32 Actors Who Have Starred In Multiple HBO Shows

HBO may not be the sole provider of top-tier television, but it reigns supreme in this domain. The channel tends to collaborate frequently with talented individuals who have demonstrated their ability to create exceptional series. This pool includes numerous actors, some of whom have graced multiple shows. In fact, some actors have been featured in three, four, or even more shows during their tenure. However, for the purposes of this list, we’re focusing on those who have starred in at least two shows, often recognized most for their roles there. Actors such as Wendell Pierce, Cynthia Nixon, and others fall under this category.

Wendell Pierce – The Wire And Treme

Wendell Pierce initially gained prominence as the most stylish detective within the Baltimore Homicide Unit on “The Wire.” Throughout its entire run, Pierce’s character Bunk Moreland made appearances in every episode. A couple of years following the series finale in 2008, the show’s creator brought a new series to HBO titled “Treme,” and given that Pierce is originally from New Orleans, it felt organic to incorporate him into the cast.

Carrie Coon – The Gilded Age And The White Lotus

In 2025, Carrie Coon had an exceptional year on HBO. Not only did she reprise her role as Bertha Russell, a strong high society figure, for Season 3 of The Gilded Age, but she also delivered a standout performance in the third season of the anthology series The White Lotus. Her moving monologue in the final episode captivated viewers, while her presence continued to dominate New York’s society scene during the 1880s on The Gilded Age.

Steve Buscemi – The Wire And Boardwalk Empire

Steve Buscemi made his debut on HBO during the fifth season of the critically acclaimed show, “The Sopranos,” portraying Tony Blundetto, a character related to Tony Soprano. Despite his brief stint on the series, he later took on a more substantial role in “Boardwalk Empire,” appearing as Nucky Thompson, a fictional mob boss in a series set during a specific era and created by Terence Winter, who was also a writer for “The Sopranos.

Evan Rachel Wood – True Blood And Westworld

Initially, Evan Rachel Wood entered the acting world with great promise and debuted on HBO as a regular character in the series “True Blood“. Later, she made a significant impact on the network by starring as a lead in the show “Westworld“. Additionally, Wood was featured in the HBO miniseries titled “Mildred Pierce“.

Alexander Skarsgård – True Blood And Big Little Lies

Alexander Skarsgård frequently graces HBO’s screens. His initial appearance for the network was in the miniseries “Generation Kill,” which premiered in 2008. Later in the same year, he became a regular cast member on the popular vampire series “True Blood.” During his tenure on that show, he also made a special appearance in the final episode of “Eastbound and Down.” He played a significant role in “Big Little Lies,” portraying a rather sinister character (and winning an Emmy), before securing a notable guest role in “Succession” for which he received two more Emmy nominations.

Sydney Sweeney – Euphoria And The White Lotus

Sydney Sweeney made a notable debut alongside her fellow actors in the HBO teen drama “Euphoria” in 2019, and subsequently appeared in Season 1 of “The White Lotus” in 2022. That same year, she received not just one, but two Emmy nominations – one for each series.

Edie Falco – Oz And The Sopranos

In simpler terms, the TV series “Oz,” produced by HBO, was among the first shows to air during the “Golden Age of Television” for the network. It aired from the late 90s through early 2000s, spanning over six seasons. Notably, Edie Falco played the role of Officer Diane Whittlesey in “Oz,” but she’s more recognized for her part as Carmela Soprano on another HBO show, “The Sopranos.” Her exceptional performances in that series garnered her three Emmy awards.

Aidan Gillen – Game Of Thrones And The Wire

The enigmatic character Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, from “Game of Thrones,” is often ranked among television’s most formidable villains. Aidan Gillen portrayed this complex role masterfully, and it wasn’t his debut on HBO; in fact, a few years prior, he had appeared in another significant role as the ambitious politician Tommy Carcetti during the final seasons of “The Wire.

Cynthia Nixon – And Just Like That And The Gilded Age

For several decades, Cynthia Nixon has consistently appeared on HBO. She is renowned for her role as Miranda Hobbes in “And Just Like That…” and its predecessor. Additionally, she stars in the captivating period drama “The Gilded Age” as Ada Forte, a formerly spinsterish woman who becomes a wealthy widow, born as Ada Brook.

