10 Actors Who Owe Their Careers to Netflix

Every actor begins their career with small parts, even those who become incredibly famous. Often, the celebrities we admire today started with minor roles or one-time appearances in shows like crime dramas before landing a leading role that got them noticed. Nowadays, with streaming services, that journey can be unpredictable, or it can quickly turn an unknown actor into a big star.

It’s easy to forget now, but Netflix has launched the careers of many major stars. While they often feature established actors like Dwayne Johnson and Sandra Bullock, Netflix is also great at introducing fresh, unknown talent. When an actor suddenly becomes famous, it’s often because they starred in a hit Netflix show that millions of people binge-watched.

Although Netflix is a relatively new player in Hollywood as a production company, it has already launched the careers of several well-known actors. Some of these performers might never have gotten their big break without landing a role in a popular Netflix show or movie. It’s interesting to look back and see how many of today’s stars first gained recognition thanks to the streaming platform.

10 Actors Who First Got Famous on Netflix

Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline

I first really noticed Ben Mendelsohn in the Australian show Animal Kingdom, but it was Bloodline on Netflix in 2015 that really made everyone sit up and take notice. He played Danny Rayburn, this complicated guy who comes back to his family, tries to get close to his siblings, but ultimately… well, he’s not a good guy! Mendelsohn was amazing in the role and got a ton of recognition for it – he even won an Emmy in 2016! These days, a lot of people probably recognize him as Orson Krennic from Rogue One, the Star Wars movie, but I remember when he was the brother of Kyle Chandler’s character on Bloodline – that’s how I first became a fan!

Brit Marling, The OA

Before becoming widely known, Brit Marling appeared in several well-received independent films like Sound of My Voice and Another Earth, and even had a role in the British comedy series Babylon. Her career truly gained momentum with the release of her ambitious 2016 Netflix series, The OA. Created with her frequent collaborator, Zal Batmanglij, The OA featured Marling as a mysterious woman who claims to be a being capable of traveling between dimensions, after being abducted by a strange doctor. The show quickly became a major talking point for Netflix viewers, captivating audiences for a few years. Originally planned for five seasons—and five different dimensions—it was unfortunately canceled after only two. More recently, Marling and Batmanglij reunited for the FX miniseries A Murder at the End of the World, set in Iceland.

Claire Foy, The Crown

It’s surprising to remember that Claire Foy wasn’t always a household name – one of her earlier roles was in the poorly received horror film Season of the Witch with Nicolas Cage. While she was gaining momentum with a part in the British TV series Wolf Hall, her career truly took off when she landed the role of Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown. Foy brilliantly portrayed Elizabeth for two seasons, after which Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton took over the role as the queen aged. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and a SAG Award.

Jacob Elordi, The Kissing Booth

Jacob Elordi is now known for roles like Frankenstein, Heathcliff, and his character in Euphoria, but he first gained attention playing a teen heartthrob in The Kissing Booth. The film, a romantic comedy about a high school fundraiser, launched his career. It centers around a girl who unexpectedly develops feelings for her boyfriend’s brother after a kiss. Elordi starred alongside Joey King and Joel Courtney, and continued in the role for two sequels, even as Euphoria established him as a more versatile actor. It’s quite a leap from his very first on-screen appearance: an uncredited extra role in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Julia Garner, Ozark

Before becoming the Silver Surfer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Julia Garner first became well-known for her role as the tough Ruth Langmore in the Netflix crime drama Ozark. Despite acting alongside established stars like Laura Linney and Jason Bateman, Garner quickly stood out as a highlight of the show, earning a Golden Globe and multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance as a young woman involved in a criminal family in the resort town of Osage Beach.

Mahershala Ali, House of Cards

Mahershala Ali worked steadily in television and film for years before becoming a household name. He had recurring roles on shows like Crossing Jordan and The 4400, made guest appearances on popular series including NYPD Blue, Lie to Me, and Treme, and appeared in films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Predators. However, it was his role as Remy Danton, a determined lawyer and chief of staff, in House of Cards that truly launched his career, leading to starring roles in Moonlight, Luke Cage, and True Detective. His compelling performance in the first four seasons of House of Cards earned him his first Primetime Emmy nomination.

Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown is best known for her breakout role as Eleven, the powerful and enigmatic teenager from the hit show Stranger Things. Before Stranger Things, she had small parts in popular TV series like NCIS, Modern Family, and Grey’s Anatomy, and even appeared on Hell’s Kitchen. But it was Stranger Things – about a girl with special abilities and the monsters from a dark alternate world – that launched her to fame. Now that Stranger Things has concluded, Brown is building a successful film career, having starred in two Godzilla movies and other Netflix projects.

Noah Centineo, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Before the movie To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Noah Centineo was known to a smaller audience from his roles on Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally and the drama The Fosters. But after the film became a hit on Netflix, he quickly became a popular figure online. He played Peter Kavinsky in To All the Boys and its sequels, as well as the spin-off XO, Kitty, and his charming performance launched his career, leading to roles in films like Black Adam and Warfare, and the Netflix series The Recruit.

