and the Veronica Mars movie are available on Hulu. Stream Veronica Mars HERE.

Friday Night Lights (Hulu)

Emmy winning and critically acclaimed Friday Night Lights became a favorite among people who wanted heartwarming sports dramas. Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler led an ensemble cast as Coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tami Taylor. Friday Night Lights was adapted from the 2004 movie of the same name, which was based on the Friday Night Lights book. The series aired on NBC from 2006 to 2011- gaining more loyal fans with each new season. Hulu has all five seasons of Friday Night Lights available to stream on Hulu. Stream Friday Night Lights HERE.

Lost (Hulu)

Unfortunately, most critics and viewers now associate Lost with its much-debated final season. When Lost first aired in 2004, fans were blown away by the mystery of the island, the cast, and the potential of the series. At the heart of Lost was a character driven show that explored what happens when people are forced into unfamiliar situations and unknown dangers. Lost featured an ensemble cast that included Matthew Fox, Naveen Andrews, Evangeline Lilly, Ian Somerhalder, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, and Emilie de Ravin. Lost aired for six seasons and ended in May 2010. All six seasons of Lost are available to stream on Hulu. Stream Lost HERE.

The Shield (Hulu)

FX’s crime drama The Shield follows Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis), a corrupt Los Angeles Police Department cop. Mackey and his friends often use illegal methods to coerce confessions and ensure arrests. Michael Chiklis’ performance on The Shield won him both the Emmy and Golden Globe award for the series’ first season. FX aired The Shield for seven seasons from 2002 to 2008. The show captured the attention of many big Hollywood names and featured guest appearances by Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker. Hulu has all seven seasons of The Shield available to stream. Stream The Shield HERE.

The West Wing (Hulu)

Aaron Sorkin’s political drama The West Wing dominated ratings and award season for most of its seven-season run. In The West Wing, Martin Sheen plays President of the United States Josiah “Jed” Bartlet. The series follows him and his administration, which includes C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney), Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), and Joshua Lyman (Bradley Whitford). The West Wing is considered one of the best-written TV shows of all time. It won 26 Emmy Awards, including four for Outstanding Drama and numerous writing Emmys. All seven seasons of The West Wing, which aired from 1999 to 2006, are available on Netflix. Stream The West Wing HERE.

Firefly (Hulu)

Fans of the Fox Network know that the company rarely hesitates when cancelling shows. This has led to many beloved series reaching their conclusion far too soon. In 2003, Firefly became one of Fox’s cancellation victims. Joss Whedon’s space western followed the crew of the Serenity spaceship led by Nathan Fillion’s Mal Reynolds. Firefly’s cast also included Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, and Summer Glau. Firefly only aired for one 14-episode season. However, Joss Whedon and crew were given a chance to give the series a proper conclusion with the Serenity movie in 2005. All fourteen episodes of Firefly are available to stream on Hulu. Stream Firefly HERE.

Boston Legal (Hulu)

Long before Red,James Spader, along with William Shatner, was the star of David E. Kelley’s legal drama and The Practice spin-off Boston Legal. Like The Practice, the show centered around the characters at a law firm and the cases that they tackled each week. Boston Legal received many award nominations, especially for Shatner and Spader. Boston Legal aired from 2004 to 2008, and had five seasons. Hulu and Amazon Prime Video have all five seasons of the series available to stream. Stream Boston Legal HERE.

The 4400 (Netflix)

In 2004, USA Network introduced a new sci-fi series called The 4400. The 4400 follows the return of 4400 people who went missing during various periods, starting in 1946. All of the 4400 disappeared in a similar fashion with a white beam of light grabbing them. Once returned to earth, the 4400 remain the same age they were when taken. The series follows these individuals and how they must adjust to their return, and the new powers that they’ve developed. From 2004 to 2007, The 4400 aired for four seasons. Some of the cast included Billy Campbell, Mahershala Ali, Patrick John Flueger, and Laura Allen. The complete series of The 4400 is available on Netflix. Stream The 4400 HERE.

Six Feet Under (Amazon Prime Video)

Six Feet Under follows widow Ruth Fisher (Frances Conroy) and her three children, Nate (Peter Krause), David (Michael C. Hall), and Claire (Lauren Ambrose). It focuses on the Fisher family’s funeral business and personal relationships and struggles. Six Feet Under was another one of HBO’s critically acclaimed series with a huge cult following. The Fisher family’s highly dysfunctional nature, magical surrealism elements, and overall strong writing and acting is what made Six Feet Under one of the most popular series of the early 2000s. It aired on HBO from 2001 to 2005. All five seasons of Six Feet Under are available on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Now. Stream Six Feet Under HERE.

The early 2000s brought a lot of great television series, many that helped shaped the TV landscape forever, and even more that are considered the greatest series of all time. Let’s hope the next twenty years of television shows are just as profound and exciting.

Kristen Bell’s acting versatility makes her one of the most recognizable names in movies and TV shows. Her upbeat persona, ability to embody her characters, and her earnest style of acting makes Kristen Bell an actress that we look forward to watching in any project. Whether taking on dramatic or comedic roles, Kristen Bell creates a memorable character.

