History HeReallyCanAct / LiveActionTV

* Gareth David-Lloyd on ''Series/{{Torchwood}}''. "[[Recap/TorchwoodS1E4Cyberwoman Cyberwoman]]" is a very good example of this, as is "[[Recap/TorchwoodS3E4DayFour Children of Earth: Day Four]]". Another notable example worth mentioning is "[[Recap/TorchwoodS2E5Adam Adam]]".

* Creator/MichaelChiklis was best known for roles leaning on the comedic side, such as ''Series/TheCommish'' and ''Daddio''. But when he was cast as corrupt LAPD Detective Vic Mackey in ''Series/TheShield'', he proved frighteningly effective in the role, even winning the Best Actor Emmy one year over Creator/KieferSutherland and ''Series/24''.

* Creator/JenniferLien, who played Kes in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' was mostly thought of as a competent, if somewhat average, actress that didn't really stand out from the rest of the ensemble during the show's first two seasons. Then in season three's "Warlord", she demonstrated impressive talent when playing a very cold, scary villain who had taken over Kes' body, something she would revisit later in the series as a vengeful older Kes.

* Creator/JuneForay was already a [[ManOfAThousandVoices pretty damn good voice actress]], but her performance as a CreepyDoll in the famous ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'' episode [[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS5E126LivingDoll "Living Doll"]] proved how well she could act in any setting.

* ''Series/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians2023'': A lot of fans online were worried if the young and mostly inexperienced cast could embody the characters and carry the series, but even from the first two episodes, many fans noted how talented and charismatic the child actors are. Special mention goes to Creator/WalkerScobell, who was mostly known for over-the-top comedies like ''Film/TheAdamProject'' and ''Film/SecretHeadquarters'', but he manages to not only embody Percy's [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] attitude but shows some surprising dramatic chops (such as when he claims to feel broken or his mother's death).

* ''Series/PercyJacksonAndTheOylmpians2023'': A lot of fans online were worried if the young and mostly inexperienced cast could embody the characters and carry the series, but even from the first two episodes, many fans noted how talented and charismatic the child actors are. Special mention goes to Creator/WalkerScobell, who was mostly known for over-the-top comedies like ''Film/TheAdamProject'' and ''Film/SecretHeadquarters'', but he manages to not only embody Percy's [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]] attitude but shows some surprising dramatic chops (such as when he claims to feel broken or his mother's death).

** Creator/TylerHoechlin was met with [[WTHCastingAgency no small amount of skepticism]] when he was announced to be playing Franchise/{{Superman}} in Season 2, mostly because fans felt he didn't have the right look for the Big Blue. People started being more on board about the casting when The CW released a two-minute-long sneak peek before the season premiere. Then the Season 2 premiere aired, and few people cared anymore about his perceived lean look and he was hailed for his optimistic performance in contrast to the more polarizing take on the character in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse, with people demanding that the network start working on a Superman series starring him ''before the episode was over''. When his own spin-off series ''Series/SupermanAndLois'' debuted in 2021, he won over greater praise for pulling off the series' heavier and more dramatic moments.

* Creator/MunroChambers, whose known as playing the hilariously funny Wilder on ''Series/TheLatestBuzz'', became more popular when he took on a dramatic role on ''Series/{{Degrassi}}'' as Eli Goldsworthy.

* Shane Kippel in ''Series/{{Degrassi}}''. He was criticized ''a lot'' during his tenure on the show (primarily earlier seasons) for not really being able to act when it came to dramatic sequences (which, being ''Degrassi'', did happen sometimes). Then he played a supporting character in the film ''Dog Pound'', which caused ''everybody'' to go back and do a DoubleTake. even IMDB gave him praise for his performance in it.

