Marvel and DC shows are very popular. Many people love watching their favorite superheroes and villains battle in a TV format. Most of the actors also love the shows, though there are some who don’t. Overall, though, most actors seem to have had a good experience on Marvel and DC shows. And that bodes well for the future of both franchises. If actors are enjoying their roles, other actors are likely to notice. And most actors, we think, would love to be in a Marvel or DC show. It would be considered a lot of fun to play a hero or a villain on one of these shows.
Still, there are those who are not fully happy with their roles. However, this should not be taken as a bad thing for shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or Arrow. Both shows are loved by fans, and no doubt most of the actors feel the same. And if they don’t, there are always understandable reasons. We have to remember that actors are not necessarily fans of the material they’re acting in. Often, they can be, but sometimes they’re not and that’s OK. As long as they’re doing their job and entertaining us, we have no reason to complain. And we’re not saying that these actors absolutely hated their roles, after all. Just that they did not enjoy them as much as other actors did.
Welcome to 2 Actors Who Regretted Being On Marvel And DC Shows (And 18 Who Adored It.)
Regretted: Chloe Bennet (Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
Say it isn’t so. That’s right, Chloe Bennet, Daisy Johnson herself is one of the actors who isn’t entirely happy with her role. But, she has a good reason for it. So no need to panic. According to Bennet, Marvel does not care enough about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Certainly not enough to let the Avengers regularly guest star in the show or bring characters from the show into its movies. This is a fair complaint. After all, the show often includes movie plot lines, yet the movies don’t have to include show plot lines. Not really fair for the actors on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. If Marvel wants to avoid actors feeling this way, the solution is simple: make the TV shows, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, more a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Then actors will have no reason to feel left out.
Adored: Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
That’s right. Coulson loves being on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He’s even talked to Screen Rant about it before. He describes his colleagues as “a really smart bunch of actors.” According to Gregg, “ninety percent of the time, if they have an idea about something, it’s going to help the scene.” Sounds good to us! We’re sure that Clark Gregg feels lucky to act with such a talented group of actors. And we’re sure that this talented group of actors feels lucky to act with an equally talented actor such as Gregg. No wonder Coulson is so beloved by fans! The actor loves his role and it definitely shows in his acting. Keep up the good work, Clark Gregg!
Adored: Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter)
Agent Peggy Carter herself loved her role in the show. She thanks the fans for loving Peggy so much, saying that “the feedback. Especially on social media” is what brought the character back to life. Atwell also discusses the humor in the show, especially when Peggy goes undercover, and says that “they’re the kind of dream moments that you love coming into work for.” Sounds great! No wonder fans love Peggy Carter so much. The actress does as well, and it definitely shows in her acting. To take a character that was only ever meant to be in one movie, and bring so much life to her that fans are begging for more, means you’re doing something right as an actor.
Adored: Olivia Holt (Cloak And Dagger)
Tandy Bowen loves the show and her role in it. In an interview with Collider, she describes her audition with Aubrey Joseph. According to Holt, they “hit it off, right off the bat.” The audition was “magical.” She feels “really lucky to have Aubrey [Joseph], as not just a scene partner, but a friend and somebody who’s just as passionate about this story and these characters as” she is. No wonder the on-screen chemistry is so good! The actors get along well off screen. Holt also speaks about the importance of the show. She says that “not only does this show entertain… but [she] also [thinks] it impacts people and moves people.” And many fans would likely agree.
Adored: Aubrey Joseph (Cloak And Dagger)
Tyrone Johnson loves the show and his role in it. Aubrey Joseph, in an interview with Vulture, describes being cast on the show as “one of the best moments of [his] life.” Many fans would likely understand that feeling. After all, Marvel is a beloved franchise, between the movies and the shows, and fans appreciate when the actors share their enthusiasm for the characters. Joseph also shares Olivia Holt’s opinion that the show is more than just entertainment. It is also an “important story.” Fans would likely agree with Joseph and Holt. The story, even though it is about two teenagers with superpowers, is rooted in reality. It deals with a lot of real life issues.
Adored: Cress Williams (Black Lightning)
Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning loves the show and his role in it. In an interview with Variety, he talks about how his role as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning deals with themes of justice and social order. He quotes Edward R. Murrow, who said that the media should “entertain, illuminate, educate, and inspire.” Because of this, he was excited for his role in Black Lightning since “it checked off all of those other boxes, too.” Not only is Black Lightning an entertaining show, but it is also illuminating, educational, and inspiring. Fans would likely agree with that assessment of the show. The show deals with real life issues respectfully and in an educational and inspiring manner.
