Summary
In times past, the roles of Hollywood movie stars and acclaimed television actors were two entirely separate entities, but in recent years, the lines between the two have begun to blur. Increasingly, major film actors have seen the potential for long-form television to tell complex and dynamic stories that resonate with viewers far more than one-off feature films. For this reason, many of the biggest Hollywood stars have successfully switched to TV and taken to the small screen and proved that these days, television is often just as prestigious as major Hollywood productions.
Some of the biggest movie stars of all time have successfully shifted to television in recent years, as production values have gone up andthe best TV showsboasted just as much quality as their cinematic counterparts. Being able to continually play the same character also allowed for more depth and character growth to occur, which often made TV roles more satisfying for actors to play after years of portraying one-off characters.The recent appearance of more Hollywood actors on TV highlightedhow the industry has changed, and actors no longer had to choose one medium over the other.
10Sylvester Stallone
Tulsa King (2022 - Preset)
It would be hard for viewers to believe back in the 1980s that one of thebiggest action heroes of all time, Sylvester Stallone, would make the switch to television, but in 2022, this came true as he took a starring role inTulsa King. With cinematic icons like Rocky Balboa, John Rambo, and Barney Ross to his name, Stallone’s embracement of serialized television was a testament to the star power that TV can now boast. Not unlike his old rival Arnold Schwarzenegger on Netflix’sFUBAR, Stallone embraced his tough persona to play Dwight “The General” Manfredi onTulsa King.
Tulsa Kingis a Paramount+ original that stars Stalloneopposite his love interest, played by Andrea Savage, and a drug dealing recruit, played by Martin Starr. This enjoyable comedy proved Stallone had not lost any of his innate charisma by making the switch to television, and it was enjoyable to see him have fun with this fish-out-of-water mob story. With echoes ofGoodfellas' infectious style,Tulsa Kingis an enjoyable watch.
Tulsa King
Cast
Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi, who, after 25 years in prison, is exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, by his boss. Faced with the possibility of betrayal, he assembles a crew of unlikely characters to establish a criminal empire in unfamiliar territory.
Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Sylvester Stallone’s Rivalry Is Now Better On TV Than Their Movies
Although Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone have one of the greatest movies rivalries, their TV competition is proving to be even better.
9Kevin Costner
Yellowstone (2018 - Present)
Another performer who decades before wouldn’t have been seen anywhere near television roles was theDances with WolvesBest Picture-winning actor and director Kevin Costner. With an illustrious Hollywood career as a leading man, Costner rose to prominence in the 1980s and starred alongside the biggest movie stars of all time in movies likeThe Untouchableswith Robert De Niro and Sean Connery. A movie star in the truest sense of the word, Costner’s successful pivot to television showcased its allure to even the most acclaimed feature film star.
Costner made a major leap into the world of TV with his starring role in the miniseriesHatfields & McCoys, an epic Western that allowed him to play a more long-form style character. However, it wasCostner’s leading role inYellowstonethat truly solidified his status as a major television star. That’s not to say Costner has given up on movies entirely, as the recent release of the first part of his epic Western sageHorizonhas proved.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on July 12, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
8Christian Slater
Mr. Robot (2015 - 2019)
Christian Slater was something of a teen heartthrob in the early part of his career, as he gained several acclaimed roles in movies likeHeathers,Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, andTrue Romance. As a consistent star since the 1980s, Slater has never been short of work in feature films, which made his shift into television even more interesting. The increased appearance of stars like Slater in the TV landscape highlights how much of the dynamic and interesting roles these days can actually be found on the small screen.
While Slater was never a stranger to television and had early roles in soap operas likeAll My ChildrenandRyan’s Hopeand even later appeared in several episodes ofThe West Wing, his true embracement of TV came later. One ofSlater’s most notable and acclaimed TV roles was the title character in the hacker seriesMr. Robot. Audiences can also look forward to seeing Slater starring opposite Sarah Michelle Geller in the highly anticipated upcoming prequel seriesDexter: Original Sin.
