10 Best TV Shows Starring The Cast Of Wake Up Dead Man

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out films brought the classic mystery genre back to life, and the newest one, Wake Up Dead Man, adds a dark, religious atmosphere. Daniel Craig returns as the detective Benoit Blanc, but each film also introduces a fresh and exciting group of characters.

The movie Wake Up Dead Man features well-known actors like Josh O’Connor, a rising star, and Josh Brolin, famous for his roles in Marvel films and those directed by the Coen brothers. Both actors have also appeared in many excellent TV shows. Here are 10 of the best shows featuring the cast of Wake Up Dead Man.

The Young Riders (1989-1992)

Josh Brolin As Wild Bill

I was really surprised to see Josh Brolin in Wake Up Dead Man – he’s fantastic as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, a priest who’s both charming and really takes charge. It’s cool seeing him take on such a different role, because he’s done so much, from the intense No Country for Old Men to the classic fun of The Goonies. But I actually learned he started out on TV way back when, in a Western called The Young Riders! It’s neat to see his whole career laid out like that.

Premiering a few years after The Goonies, this show centered on the brave young riders of the Pony Express. Josh Brolin played Wild Bill Hickok, known as Jimmy, a quick-tempered gunslinger. Despite not wanting the reputation, Jimmy’s fast draw constantly drew challengers and trouble his way.

Devs (2020)

Cailee Spaeny As Lyndon

In the film Wake Up Dead Man, Cailee Spaeny plays Simone Vivane, a talented cellist who now lives with ongoing pain and hopes a new treatment will help. Spaeny is a rising star who has quickly shown her range as an actress, with roles in films like Priscilla, which is a quiet and intimate story, and the intense war drama Civil War.

Her performance as Lyndon in Alex Garland’s thought-provoking sci-fi series Devs is particularly memorable. The show explores complex ideas about fate, loss, obsession, and being watched, and it has a very intellectual and philosophical feel. While some viewers found Devs a bit cold and difficult to understand, it remains a compelling work.

Scandal (2012-2018)

Kerry Washington As Olivia Pope

Let me tell you, Kerry Washington is absolutely captivating in Wake Up Dead Man. She plays Vera Draven, a lawyer who is all business – seriously, this woman doesn’t mess around. Now, most of you probably know Washington from Scandal, where she completely owned the screen as Olivia Pope. That show was brilliant at taking her natural power and turning it into pure, can’t-look-away television, even while pretending to be something a little more highbrow.

Olivia is a brilliant, powerful, and captivating character, but also deeply flawed. She effortlessly took charge of any situation. The show Scandal dramatically blended romance and political intrigue, and the intense, unhealthy relationship between Olivia and President Fitz was a major reason viewers couldn’t look away.

Twisted Metal (2023-Present)

Thomas Haden Church As Agent Stone

Thomas Haden Church portrays Samson Holt, the kind-hearted groundskeeper of the church in the film Wake Up Dead Man. Many remember Church for his popular role in the 1990s TV show Wings, but his recent performance in Peacock’s Twisted Metal – a funny and action-packed series – is also worth checking out.

Compared to shows like The Last of Us or Fallout, Twisted Metal really embraces the craziness, confidently mixing violence and comedy. Anthony Church stars as Agent Stone, a man determined to enforce strict rules in a chaotic, lawless world after an apocalypse.

That ’70s Show (1998-2006)

Mila Kunis As Jackie Burkhart

The Knives Out series now includes a connection to law enforcement through Mila Kunis, who plays Geraldine Scott, a police chief who works with detective Blanc. While Kunis is typically known for her comedic roles, this film has a darker, more gothic tone. Many viewers will remember her early role as a teenager in the sitcom That ’70s Show.

Jackie Burkhart was a hilarious and distinctly feminine character, offering a contrast to Donna’s more tomboyish personality. The show excelled at the classic ‘hanging out with friends’ sitcom style, something the sequel, That ’90s Show, didn’t quite manage to recreate. However, it did successfully showcase one of television’s most beloved real-life couples: Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.

Westworld (2016-2022)

Jeffrey Wright As Bernard Lowe

In Wake Up Dead Man, Jeffrey Wright plays Bishop Langstrom, whose decision to send Jud (O’Connor) to Wicks’s church kicks off the story. While Wright is a well-respected actor with a long list of successful films and TV shows, he gained even wider recognition after winning an Academy Award for American Fiction in 2023.