Adored: Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning)
Nafessa Williams, who plays Anissa Pierce/Thunder on The CW’s Black Lightning, also loves the show and her role on it. In an interview with The Verge, she discusses the importance of media representation, agreeing with her TV dad that the media should do more than entertain. She says that “we all need representation. When we watch TV, we want to see ourselves and we want to become inspired by the characters we’re seeing. We want to be moved and empowered.” That all sounds good to us. And in this role, Williams definitely represents many groups of people who are underrepresented in the media. Not only is Anissa Pierce/Thunder a young black woman, but she is a lesbian as well. According to Williams, she can relate to fans’ desire to see themselves reflected in the media. She says, “that’s what I’m most honored about to play this character…I can understand wanting to see yourself, needing to be inspired.”
Adored: Matt Ryan (Constantine/Legends of Tomorrow)
After the show Constantine was cancelled, all hope seemed lost. Luckily for fans and for actor Matt Ryan, that could have been the end for the live-action version of the character of John Constantine. Yet it wasn’t. Ryan describes the character’s continued revival, first on Arrow, and then on Legends of Tomorrow as “pretty amazing.” He mentions that fans “won’t let him [go]” which is always good for an actor. When asked what stands out about the character, Ryan mentions that Constantine is “the ultimate antihero” and is also “a real guy.” Sounds like a winning combination to us! Fans love Constantine and with that combination you can definitely see why. He’s real and human but with an edge. Sounds like the perfect character!
Adored: Stephen Amell (Arrow)
When asked why fans love the hit show so much, Stephen Amell says that fans can “tell that [the cast and crew] care. They can tell that we’re protective over the script.” That protection pays off, as the show is currently in its seventh season and is still as popular as ever. Fans are most likely glad that the cast and crew are so protective over the material, as comic book fans are quite a protective bunch themselves. According to Amell, “once you get on [the fans’] good side, they become your fiercest defenders.” Sounds good to us! No wonder Amell loves working on the show. Having a passionate bunch of fans is always good for an actor.
Adored: Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones)
The titular character of Jessica Jones absolutely loves the show and her role. She describes the part as a unique one. According to Ritter, “booking Jessica Jones was a really big job for [her].” And fans would likely agree. Leading a Marvel show is no small feat. And Krysten Ritter did it with style. She states that “roles like this don’t come around every day,” which many fans would also agree with. The role of Jessica Jones is a special one. The character is beloved by fans and is also a very well-written, three-dimensional character. No wonder Krysten Ritter loves the part. She also discusses some of the actors she gets to work with and gushes about them all.
Adored: Keiynan Lonsdale (The Flash & Legends Of Tomorrow)
Wally West loved the shows and his role in them. When he announced that he was not going to be a series regular on either The Flash or Legends of Tomorrow, he specified that it was not “a total goodbye” or a “‘see ya never’ situation.” That makes us think that he may be around occasionally on either one of the shows or perhaps even both. Lonsdale also mentions that he is “grateful to both shows” for respecting his desire to leave. He also says that he “love[s] Kid Flash… love[s] the family [he’s] made and [he’s] absolutely in love with the invaluable lessons [he’s] learnt along the way.” This sounds like the actor had a good experience playing the part and acting on both shows. That he was able to learn and grow and have a good time.
Adored: Caity Lotz (Arrow And Legends Of Tomorrow)
Our Sara Lance absolutely loves her role in both shows. In an interview with Collider, Lotz describes her role as “an amazing experience,” not only because of how much fun she likely has on set but because she knows she is representing the LGBT+ community since Sara Lance is bisexual. When talking about her character’s sexuality, she states that “it’s always been [her] favorite part of playing Sara. Not only because it makes [Sara] more complicated and layered, but also because [she feels] like [she’s] actually doing something good by being able to be that representation on TV.” So Sara’s sexual orientation not only makes her a more three-dimensional character, but it also provides much-needed representation for bisexual people. Sounds like a win-win situation to us.
Adored: Dominic Purcell (Legends of Tomorrow)
Our Mick Rory also loves the show and his role in it. Describing Legends of Tomorrow, he says that the actors “legitimately have a lot of fun doing the show.” It definitely comes across well to the fans. Legends of Tomorrow is probably the most fun show in the Arrowverse. Purcell also mentions the “creativity and… authenticity” with which the actors approach their roles. This definitely comes across to fans as well. No one could argue that the show is not creative or that the actors are not authentic in their roles. He also mentions his love for the show in general. He says that “[he thinks] Legends [of Tomorrow] is the best of the Arrowverse… It’s a never-ending creative possibility.” Fans of the show would likely agree. Fans love the show’s creativity and fun nature.