Mr. Robot
Mr. Robot follows Elliot, a young programmer with an anti-social disorder, who hacks people to connect and protect those he cares about. The series explores his involvement with a cybersecurity firm and underworld organizations targeting corporate America. Debuting in 2015, it addresses contemporary cultural themes.
7Kevin Spacey
House of Cards (2013 - 2018)
Back in the 1990s, Kevin Spacey was among the biggest stars in Hollywood and won not one but two Academy Awards for his supporting role inSe7enand as a leading man inAmerican Beauty. With an ability to play complex and varied roles, Spacey was a true Hollywood star who saw the potential as an early adopter of streaming when he accepted the starring role in the first true Netflix original,House of Cards. With this, Spacey successfully made the switch from movies to television and gained widespread acclaim and accolades.
However, as bright as Spacey’s star had shone, it was also due for a meteoric crash landing back to Earth as a litany of sexual misconduct allegations torpedoed his career in 2017.Spacey faced multiple criminal investigationsand wasdropped not just fromHouse of Cardsbut also from his upcoming movies. While Spacey has since attempted to return to movie roles, he has failed to regain anything close to the stature he once merited.
6Matthew McConaughey
True Detective (2014 - Present)
Matthew McConaughey first rose to prominence in Hollywood following his breakout role inDazed and Confusedin 1993, and by the 2000s, he had become a major rom-com leading man. With memorable roles in movies such asHow to Lose a Guy in 10 DaysandGhosts of Girlfriends Past, McConaughey was a bankable star even if the parts he played never gave him major critical acclaim. However, this changed followingthe media-dubbed “McConaissance,”which saw him gain several acclaimed parts and even win an Oscar for his transformative role inDallas Buyers Club.
With an Academy Award to his name, it was extraordinary that rather than focus entirely on movies, McConaughey actually shifted into television with a universally acclaimed leading role inTrue Detectivein 2014. This impressive switch to television was made even more spectacular as he juggled both TV and film with a leading role in Christopher Nolan’sInterstellar, also in 2014. In McConaughey’s own words, this later career blossoming was truly “alright, alright, alright.”
True Detective
True Detective is an anthology series exploring intricate criminal investigations through multiple timelines. Each season examines dark personal and professional secrets revealed during the course of solving complex cases, highlighting the impact of crime on individuals both within and outside the law enforcement community.
5Reese Witherspoon
Big Little Lies (2017 - Present)
The Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon shot to stardom with impressive movie roles inCruel Intentions,Election, andLegally Blonde. From critically lauded performances inWalk the Lineand a later movie comeback withWild, Witherspoon was no stranger to Hollywood movie success. Although she dipped her toes into the world of TV withguest appearances in series likeFriends, it’s in recent years that Whitherspoon has found massive success on television.
Witherspoon’s pivot into television success can also be correlated with her roles as executive producer on several series backed by her production company, Hello Sunshine. These included the smash successBig Little Lies, whereWitherspoon co-starred alongside fellow movie stars Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep, as well as the Hulu adaptation ofLittle Fires Everywhere. Seemingly unstoppable in the realm of TV, Witherspoon also boasts a starring role onThe Morning Showopposite Jennifer Aniston.
Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies is a television drama from 2017 based on Liane Moriarty’s novel. It features three mothers of first-graders in Monterey, California, whose seemingly idyllic lives begin to deteriorate amid secrets, lies, and a mysterious murder investigation intertwining their personal narratives.
4Steve Buscemi
Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014)
As one of the greatest character actors of all time, Steve Buscemi has long been an acclaimed Hollywood actor. With credits in films by filmmaking auteurs such as Jim Jarmusch, Quentin Tarantino, and the Coen brothers, Buscemi’s standing as a versatile actor in independent and major Hollywood productions made him a unique talent. With a skill for picking complex and interesting roles, it’s no surprise that the allure of television managed to interest Buscemi as he began to accept significant TV roles during the mid-2000s.