* When Creator/NinaDobrev was cast in the roles of Elena and Katherine for ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'' most people thought she would never be able to carry the series, let alone play two completely different characters, judging by her performances on ''Series/{{Degrassi}}''. Fast forward to mid-Season 1, and people started to realize just how talented she actually is. Fast forward to Season 2, and she had viewers and critics floored by how easily she slips between Elena and Katherine while keeping both of them completely in character. If there were any critics left, They've almost certainly been silenced by Dobrev's performance in Season 4 when she shows uncanny skill in portraying Elena's slow descent into vampirism and her desperate struggle to hold onto her humanity and in Season 5 when she does terrific work as Elena, gives a heartbreaking performance as Katherine realizes that she is dying and cannot save herself, summoning sympathy for an otherwise deeply unlikeable character and her episodes as Amara, when she is both functional and after she has undergone a complete mental breakdown from years of torture. Even fans who don't like Elena have commented on how impressive her acting is.

* Creator/AshleyBoetcher in ''Series/GortimerGibbonsLifeOnNormalStreet'', especially the climactic scene in the second season finale in "Mel vs. the Future" [[spoiler: where she has to come to terms with her mother's death]]. Great acting for a relatively innocent SliceOfLife show.

* Creator/AshleyBoetcherr in ''Series/GortimerGibbonsLifeOnNormalStreet'', especially the climactic scene in the second season finale in "Mel vs. the Future" [[spoiler: where she has to come to terms with her mother's death]]. Great acting for a relatively innocent SliceOfLife show.

* Ashley Boetcherr in ''Series/GortimerGibbonsLifeOnNormalStreet'', especially the climactic scene in the second season finale in "Mel vs. the Future" [[spoiler: where she has to come to terms with her mother's death]]. Great acting for a relatively innocent SliceOfLife show.

** Jack Huston, as the grandson of [[Creator/JohnHuston that famous director]] and nephew of [[Creator/AnjelicaHuston that other badass lady]], was perfectly serviceable in things like ''Series/{{Eastwick}}'', the very silly and enjoyable ''Film/{{Outlander}}'' and even ''[[Literature/{{Twilight}} The Twilight Saga: Eclipse]]'', but it wasn't until his subtle, [[ColdSniper scary]], [[TheWoobie heartbreaking]], [[DoingItForTheArt Method-influenced]] performance as [[GoodScarsEvilScars deformed]] UsefulNotes/WorldWarI ShellShockedVeteran [[EnsembleDarkhorse Richard Harrow]] that we saw how talented and committed he really is.

** Creator/JaredGilmore of spent most of the show playing a ten-year-old boy with a lot of plot importance, but not a lot to actually ''do.'' He wasn't bad, but it wasn't an acting challenge either. Then came the episode "[[Recap/OnceUponATimeS3E10TheNewNeverland The New Neverland]]", where he was [[spoiler: possessed by Peter Pan.]] His bone-chilling delivery of [[spoiler: Pan's]] cold, remorseless words did a great deal to convince fans of his acting talent. And those that needed more convincing were won over by "[[Recap/OnceUponATimeS4E21OperationMongoose Operation Mongoose]]".

** Jared Gilmore of spent most of the show playing a ten-year-old boy with a lot of plot importance, but not a lot to actually ''do.'' He wasn't bad, but it wasn't an acting challenge either. Then came the episode "[[Recap/OnceUponATimeS3E10TheNewNeverland The New Neverland]]", where he was [[spoiler: possessed by Peter Pan.]] His bone-chilling delivery of [[spoiler: Pan's]] cold, remorseless words did a great deal to convince fans of his acting talent. And those that needed more convincing were won over by "[[Recap/OnceUponATimeS4E21OperationMongoose Operation Mongoose]]".

** Rebecca Mader usually just had to show up, be rather hammy and throw in a few trolling comments as Zelena. But in the second half of Season 5 during her romance with Hades, and particularly in "[[Recap/OnceUponATimeS5E19Sisters Sisters]]" she shows Zelena's HiddenDepths and turns in a very genuine performance.

