Warning: The final entry in this list contains spoilers for 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverinemovie (but it is clearly marked).
Summary
Some actors become inexorably linked to a specific character that can define their entire career, so while some leave their most famous roles behind, others will return to embody them again without warning.Not every actor is fortunate enough to be remembered for playing multiple characters, so some never shake the one role that made them. This can be a blessing, but some actors can see it as a restraint, limiting the roles they’re offered after their seminal character has been seemingly retired. After a while, some decide to turn back the clock and step into familiar shoes.
There are severalactors famous for just one iconic role, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re willing to come back and play the character again once they’ve stepped away from the movie or TV show.Sometimes, an actor lacks either the willingness or the opportunity to returnto their most iconic fictional persona. For others, there’s an ongoing demand and the chance to recapture their glory years. For the unfortunate few,some actors reprise their roles in really weird places, but the lucky ones are given a better platform for their comeback.
10 Actors Who Reprised Their Most Iconic Roles Several Years Later
Many actors have had their careers defined by iconic roles, and several, including Harrison Ford, have returned to those roles after years away.
Star Trek: Prodigy
Cast
Star Trek: Prodigy is the first TV series in the Star Trek franchise marketed toward children, and one of the few animated series in the franchise. The story follows a group of young aliens who find a stolen Starfleet ship and use it to escape from the Tars Lamora prison colony where they are all held captive. Working together with the help of a holographic Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), the new crew of the USS Protostar must find their way back to the Alpha Quadrant to warn the Federation of the deadly threat that is pursuing them.
Despite also starring as Galina “Red” Reznikov in all seven seasons ofOrange of the New Black, Kate Mulgrew never shook her ties toStar Trek: Voyager’s Captain Kathryn Janeway. In an interesting parallel, Mulgrew played Janeway for as many seasons as she did Red. However, she was given the chance to return to theStar Trekfranchise and voice Janeway whenStar Trek: Prodigybegan in 2021. The show is a rare, animated addition to the legendary sci-fi saga, meaning Mulgrew was able to pick up portraying her franchise character just 5 in-universe years after theVoyagerfinale.
Kate Mulgrew also had a brief cameo as Admiral Janeway in 2002’sStar Trek: Nemesismovie, which provided a rare glimpse into her post-Voyagerlife. She also continued to voice both versions ofProdigy’s Janeway into season 2 of the animated spinoff.
Star Trek: Voyagerended in 2001, which means she took a 20-year break before returning to play Janeway - four times longer than the amount of time that had actually passed within the franchise’s storied canon. Initially, she only voiced a holographic version of Janeway, so the original character remained untouched. Eventually, Vice Admiral Janeway made an appearance inStar Trek: Prodigyseason 1, episode 10, “A Moral Star, Part 2,” with the installment serving as a pivotal milestone in thetimeline of Mulgrew’s originalStar Trekcharacter.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
2002’sSpider-Manwas the first notable live-action movie centered around the iconic web-slinger. As a result, the actor playing the titular role became synonymous with the character. He embodied Peter Parker/Spider-Man throughout the revered Sam Raimi trilogy, butTobey Maguire’sSpider-Man 4was canceled. Although the actor’s Spidey film series sputtered to an end, fans of the character found it impossible to forget the man who breathed life into Spider-Man on the big screen. Eventually, Maguire was given the chance to reprise his biggest role a third time as part of theSpider-Man: No Way Homecast.
Although Maguire’s presence inNo Way Homewas denied - even by the actor himself - the movie’s release revealed his return to the franchise and the continuation of the story of his version of the character.
Although Maguire’s presence inNo Way Homewas denied - even by the actor himself - the movie’s release revealed his return to the franchise and the continuation of the story of his version of the character.There were 14 years betweenSpider-Man3andNo Way Home, during which period Maguire starred in many other projects. Thankfully, he grasped the chance to return to the Marvel universe with both hands, and for the first time since Disney’s acquisition of Sony - the latter of which still owns theSpider-Manmovie rights.
Spider-Man: No Way Homealso featured the return of Andrew Garfield as his version of Spider-Man. Garfield was the second live-action Spider-Man actor, had played the role twice beforeNo Way Home, but hadn’t portrayed the character since 2014’sThe Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is the sequel to Adam McKay’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. In the sequel, Ron, again played by Will Ferrell, joins New York’s 24-hour news channel. Steve Carell, David Koechner, and Paul Rudd also return as Ron’s team, along with Christina Applegate as his wife.