While Buscemi has had small television credits since the 1980s, it was not until he accepted a recurring role as Tony Blundetto onThe Sopranosthat he really showed off his TV talents. Following this,Buscemi accepted the lead role in the period gangster dramaBoardwalk Empireand was directed in the pilot episode by Martin Scorsese. In recent years, Buscemi has balanced his film and TV roles and has had several significant roles on shows likePortlandia,Horace and Pete, andMiracle Workers.
Boardwalk Empire
Based on Atlantic City in the 1920s and 1930s, Boardwalk Empire follows political heavyweight “Nucky” Thompson as he battles mobsters, politicians, government agents, and the common folk who look to take him on. Now, with the federal government cracking down on bootlegging and other illegal activities, and everyone looking to take over control of the city, Nucky’s lavish lifestyle is in danger of collapsing.
3Winona Ryder
Stranger Things (2016 - Present)
Winona Ryder became a notable movie star when she was just a teenager following her debut inLucasand soon found major success inBeetlejuice,Heathers, andEdward Scissorhands. Before long, Ryder had received Oscar nominations for acclaimed roles in Martin Scorsese’sAge of Innocenceand the 1994 version ofLittle Women. However, following the controversy of her shoplifting arrest in 2001 (viaThe Independent), Ryder took a break from acting, and although she had further film roles, her successful shift to TV gave her a late-career boost.
The appearance of Ryder on the main cast ofStranger Thingswas a breath of fresh air, and viewers were delighted to see her in such a complex and interesting role as Joyce Byers. Ryder’s fame from the 1980s added the nostalgia factor of the popular Netflix series, and her incredible performance as the uncompromising and frazzled single mother to a missing son made for incredible viewing.Ryder has continued to play Joyce in every season ofStranger Things,and she was an essential aspect of the series' incredible success.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
2Julia Roberts
Homecoming (2018 - 2020)
As among Hollywood’s most bankable stars whose movies have grossed over $3.9 billion (viaThe Numbers), Julia Roberts was about as big a movie star as a celebrity could get. The star of some of the biggest rom-coms of the 1990s, likePretty WomanandMy Best Friend’s Wedding, Roberts even boasted an Academy Award for her role inErin Brockovich. With so many illustrious credits behind her, Roberts’ primary focus for the majority of her career was on feature films, excluding guest TV appearances in shows likeFriends.
However, this has changed in recent years, and Roberts, like so many other massive stars, has successfully switched to TV. This began withRoberts leading role in the acclaimed psychological thrillerHomecoming, where she played a caseworker at the highly mysterious Homecoming Transitional Support Center. Roberts followed this up in 2022 with another leading TV part in the political thrillerGaslit, showcasing that her pivot to television was not just a one-off event.
1Al Pacino
Hunters (2020 - 2023)
When it comes to movie stars, it does not get any bigger than Al Pacino. As one of the most acclaimed actors of all time, Pacino made a name for himself alongside other icons of cinema like Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson as titans of the New Hollywood Era who delivered firefly intense performances in challenging and trailblazing crime, drama, and gangster movies likeThe GodfatherandSerpico. However, unlike many of his 1970s contemporaries, Pacino has embraced television in recent years.
Pacino’s TV credits had, until recently, been limited to a leading role on the HBO miniseriesAngels in Americaand some television biographical movies such asPhil Spector. However, in 2020,Pacino truly shifted to television with his leading role as Meyer Offerman on the conspiracy dramaHunters. Pacino starred inHuntersfor two seasons, and the show was a fascinating and complex look at Nazi hunters in the United States.
Hunters
Set in 1977 New York, Hunters follows Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman), who is recruited by Meyer Offerman (Al Pacino) to join a secret organization of Nazi hunters that work to prevent the formation of the Fourth Reich. The Prime Video original series lasted for two seasons and also starred Lena Olin, Josh Radnor, Jerrika Hinton, Carol Kane, Greg Austin, Tiffany Boone, and Louis Ozawa.