** Even Kayley Cuoco got this, despite her character not being well received. "[[Recap/CharmedS8E11MrAndMrsWitch Mr. & Mrs. Witch]]" has Billie desperately trying to get her parents to remember her and the season finale has her trying to come to terms with who her sister really is. Both are good performances from her. Though she previously showed hints of dramatic flair in the infamous ''Series/EightSimpleRules'' episodes following Paul's abrupt death.

* Creator/PeterBoyle appeared in a few dramatic films throughout his career, but was best known for small character roles and comic parts, especially as the titular monster in ''Film/YoungFrankenstein''. In the 90's, he played GrumpyBear Frank Barone on ''Series/EverybodyLovesRaymond'', seemingly cementing his legacy in comedy. It was a surprise, then, when he appeared on ''Series/TheXFiles'' in the episode "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"--especially because show creator Chris Carter had a strong "no famous guest stars" policy; Boyle's skill was enough to have him make an exception. In the episode, Boyle plays the titular character, a depressed, neurotic {{Seer|s}} who has the [[BlessedWithSuck "gift"]] of [[ISeeDeadPeople foretelling how people will die.]] As Bruckman, Boyle is equal parts darkly comic, philosophical, morose, sarcastic, and resigned, a major departure from the cranky bluster of Frank Barone. "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" is frequently cited as one of the best--if not ''the'' best--episodes of ''The X-Files'' (some critics go even further and say it's one of the best episodes of television ''period''), with Boyle's performance (which won him an Emmy for Best Guest Star) cited as a major reason for why it works so well.

* Even some huge WWE fans didn't expect wrestler Wrestling/{{Edge}} to make it as an actor, especially those who saw his film ''Bending the Rules''. Then he joined the cast of ''Series/{{Haven}}''...

** Any lingering doubts anyone had about Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker's acting ability were ''obliterated'' in Season 4, especially during ''Self Control'', with the scene of [[spoiler:LMD Fitz trying to convince Jemma that he's human]] considered both heart-wrenching and horrifying. Taken UpToEleven in the Framework arc when [[spoiler:Fitz appeared as [[TheDreaded The]] [[MadScientist Doctor]], an incredibly disturbing evil version of himself]]. Elizabeth got to show off her acting chops to believably sell TheWoobie during that arc. Just try not to cry watching the scene where Simmons watches Fitz tell AIDA, he'll never love anyone except [[spoiler:Jemma]], at least until that scene takes a ''[[MoodWhiplash serious]]'' turn for the worse.

* Creator/BradleyCooper has been known as primarily as a comedic actor, but long before he was ever famous, Cooper more than held his own on ''Series/{{Alias}}''. Will's early quest to uncover the truth about Danny's murder was acclaimed at the time, whereas episodes like "Almost Thirty Years" (especially the torture scenes) and "There's Only One Sydney Bristow" really emphasized how good of an actor Cooper is.

** Also the reaction to his performance on ''Series/TheGoodPlace'', especially his magnificent [[spoiler:FaceHeelTurn at the end of season one.]]

* Anyone looking at the early career of Creator/TeriHatcher would be hard pressed to describe her as anything other than MsFanservice, but move forward 20 years and she has earned a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for ''Series/DesperateHousewives''.

* Creator/TriciaHelfer: Even the showrunners of ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'' have openly admitted that she, who at the time was a lingerie model with little acting experience, was initially cast as the [[ArtificialHumans Cylon Model]] [[FemmeFatale Number Six]] [[MsFanservice almost entirely for her looks]], and so many audiences and critics were understandably skeptical in terms of what she could bring to the table. Starting with the pilot miniseries, however, Helfer proceeded to blow '''everyone''' away, playing at least three very different copies of Six - the terrifying MoodSwinger [[OurAngelsAreDifferent "angel"]] [[SpiritAdvisor "Head Six"]], the StepfordSmiler [[TheAtoner "Caprica Six"]], and the TragicVillain [[BrokenBird Gina Inviere]] - over the course of the series with real depth, individuality, and complexity given to each "version" of Six. Helfer would also play a host of memorable walk-on characters over the series' course to great aplomb. Suffice to say, it ''really'' says something when Helfer is now widely considered to be the best actor out of the entire series' cast - As in, a cast that also starred such acting veterans and great rising stars as Creator/EdwardJamesOlmos, Creator/MaryMcDonnell, Creator/DeanStockwell, Creator/JamesCallis, Creator/KateeSackhoff, Creator/GracePark, Creator/MichaelHogan, and Kate Vernon among many others.