Regretted: Willa Holland (Arrow)
Apparently Willa Holland wanted to leave Arrow for a while. In an interview with TV Line, the show runner Marc Guggenheim mentions that the actress, during season four of the show, requested to be in less episodes. She also mentioned that she would like to leave after the sixth season of the show. At the beginning of season 6, Guggenheim revisited it with Holland, who still wanted to move on. According to the show runner, the writers “wanted to do right by [Holland]” since the actress had always “done right by [them].” It seems like there was respect on both sides, but ultimately Holland decided the role wasn’t for her anymore. Which is fair. Sometimes actors feel the need to move on to different roles and no one can fault them for that.
Adored: Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Legends Of Tomorrow)
The actress loves the show so much, in fact, that she played not one but two parts on it. For quite a while she portrayed Amaya Jiwe, who was eventually returned to her own timeline. Now she portrays Charlie, a shapeshifter who wears Amaya’s face, and has a vastly different personality. Richardson-Sellers describes the character as “the opposite [of Amaya]” and states that the two “would never get along.” Though she adores both characters, she describes Charlie as a character who “really shakes up the energy on the ship.” No doubt that’s fun to play. Charlie is also described as “snarky… cheesy… a bit of a rebel… a massive troublemaker.” Sounds like loads of fun to us. No wonder Richardson-Sellers wanted to portray her.
Adored: China Anne McClain (Black Lightning)
Jennifer Pierce/Lightning loves the show and her role on it. According to McClain,one thing she loves about the show is how realistic it is. The show “tackles the family life first and the realness, and then the superhero stuff. It’s very realistic, and there’s a character for everyone to latch onto and be able to relate to.” Sounds good to us! Fans likely agree with McClain that the reality of the show is what grounds it. In a world of fantastical superheroes, it’s good to have some reality as well. The show’s realism also does make the characters easier to relate to, so it’s a win-win situation for fans. Good for the writers! They’re doing a great job for both the actors and the fans.
Adored: Virginia Gardner (Marvel’s Runaways)
Karolina Dean loves the show and her role in it. When talking about it to Elle, she mentions how good the fan reaction has been to her character. She also talks about what it’s like to be the first gay Marvel superhero. She says that she has “always looked for roles that are standing for something, roles that we need for today.” And Karolina is definitely one of those roles. Gardner also mentions that she feels a sense of responsibility to represent the LGBT+ community and that “that’s why [she loves] it.” She hopes that “[Marvel and Hollywood] keep going in that direction, because it’s so important to have characters that people can look up to and learn from, especially superheroes.”
Adored: Marvin “Krondon” Jones (Black Lightning)
Though his character is a villain, Marvin “Krondon” Jones still loves his role on Black Lightning. One thing that he mentions about his character, Tobias Whale, is that “there is a little bit of him inside of all of us, whether we admit it or not. Whether we give in to it, or not.” And that’s probably true. All of us have our dark sides. Jones also states that “because of our pain and our past, some may try to justify it… but that’s what [he thinks] makes [Tobias] relatable.” And fans likely agree. Though many of us wouldn’t like to think we’re anything like Tobias, we all have our flaws and our dark sides. So we’re probably more like Tobias than we’d like to think.
Adored: Christine Adams (Black Lightning)
Lynn Pierce absolutely loves the show and her role in it. According to the actress herself, she is “basically not wearing any makeup in [her] scenes and that speaks to the authenticity of the show.” Fans likely agree that the show is very authentic and realistic. In fact, that’s one thing that fans love about the show. Adams also states that “the impact [of her natural look] has been huge.” Fans regularly come up to her and talk about how much they love her hair in the show, because of how natural and realistic it is. This bodes well for the series. It is inspiring fans everywhere, and that’s something that only truly great art can do.
Adored: Ariela Barer (Marvel’s Runaways)
Gert Yorkes absolutely loves the show and her role in it. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she states that “just existing and taking up public spaces when you have any identity other than… cis white male is powerful in itself.” And many fans are likely glad for the representation that Gert and Barer provide. Not only is Gert representation for women and people of color, but she is also representation for those with anxiety. In fact, Barer herself had an impact on the plot line because she “wanted to address a way for her to live without her meds for a while, just because for a homeless teenager, it’s not really likely that you would have access to medication.” Fans are likely grateful for the realistic portrayal of the character and Barer likely enjoys having an impact on her character’s plots.
Do you know any other actors on Marvel or DCshows who either adored or regretted their roles? Let us know in the comments!
