10 Actors Who Are Totally Different in TV Than in Movies

Some actors have a knack for reinventing themselves depending on the medium, delivering performances that feel worlds apart between the small and big screens. Their ability to shift tones, personas, or styles showcases a range that keeps audiences guessing and proves their versatility in the craft.

I’ve picked ten actors who embody completely different vibes in their TV roles compared to their movie work. From comedic to intense, subtle to larger-than-life, these performers adapt in ways that make their transitions striking. Let’s dive into how they pull it off.

Bryan Cranston

On TV, Bryan Cranston is the chilling Walter White in ‘Breaking Bad’ (2008-2013), a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin whose quiet menace and moral unraveling grip you. In films like ‘Trumbo’ (2015), he’s a charismatic, witty Dalton Trumbo, exuding charm and defiance as the blacklisted screenwriter.

Cranston’s TV work thrives on sustained intensity, with Walter’s slow burn dominating episodes. His movie roles, like the flamboyant Trumbo or the goofy dad in ‘Why Him?’ (2016), lean into lighter, broader energy, showing his range across mediums.

Elisabeth Moss

In ‘Mad Men’ (2007-2015), Elisabeth Moss plays Peggy Olson, a reserved ad woman whose subtle ambition unfolds over seasons. In films like ‘The Invisible Man’ (2020), she’s Cecilia Kass, a frantic survivor radiating raw fear and defiance against an unseen stalker.

Moss’ TV roles, like Peggy or June in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (2017-2025), rely on nuanced, slow-build emotion suited for long arcs. Her movie performances dial up the intensity, embracing visceral, immediate stakes that demand a bolder presence.

Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm’s Don Draper in ‘Mad Men’ (2007-2015) is a brooding, enigmatic ad man whose layered pain unfolds gradually. In movies like ‘Baby Driver’ (2017), he’s Buddy, a flashy, unhinged criminal with a reckless edge that steals scenes.

Hamm’s TV work leans on quiet charisma and emotional depth, perfect for serialized drama. His film roles, like the comedic sleaze in ‘Bridesmaids’ (2011), embrace exaggerated flair, showing he can pivot to punchy, big-screen energy.

Jason Bateman

On ‘Arrested Development’ (2003-2019), Jason Bateman is Michael Bluth, a dry, sarcastic everyman navigating family chaos with deadpan humor. In films like ‘The Gift’ (2015), he plays Simon, a creepy, manipulative suburbanite with a dark streak.

Bateman’s TV roles thrive on witty restraint, anchoring sitcom chaos with subtle delivery. His movie work, especially in thrillers like ‘The Gift’ or ‘Ozark’ (2017-2022), taps into a menacing intensity, proving he can shift from funny to unsettling.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis commands ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ (2014-2020) as Annalise Keating, a fierce lawyer with layered vulnerability, delivering sharp monologues. In films like ‘Fences’ (2016), she’s Rose Maxson, a grounded, emotionally raw housewife whose quiet strength devastates.

Davis’ TV performances lean on commanding dialogue and legal drama’s intensity, fitting the episodic pace. Her movie roles embrace raw, understated emotion, letting subtle gestures carry the weight, showcasing her chameleon-like range.

Anthony Hopkins

In ‘Westworld’ (2016-2022), Anthony Hopkins is Dr. Robert Ford, a cryptic genius with a soft-spoken, calculating menace. In films like ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991), he’s Hannibal Lecter, a theatrical, chilling predator whose every word drips with danger.

Hopkins’ TV role thrives on quiet control, unraveling Ford’s motives over seasons. His movie performances, especially as Lecter, are larger-than-life, with intense stares and bold delivery that dominate the screen in shorter bursts.

Steve Carell

Steve Carell’s Michael Scott in ‘The Office’ (2005-2013) is a bumbling, lovable boss whose awkward humor drives the comedy. In films like ‘Foxcatcher’ (2014), he’s John du Pont, a disturbingly intense millionaire with a creepy, subdued edge.

Carell’s TV work leans on physical comedy and warmth, perfect for sitcom pacing. His movie roles, like the dramatic turn in ‘Foxcatcher’ or the heartfelt dad in ‘Beautiful Boy’ (2018), dig into darker, more nuanced territory, showing his depth.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson’s roles in ‘American Horror Story’ (2011-2021) range from psychic Billie Dean to conjoined twins Bette and Dot, each bursting with campy, theatrical energy. In films like ‘12 Years a Slave’ (2013), she’s Mistress Epps, a cruel, restrained figure seething with quiet venom.

Paulson’s TV performances embrace over-the-top drama, fitting the anthology’s wild tone. Her movie work, like the grounded Marcia Clark in ‘American Crime Story’ (2016), leans into subtle, historical weight, highlighting her versatility.

Hugh Laurie

In ‘House M.D.’ (2004-2012), Hugh Laurie is Gregory House, a sarcastic, limping doctor whose biting wit and emotional walls define the show. In films like ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ (2019), he’s Mr. Dick, a quirky, warm eccentric who radiates charm.

Laurie’s TV role thrives on sharp dialogue and brooding intensity, carrying long medical arcs. His movie performances, often lighter like in ‘101 Dalmatians’ (1996), embrace playful or heartfelt tones, showing his range across formats.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully in ‘The X-Files’ (1993-2018) is a skeptical, grounded FBI agent whose quiet intellect anchors the sci-fi mystery. In films like ‘The House of Mirth’ (2000), she’s Lily Bart, a tragic socialite with delicate, emotional depth.

Anderson’s TV work leans on steady, rational precision, perfect for episodic tension. Her movie roles, like the elegant Lily or the fierce Stella in ‘The Fall’ (2013-2016), tap into raw emotion or bold intensity, showcasing her adaptability.

Which actor’s TV-to-movie transformation surprised you most, or did I miss a standout chameleon? Share your thoughts in the comments!