Hollywood’s definition of A-Lister has become increasingly difficult to pin down as the industry steadily shifts away from mid-budget theatrical releases in favor of direct streaming platform releases. While some of these projects may be films, many are limited or extended series. Hollywood is arguably enjoying athird Golden Age of television, with the medium becoming increasingly prestigious. Television used to be the home of lesser stars, with the true A-listers being the untouchable and mysterious movie stars of the silver screen. These actors were not often found doing television, and many television stars attempted to capitalize on their career momentum to shift from television into movies. This dynamic within the industry was a result of the juxtaposition between the accessibility of television and film releases, wherein television was accessible from the comfort of home through household subscriptions and cable, and films required the greater effort of leaving the home to partake in a shared public experience. Movies generally enjoyed a much higher budget than that of television, but the mid-budget film was still a thriving feature of the film industry. This all changed with the rise of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.
These platforms began to funnel money into increasingly elaborate and well-funded projects, first luring big-name movie stars to star in direct-to-stream films and eventually, television series. The rise and impact of groundbreaking shows such asGame of Thrones,Euphoria,Stranger Things, and more have shifted the culture to where television stars are held to the same prestige as movie stars once were. Social media has also played a role in this, with the shared experience of viewership no longer limited to physical spaces such as movie theaters. Virtual spaces like Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit allow audiences to take in a program from their own homes while enjoying discourse with online communities of fellow viewers. HBO Max in particular has been praised for its tactic of weekly television releases rather than dropping entire seasons all at once, bringing back the sort of “water cooler” conversations that were commonplace before streaming platforms and binge-watching.
As television becomes an increasingly prestigious medium, many films are struggling to enjoy the sort of successful box office runs that keep the industry alive and thriving. Recent projects such asBabylon,Amsterdam,The Fabelmans, andDon’t Worry Darlingsuffered underwhelming box office profits despite all star casts and reputable directors. Given these developments, it’s no surprise that more and more Hollywood A-Listers are starring in films that premier directly to streaming platforms. With series such asHouse of the DragonandThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerenjoying record-breaking budgets, movie stars are beginning to shift to more television roles than ever before. Here are ten such A-Listers that we would like to see in television roles.
10Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrencerose to fame as a household name with her breakout role as Katniss Everdeen inThe Hunger Games, which enjoyed three subsequent sequels. Inspired by the success of fellow Kentucky native and future co-star Josh Hutcherson, Lawrence convinced her parents to let her move from Louisville to California. The Oscar-winning actress has secured her footing as one of Hollywood’s foremost leading ladies, remaining relevant even as she takes occasional breaks in her career. Though her popularity has risen and fallen over the years, respect and acclaim for her work remains notable. It would be interesting to see how Lawrence’s talents would translate onto television. Amanda Seyfried recently received praise for her portrayal of disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu’sThe Dropout, leading Lawrence to back out of a role in which she, too, was slated to play the infamous scammer. Lawrence expressed that Seyfried did such a good job, that there was no need for her to attempt to recreate that same magic in a different project. With that, we are left waiting for JLaw to have her own moment in the sun as a TV star. Her renowned acting chops and star power could bring any upcoming TV project to new heights.
9Leonardo DiCaprio
Though he got his start as a child actor in television,Leonardo DiCapriohas remained strictly a movie star since his career skyrocketed in the mid-to-late ’90s. The actor has already worked on a Netflix film, starring opposite Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Jonah Hill inDon’t Look Up. He is furthermore starring in the Apple TV+ film Killers of the Flower Moon, a Martin Scorsese drama based on the true story of the murders of Osage people after their land is discovered to have vast oil deposits. This project keeps with the theme of Dicaprio’s last film, with both having underlying political messages about science, climate change, and humanity’s relationship to resources. Perhaps if a worthy television script along these lines were developed, DiCaprio might be seen starring in a series. Of all the actors on this list, Leonardo DiCaprio may be one of the least likely to transition into television work, with his selective roles and strictly private life making him one of the last reallarger-than-life, elusive movie stars left.
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8Ryan Reynolds
One of the most charming and handsome actors in Hollywood,Ryan Reynoldshas built a reputation as not only a formidable movie star, but as an all-around likable guy. With his knack for comedy and beloved persona, Reynolds seems way overdue for a venture as a leading man in a TV comedy. The actor has proven his ability in the comedy genre, and attaching his name to a comedy series could make for a long-running and well-received project.