Pedro Pascal, Narcos

Many viewers first recognized Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell in season four of Game of Thrones, but he quickly showed he was a versatile actor. A year later, he starred in the Netflix series Narcos, where he played DEA agent Javier Peña. Peña’s mission was to capture Pablo Escobar, the infamous leader of a Mexican drug cartel, and stop cocaine from entering the United States. After the story about Escobar ended in season two, Pascal continued as the lead in season three, which focused on the DEA’s fight against the Cali cartel.

Rege-Jean Page, Bridgerton

The series Bridgerton has a knack for launching actors into stardom, and Regé-Jean Page was its first major success story. He played the handsome Duke of Hastings, who captured the heart of debutante Penelope Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) in Season 1. Since then, Page has gone on to star in films like The Gray Man, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Black Bag. The show has also made stars out of other cast members, including Dynevor, Jonathan Bailey, and Nicola Coughlan, though many already knew her from Derry Girls.

10 TV Shows That Survived Netflix’s Three-Season Curse

Black Mirror (2011- )

Despite originally airing on another channel, Black Mirror has been a huge success for Netflix, totaling 7 seasons (including the interactive film Bandersnatch). The show initially aired two seasons and a Christmas special before Netflix picked it up in 2016 and commissioned five more. Its popularity likely stems from two key factors: its anthology format allows for a rotating cast, attracting big names like Bryce Dallas Howard and Jon Hamm, and its consistently dark, unsettling stories often feel eerily relevant to current events, making it a compelling watch for many.

House of Cards (2013-2018)

House of Cards ran for six seasons and was one of Netflix’s first big hits. It likely would have lasted even longer if the show’s lead actor hadn’t faced serious allegations. The series was a sleek, thrilling, and cynical take on political life – exactly what audiences wanted in the mid-2010s – and consistently drew large viewership with each new season. Ultimately, the show concluded in 2018 after six seasons, with a major character unexpectedly written out following the controversy.

Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019)

The drama Orange Is the New Black was one of Netflix’s first big hits, running for an impressive seven seasons. Though some fans felt the show overstayed its welcome, it remained popular thanks to its many storylines and interesting supporting characters. Even as viewers lost interest in the main characters, the show always offered something new through its secondary inmates. After a long run for a Netflix series, OITNB concluded in 2019.

BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

The animated comedy-drama BoJack Horseman ran for six seasons on Netflix, releasing about one season each year. The show was a critical success, consistently praised for its blend of humor and serious themes, and built a dedicated following. It became one of Netflix’s signature shows, representing the platform’s desire to be known for unique, intelligent, and thought-provoking content that wasn’t afraid to take risks.

Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)

Spanning seven seasons, Grace and Frankie likely appealed to viewers who preferred traditional sitcoms. This Netflix series, one of the platform’s most successful of its kind, featured a cast of well-known actors, including Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, and Martin Sheen. The show became a surprising hit thanks to its witty humor and heartwarming story about an unexpected friendship. It follows two women who become friends after learning their husbands are in love with each other, and explores themes of second chances and finding fulfillment later in life.

The Crown (2016-2023)

With six seasons, The Crown was a huge success for Netflix. The historical drama told the story of a famous and influential monarch, and its cast changed every few seasons, giving popular British actors a chance to play members of the royal family. The show consistently won awards, like Emmys and Golden Globes, and ultimately ended because it had reached current events. As the story moved closer to the present day, it became less about historical drama and more about recent happenings, like the first meeting of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2001.

Stranger Things (2016-2025)

Despite its incredible popularity, Stranger Things will conclude after just five seasons. Considering the show first premiered nearly ten years ago, it’s surprising there aren’t more. Creating each episode, often over an hour long, has been a lengthy process. Stranger Things is widely credited with sparking the current wave of 1980s nostalgia – think Stephen King, arcade games, and Dungeons & Dragons – and with pushing television to feel more like big-budget movies. As one of Netflix’s most important shows ends, it will be interesting to see what the streaming service focuses on next.

Queer Eye (2018- )

With nine seasons already completed and a tenth on the way, the Queer Eye reboot is a huge success for Netflix – it’s their longest-running reality show. (Reality TV generally performs well, as seen with the popular dating series Love Is Blind, which also has nine seasons and several international versions.) This new version of Queer Eye brought the makeover show format to a new generation, with a strong emphasis on mental health and self-improvement. It’s common for at least one person to have an emotional breakthrough and cry in almost every episode.

Love, Death + Robots (2019- )

The animated sci-fi series Love, Death + Robots has quietly become a success for Netflix over its four seasons. What makes it work is its anthology format – each season features different animation studios adapting short stories or original scripts in a variety of styles. Like most anthologies, some episodes are better than others, but there are always a few standouts. In an age of short attention spans, having a collection of high-quality short-form content is a smart move for any streaming service.

Virgin River (2019- )

As a total TV fan, I’ve noticed something interesting: while everyone’s buzzing about shows like Stranger Things, Virgin River has quietly become a huge success. It’s practically the antiStranger Things* – super cozy and romantic instead of suspenseful and spooky! They’ve released six seasons in six years, building a really dedicated audience. It took that classic Hallmark movie setup – a woman leaving the city for a fresh start in a small town – and turned it into a full-blown, long-running series. There’s always something new happening, a twist or a surprise every few episodes. And the best part? It’s based on a 20-book series, so they’ve got plenty of story to work with for years to come!

2026-04-17 17:59