Five actors on Netflix who became synonymous with their roles
Many actors dream of becoming a Netflix star, but only a select few ultimately succeed in making it true. But what does it exactly mean to be a Netflix star? For those searching for answers, check out the five best actors on Netflix who are now synonymous with their roles.
In the years of streaming evolution, Netflix has been burdened with several roles. On one hand, the streaming giant maintains its edge with non-stop productions. On the other hand, it brings the stars of tomorrow, offering them the perfect launchpad to carry forward their journey in Hollywood.
What Netflix also does is give veterans a renewed recognition, despite their illustrious stint in Tinseltown, so much so that it becomes difficult to imagine someone else playing that specific role. And when you dig deep into the streamer’s history, you’ll find plenty of such names.
However, this time, we are confining our focus to the five ultimate actors, some new, and some not, who became one with their Netflix roles.
Five actors on Netflix who are synonymous with their roles
Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things
Every time viewers think of Millie Bobby Brown, it’s a task not to refer to her as the Stranger Things breakout, Eleven. Nine years ago, the 21-year-old was found lurking in the woods of Hawkins, Indiana, having escaped the laboratory, amidst a town-wide search for the missing Will Byers. Jim Hopper took her in, fed her Eggos, while the bike-riding little Avengers formed an alliance to defeat the most dangerous forces plaguing the town.
Before her stint in Stranger Things, Brown appeared as a guest star in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, Modern Family, NCIS, and Grey’s Anatomy. She even starred in Intruders. However, nothing etched Brown in our minds like the Duffer brothers’ sci-fi series, which is still awaiting a full circle this year with its fifth and final season.
Jenna Ortega from Wednesday
Long before becoming Netflix’s deadpan darling, Wednesday Addams, the Wednesday actor was popularly dubbed the “scream queen.” But Jenna Ortega started her Tinseltown tenure way too early. Her acting debut was in Rob, and eventually, she became a mainstay in many horror movies, including Insidious: Chapter 2, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and a proper breakthrough with the Scream franchise.
Despite starting off her career early in the day, everything changed with the arrival of Wednesday on Netflix in 2021. While she already knew it was a “new chapter” of her career, little did the world know that it would be impossible to swap her face from the iconic Addams family character thereafter.
Henry Cavill from The Witcher
Things have changed in more ways than one with how Netflix introduced The Witcher and how it plans to continue the story from the fourth season. Although Henry Cavill will no longer sport the White Wolf medallion, the fan frustration remains at an all-time high over his exit from the Netflix adaptation. Having been the most treasured Superman of Hollywood, it was already hard for fans to witness David Corenswet take on the mantle of the Man of Steel.
But now, they have to buckle up for Liam Hemsworth to do the sword-swinging and monster-hunting for the rest of The Witcher. Regardless of how formidable his successor is, it will forever sting a little to not refer to Cavill as the Geralt of Rivia. And even with the most promising updates surrounding the future of the Netflix show, many fans remain on the same boat.
Penn Badgley from You
Once upon a showbiz era, there was a Brooklyn-raised guy, Dan Humphrey, who would have done anything to fit in the world of Serena van der Woodsen and the Upper East-siders. Penn Badgley made the role so iconic that Gossip Girl still lives rent-free in our heads. But then Netflix entered the chat and thought, Why not make the most charming and seemingly harmless guy a stalker who kills for a living?
And that’s how Joe Goldberg from You came into being. Netflix surely loves to take big bets. Just when viewers thought Badgley’s television tenure couldn’t get any more epic, it caught us off guard with Joe and his deadly theatrics, resulting in a cult following.
Kevin Spacey from House of Cards
Sometimes, the name is enough. And for Kevin Spacey, the name Frank Underwood says it all. Often cited as the first Netflix original series, although contentions lie surrounding Lilyhammer being the first, House of Cards was quick to solidify its status in popular culture, alongside its protagonist, Frank Underwood. While he definitely redefined what it means to be a villain on television, House of Cards also became one of the most critically acclaimed series to ever release from Netflix’s coattails.
Its success anchored Spacey’s stardom in the television landscape, and the show ultimately put Netflix on the map. He was undoubtedly one of the first Netflix stars, although his arc was cut short following allegations of sexual misconduct.
