Casting can make or break a TV show, and these titles prove how much a genre series can be elevated by a perfect lineup. Fantasy, sci-fi, and horror are often defined by intricate settings and lore, but it's the characters that make these stories truly memorable. Finding the right people to bring them to life is key to getting viewers invested.
This is true whether a show is based on preexisting source material or an original venture. Nailing the cast for an adaptation can be doubly difficult, as it comes with expectations not every star will live up to. That's what makes shows like Game of Thrones and Shadow and Bone so impressive. However, some original series uncover perfect lineups by stumbling upon passionate talent with great chemistry. Whichever category they fall into, these 10 genre projects struck gold with their talent.
1. The Witcher
The Witcher is far from a perfect fantasy show, but if there's one thing the series nails, it's the casting. This is obvious from its first episode, which introduces Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia — a genius choice that has actually backfired, given the actor's departure from the show. Viewers feared it would be impossible to replace Cavill, but The Witcher's expert casting ensures all isn't lost. Although fans have been critical of the Geralt situation, Liam Hemsworth does a great job stepping in. He's exactly what season 4 needs, making the shift feel as seamless as it can so far into the story.
It's not just Geralt that The Witcher gets right, either. Anya Chalotra is a force to be reckoned with as Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Freya Allan's Ciri is charming and believable. Say what you will about The Witcher's lack of fidelity to the books, but these two make you want to follow these characters, wherever they're headed. And of course, Joey Batey as Jaskier is another stroke of genius.
2. Shadow and Bone
Shadow and Bone's cancelation is devastating for many reasons, and Netflix's willingness to throw away a phenomenal cast is chief among them. When adapting books on-screen, it can be a struggle to find actors who embody the characters from the source material. But Shadow and Bone's cast feels made for the show. From Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov to Ben Barnes as General Kirigan, every one of them looks and acts the part.
The cast members playing the Crows are especially memorable, capturing the edgy charm that makes us love their book counterparts. Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, and Kit Young all feel like lightning-in-a-bottle catches. This makes it even more disappointing that a Six of Crows spinoff isn't happening — and, at this point, a Shadow and Bone reboot would just make us miss the original's talent.
3. Stranger Things
Stranger Things isn't based on any source material, and so, the Netflix show could technically work with any cast. However, halfway into the fifth and final season, it's safe to say this story wouldn't be a cultural phenomenon without its standout talent. The world of the Netflix series feels so immersive because of its characters, and it's difficult to envision even supporting players like Randy Haven's Mr. Clarke and Cara Buono's Mrs. Wheeler being replaced. (That's especially true for Mrs. Wheeler after her big Stranger Things 5 moment.)
Of course, the main cast of Stranger Things is the true win for the show. Finding impressive child actors who remain good in their roles is no easy feat — but the Netflix series finds five of them in its opening season. They're grown up now, but we're invested in seeing their stories through because they've won us over. Additions like Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield and Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley continue Stranger Things' great casting trend beyond season 1, too. The show's casting department deserves its flowers for repeatedly nailing it.
4. The Boys
A show with deeply flawed heroes and even more messed-up villains, The Boys depends on actors who can bring their complexity to life. The Prime Video series does an excellent job of finding them, starting with Antony Starr as Homelander and Karl Urban as Billy Butcher. These are two characters it'd be easy to over- or undersell. Homelander's brand of tyrannical narcissism is tough to capture on its own, but Starr does so successfully while still humanizing the villain. Urban walks a similar tightrope with Butcher, balancing his hard, angry exterior with being someone who does care about his people — er, very deep down.
The rest of The Boys' cast is just as impressive, from Jack Quaid and Erin Moriarty — both of whom provide the story's moral center — to Laz Alonso, Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone. It's not just the heroes who make The Boys work, either. Even comic-relief characters like The Deep are well cast, ensuring the biting satire and absurd humor lands. The series may not be identical to the comics, but a great cast helps it capture the source material's heart.
