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Stephen Amell has established an unusual course in Hollywood that cuts across action, drama, and charisma on both big and small screens. The portrayal of Oliver Queen in Arrow was surely a turning point in Amell's career since it was not only about playing a hero. He became one by doing his own stunts and helping to build the Arrowverse itself.
Be it with intense performances as a small-time wrestler in Heels, or a stellar performance in the sci-fi thriller Code 8, Amell has encroached on each project with the purpose of challenging him as an actor. He proved his big-budget Hollywood action film chops in appearances in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, while his earlier work in Private Practice and Hung showed the breadth of his drama and comic skills.
His guest spots on The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and NCIS: Los Angeles accentuate his surprising range and adaptability to various tones and styles. Whether with a bow, wrestling in the ring, or performing intense drama, Amell gives himself over to every role with sincerity and work. Here are 10 Stephen Amell performances you must commit to memory.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.
1. Arrow (2012-2020)
Stephen Amell's Oliver Queen in Arrow is his most recognizable role. Through eight seasons, he developed from a dark vigilante to a heroic legend, establishing the precedent for the entire Arrowverse. His hardcore physical dedication—performing much of his stunt work—added realism to the fight scenes. The depth he brought to the character, particularly in subsequent seasons, made the show better than it would have been otherwise. Whether it was his chemistry with Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity) or his feud with Manu Bennett's Deathstroke, Amell made Arrow unmissable.
2. Heels (2021-2023)
In Heels, Amell played Jack Spade- a Charlottesville small-town wrestler who struggles to run his family's wrestling promotion instead of Superman spandex-wrestling tights. The role did allow him to bring out raw emotion and moral complexity into the fray as a man torn between his ambition and responsibility. Quite the opposite of Oliver Queen, who is flawed, this character makes selfish choices regularly, making him more appealing. Real-life wrestling training made the solo performance more authentic concerning judgment identified by fans and the professional fraternity. Though the project did get canceled after two seasons, Amell's performance was one of the highlights of his career showing great depth beyond action roles.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
Stepping into the role of Casey Jones for this TMNT sequel, Amell injected his brand of intensity and charisma into the vigilante who wields a hockey stick. Though the film received mixed reviews, Amell's work was a welcoming, energetic addition to the franchise. His Casey Jones was a lighter, rookie iteration of the character compared to previous incarnations. Even though he didn't receive a sequel, his stint in a high-budget Hollywood movie showed that he could do blockbuster action outside of the Arrowverse.
4. Code 8 (2019)
In Code 8, Amell enters a darker, grittier sci-fi role as Garrett, a streetwise crime lord with telekinetic abilities. Joining forces with his cousin Robbie Amell, he portrayed a mentor character in a world where individuals with super abilities are repressed. Unlike Oliver Queen, Garrett works in the gray areas morally, ready to cross boundaries to live. The movie turned into a sleeper success, due to its quirky world-building and intense performances. Amell's intense restraint and nuanced performance made Code 8 one of his highest-rated projects, showing he was capable of carrying a strong indie sci-fi drama.
5. Private Practice (2010-2011)
Before being known as a superhero, Amell played Scott Becker- a stunning paramedic and love interest featured in Private Practice opposite Charlotte King. Although his involvement in the show was more of a supporting role, he stood out with his innate charisma and softer side in this medical drama. The chemistry between him and KaDee Strickland provides added dimensions to this character, showcasing the character's capability to indulge in emotional and romantic affairs. While this may not be action-focused, it does show that Amell had the leading-man chops that would lay the groundwork for bigger and brighter opportunities ahead.
6. Hung (2011)
Amell as Jason was quite an example of boldness when people would then come to know him as the action hero. The role that he played was in HBO's Hung as a young, confident escort. His character was seductive and smooth-talking; it brought about the show in quite a bit of humor with a charm added to it, stealing scenes quite often with little time onscreen. This was one of the actor's first major TV stints, proving he could do material that made him seem mature, comedic, or serious.
7. NCIS: Los Angeles (2010)
Before he achieved fame, Amell appeared in NCIS: Los Angeles as Marine Corporal Derrick Hill, in the episode "Disorder." For Amell, a very raw and emotional portrait of a veteran afflicted with PTSD proved his ability to handle complex, dramatic work very early in his career. Very limited screen time in NCIS: Los Angeles notwithstanding, Amell managed to impart realism so that his character would resonate deeply with fans of this procedural drama. While this NCIS: LA role might not be very well known, it certainly was a testament to his versatility along with being a star much before gaining any significant recognition from Arrow.
8. The Flash (2014-2020)
Stephen Amell's complete guest-starring role in The Flash was not limited to exposition; it was also one of the chief ingredients in flavoring the Arrowverse's otherwise unvarnished interrelationship. His dynamic with Grant Gustin's Barry Allen provided a mentorship, friendship, and somewhat negative perspective of the two characters' differences in age and experience: Oliver being more seasoned and Barry youthful, and optimistic. However, the real highlight was sharing the "Elseworlds" crossover, where Amell explored a different aspect of his character by swapping him with Barry; fans were treated to an entirely new take on both heroes.
9. Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2020)
Legends of Tomorrow was principally about time-traveling troublemakers, and Amell had memorable guest shots, notably as an older, grizzled Oliver Queen from a dystopian future. His work as a scarred, one-armed Green Arrow in Star City 2046 was one of the more unique performances-Amell gave a glimpse into a tragic "what-if." The alternate versions of Oliver allowed Amell to give new, raw nuance to the character with every new appearance and seemed to keep things feeling fresh and interesting each time.
10. Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland (2016)
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In this raucous comedy, Amell plays Dan, a slick party promoter, and it proves himself to have it in him to pull off overblown humor, as well as to engage in his signature role as an intense dramatic actor. This installment, which was a follow-to the low-culture icon Blue Mountain State TV series, had everything that would be considered an about-turn from the diverse action roles he normally fashioned. Though short on-screen time, the comedic timing and absurdity of Amell made it a cool addition to the filmography.
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