Michiel Huisman – Game Of Thrones And Treme

The television series named “Treme,” airing for four seasons on HBO, featured a number of actors who were frequent faces on the network. One such actor, Michiel Huisman, portrayed the musician simply called “Sonny” in the New Orleans-set show, simultaneously starring as Daario Naharis in another series titled “Game of Thrones,” also on the same network.

Michelle Monaghan – True Detective And The White Lotus

It’s undoubtedly a thrilling experience for any actor to land roles in two HBO anthology series. Michelle Monaghan can attest to this, having featured in Season 1 of True Detective and later graced the screen as part of The White Lotus Season 3’s distinguished ensemble cast.

Michael K. Williams – The Wire And Boardwalk Empire

Michael K. Williams sadly passed away, leaving an indelible impact on HBO with his extraordinary performances. Most notably, he brought Omar Little to life in The Wire, a role that cemented him as one of the greatest TV characters ever. He continued to shine in the role of a 1920s gangster on Boardwalk Empire. Beyond these roles, he made appearances on other HBO shows like a brief stint on The Sopranos in 2001 and later in the miniseries The Night Of. His final TV role before his untimely demise was in Lovecraft Country.

Alexandra Daddario – The White Lotus And True Detective

Prior to receiving an Emmy nomination for her outstanding portrayal of Rachel Patton in the inaugural season of “The White Lotus,” Alexandra Daddario previously appeared as a recurring character on HBO’s anthology series, “True Detective,” during its initial run. She also made a brief appearance early in her career within “The Sopranos.

Murray Bartlett – The White Lotus And The Last Of Us

It’s clear why “The White Lotus” became such a massive success during its debut season, given Murray Bartlett’s outstanding performance as the hotel manager who finds himself in a deep and distressing decline as the series progresses. He manages to be both hilarious and heartbreaking simultaneously. Later, he appeared in the highly acclaimed episode “Long, Long Time” of “The Last of Us,” portraying Frank, Bill’s late lover opposite Nick Offerman. Though it was just a single episode, it was so exceptional that we felt compelled to mention it. Additionally, Bartlett played a recurring role on the HBO series “Looking.

Danny McBride – Eastbound And Down And The Righteous Gemstones

Discussing Danny McBride’s sitcoms on HBO: After carving out a reputation with notable supporting roles in films like “Pineapple Express” and “Tropic Thunder,” McBride made his mark on HBO, first with the now-iconic series “Eastbound and Down.” Following this success, he teamed up with Walton Goggins for another hit, “Vice Principals,” and more recently, he stars as Jesse Gemstone in “The Righteous Gemstones.

Clarke Peters – The Wire And Treme

It’s surprising that a critically acclaimed series like “The Wire” never received an Emmy award. The exceptional cast, led by Clarke Peters, who portrayed Lester Freamon throughout all five seasons, is especially hard to believe didn’t earn recognition. Some of his fellow actors from the show also appeared in “Treme,” another HBO production, with Peters included in that list.

Jeanne Tripplehorn – The Gilded Age And Big Love

Jeanne Tripplehorn is a seasoned actress whose acting career dates back to 1992’s “Basic Instinct.” She played a significant role in the HBO series “Big Love” as Bill’s only legally wedded wife, portraying a family life centered around polygamy in Utah. Additionally, she appeared in a recurring role on “The Gilded Age” as a fallen high-society figure who, ironically, is one of the kindest characters in the series. Moreover, she received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in HBO’s “Grey Gardens.

Jeffrey Wright – Westworld And Boardwalk Empire

Jeffrey Wright is a remarkable actor from his generation, who has consistently proven his talents across several HBO series. He first garnered an Emmy for his performance in the miniseries “Angels in America”. Following this, he made a recurring appearance on “Boardwalk Empire”, then impressed viewers with his role in “Westworld”, which earned him three more Emmy nominations, although he didn’t take home a win. In 2025, Wright reprised his voice role from the video game “The Last of Us” in its HBO adaptation.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler – The Sopranos And Entourage

Jamie-Lynn Sigler holds a distinctive position, especially recognized for her portrayal of Meadow Soprano in the series The Sopranos. Subsequently, she took on another character, a fictionalized version of herself dating Turtle, in the HBO show Entourage.

