These 20 actors are synonymous with their action tv shows

Action shows are a popular genre among the audience, and what makes the high-stakes and adrenaline-pumping series a must-watch is most often the strong protagonist at the helm. Without a dynamic, complex, and brave lead, action series can be a failure. There have been many action shows that have gained acclaim in no small part due to their enigmatic leads. Here are 20 such actors who portrayed their roles in action shows and are still remembered.

1. Kiefer Sutherland, 24

Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, Sutherland plays Jack Bauer in this action drama series, which revolves around Bauer, a counter-terrorist federal agent, who must stop a terrorist conspiracy from happening. Each season covers 24 hours as Jack races against time to solve a case. Sutherland gained critical and commercial recognition for his compelling performance.

2. Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us

Based on a video game franchise, this post-apocalyptic action drama created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann features Pascal in the role of Joel. Joel is a smuggler and must escort a teenager who is immune and the key to creating a cure across a zombie-infested wasteland to safety. The show gained acclaim for its performances and writing, and Pacal won applause for his sincere performance.

3. Lucy Lawless, Xena: Warrior Princess

Lawless convincingly essays the titular role of Xena, who is a warrior princess and must save her people from atrocities while battling with demons from her past. Created by John Schulian and Robert Tapert, the fantasy action series is a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and was a popular show. And Lawless is still remembered for her heroic and brave portrayal.

4. Stephen Amell, Arrow

Based on the DC Comics character, Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg develop this superhero action series. Amell portrays the titular role of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, who is a rich playboy that progressively dedicates his life to fighting crime as a vigilante archer. The show was well received, and Amell’s dedicated performance was a hit.

5. Tom Selleck, Magnum, P.I.

Created by Donald P. Bellisario and Glen A. Larson, this popular 1980s action and crime drama features Selleck essaying the role of the private investigator, Thomas Magnum. The series revolves around Magnum, who comes across various cases and must investigate them. The show features the backdrop of Hawaii, and Selleck’s portrayal has become a big part of pop culture.

6. David Hasselhoff, Knight Rider

This action crime drama series, created by Glen A. Larson, was another popular 1980s show. Hasselhoff memorably portrayed Michael Knight, who is a futuristically modern crime fighter and is assisted by an artificially intelligent car, KITT. Hasselhoff’s role and his sidekick, an A.I. car, are still a part of pop culture and lovingly remembered.

7. Jennifer Garner, Alias

Created by J.J. Abrams, this sci-fi and action thriller series stars Garner as Sydney Bristow, who is a double agent. She works for the Central Intelligence Agency but poses as an operative of a global criminal and espionage organization. The series was critically acclaimed, and Garner gained fame for her impressive portrayal in a female-led action series.

8. Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager

Based on a novel by John le Carré, this British action spy thriller series is adapted by David Farr and features Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, who is a former military officer and present night manager of a hotel in Cairo. When tasked with the mission to bring down an illegal arms dealer, he must go back to his previous life. Hiddleston won critical and commercial approval for his performance.

9. Lucas Till, MacGyver (2016)

A reboot of the famous 1980s action-adventure series, this series is developed by Peter M. Lenkov and stars Lucas Till as Angus MacGyver, who is a US government secret agent and works for a secret intelligence agency called the Phoenix Foundation. The show revolves around MacGyver, as he counters crime through his knowledge of science rather than force. Till gained fame for his action-packed portrayal.

10. Chuck Norris, Walker, Texas Ranger

Inspired by a movie, this action and crime series features Norris as Sergeant Cordell Walker, who is a member of the Texas Ranger Division and must fight against crimes. The series heavily used martial arts to combat crime. The show was a popular show of the 1990s, and Norris is still remembered for his iconic performance.

11. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Created by Joss Whedon, this late 90s and early aughts supernatural drama and action series features Gellar as Buffy Summers, who is a gifted young woman with the power to kill vampires, demons, and other dark entities. The show was a hit, and Gellar’s portrayal as a young but brave woman who is finding herself resonated with the audiences.

12. David Boreanaz, SEAL Team

Boreanaz essays the role of Jason Hayes, the leader of an elite Navy SEAL team in this military action drama show that is created by Benjamin Cavell. The show follows the SEAL team as they encounter various dangerous missions and juggle their personal and professional lives. Boreanaz’s determined and principled portrayal as the SEAL leader won him admiration.

13. Wentworth Miller, Prison Break

Created by Paul Scheuring, this action crime drama features Miller as Michael Scofield, who devises an elaborate plan to help his brother escape from prison as he is sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. The show was a critical and commercial success; Miller's performance as the brilliant, troubled protagonist captivated audiences with its intense plot twists and suspenseful storytelling.

14. Peter Krause, 9-1-1

This action and procedural drama series follows the personal and professional lives of the varied teams of first responders in Los Angeles—from police officers to paramedics—who must help people in emergency situations. Krause offers a calm and collected performance as Bobby Nash, who is the captain of the fire department and herds his crew in the right direction during an emergency.

15. John Krasinski, Jack Ryan

Created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland, this action thriller is based on the characters created by author Tom Clancy and follows Krasinski’s character, Jack Ryan. Ryan is a CIA analyst who uncovers a new political conspiracy every season and must fight against the evil perpetrators. The action-packed show became extremely popular, and Krasinski became synonymous with Jack Ryan.

16. Jensen Ackles, Supernatural

This fantasy action series, created by Eric Kripke, features Ackles as Dean Winchester, who, along with his younger brother, Jared Padalecki’s Sam Winchester, hunts down ghosts, monsters, and other paranormal entities. The long-running show was a hit with the audiences, and Ackles became a heartthrob amongst the younger generation for portraying the daring hunter carrying on the "family business."

17. Nathan Fillion, Castle

Created by Andrew W. Marlowe, this action and crime comedy-drama. It revolves around best-selling mystery novelist Richard Castle, portrayed by Fillion, who decides to join the law authorities to solve criminal cases after someone copies the crimes that he wrote in his novel. The show was well received, and Fillion’s charming portrayal won him a fan following.

18. Idris Elba, Luther

This British action and drama-thriller created by Neil Cross features Elba as the titular detective Luther, who is a genius homicide detective with a knack for employing unconventional methods. However, his brazen personality puts him at odds with his team. The show was a hit, and Elba won hearts for his enigmatic performance.

19. Karl Urban, The Boys

Urban stars as Billy Butcher in this satirical superhero action series, which is based on a comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The show is about a team of vigilantes, headed by Butcher, who decide to uncover the shady practices of a group of superheroes. The series is a massive hit, and Urban has been widely recognized for his intense performance.

20. Emily VanCamp, Revenge

Created by Mike Kelley and based on The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet, this action and drama series features VanCamp in the role of Emily Thorne and revolves around a woman who decides to avenge her father’s wrongful imprisonment by adopting a fake identity and bringing the real perpetrators to the fore. The series was highly rated, and VanCamp’s layered performance was appreciated.