7Timothée Chalamet
The New York native has enjoyed a number of acclaimed roles from the onset of his career. After some television films and small roles in television series, his second feature film was the Christopher Nolan space epicInterstellar.Timothée Chalametsubsequently landed the lead role of Elio in Luca Guadagnino’sCall Me By Your Name. The twenty-seven-year-old has been nominated for and won various awards, exploring a range of genres including romance, horror, and comedy. Chalamet appears in an Apple TV+ campaign in which he laments that every big movie star seems to have an upcoming project with the platform except him. Perhaps Chalamet should venture into a series on this streaming platform on another, having proven his capability with a diverse work history.
6Lady Gaga
Lady Gagahas already made her television debut, playing the Countess inAmerican Horror Story: Hoteland later the witch Scáthach in the following season,AHS: Roanoke. After this, and critically acclaimed roles inA Star is BornandHouse of Gucci, the 2000s pop icon and groundbreaking artist is effectively diversifying her career as she flexes her acting muscle. There was a time when Lady Gaga— with her controversial performances and avant-garde style— was the last person anyone imagined to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and yet, she was. The singer turned actress has successfully overcome the skepticism that followed her early into her acting ventures, and is now esteemed as a bona fide figure in Hollywood. While she should continue to shine in whatever film roles come her way, Lady Gaga would add a level of creativity and visionary input in a return to television, where extended runs and increasingly high-budgets allow creators and stars to explore a great range of themes and ideas.
5Robert Pattinson
After starring as Cedric Diggory inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,Robert Pattinsonbecame a household name with his role as Edward Cullen inThe Twilight Saga. The stars ofTwilightwere at serious risk of becoming pigeonholed into one-dimensional teen roles, with the series being subject to a lot of criticism and even ridicule on account of its primary appeal to teenage girls. Just as Harry Styles said of One Direction, just because teenage girls like something doesn’t make it bad, and so too, hasTwilightenjoyed a sort of renaissance in the media.
Robert Pattinson himself, who famously hated the movies as well, admitted toPeople“It’s not even cool to be a hater anymore. That’s so 2010.” Despite the avalanche of people clamoring to prove they were too cool for a teen vampire romance film, its leading couple managed to rise above being typecast and have gone on to become respected stars. Kristen Stewart received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Diana inSpencer, and Robert Pattinson has donned the iconic Batsuit inThe Batman. Pattinson can boast an impressive oeuvre, with roles inRemember Me,Water for Elephants, andThe Lighthouse. There is now little debate as to Pattinson’s acting capabilities, and we would love to see him explore a role that enjoys the sort of carefully fleshed out and slow-burning character arcs that only television can give us.
4Keke Palmer
Keke Palmermay well be one of the funniest women in Hollywood. Active Twitter and TikTok users can easily spot her face or recognize her voice in the many viral memes and audios her media engagements have produced. This can be attributed to the actress’ natural and effortless humor, largely bolstered by her powerful on-screen presence. Despite being so funny, Palmer has starred in a number of serious roles, including the recent horror/sci-fi filmNope. She has given us some excellent comedic performances already, such as her role in Ryan Murphy’sScream Queens. Should Keke Palmer return to television as a leading actress in a comedy, the series would be sure to create viral quotes and images.
3Saoirse Ronan
Starring in a great number of period dramas and offbeat films,Saoirse Ronanis a recurring and captivating figure in Hollywood. The Irish actress is known for her ability to speak in a number of distinct accents, making her an incredibly versatile talent despite the fact that she is usually in period costume. One of her earliest and most praised performances was as Susie Salmon, a fourteen-year-old girl who is murdered by her neighbor and watches her family grieve and cope from the afterlife. Other projects to have reached worldwide recognition includeLady Bird,Mary Queen of Scots, andLittle Women. It would be interesting to see what new ground the actress could cover in a TV series, with many modernized period pieces especially thriving as series on streaming platforms.
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2Dwayne Johnson
After the debacle that ensued overBlack Adam’sunderwhelming box office performance, premature release to streaming, and the restructuring of the DCU — it’s safe to say thatDwayne Johnsonwould benefit from turning a new leaf in his career. The wrestler-turned-actor has perhaps lacked the opportunity to showcase his true acting range, with many of his films having similar action sequences and themes. In fact, droppingDwayne Johnson in a remote junglefor one reason or another has borderline become a movie trope of its own.
1Michelle Yeoh
This Malaysian-born actress is primarily known as an action star, having appeared in films such asSupercop,Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, andTomorrow Never Dies.Michelle Yeohrecently gained wide recognition for her role as Evelyn Quan, a Chinese-American immigrant thrust into a multidimensional struggle to save the world. She has recently been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for this role. The Oscar-nominated actress has recently appeared inThe Witcher: Blood origin, though this show has largely been considered a flop. We would love to see Michelle Yeoh take a leading role in an epic action series, something she would certainly bring heart and immaculate craft to.