* [[invoked]] Jameela Jamil was met with nothing but praise for her performance as the self-absorbed Tahani Al-Jamil in ''Series/TheGoodPlace''. While nobody was expecting her to be necessarily ''bad,'' many expected her to be average (especially since it was her first ever acting credit), but were blown out of the water by Jamil's amazing skill at making an obnoxious {{socialite}} like Tahani into a genuinely sympathetic yet hilarious JerkassWoobie and StepfordSmiler [[IJustWantToBeLoved obsessed with gaining any possible form of emotional validation]]. Nowadays, she's seen as being on par with well-known veterans Creator/KristenBell and Creator/TedDanson, both of whom were even her coworkers on ''The Good Place''.

* Downplayed with Creator/DafneKeen. While no one who saw ''Film/{{Logan}}'' would leave the theater disputing whether she can ''act'', when talk of a spinoff Comicbook/{{X 23}} movie began many questioned whether she could support a ''lead'' role, (especially considering she had so little dialogue in ''Logan'' that wasn't just screaming and snarling) and wanted to see her replaced by an older actress. Her leading role as Lyra on ''Series/HisDarkMaterials'' silenced that debate after the first episode.
* Shane Kippel in ''Series/{{Degrassi}}''. He was criticized ''a lot'' during his tenure on the show (primarily earlier seasons) for not really being able to act when it came to dramatic sequences (which, being ''Degrassi'', did happen sometimes). Then he played a supporting character in the film ''Dog Pound'', which caused ''everybody'' to go back and do a DoubleTake... even IMDB gave him praise for his performance in it.
* Creator/HughLaurie's star turn in ''Series/{{House}}'' would have been surprising to American audiences had they already been familiar with his work in British comedy. Not that anyone ever doubted his comedic chops. The initial British reaction to hearing about the ''House'' series was to either avoid it, believing Hugh Laurie in drama would be a disaster, or to watch it solely to see if he could pull it off. The buzz the show generated in Britain was huge when consensus agreed that Hugh Laurie was ''good'' at drama. (Not that kept it from being [[ChannelHop dropped by its initial UK broadcaster]].

* Lee Dong-wook was best known for his roles in light-hearted romantic comedies like ''Series/GuardianTheLonelyAndGreatGod''. Then he was cast as a serial-killing DepravedDentist in the horror series ''Series/StrangersFromHell'', and pulled it off so well that his charater is considered the best and most terrifying part of the entire series.

** Creator/TylerHoechlin was met with [[WTHCastingAgency no small amount of scepticism]] when he was announced to be playing Franchise/{{Superman}} in Season 2, mostly because fans felt he wasn't large enough to play the [[HeroicBuild burly]] superhero, and partly because he was a popular fan choice to play ''Nightwing'' instead. People started being more optimistic about the casting when The CW released a two-minute long sneak peek before the season premiere. Then the Season 2 premiere aired, and few people cared anymore about his perceived lean look and he was hailed as an optimistic and friendly Superman done right in the modern age. People started demanding that the network start working on a Superman series starring him ''before the episode was over''. (And indeed, a ''Superman and Lois'' series was announced to be in development in 2019.)

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* Nicole Richie as an enemy agent in ''Series/{{Chuck}}''.

%%* Nicole Richie as an enemy agent in ''Series/{{Chuck}}''.