2004’sAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundyis still one of thebest cult classic movies of all time, with the production’s improvisational approach responsible for some of themost quotable film moments ever. Although it featured an ensemble cast, Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy was undoubtedly the star. The movie’s titular newsreader stood out among Ferrell’s other characters for being more defined than his previous efforts, as the actor often plays variations on the same theme.Ferrell’s brilliant performance as Ron felt very much like a lightning-in-a-bottle scenariothat couldn’t be replicated - which ultimately wasn’t true.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continuesbeing announced surprised and delighted the original movie’s devoted fan base, as it seemed very unlikely that there would ever be another installment to feature the irreverent main character. When the sequel was released in 2013,Ferrell stepped easily back into the role of his most beloved characterand was able to recapture the magic that had felt so thrown together the first time around. He was responsible for and contributed to many of thefunniest moments in bothAnchormanmovies.
Will Ferrell regularly reprises the role of Ron Burgundy outside theAnchormanmovies. He has been on talk shows likeJimmy Kimmel Live!in character as Ron as recently as 2019. He also hostsThe Ron Burgundy Podcastas his mustachioed alter ego.
Dexter: New Blood
Set a decade after his disappearance, Dexter: New Blood follows Dexter Morgan living under a new identity in Iron Lake, New York. Despite his attempts to embrace a peaceful life, unforeseen events in the tight-knit community reignite his Dark Passenger, challenging his efforts to leave his past behind.
The originalDextershow ran for 8 seasons, and although theDexterseason 8 finalewas divisive, it still seemingly drew a line under the story of Michael C Hall’s serial killer character when it aired in 2013.Hall’s shock return as the infamous antihero came in the form of a sequel show in 2021, withDexter: New Bloodcontinuing the saga 8 years after the original run had concluded. The follow-up allowed Dexter Morgan’s story to reach a much more fitting stopping point.
Hall’s character died at the end of the 10-episode New Blood miniseries, which made his return in the future less likely, but impossible.
Hall’s character died at theend of the 10-episodeNew Bloodminiseries, which made his return in the future less likely, but impossible.Jennifer Carpenter was able to return as Debra Morgan inNew Blood,despite being killed off in the original show. However, it wasn’t a traditional character comeback, as she was seen only by Dexter and acted as his phantasmagoric conscience.
It was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 that Hall would be returning as Dexter Morgan inDexter: Resurrection, as well as taking on narration duties for theDexter: Original Sinprequel show.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who: Released on June 27, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
Ofall the actors to play the Master, John Simm was the first to do so in the franchise’s modern era. Despite dying onscreen inDoctor Who’s season 3 finale, he returned again during David Tennant’s final arc as the Tenth Doctor. Interestingly,it was Simm’s second comeback as the Master that instilled the most surprise. During the final moments ofDoctor Whoseason 10, episode 11, “World Enough and Time,” John Simm’s Master is revealed to have been present all along, heavily disguised as a new character.
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Whilethe news of Simm’s return as the Master wasn’t especially well-protected, the nature of the reveal was so brilliantly executed that his version of the maniacal Time Lord seemed to appear out of nowhere. The moment was especially surprising given that Michelle Gomez’s Missy - a subsequent, female regeneration of the Master - was also present in the story at the time.
The Mandalorian
Released on June 21, 2025 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.
Hamill played Luke Skywalker throughoutStar Wars' original trilogy, which ended in 1983.Fans were forced to endure a long wait before Hamill’s eventual returnas the iconic Jedi Master near the end of 2015’sStar Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Unfortunately, the way his character was written in the final two installments of Disney’s sequel trilogy was widely criticized. After it concluded in 2019, it seemed as though Hamill’s legacy as Luke had been irreparably tarnished. Thankfully, he was able to play the role again in 2020’sTheMandalorianseason 2 finale.
Hamill’s 2015 comeback was expected by every inch of theStar Warsfan base, as it was announced way in advance of it actually being shown onscreen.
Hamill’s 2015 comeback was expected by every inch of theStar Warsfan base, as it was announced way in advance of it actually being shown onscreen. Inversely, his cameo inThe Mandalorianseason 2, episode 8, “Chapter 16: The Rescue” came completely out of the blue. However, given the show’s place in theStar Warstimeline,Hamill was too old to play the era’s Luke in the traditional fashion. While he was on set and in costume, his contribution to the performance consisted of acting out the scene and instructing a body double about how the character would behave.
A younger version of Hamill’s face was superimposed onto the body double in “The Rescue.” This technique was repeated inBoba Fettseason 1, episode 6, “Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger,” for another Luke Skywalker appearance.