Bell’s signature parts have built her a legacy of great character work. Very few actors can claim that they have created multiple iconic fictional personas, but Kristen Bell falls on that short list of elite actors—and she has achieved this in both the television and film realms.

We ranked the selected films based on Kristen Bell’s overall performance, the character’s pop culture significance, and the character’s overall importance to the TV show or movie. This is not a ranking of her best films but a celebration of her best characters. *This article contains some spoilers about the movies and TV shows mentioned. *

10. Gracie Thompson (Gracie’s Choice)

In this 2004 TV movie, Kristen Bell plays sixteen-year-old Gracie Thompson, a teen who wants to become the legal guardian of her younger brothers. Her mother, Rowena (Anne Heche), has a drug addiction that creates an unstable environment for Gracie and her younger siblings. Gracie tries to balance the normal daily problems of a sixteen-year-old, school and relationships, with the life altering responsibility of raising children.

Anne Heche and Kristen Bell both bring passion and sincerity to their performances and this elevates Gracie’s Choice to a profound movie about a broken family and a determined teen. Gracie’s Choice is one of Bell’s first major roles. Her performance as Gracie highlights the potential that eventually grows into a full-fledged Hollywood powerhouse. In Gracie’s Choice, Kristen Bell creates a vivid portrait of Gracie’s emotional turmoil. Gracie’s Choice is available to stream on the free streaming service Tubi. Stream Gracie’s Choice HERE.

9. Elle Bishop (Heroes)

Kristen Bell joined the cast of Heroes during the second season. She then had a 13-episode arc from Heroes Season 2 through Season 3. Bell played Elle Bishop, an enhanced human who grew up knowing about her powers. Her father’s treatment and quest to understand and harness them turned Elle into a grade-A sociopath.

Bell’s role as Elle was her first major TV role after Veronica Mar’s cancellation--taking Bell from damaged good girl Veronica Mars to damaged bad girl Elle Bishop. Kristen Bell brought many layers to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional villain. At any given moment, you found yourself hating Elle and sympathizing with her. Sylar (Zachary Quinto) cut Elle’s time on the series short, but Kristen Bell left an electric impression on Heroes fans. A cable subscription and NBC's website -- at least until NBC launches its own streaming service -- gains you access to all four seasons of Heroes and the spinoff series Heroes: Reborn. Stream Heroes HERE.

8. Sarah Marshall (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)

In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) dumps her boyfriend Peter Bretter (Jason Segel), so he heads to Hawaii to forget about her, but surprise, she’s also on the same resort with her new lover, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Peter must watch his ex-girlfriend frolic around Hawaii while also trying to nurse a broken heart. Lucky for him, a beautiful resort employee Rachel (Mila Kunis) occupies his attention.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall allows Kristen Bell to create a self-absorbed actress that also has real moments of sincerity and heart. Bell makes it easy to dislike Sarah, but adds some character depth that makes it also easy to understand some of her behavior. Kristen Bell’s performance becomes even stronger because of Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s prestige ensemble of comedians that include Bill Hader, Jack McBrayer, Jonah Hill, and Kristen Wiig. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms, like Amazon Prime Video. Rent or buy Forgetting Sarah Marshall HERE.

7. Gossip Girl (Gossip Girl)

Major spoiler alert if you’re just discovering Gossip Girl through a streaming service. Kristen Bell narrates Gossip Girl, a gossip column that Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) secretly writes to expose the secrets going on at the Upper East Side.

Kristen Bell isn’t technically a character in Gossip Girl, she’s just a voice-over, but she delivers the perfect inflections, tone, and vocal character to deliver some snarky, witty, and ominous lines. Kristen Bell narrated Gossip Girl through all six seasons and she plans to send some more xoxo to the Gossip Girl reboot. All six seasons of Gossip Girl are available on Netflix. Stream Gossip Girl HERE.

6. Ingrid De Forest (Parks And Recreation)

Kristen Bell plays Ingrid de Forest in Parks and Recreation Season 6. She appeared in three episodes overall. Parks and Recreation fans will recall that Ingrid was a councilwoman from Eagleton, Pawnee’s rival town. The Eagleton citizens are described as being upper-class snobs.

Throughout Parks and Recreation, Eagleton becomes a character of its own with Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler)’s constant disdain for it and its citizens. Ingrid’s subtle terribleness completely explains and justifies Leslie’s hatred for Eagleton. Ingrid comes off as a snob in a very passive way: she makes her wealth known but acts modest about it. Kristen Bell delivers one of her funniest character portrayals as Ingrid. Netflix has all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation available for your streaming pleasure. Stream Parks and Recreation HERE

Throughout Parks and Recreation, Eagleton becomes a character of its own with Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler)’s constant disdain for it and its citizens. Ingrid’s subtle terribleness completely explains and justifies Leslie’s hatred for Eagleton. Ingrid comes off as a snob in a very passive way: she makes her wealth known but acts modest about it. Kristen Bell delivers one of her funniest character portrayals as Ingrid. Netflix has all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation available for your streaming pleasure. Stream Parks and Recreation HERE

5. Kiki (The Bad Mom Movies)

In Bad Moms and A Bad Moms Christmas, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn play mothers who decide to stop trying to be perfect moms and just enjoy life again. They get into fun antics along the way.