He’s most famous for playing Bernard Lowe on Westworld, a role that earned him three Emmy nominations. The show initially drew viewers in with its futuristic setting and thought-provoking exploration of topics like consciousness, free will, and the nature of cruelty.

Bernard’s kindness and personal growth initially made the show’s complicated themes relatable. However, as the series went on, it became overly focused on surprising plot twists, losing track of its characters’ development. When the show moved away from Bernard’s deeply human story, it lost the emotional core that had made it so captivating in the beginning.

The Crown (2016-2023)

Josh O’Connor As Charles, Prince Of Wales (Seasons 3 & 4)

Josh O’Connor leads the film Wake Up Dead Man as Jud Duplenticy, a young priest struggling with the guilt-focused preaching style of his mentor. This role is a departure from his recent work in the 2024 film Challengers, where he appeared alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist in a steamy tennis drama.

Before taking on the role of Buckingham Palace’s communications officer, Josh O’Connor was widely praised for his portrayal of Prince Charles in seasons three and four of The Crown. He skillfully showed Charles’s sensitive side, his doubts, and how he matured during a crucial time for Queen Elizabeth II.

As a huge fan of historical dramas, I’ve always been impressed with how carefully Netflix casts its shows. Josh O’Connor’s performance was absolutely key to the heart of ‘The Crown’ – especially in those middle seasons. He brought such believable emotion and complexity to his role, really making you feel for the characters, and honestly, he’s become one of my favorite actors to watch because of it.

Fleabag (2016-2019)

Andrew Scott As Hot Priest

In the film Wake Up Dead Man, Andrew Scott portrays Lee Ross, a writer whose career has seen better days. Scott is a well-known actor in both theater and film. While he gained recognition playing the villain Moriarty in the BBC series Sherlock, he’s particularly celebrated for his memorable role as the Hot Priest in the second season of Fleabag.

Fleabag was a groundbreaking show, brilliantly combining witty humor with raw and deeply moving emotional truth. Phoebe Waller-Bridge immediately established herself as a powerful talent, creating a series that felt real and relatable in its portrayal of human flaws, while also taking creative risks with its unique storytelling style – directly addressing the audience.

Hot Priest quickly became a fan favorite in the second season of Fleabag, capturing the public’s attention with a captivating performance. The character is appealing because he’s funny, understands his own flaws, and feels genuinely human. He’s not just a romantic interest for Fleabag; he also helps her confront her own feelings and grow as a person.

Mayor Of Kingstown (2021-Present)

Jeremy Renner As Mike McLusky

Jeremy Renner takes on the role of Dr. Nat Sharp, the town doctor who struggles with alcohol, fitting into the Knives Out pattern of featuring actors from Marvel Cinematic Universe films as possible suspects. Renner, famous for his action roles, also stars in Mayor of Kingstown, a dark and realistic crime series that examines corruption, unfairness, and the complex ethics of the prison system in a small Michigan town.

The drama in the show stems from ongoing conflicts between the police, criminals, and influential people in town. Jeremy Renner plays Mike McLusky, a key figure in The Mayor of Kingstown who tries to resolve problems, negotiate deals, and maintain a sense of right and wrong. Renner’s serious and intense performance adds emotional resonance and moral complexity to the series.

Unlike most crime shows set in small towns, which emphasize action or follow standard police procedures, this series takes a closer look at what motivates its characters and the larger issues that influence their decisions. The main character, Mike McLusky, isn’t simply a good guy or a bad guy; he represents the complex moral dilemmas the show explores.

Glenn Close

Damages As Patty Hewes

Glenn Close portrays Martha Delacroix, a deeply loyal and steadfast supporter of Wicks in the film Wake Up Dead Man. While she’s often played strong, imposing characters, many consider her role as Patty Hewes in the TV series Damages to be the most memorable of her career.

Patty Hewes is a brilliant but ruthless lawyer who skillfully wins cases, sometimes by pushing the boundaries of what’s right. Actress Glenn Close portrays her with a hidden vulnerability, preventing her from becoming a simple, unlikeable villain. The show Damages delved into the emotional consequences of her ambition, establishing Patty as a standout character in the world of TV legal dramas.

2025-12-17 20:32