As an actor,Jensen Acklesis incredibly recognizable, most notably for his performances in many long-running television series. He has also been in a handful of films, acting first and foremost in live action, butAckles has also lent his voice to animation. His decades-long career is one that is followed by countless fans, makingAckles' upcoming projectsones that are highly anticipated.
Ackles has been acting since 1996 with the seriesWishbone,and after decades in film and television, he has become a household name. Many of his earlier projects have flown under the radar despite some of them being pretty great films, but in more recent years it seems as though his career is only gaining even more traction with eye-catching and potentially even generational roles. Though these are Ackles best roles for now, it is likely that down the line he will be a part of even more iconic shows and movies.
Big Sky
Cast
Big Sky is a crime drama based on The Highway books from CJ Box. The series centers on Jenny Hoyt, an ex-cop, and Cassie Dewell, a private detective, who work together to solve crimes in Montana. Katheryn Winnick and Kylie Bunbury star in the ABC series, which was subtitled Deadly Trails beginning in season 3.
On the outside,Big Skyis a run-of-the-mill crime series, albeit with great acting and compelling characters. However, what lies at the center of this show is a compelling murder mystery that slowly pulls in the series' viewers. Jensen Ackles was not a member of the original cast, but he joined the series in its third and final season as interim sheriff Beau Arlen.
The series has received somewhat mixed reviews over the years, but despite this,Big Skyhas been nominated for quite a few awards, including several Saturn Awards.It even won an award as one of the IMDbPro Top 200 Scripted TV Recipients. Though the series has since been canceled,Big Skyis worth a watch for its high-paced storytelling and intriguing mysteries.
My Bloody Valentine 3D
A remake of the 1981 original slasher film My Bloody Valentine, My Bloody Valentine 3D centers on a small town and its residents haunted by the legacy of a murderous miner. A decade after the Valentine’s Day massacre caused by a psychopathic miner passes, the miner supposedly returns to begin his rampage anew.
Although Ackles had become a veteran of American television by the time he starred inMy Bloody Valentine 3D,this film marks one of his earlier appearances in movies. This slasher film is a delightfully bloody affair, revolving around a serial killer who goes on a rampage on Valentine’s Day. An incredibly violent slasher film,My Bloody Valentine 3Dsometimes feels like a throwback to some of the greats, likeFriday the 13th.
My Bloody Valentine 3Dis a remake of the 1981 slasher filmMy Bloody Valentine.
The film was notable for its use of 3D technology, used in a mildly successful attempt to bring viewers into the action of the movie’s horror setting. Though the film itself won no awards, it is still an incredibly fun romp through a great installment in slasher horror with the unique and perhaps nostalgic twist of being able to watch it in 3D.My Bloody Valentineis set to receive another remake, this time from Blumhouse.
Dark Angel
Dark Angel is a science fiction television series set in a dystopian future, centered on genetically enhanced super-soldier Max Guevara, played by Jessica Alba. Created by James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee, the show follows Max’s quest to find her fellow escaped comrades while evading capture by government forces.
Dark Angelstars Jessica Alba as Max, a woman who was experimented on as a child and transformed into an unwilling super soldier.Jensen Ackles appears in the series, primarily season two, as another test subject as well as his clone. Though the series was canceled after two seasons, a series of novels continued the story from where it left off.
The series itself has won several accolades, both as a whole and for Alba’s incredible performance. This included a People’s Choice Award, a Teen Choice Award, and though it did not win, a Golden Globe nomination. The show was incredibly popular among the teenage demographic for its action-packed storyline,possibly so popular becauseDark Angel’s debut aired on Fox in 2000 instead of the first presidential debate that year, attributing to its notoriety.
Smallville
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
Taking place in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas,Smallvilleis the origin of Superman, one of comic history’s most beloved superheroes. The series ran for an impressive 10 seasons before its end, andJensen Ackles made a brief appearance as the love interest of Lana Lang in season 4. Although his appearance was brief, he still made an impact as a fun presence, albeit with a tragic end.
Despite being cast in season 5 ofSmallville,Jensen Ackles had to be written out of the show due to his commitment toSupernatural.
Smallvillewas an instant hit, quickly becoming the highest-rated series debut in WB history. The series was praised for everything from the quality of its writing to the impressive special effects, notable for the heart that it put into the birth of Superman as a character.Christopher Reeve, one of the first actors to ever play Superman, even expressed a love for the series and its incredible artistic achievement.
Days of Our Lives
Days of Our Lives is a long-running daytime soap opera set in the Midwestern town of Salem. Premiering on July 18, 2025, it chronicles the complex lives of the Horton and Brady families as they navigate romance, intrigue, and the challenges posed by deceitful adversaries and intricate family legacies.
First debuting all the way back in 1965,Days of Our Liveshas become one of the longest running shows on television. This show is about a family of doctors and was a pioneer in the soap opera genre, being the first to combine the stereotypical hospital drama with that of interpersonal family dynamics.Jensen Ackles was an actor inDays of Our Livesfor several years, playing the character Eric Brady from 1997 to 2000.
