Discover Lee Pace’s Hidden Gem: A Fantasy Series with a 96% Rating!

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Lee Pace is an accomplished American actor who’s been working in the entertainment field since 2001. While he’s widely known for his character Brother Day from the science fiction series Foundation, many fans still associate him with Ned the Pie-Maker following the short-lived but globally popular show Pushing Daisies, which aired from October 2007 to June 2009.

2008 saw Pace receiving an Emmy nomination for his role as Ned, a man with the unique ability to resurrect the deceased. In addition to being a skilled pie-maker, Ned shares a secret profession with Emerson Cod – that of a private investigator. The twist is that only Emerson initially knows about Ned’s extraordinary power. Together, they crack cases by directly questioning the deceased victims about their killers. However, there are strict conditions for this ability: once touched, the dead live on; if touched twice, they die forever; letting them live beyond a minute results in another’s death taking their place.

Pushing Daisies Is a Comedy Full of Fantasy and Romance

Ned and Chuck Are One of the Cutest TV Couples of All Time

The show titled “Pushing Daisies” ran for two seasons on ABC before it was taken off the air. Throughout these seasons, the format followed a similar structure to a procedural, with each episode presenting a unique murder case that also progressed the underlying storylines of the characters’ relationships. In the initial stages of the series, Ned, who is the solitary proprietor and baker at the Pie-Hole, leads a tranquil existence. However, this peaceful life is shattered when the mystery surrounding the death of his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte, comes into play during an investigation by him and Emerson Cod.

Ned cannot resurrect Charlotte, whom he refers to as Chuck, once more. A mere minute together would be insufficient, leaving him no choice but to let her live. They form an unusually tragic pair; their bodies can’t physically connect or else Chuck will die again. Despite this obstacle, they manage to persevere. Eventually, Chuck becomes part of the team consisting of Ned, Cod, and later Olive, the Pie-Hole employee with feelings for Ned, in their joint endeavors. As the story unfolds, Chuck’s aunts Lily and Vivian remain unaware that she is alive. The series presents unexpected turns and amusing concepts as it delves into a world of dark magic set against vibrant backdrops.

In the creative realm of Bryan Fuller, I found myself immersed in a show reminiscent of whimsical films such as “Amélie,” “Big Fish,” and “Edward Scissorhands.” For those accustomed to traditional procedurals, this television gem offers an unconventional spin on the genre. The allure of “Pushing Daisies” lies not only in its fantastical plot turns but also in the intricacy of its characters. The suspenseful disclosure of each character’s hidden secrets—from revealing Chuck’s true mother to Olive confessing her feelings for Ned—is what makes this series so captivating.

With Lee Pace playing Ned, the main characters also include Anna Friel as Chuck, known as Olive Snook, Chi McBride as Emerson Cod, Ellen Greene as Vivian Charles, and Swoosie Kurtz as Lily Charles. Notably, Jim Dale lends his voice to the series’ narrator. The narrative, music, camera work, and acting harmoniously create a sense of enchantment that makes Pushing Daisies feel like a magical tale.

Ned the Pie-Maker Is a Unique Character in 2000s Television

Lee Pace Nailed the Introvert’s Body Language

The primary character in this series is Ned. His journey unfolds as he experiences various escapades alongside Cod, Chuck, and Olive, as well as flashbacks to his younger years. At the age of nine, Ned stumbled upon his unique ability when he revived his deceased dog. However, it wasn’t until his mother succumbed to an aneurysm that he truly understood how this power functioned. Upon touching her, she was miraculously brought back to life. Just a minute later, Chuck’s father collapsed across the street. Later that same night, Ned’s mother bid him goodnight and then passed away – forever.

As Ned’s narrative unfolds, he encounters numerous hardships. Initially inseparable, Ned and Chuck were torn apart when their guardians passed away. Chuck was fortunate enough to be adopted by his aunts, while Ned was left at a boarding school by his father. Their paths crossed once more, tragically, after Chuck met a fate as a murder victim. Upon reuniting, they found themselves drawn to one another. Due to Chuck’s delicate health, they can only interact through protective gear such as beekeeping suits, plastic wrap, and gloves to keep him alive.

Ned is highly introverted, finding it difficult to interact with others. He lacks close relationships, feeling quite anxious and lonely. Yet, beneath this solitary exterior lies great kindness and intelligence. However, he tends to keep his thoughts hidden as a protective measure. The challenges that his unique power presented in his life have made him extremely cautious when using it, except for Chuck. This power also sparked within Ned an intense fear of being touched, causing him to become jumpy and avoid contact.

Lee Pace masterfully portrayed the pie-maker, who exhibited signs of fear in revealing the truth and maintaining distance with others. He tends to cling tightly to his body, while keeping his hands tucked behind him whenever Chuck is nearby. Ned’s facial expressions are a mix of alarm and adoration, as he’s simultaneously captivated by the turmoil surrounding him and the presence of his dear Chuck.

Lee Pace’s Career Is Full of Amazing Characters Like Ned

He’s in the MCU and the Hobbit Trilogy

Lee Pace honed his acting skills at the renowned Alley Theatre in Houston initially, before moving on to study at Juilliard Drama School, where he joined the same class as Anthony Mackie. Following graduation, he appeared in multiple stage productions and made his Broadway debut with The Normal Heart. His initial movie appearance was as Calpernia Addams in the 2003 biopic Soldier’s Girl, earning him a Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor and a Golden Globe nomination.

Following his impressive film debut, the actor appeared in various roles including the 2006 fantasy movie “The Fall”, the 2008 romantic comedy “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, and the 2010 comedy film “Marmaduke”. Concurrently, he built his career on television. Pace first gained attention in Bryan Fuller’s short-lived fantasy series before “Pushing Daisies”; he portrayed Aaron Tyler in the 2004 show “Wonderfalls”. Later, from 2007 to 2009, he played Ned the Pie-Maker. From 2014 to 2017, his television roles included Joe MacMillan in the period drama series “Halt and Catch Fire”.

Following his role in “Pushing Daisies”, Lee Pace found himself in major franchise projects, starting with “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” in 2012 where he portrayed the vampire Garrett. In the same year, he made his mark as Thranduil the Elvenking in “The Hobbit” series. Subsequently, Lee took on a fresh challenge by playing his first comic book supervillain, appearing as the alien warlord Ronan the Accuser in “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) and reprising this role in the 2019 film “Captain Marvel”.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Pace solidified his status as one of the most notable actors in film and TV for his generation. More recently, he has continued to captivate fans with his acting skills. He portrayed Greg, Alice’s middle-aged boyfriend, in the 2022 comedy horror movie. Since 2021, Pace has been a key cast member of “Foundation,” playing Brother Day, one of three genetic clones of Emperor Cleon I who govern the galactic empire. In 2025, he starred as Elliot in Lucio Castro’s romantic drama “After This Death.” Additionally, he will appear in a supporting role in the upcoming dystopian action thriller film “The Running Man,” directed by Edgar Wright and based on a Stephen King novel.

If you’re looking for a delightful whimsy to add to your watchlist, I highly recommend “Pushing Daisies,” which can now be found streaming or purchased on platforms like HBO Max, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more!

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2025-05-24 17:21