Walton Goggins – Vice Principals And The White Lotus

For several years, Walton Goggins has consistently demonstrated dedication as a top-tier actor in Hollywood. However, it was in 2025 that he truly captured attention with his outstanding performance in Season 3 of “The White Lotus.” This marked his third significant role on HBO, following “Vice Principals” and “The Righteous Gemstones.

Lena Headey – Game Of Thrones And The White House Plumbers

In simpler terms, Lena Headey, who was renowned for portraying a remarkable villain on “Game of Thrones,” resurfaced on HBO in 2023 in the less-known miniseries titled “The White House Plumbers.” In this series, she took on the role of Dorothy Hunt, the wife of Watergate burglar E. Howard Hunt.

Pedro Pascal – Game Of Thrones And The Last Of Us

Much like many other actors, Pedro Pascal dedicated considerable effort in the early stages of his career with brief appearances in a multitude of shows. However, his breakthrough came in 2014 when he landed the role of Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones, which catapulted him to fame. Lately, he’s been captivating audiences as a character on The Last of Us on HBO.

Indira Varma – Game Of Thrones And Rome

The cast of “Game of Thrones” was exceptionally talented, featuring Indira Varma who portrayed Ellaria Sand in 13 episodes. Interestingly, she had already appeared in a HBO production prior to this role. In the year 2005, she starred as Niobe in two seasons of “Rome”, an underestimated and costly historical drama masterminded by John Milius.

Jim True-Frost – The Wire And Treme

Jim True-Frost’s portrayal of his character in “The Wire” boasts one of the most compelling character transformations among numerous captivating arcs. His acting as Roland Pryzbylewski, similar to many others on the show, was truly exceptional. In addition to “The Wire”, True-Frost also appeared in other productions like “Treme”. Notably, he made a brief appearance in “Boardwalk Empire” portraying the legendary lawman Eliot Ness.

Kim Dickens – Deadwood And Treme

I’m proud to say I’ve had quite an impressive run on TV, and two standout roles that shine brightly on my resume are both HBO productions. In one of them, I played the key character Joanie in the captivating series, Deadwood. Later, I graced the screen as a leading actress in another HBO show, Treme.

John Hawkes – Deadwood And Eastbound And Down

The original Deadwood series featured John Hawkes prominently as Sol, and later, he appeared on HBO again, playing Kenny Powers’ brother in Eastbound & Down. More recently, his outstanding performance was seen in the fourth season of True Detective, an anthology series.

Rose Leslie – Game Of Thrones And The Time Traveler’s Wife

The television series “The Time Traveler’s Wife” is less well-known compared to other shows in HBO’s history. Rose Leslie, who played the leading role, found herself in a show that unfortunately didn’t get renewed for another season, despite having an enthusiastic fanbase. Notably, Leslie previously gained fame as Ygritte on HBO’s “Game of Thrones.

Bobby Cannavale – Boardwalk Empire And Vinyl

Bobby Cannavale rose to fame portraying the unstable gangster Gyp Rosetti on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” even though his initial role for the network was a minor one in “Six Feet Under.” Following “Boardwalk Empire,” he collaborated with the creators of “Vinyl,” appearing in the solitary season of the series that ultimately ended prematurely.

Edi Patterson – The Righteous Gemstones And Vice Principals

Edi Patterson truly shines in shows like “The Righteous Gemstones” and “Vice Principals”. Her knack for portraying eccentric characters makes her a perfect fit within these show’s ensembles.

Domenick Lombardozzi – The Wire And Boardwalk Empire

In “The Wire,” Herc is a challenging character to adore, yet his portrayal by Domenick Lombardozzi captivates anyone who watches the series. He managed to pull off the same magic in his role on “Boardwalk Empire” later on.

Regina King – Watchmen And The Leftovers

Should there be anyone on this list who requires no prior explanation, it’s undoubtedly the exceptional Regina King. Her influence is overwhelming, as evident in her remarkable performances on HBO’s series, such as The Leftovers and the critically acclaimed single season of Watchmen.

Michael Imperioli – The Sopranos And The White Lotus

Many people might recall Michael Imperioli from his role as Spider in “Goodfellas”, but a larger group will initially recognize him as Christopher Moltisanti, Tony’s vexing nephew on “The Sopranos”. In Season 2 of “The White Lotus” on HBO, he reappeared and again showcased his exceptional talent to viewers.

2025-08-22 02:45