Kristen Bell gives a standout performance as Kiki. Kiki seems constantly on the brink of a breakdown, while coming off like a Stepford Wife. By the end of Bad Moms, Kiki finally grows a backbone and stands up for herself. In A Bad Moms Christmas, Kiki evolves but still keeps many of the traits that made her so hilarious in the first film. Kristen Bell, we daresay, might be the funniest thing about these movies. Bad Moms and A Bad Moms Christmas are both available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime. Buy or rent both films HERE and HERE.

4. Jeannie Van Der Hooven (House Of Lies)

House of Lies follows Marty Kaan (Don Cheadle) and his management consultant team, which includes Jeannie (Kristen Bell), Clyde (Ben Schwartz), and Doug (Josh Lawson). The series is about the ruthless practices that the team exhibits to make money and win clients. Jeannie needs to bring extra cunningness to play in the same sandbox as Kaan & Associates and their rival firms.

While creating a sex loving, swear like a sailor, merciless female character, Bell also had to give her vulnerability that would make viewers want to root for her, and especially to root for her to end up with Marty. Don Cheadle is a superb, Academy Award nominated actor, so Bell had to step up her acting abilities to match his talent, and she definitely succeeds in House of Lies. House of Lies not being as family friendly as many of her other projects shows that she isn’t afraid to take on any role. All five seasons of House of Lies are available through an Amazon Prime Video subscription. Stream House of Lies HERE.

3. Eleanor Shellstrop (The Good Place)

In The Good Place, Eleanor (Kristen Bell), along with Michael (Ted Danson), Janet (D’Arcy Carden), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), Jason (Manny Jacinto), and Chidi (William Jackson Harper), often have to discover new schemes to protect themselves in the “good place.” In later seasons, she must work to ensure that everyone (as in humans in general) stays away from ending up in the bad place.

For four seasons, Kristen Bell created a lovable garbage person with Eleanor on The Good Place. While alive, most of Eleanor’s behavior justified her ending up in the bad place. However, in the afterlife, Eleanor has become the best version of herself. Bell often shows Eleanor doing terrible things, but gives such a hilarious performance that you almost don’t mind all of the bad things that she’s done. Kristen Bell is such a likable actress that characters like Eleanor instantly become more tolerable and charming because of her. Unfortunately, The Good Place ends in 2020 and we’ll have to say goodbye to Eleanor and the gang, but Kristen Bell’s lovable terrible person will be missed. Stream the first three seasons of The Good Place on Netflix, and catch the most recent episodes of season 4 on Hulu. Stream The Good Place HERE.

2. Princess Anna (The Frozen Movies)

After Frozen, Kristen Bell had everyone uttering the words: “do you want to build a snowman?” The enthusiastic, fun, brave, romantic Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) was a cute companion to her serious sister Elsa (Idina Menzel). Their sisterly bond took them to new heights in both Frozen and Frozen II.

Princess Anna is one of Disney’s most likable princesses, because she’s so sweet, excitable, and enjoyable to watch. Like with her Gossip Girl narration, Kristen Bell excels at giving the right vocal characterization and tone to bring Anna to life. Frozen is a global sensation and one of the reasons for the film’s popularity is the charm of the characters, especially Elsa and Anna. Stream Frozen on Disney+ and catch Frozen II in theaters.

1. Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Kristen Bell played teen P.I. in Veronica Mars from 2004 to 2007, as the title role, this has to be her best character. She revived the character for a 2014 Kickstarter funded movie, and then she returned again for the fourth season of Veronica Mars. Veronica Mars was the P.I that just wouldn’t die—but other characters did.

Veronica Mars was the sharp-tongued P.I. who dealt with her best friend being murdered, abandonment from her mother, and a public shame for her family. It makes sense why she closed herself off from the world, but through the course of Veronica Mar’s four seasons, we watched her go from a cynical traumatized teen to a less jaded, loving, intelligent adult. Veronica Mars has become a timeless fan favorite character that many people would easily sign-up again for another season, book, or movie in the Veronica Mars world. Stream the Veronica Mars movie and series on Hulu.

See how Kristen Bell concludes one of her memorable characters, Eleanor, when The Good Place returns on January 9 to air the final episodes of the series.

Television had an eventful year in 2019, with the end of some of the biggest shows on the small screen in the forms of Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory, reality TV getting wilder than ever, and new streaming services launching to add even more competition to the market. Oh, and a whole bunch of characters died, and they weren't even all from Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead!

Yes, while some shows were delivering laughs from start to finish in 2019, others were striking down beloved and/or impactful characters right, left, and center. Some were deaths that fans could see coming from a mile away, and others were shocking enough to change the way TV should be watched. So, as we look ahead to 2020 and all the wonderful possibilities in a new year of television, let's take a moment to reflect on the biggest TV deaths of 2019.

Warning: MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD for the 2019 TV season lie ahead. If you want to avoid finding out who bit the dust on TV shows large and small last year, feel free to check out some of our less deadly articles.