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

It's quite mind-boggling to see them!

Sophia

• Published in Film & TV
• June 25, 2022

Sometimes, we get used to actors being typecast and almost always playing the same old roles in different movies. There are even cases where actors are just stuck with the characters they play—take the Rock, for example, even though it is truly undeniable that he's a great actor, it is a shame to see him play the same roles over and over again because he has so much potential.

Another actor who is also a victim of being typecast is Morgan Freeman—with a voice, stature, and father-like qualities like his, it's not surprising that he always seems to play the character in a movie that offers some sort of guidance or authority over the protagonist. There are times when he has played the villain, but he still seems to act with the same sense of goodwill.

One other example is Drew Barrymore or Jennifer Aniston. Drew is always cast as a charming and lovable sweetheart next door, and Jennifer is almost always cast as a character that just seems like a variant of her role as Rachel Green!

Not that we're complaining, but we would also like to see such clearly talented actors in a variety of genres and roles, too. But guess what, there are other actors who have broken free of their stereotypical roles and actually landed a part that's usually not up in their alley!

How would you feel if your favorite comedy actor suddenly becomes a sullen character in a drama film? Take a look at this list of actors who excellently played their roles despite them being different from the usual characters they portray:

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!" —marionamte

2. Betty White in Golden Girls

"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

3. Helena Bonham Carter in The Crown

"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

4. Andre Braugher in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

"His dramatic background and serious tone is what makes him so funny as Captain Holt." —cleverdaredevil61

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 get her memories and character growth back." —beverleyc4b7c81aa6

6. David Tennant in Jessica Jones

"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

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." —silentword

8. John Krasinksi in Jack Ryan

"Seeing Jim Halpert in a role like this really threw me off. It was a good show though!" —munchkin06

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." —hibahchughtai

10. Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show

"She’s so good!"—allysonf4b86222dc

11. Kate Winslet in Extras

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

—cuteclcactus91

12. Chris Rock in Fargo

"He was brilliant!" —djane8

13. Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire

"AMAZING." —jessicapitrone

14. Zendaya in Euphoria

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

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!" —mrsheathermartin

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." —francisq

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 omg, he is hilarious as overly optimistic health nut Chris Traeger." —leahk40ca7fc83

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!" —skiinggnat

19. Steve Carrell in The Morning Show

"His role in was EXCEPTIONAL!" —effyocouch

20. Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad

"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

21. John Lithgow in Dexter

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

It's definitely a great surprise as well as a mind-boggling thing to see these actors play such a contrasting role 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!

Comment down your thoughts, or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

Sophia