Twitter wonders why the Mad Men cast never really took off

[just444]

Absolute Titan in Mad Men. Should have blown up. Should have been a contender.
- Alyssa Marylee Heflin (@SlayerofCis) December 15, 2020
Yesterday twitter had a spirited debate on why the critically acclaimed Mad Men cast (with one notable exception) never really went anywhere after the show. Most of the talk was about Christina Hendricks, but it

Comments

[queer_bee]

It happens with most actors tied up with long running TV shows tho. They can’t really make big movies or other projects whilst the iron is hot because of their schedule/commitment to their TV show. And by the time the TV show is over, their popularity has fizzled.

[zoaster_toaster]

Slattery's had a career long before and after Mad Men. Just because he isn't a Huge Deal™ doesn't mean he's failed. Same with Allison Brie.

[xellabelle]

Very few tv stars go on to achieve successes greater than THE tv show that defined them though? It’s not like their careers completely failed after Mad Men. I can’t think of that many people who achieved a lot of success after a long running tv show, unless if it’s someone like Jennifer Aniston. Like none of the cast of super popular tv shows like Lost did. I think this is more the norm than the anomaly.

[bluestoplights]

yeah, i feel like most tv actors move from tv gig to tv gig with some exceptions. like, most of the game of thrones cast isn't exactly in blockbusters rn -- sophie and emilia have come the closest with genre stuff like X-Men and Solo which were panned.

the gossip girl cast has mainly hung out on TV. leighton, penn, and chase move from show to show -- blake is the most famous out of them but i can't think of what she's been in aside from age of adeiline, that movie with anna kendrick, and green lantern which iirc didn't do great?

the buffy cast moved to other tv for the most part. SMG mainly booked TV (ringer, that one show with robin williams) though she was definitely a scream queen on the side, david is always on some genre fox show, alyson had HIMYM, etc.

i'd say the mad men casts' careers are about what i expect. usually there's only one or two people from a big show like that to go on and have successful movie careers. and tv is a pretty stable gig and paycheck, so why leave?

[honeebs]

Ahh no the scientologist wouldn't let anyone but their girl get mad work after and she did, didn't she.

[winx]

Everytime I wonder to myself “oh yeah! Elisabeth Moss is a great actress and I consistently love her performances why don’t I stan her?” someone reminds me she’s part of an organisation that has literal slave labour and I remember why.

[prebble]

Also, being the break-out or most successful one after a show ends does not have anything to do with being a better actor than your past castmates. David Boreanaz or Evangeline Lilly anyone?

[littlepunkryo]

Did anyone see David Boreanaz's career coming?? I'm not even talking about talent, just like, that guy has been headlining shows since freaking Buffy/Angel, I bet most TV actors would kill to have work that consistent.

[bluestoplights]

i love buffy but david's acting is not what i would describe as "good". but wooden tough guys are a staple of tv so it makes sense he has steady work.

[bluestoplights]

or blake lively lmao, leighton always outacted the hell out of her.