10 Best TV Shows Starring Firefly Actors

Although Firefly, initially only ran for one season before it was discontinued, the cast members have become enduring figures in the science fiction world. The show takes place in the year 2517 and revolves around a spaceship named Serenity, which is captained by a crew who were on the losing side of a war and now work odd jobs, many of them illegal. Essentially, it’s a space-set Western with elements drawn from both Western and science fiction genres. Despite its initial struggles, much of Firefly‘s lasting impact can be attributed to the exceptional performances delivered by its principal and secondary actors.

As a devoted fan of science fiction, I can confidently say that the cast of “Firefly” has undeniably earned its place among the greatest ensemble acts in the genre. Following the series’ rise to cult status, remarkably, all nine principal actors reunited to bring us the spinoff film, “Serenity,” providing a satisfying resolution to the storyline. Post-“Serenity,” many of these talented individuals graced various other sci-fi TV shows and films, but they continue to captivate audiences at science fiction conventions today. Interestingly, several members of Serenity’s crew often make guest appearances in each other’s productions, subtly incorporating Firefly references through Easter eggs—a delightful treat for fans like me!

10. The Rookie (2018-Present)

Starring Nathan Fillion

In a stark contrast from his role as the defiant Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds in Firefly, Nathan Fillion takes on the part of John Nolan, the LAPD’s elderly recruit, in The Rookie. This series is inspired by real events and while Fillion leads the cast, other Firefly actors are also featured in The Roke, such as Sean Maher who plays the gentle-natured doctor Simon Tam. Critics and fans have given The Rookie an impressive 8.0 rating on IMDb, commending Fillion’s performance in this crime procedural series. In addition to acting, Nathan Fillion has also taken on a producer role for the spinoff series, The Rookie: Feds.

9. Resident Alien (2021-Present)

Starring Alan Tudyk

Among the actors from Firefly, Alan Tudyk stands out with an exceptionally busy career that includes a part in Star Wars. However, it’s his role in Resident Alien that truly shines as one of his finest characters. This sci-fi comedy-drama centers around a shapeshifting alien (portrayed by Tudyk) who lands in a small town and assumes the identity of the local doctor after a crash landing. The series is laugh-out-loud funny, demonstrating Tudyk’s versatility as both a comedic and dramatic actor, and also stars action legend Linda Hamilton. These days, Tudyk predominantly works on voice acting projects, but Resident Alien, which could be considered his best TV show to date, brings him back to the screen.

8. Hannibal (2013-2015)

Starring Gina Torres

Gina Torres shines as the stoic character Zoe Washburne in Firefly, and unlike many actors in sci-fi, she’s shown versatility by playing a variety of roles across her TV series. Although her role in Hannibal was minor, it stands out as her most notable TV performance. Hannibal is visually captivating and offers an intriguing exploration of the terrifying psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, portrayed here by Mads Mikkelsen. In contrast, Torres takes on the enigmatic and tense Phyllis “Bella” Crawford, who is Jack Crawford’s terminally ill wife in this series. One of the most heart-wrenching scenes in Hannibal features a significant role for Torres, leaving audiences in tears.

7. The Killing (2011-2014)

Starring Jewel Staite

Character from Firefly named Kaylee, portrayed by Jewel Staite, is adored by many, but the series didn’t provide her with opportunities to display her full dramatic potential. Contrastingly, The Killing is a gripping television production that showcases Staite’s acting talents more extensively. This series is significantly darker than Firefly and focuses on a detective as she unravels a series of murders. Fans of police procedurals might appreciate The Killing due to its unique format – it presents storylines that span across an entire season rather than just one episode, breaking the traditional genre mold. In The Killing, Staite plays Caroline Swift, a character who often provides a calming influence.

6. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009)

Starring Summer Glau

Summer Glau portrays characters with striking similarities in both the series “Firefly” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” River Tam and Cameron Phillips, though originating from different universes, share a common trait – they are both formidably dangerous, often controlled by external powers. While River is a product of Firefly’s sinister government organization, Cameron is a reprogrammed Terminator. In the Terminator series, Glau portrays the most advanced model, yet she subtly reveals Cameron’s evolving human qualities throughout the show. Despite later Terminator movies receiving mixed reviews, “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” is a highly acclaimed TV series that was unfortunately cut short. It boasts an impressive audience rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. Warehouse 13 (2009-2014)

Starring Sean Maher

Sean Maher has been lending his voice to Nightwing within the Teen Titans universe since 2014, yet his most notable TV appearance is limited to just one episode. The series “Warehouse 13,” running for five seasons, revolves around a government storage facility holding dangerous artifacts. Sharing some similarities with “The X-Files,” this older science fiction show remains quite engaging even today. “Warehouse 13” manages to be both amusing and chilling at times, even within a single episode, and boasts appearances from other prominent sci-fi actors. In the episode titled “Mild Mannered,” Maher shares the screen with Jewel Staite, his co-star from “Firefly,” providing a delightful Easter egg for fans of that show.

4. Barney Miller (1975-1982)

Starring Ron Glass

Barney Miller, a police drama series from the ’70s that focused on the daily lives of detectives and was one of its era’s defining police procedurals, shares similarities with Brooklyn 99 in terms of character development. Like Brooklyn 99, Barney Miller skillfully blends emotional and comedic elements. The show also played a crucial role in launching the careers of many of its actors, including Ron Glass, who appeared in 164 episodes before starring in Firefly two decades later. In this series, Glass portrayed Ron Harris, both a fiction writer and detective. Sadly, several cast members from Barney Miller have since passed away, with Ron Glass being one of them at the age of 71 due to respiratory failure in 2016.

3. Mad Men (2007-2015)

Starring Christina Hendricks

In a nutshell, “Mad Men” is not just one of Christina Hendricks’ finest television performances; it’s often hailed as one of the best TV shows ever made. With Jon Hamm portraying Don Draper, Hendricks commands every scene she graces as Joan Holloway, her character in this series. Although Hendricks’ characters in “Firefly” and “Mad Men” are quite distinct, both are frequently underestimated, a fact they exploit to their advantage. Notably, “Joan Holloway,” played by Hendricks, was a groundbreaking role for her, as she featured in only two “Firefly” episodes. Furthermore, “Mad Men” boasts a 95% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has amassed an impressive 16 Primetime Emmy Awards.

2. Homeland (2011-2020)

Starring Morena Baccarin

Morena Baccarin gained prominence initially as Inara Serra in Firefly, but has since made a significant mark in the Marvel universe as Vanessa, Deadpool’s fiancée. Nevertheless, it is her role in Homeland that stands out the most. This gripping crime drama, brimming with tension and centered on the suspicion of a terrorism plot within America, showcases Baccarin’s exceptional talent. Although Claire Danes is widely recognized for her performance in Homeland, Baccarin also delivers a stellar portrayal as Jessica Brody, whose husband seemingly resurfaced from the dead. Her role earned her an Emmy Award nomination.

1. Chuck (2007-2012)

Starring Adam Baldwin

Adam Baldwin’s current TV triumph is “The Last Ship,” but a superior TV series starring the “Firefly” actor is the action-comedy series “Chuck.” In “Chuck,” Baldwin portrays John Casey, a hard-nosed and no-nonsense NSA agent. Unlike Jayne Cobb from “Firefly,” Casey is a more faithful team member. However, like Jayne, his character is both intense and humorous, and the show provided Baldwin with a broader acting spectrum than he had in “Firefly.” Notably, “Chuck” was known for its cameos, some of which featured science fiction icons, and it has a 92% positive audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

2025-06-08 00:38