Casino Royale
Casino Royale introduces Daniel Craig as James Bond in his first mission as a 00 Agent. Tasked with preventing the terrorist financier Le Chiffre from winning a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, Bond teams up with Vesper Lynd and Felix Leiter, kicking off a pivotal chapter in the espionage saga.
James Bond’s confusing canonhas long been a topic of debate among fans. Despite the frequent recasting of the lead character before the Daniel Craig era, there’s never been any official confirmation of whetherall the 007 actorswere playing the same man, or whether the franchise was being rebooted each time. Whilethe film series underwent a much harder reboot than usual for 2006’sCasino Royale, the plot thickened when Dame Judi Dench was cast once more as M, despite also playing the role opposite Pierce Brosnan’s iteration of the famous spy.
With just a four-year gap between movies, the actress was something of a bridge between the two periods inBondhistory.
2002’sDie Another Diewas Dench’s final time playing M in the Brosnan era, as Craig was brought in as the new leading man forCasino Royale. With just a four-year gap between movies, the actress was something of a bridge between the two periods inBondhistory. While she was perfect for the role, which is probably why the producers kept her on, her continued presence was very unexpected given the overhaul experienced by the rest of the franchise at the time.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
As a legacy sequel show to theKarate Kidmovies,Cobra Kaihas brought back almost every main character from the original film series. Many of them have been anticipated comebacks that are necessary for the idea to function properly, but the Netflix show hasn’t shied away from bringing back some of the lesser-known characters too. Debuting as Chozen in 1986’sThe Karate KidPart II,Yuji Okumoto surprised everyone by returning to play the character againinCobra Kaiseason 3, episode 4, “The Right Path.”
Okumoto’s 2021 return to the franchise meant it had been 35 years since he’d last played Chozen.
Okumoto’s 2021 return to the franchise meant it had been 35 years since he’d last played Chozen. While he was initially used sparingly, the character went on to become an increasingly big part of the show.He was able to give Chozen greater depth and redeem him from the underwhelming 1986 sequel. He had worked steadily as an actor sinceThe Karate Kid Part II, but hisCobra Kaicasting was still a huge career hallmark.
Star Wars Rebels
Set between Episodes III and IV of the Star Wars film franchise, Star Wars Rebels is a canon animated series that follows a group of ragtag heroes who band together to face the Empire. In an age where the Galactic Empire is hunting down the last of the Jedi, a teenage outcast named Ezra Bridger is discovered to be force sensitive by a surviving Jedi known as Kanan Jarrus. Agreeing to join them and accept Jedi training, Ezra becomes a part of a small but growing crew of rebels determined to destroy the empire covertly.
Williams' iconic performance as Lando in the final two movies in the original trilogy made the actor a part of theStar Warselite. Initially wrapping up his character’s story in 1986’sStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, it would be forgivable to assume that any future return to the role would also be in a live-action property. Surprisingly, this wasn’t the case, andthe next time Billy Dee Williams portrayed Lando Calrissian was in animated form.
InStar Wars: Rebelsseason 1, episode 10, “Idiot’s Array,” Williams voiced his character once more.
InStar Wars: Rebelsseason 1, episode 10, “Idiot’s Array,” Williams voiced his character once more. Despite being much older than he was during the original trilogy,2015’sRebelsepisode meant the actor was voicing a younger version of Landothan had appeared in the movies to that point. He returned for the first two episodes ofRebelsseason 2, and also eventually got another live-action appearance as Lando in 2019’sStar Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker.
Deadpool & Wolverine
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
After 17 years of playing Wolverine, the emotionalending of 2017’sLoganmeant Hugh Jackman could ride off into the sunset as the best and only actor to embody the character in a live-action setting. The perfection with which the conclusion was executed made a Jackman return as the superhero seem very improbable. Luckily,Ryan Reynolds' incessant nagging finally convinced the Australian actor to come backfor another round, and team up withDeadpoolin 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine. There was, of course, the barrier of Logan’s demise to overcome, which is achieved within the movie’s opening minutes.
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After a chaotic and musically-charged desecration of Logan’s grave,Deadpool & Wolverinequickly cashes in on the MCU’s multiverse arc, using the trope to allow Jackman to play a Wolverine variant rather than his most famous version of the character. It’s a creative way to reinstall the actor as the clawed X-Man, and the only way it could realistically be achieved without undoing the beauty and brilliance ofLogan’s ending.
Every TV Show & Movie Mentioned In This Article That Featured An Actor’s Return
2000/2002*
2021
2007
2004
2013
2007/2009*
2017
1983/2019*
2020
2002
2006
1986
1983
2015
2024
*The character had two comebacks, but only the second was either notable or unexpected.