The series has an incredible emotional center, and despite its seemingly ever-changing cast, the story always manages to stick to the heart of what makesDays of Our Livesso compelling: the characters.
Days of Our Liveshas won several Daytime Emmy Awards over the years, citing the series' excellent writing as one of its strong suits. The series has an incredible emotional center, and despite its seemingly ever-changing cast, the story always manages to stick to the heart of what makesDays of Our Livesso compelling: the characters. It moved over to streaming on Peacock in 2022 and, after nearly 60 years, it is still running to this day.
Batman: The Long Halloween
In this two-part animated film, a serial killer terrorizes Gotham, killing on holidays. It’s up to Batman to find and stop the killer, while the Falcones, the Joker, and plenty of other old enemies seem determined to get in his way.
One film split into two parts,Batman: The Long Halloweenis an iconic Batman story, pitting the caped crusader against the enigmatic Holiday killer. Taking place during the early days of Batman’s crime-fighting career, he faces several struggles as he finds his footing in this dark world.Jensen Ackles lends his voice to Batman in an iconic performance, showing that his talents do not only reside in live-action performance.
Batman: The Long Halloweenis an animated adaptation of the comic book of the same name.
Batman: The Long Halloweenwas praised not only for being a faithful adaptation of the original comic book, but also for its strong sense of character development. It succeeds not only as a Batman story, but as a noir thriller as well, as the movie does not rely on the star power of its main character to retain interest in the greater plot. The animation is beautiful as well, making it an incredibly worthy watch, especially for a direct-to-video release.
Dawson’s Creek
In the small town of Capeside, Massachusetts, fifteen-year-old Dawson Leery and his friends — tomboy Joey, class clown Pacey, and many more — experience the highs and lows of teenage life and coming of age.
Often cited as having paved the way for the litany of teen shows that followed,Dawson’s Creekfollows the lives and problems of a group of friends.The series features plenty of ups and downs, known for its heart-wrenching drama and memorable characters.Jensen Ackles joined the series in its final season, playing the character of C.J. Braxton, who ends up falling for Jen.
Despite facing some criticism when it initially released, the story ofDawson’s Creekwas later praised for its writing, featuring friends with realistic problems as opposed to the idealized versions of what teens might look for in their idols. The show was witty, and watching it now feels nostalgic. When it originally aired,Dawson’s Creekwon several Teen Choice Awards, as well as a GLAAD Award for Outstanding TV Drama Series.
Batman: Under the Red Hood
A mysterious vigilante called the Red Hood shows up in Gotham City, implementing one method that Batman does not: the Red Hood kills his targets. Batman and Nightwing are hot on the Red Hood’s trail, but Batman makes a surprising revelation about the vigilante’s identity.
Another animated Batman direct-to-video film,Batman: Under the Red Hooddepicts Batman facing off against the titular Red Hood, a villain that seems to know every step Batman will make before he makes it. It features a more grizzled Batman, operating in the face of great trauma.However, instead of playing Batman, this time Jensen Ackles plays the Red Hood.
The film has been lauded for its incredible storytelling, animation, as well as its voice acting. Jensen Ackles' performance is especially good, weaving emotion into the character of the Red Hood in a way that really brings the character to life.Batman: Under the Red Hoodhas a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes,able to balance its themes in a way that feels true to the original comics.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
Beginning with brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they attempt to locate their father,Supernaturalgoes from monster-of-the-week series to a dramatic series with an overarching story. The show is known for its wacky storylines and demonic characters, marrying a horror aesthetic with plenty of comedy and heart. Ackles is best known for his role in this series as Dean Winchester, Sam’s older and more charismatic brother.
Supernaturalis important for its role in Ackles’ career, shooting him to stardom and showing his abilities as a charismatic leading man.
The show ran for an impressive 15 seasons before ending in 2020.Supernaturalhas been nominated for several Emmy Awards and won even more People’s Choice Awards, cited as an impressive fantasy series with incredible sound design.Supernaturalis important for its role in Ackles' career, shooting him to stardom and showing his abilities as a charismatic leading man.
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
The Boyshas been an explosive hit in recent years, offering an impressive satire of the over-saturated superhero genre. After his girlfriend is killed by a speeding superhero, main character Hughie is thrust into a world where many of the nation’s superheroes are more villainous than he could have ever imagined.Ackles joins the cast in season 3 with the character of Soldier Boy, a character meant to be a dark take on Marvel’s Captain America.
Unafraid of depicting the political landscape of the world it satirizes,The Boysis gritty and violent in equal measure. Anthony Starr especially has been praised for his performance of the villain Homelander, having won several awards for his haunting performance. The series is one ofJensen Ackles' best, allowing him the opportunity to explore the darker side of a fleshed out character.