5. His Dark Materials
The failure of 2007's The Golden Compass proves that casting isn't the only thing that matters when adapting a story. However, His Dark Materials demonstrates that, with all the right pieces in place, it can catapult a project from good to great. While the 2019 show boasts a faithfulness to Pullman's books that the movie is lacking, the casting of talent like Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson really defines it. Both stars bring His Dark Materials' heroes to life in a manner that makes you want to root for them — and cry for them, when it comes down to it.
The show's villains are expertly cast, too, with Ruth Wilson as Mrs. Coulter being especially worthy of praise. Wilson embodies the nuances of Lyra's mother, showing that the slightest bit of good lives inside her cruelty — even if it doesn't justify it. The same is true of James McAvoy's Asriel, to a lesser extent, and it makes them both entrancing to watch.
6. Supernatural
A series with no source material and an iconic cast is Supernatural, and you can argue that the actors are responsible for the show's lasting legacy. Supernatural starts out as a fun, monster-hunting romp with a story about family at the center. However, what truly sets it apart from similar offerings are its characters. And they're all passionately brought to life by talent continues to fuel the fandom, even after the show's conclusion.
That starts with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. Sam and Dean Winchester could have been generic archetypes, but the pair infuses them with charm and depth that makes us want to follow them for 15 seasons. Their chemistry adds to the successful casting, and the introduction of players like Misha Collins and Jim Beaver cements it as some of the best genre casting in recent history.
7. Andor
The Star Wars franchise is no stranger to great casting, and Andor keeps that trend going — something that makes the sci-fi series hit harder emotionally. Diego Luna continues to shine as the eponymous character, though Rogue One gets the credit for that role. But whether you're looking at Cassian Andor's allies or the villains who feel all too realistic, the characters sell this story of rebellion, and the performers deserve the praise for that.
It's difficult to pinpoint just a few of the performances that make Andor such a hit, but Stellan Skarsgård, Andy Serkis, and Genevieve O'Reilly all stand out. Nothing will amp you up quite like
Skarsgård's season 1 monologue, except for maybe O'Reilly's speech in season 2. Not only do Andor's actors perfectly embody their characters, but they leave a powerful impression. It's necessary considering the themes of the show.
8. The Haunting of Hill House
Netflix's Haunting of Hill House takes liberties with Shirley Jackson's book, and one of its wisest changes is the choice to focus on the Crain family rather than a group of strangers. This enables the show to dig into the trauma of the Crain siblings, and the actors bring their dysfunctional family to life with believability and heart. It helps that Mike Flanagan's show is immaculately cast. There's a reason he utilizes so many of the same actors in his later horror titles for the streamer.
Talent like Carla Gugino, Victoria Pedretti, and Kate Siegel ensure that The Haunting of Hill House isn't just chilling — though it is that, too. The performances layer the series with raw emotion, driving home its themes of trauma and loss. They're largely responsible for making the Netflix show a modern horror masterpiece.
9. Peacemaker
Not every athlete that pursues acting makes the transition so smoothly, but John Cena is a pleasant surprise on that front. His performance as Peacemaker in the DCU is massively impressive. And although that casting happens initially in The Suicide Squad, Cena's HBO Max show highlights why he's the right choice for Christopher Smith. Cena knows how to land a serious emotional moment, and he knows when to play up the humor and absurdity of his character.
This is true for all of Peacemaker's cast, many of whom make their debuts earlier in the DCU. However, the TV series gives them each a chance to show off their acting chops, and they fully come into their own while doing so. Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt and Danielle Brooks' Leota Adebayo are both perfect examples, but the lineup is so strong, that this could apply to anyone.
10. Game of Thrones
Does it even need to be said? HBO's Game of Thrones features some of the strongest casting in genre television, and its actors have become synonymous with their characters from George R.R. Martin's books. It's not often a cast comes to define already-established characters from beloved source material. However, it is magical when it does happen.
And after watching Game of Thrones, you'll find it near-impossible to envision anyone but Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, or Kit Harington as Jon Snow. These are just a few examples, but it's true for almost everyone. Game of Thrones' stars really capture the flaws and strengths of those they're tasked with playing, leaning into the nuances of Martin's story with impressive results.