25 Roles That Totally Changed How We See These Actors

“David Tennant in Jessica Jones absolutely floored me. I told all of my friends who knew him from Doctor Who not to watch that show unless they wanted their perceptions shattered.”

We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the times actors pleasantly surprised them by taking on a role different to the ones we were used to seeing them in. Here's what they said!

1. David Tennant in Jessica Jones

Netflix

"It absolutely floored me. I told all of my friends that 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 mins at most. He was so so good at being a villain I couldn’t see him in anything after a while."

—erinburson

Here's David as Kilgrave:

youtube.com

2. Keeley Hawes in It's a Sin

Channel 4

"I still haven’t forgiven yet, it made it okay for her to be shot in Line of Duty."

—kathryns4f9cfb34f

Here's Keeley as Valerie

youtube.com

3. John Krasinksi in Jack Ryan

Amazon

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

—munchkin06

Here's John as Jack:

youtube.com

4. Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire

HBO

"AMAZING."

—jessicapitrone

Here's Steve as Nucky:

youtube.com

5. Steve Carrell in The Morning Show

Apple TV

"His role in was EXCEPTIONAL!"

—effyocouch

Here's Steve as Mitch:

youtube.com

6. And Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show

Apple TV

"She’s so good!"

—allysonf4b86222dc

Here's Jennifer as Alex

youtube.com

7. Jon Hamm in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

NBC

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

—mrsheathermartin

Here's Jon as Richard:

youtube.com

8. Aziz Ansari in Master of None

Netflix

"It was such an amazing comedy-drama, especially considering he’s more traditionally a pure comedian."

—christianf4f13844d1

"He was brilliant in it!"

—marionamte

Here's Aziz as well, Aziz:

youtube.com

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

CBS

"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."

—francisq

Here's Matthew as Joe:

youtube.com

10. Betty White in Golden Girls

NBC

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

—artistryviaanna

Here's Betty as Rose:

youtube.com

11. Jamie Dornan in The Fall

BBC Two / RTÉ One

"I can only see him as a serial killer now."

—oliviekalejova

Here's Jamie as Paul:

youtube.com

12. Matt LeBlanc in Episodes

BBC

He played himself, playing himself. I never realised just how good he is."

—melanies4d806a9e7

Here's Matt as Matt:

youtube.com

13. Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad

HBO

"I remember doubting being 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 vanished once I watched the first episode of Breaking Bad."

—papierherz

Here's Bryan as Walter:

youtube.com

14. John Lithgow in The Crown

Netflix

"Seeing him as Churchill was wild. I was used to him from 3rd Rock from the Sun."

—fooledbyasmile

"The scene where he was talking to the artist Graham Sutherland about painting the pond had me sobbing like an infant. That was such an excellent scene and performance."

—clothildedauphin

Here's John as Winsto Churchill:

youtube.com

15. Gillian Anderson in Sex Education

Netflix

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

—skiinggnat

Here's Gillian as Dr Jean:

youtube.com

16. Chris Rock in Fargo

FX

"He was brilliant!"

—djane8

Here's Chris as Loy:

youtube.com

17. Hugh Laurie in House

Fox

"Knowing Hugh Laurie from Blackadder and them watching him in that was amazing!!"

—joanned4fb8939d6

Here's Hugh as Dr House:

youtube.com

18. Rob Lowe in Parks and Recreation

NBC

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

—leahk40ca7fc83

Here's Rob as Chris:

youtube.com

19. Helena Bonham Carter in The Crown

Netflix

"I know she’s a brilliant actor and has played the most eccentric characters like, 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, and using her dark humour as a defence mechanism. She’s just the best, tbh."

—mishapanchal79

Here's Helena as Princess Margaret:

youtube.com

20. Andre Braugher in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Fox / NBC

"His dramatic background and serious tone are what makes him so funny as Captain Holt."

—cleverdaredevil61

Here's Andre as Captain Holt:

youtube.com

21. Catherine Tate in Doctor Who

BBC

"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 get her memories and character growth back."

—beverleyc4b7c81aa6

Here's Catherine as Donna:

youtube.com

22. James Van Der Beek in Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

ABC

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

—silentword

Here's James as (extra) James:

youtube.com

23. Jason Bateman in Ozark

Netflix

"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."

—hibahchughtai

Here's Jason as Marty:

youtube.com

24. Kate Winslet in Extras

BBC / FX

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

—cuteclcactus91

Here's Kate as an extra:

youtube.com

And if you want more hilarity, check out the bloopers too!

25. Zendaya in Euphoria

HBO

"From playing the happy-go-lucky Disney parts to winning an Emmy – impressive."

—tomvto

Here's Zendaya as Rue:

youtube.com

Some submissions have be edited for length and/or clarity!

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