21 Actors Who Played A Role So Opposite Their Usual Characters, It Made Us See Them In A Totally Different Light

Some actors get so closely associated with one kind of role that it is hard to picture them doing anything else. Then, every once in a while, they show up in a part that feels completely out of left field and instantly changes how we see them.

This list rounds up 21 actors who stepped far outside their usual screen personas and still made the switch work. From comedy favorites turning serious to familiar faces taking on darker, sharper, or more unexpected characters, these performances stand out because they feel so different from what audiences expected.

That contrast is exactly what makes these roles fun to revisit. Read on.

1. Aziz Ansari in Master of None

"It was such an amazing comedy-drama, especially considering he’s more traditionally a pure comedian." —christianf4f13844d1"He was brilliant in it!" —marionamteNetflix

2. Betty White in Golden Girls

"She played more 'Blanche-type' characters before becoming a Golden Girl. She took the risk, and it definitely paid off in the end! Love you, Betty White! 💖" —artistryviaannaNBC

3. Helena Bonham Carter in The Crown

"I know she’s a brilliant actor and has played the most eccentric characters, but seeing her play Princess Margaret put her in a totally new light! She portrayed her so well that you could feel the pain and emotions she was going through, using her dark humor as a defense mechanism. She’s just the best, to be honest." —mishapanchal79Netflix

4. Andre Braugher in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

"His dramatic background and serious tone are what make him so funny as Captain Holt." —cleverdaredevil61Fox / NBC

5. Catherine Tate in Doctor Who

"Before that, she was best known for her comedy characters in The Catherine Tate Show, and a fair few people didn't think she'd be able to pull off a more serious character, but she was amazing in the role. I'm still half-hoping she'll make a comeback one day and regain her memories and character growth." —beverleyc4b7c81aa6BBC

6. David Tennant in Jessica Jones

"It absolutely floored me. I told all of my friends who knew him from theatre or Doctor Who not to watch that show unless they wanted their perceptions shattered. Yes, he was evil in HP, but that was 10 minutes at most. He was so good at being a villain that I couldn’t see him in anything after a while." —erinbursonNetflix

7. James Van Der Beek in Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23

"He totally mocked himself, and he was hilarious—so far removed from the always serious Dawson we were used to seeing." —silentwordABC

8. John Krasinski in Jack Ryan

"Seeing Jim Halpert in a role like this really threw me off. It was a good show, though!" —munchkin06Amazon

It’s the same kind of chaos as when Hollywood’s biggest stars wanted the Earth to swallow them whole.

9. Jason Bateman in Ozark

"Before that, he was known as Michael from Arrested Development and for similar funny and comedic works, but Ozark showed just how good a dramatic actor he could be." —hibahchughtaiNetflix

10. Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show

"She’s so good!" —allysonf4b86222dcApple TV

11. Kate Winslet in Extras

"The sweary, sex-obsessed actor playing a nun instead of her usual dramatic roles was hilarious."

—cuteclcactus91

BBC / FX

12. Chris Rock in Fargo

"He was brilliant!" —djane8FX

13. Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire

"AMAZING." —jessicapitrone

HBO

14. Zendaya in Euphoria

"She portrayed Rue so brilliantly and beautifully." —fannyfolyeHBO

15. Jon Hamm in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

"After all those years of Mad Men, it was just such an unexpected turn! And he was so funny!" —mrsheathermartinNBC

16. Matthew Perry in The West Wing and The Good Wife

"Matthew Perry was firmly a comedy actor to me for so long, but his turns as a dramatic actor were highly impressive. I wish he would do more." —francisqCBS

17. Rob Lowe in Parks and Recreation

"After years of seeing him as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing, I was really surprised to see him cast in a comedy. And, oh my God, he is hilarious as the overly optimistic health nut Chris Traeger." —leahk40ca7fc83NBC

18. Gillian Anderson in Sex Education

"We were used to seeing her in kickass law enforcement roles or serious period dramas, but she's also a fantastic comedic actor!" —skiinggnatNetflix

19. Steve Carell in The Morning Show

"His role was EXCEPTIONAL!" —effyocouchApple TV

20. Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad

"I remember doubting whether I would be able to take him seriously once I heard about the series because he was the dopey dad from Malcolm in the Middle during a large part of my childhood. All doubt vanished once I watched the first episode of Breaking Bad." —papierherzHBO

21. John Lithgow in Dexter

"I had only ever seen him in comedy roles, and he was bone-chilling in Dexter." —adrianavecchioShowtime

It's definitely a great surprise as well as a mind-boggling thing to see these actors play such contrasting roles compared to their usual personas, but hey, at least their versatility is showing! We would truly love it if all the other actors who seem to play the same characters but in different movies would also break free and try to take on even more challenging roles!

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Want more awkward Hollywood tension? Read how Kaley Cuoco handled being overlooked by an A-list actress on Charmed.