Have you ever watched a show and thought, “Hey, I know that guy from somewhere!” only to discover it’s Alan Tudyk transforming into yet another unforgettable character? That’s the magic of this chameleon-like actor who’s been stealing scenes across television for decades.
Currently winning hearts as the hilariously awkward alien-in-disguise on SYFY’s Resident Alien, Tudyk has built an impressive career that spans from cult classics to animated hits.
What makes him so special? Maybe it’s his impeccable comic timing, his ability to make you laugh one minute and break your heart the next, or just that unmistakable Tudyk charm. Whatever it is, we’re here for it!
So grab some popcorn as we count down the 10 best TV shows featuring the one and only Alan Tudyk – trust us, you’re in for a wild ride through some of television’s most entertaining moments.
10. Young Justice (2010-2022)
Let’s kick things off with a show where you can’t even see Alan Tudyk‘s face, but you can definitely feel his presence! In DC‘s animated series Young Justice, Tudyk doesn’t just voice one character – he voices a whole squad of them!
From the straight-shooting Green Arrow to the mind-controlling villain Psimon, Tudyk jumps between characters like he’s changing socks. What’s really impressive is how you’d never know it’s the same guy behind these totally different voices.
Remember Captain Cold? Yep, that was Tudyk too! It’s like playing “Where’s Waldo?” but for voice acting. This series really showcases how Tudyk can create completely distinct personalities using just his vocal cords – a skill that would serve him well throughout his career. While it might not be the role he’s most known for, his work here definitely deserves a spot on our countdown.
9. Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Okay, how many actors can say they spent most of their time on a hit Netflix show as a talking severed head? Not many, but Tudyk absolutely nailed it in Santa Clarita Diet!
His character Gary West starts off as just your average annoying neighbor – you know the type, the kind who makes inappropriate comments at the worst possible moments. But then, in a brilliant twist of fate (and plot), he becomes Drew Barrymore‘s first zombie snack.
Most actors would call it a day after their character gets devoured, but not Gary West! Here’s where things get interesting – in the third season of Santa Clarita Diet, Tudyk took over voicing the severed, decomposing head of Gary West, replacing Nathan Fillion who was busy with his new show The Rookie.
The show cleverly explained Gary’s change in appearance (and voice) with his zombie state deteriorating – now that’s some creative problem-solving! Tudyk stepped into the role seamlessly, delivering some of the funniest lines in the entire series as the increasingly disgusting talking head. The physical comedy alone is worth watching – just imagine trying to act with only your face while pretending to be propped up in various ridiculous situations.
It takes serious talent to make a character more interesting after they’re dead than when they were alive, but that’s exactly what Tudyk pulled off here. The show may not have lasted long, but Tudyk’s Gary certainly left an impression that none of us can forget!
8. The Tick (2017-2019)
Have you ever fallen in love with a boat? No? Well, Alan Tudyk might change your mind with his performance as Dangerboat in Amazon‘s superhero parody The Tick.
This isn’t just any boat – it’s an advanced surveillance vessel with the emotional security of a teenager and a massive crush on Arthur (Griffin Newman). Only Tudyk could make you genuinely care about the feelings of an inanimate object!
What makes this performance so special is how Tudyk manages to convey vulnerability, jealousy, and overprotectiveness using only his voice. You can practically hear Dangerboat blushing during certain scenes! The way he delivers lines like
I don’t distinguish, but can’t a boat be homosexual if the prefix is derived from the Greek word for ‘same’?
should feel weird, but somehow comes across as endearingly awkward instead.
While the show only lasted for two seasons, Tudyk’s performance stands out as a perfect example of how to take what could have been a one-dimensional joke character and give it genuine emotional depth. Plus, let’s be honest – who wouldn’t want Dangerboat as their overprotective friend watching out for them? Just maybe with slightly less surveillance.
7. Dollhouse (2009-2010)
When Joss Whedon calls, Alan Tudyk answers – and thank goodness for that! Their second collaboration, Dollhouse, gave Tudyk the chance to really show his range with one of his most complex roles ever.
Starting off with a seemingly minor part, Tudyk blindsided audiences when he was revealed as the terrifying Alpha – a former “doll” who had the personalities of 48 different people downloaded into his brain at once. Can you imagine the acting challenge there?
One minute he’s charming and calm, the next he’s slicing people up with disturbing precision, all while maintaining this unsettling undercurrent that something’s just not right. The famous scene where he shifts between multiple personalities in seconds still gives us chills!
What makes this performance so incredible is that each personality feels like a completely different person, yet they’re all still part of Alpha. It’s like watching a one-man theater troupe. Though the show itself had a rocky run before being canceled after its second season, Tudyk’s performance remains one of the most memorable aspects of Dollhouse.
6. Rogue One: Andor (2022-Present)
Is there a more perfect line delivery in the entire Star Wars universe than
Jyn. I’ll be there for you. Cassian said I have to.
While K-2SO hasn’t yet appeared in Andor (we’re still waiting, Disney!), the anticipation for Tudyk’s return to this character is exactly why it deserves a spot on this list. Let’s face it – Tudyk’s reprogrammed Imperial security droid stole every scene in Rogue One with his brutal honesty and bone-dry humor.
The chemistry between K-2SO and Diego Luna‘s Cassian Andor was one of the highlights of the film, making fans absolutely giddy when they announced Tudyk would eventually join the prequel series. What’s really remarkable about this performance is how Tudyk created such a memorable character without using his face or body – just his voice and motion-capture work.
He somehow managed to make a metal droid feel more human than most of the actual humans in the Star Wars universe! The way he delivers statistical probabilities with perfect comedic timing still has us laughing years later.
While we’re still waiting for K-2SO to make his appearance in Andor, the confirmed return has fans speculating about how the unlikely friendship between the sarcastic droid and the hardened spy began. That’s the power of Tudyk’s performance – we’re ranking a show appearance that hasn’t even happened yet because we’re that excited to see him return!
5. Con Man (2015-2017)
What do you do when you’ve been part of a sci-fi show that was canceled too soon but developed an obsessive fan following? If you’re Alan Tudyk, you create a hilarious series about exactly that experience!
Con Man is Tudyk’s baby – he wrote, directed, and starred in this semi-autobiographical web series about Wray Nerely, a struggling actor famous for his role on a canceled sci-fi show called Spectrum (sound familiar, Firefly fans?).
The genius of this show is how it lovingly pokes fun at fan convention culture while also celebrating it. Tudyk draws on his real-life post-Firefly experiences, exaggerating them just enough to be hysterically funny without ever feeling mean-spirited.
The show features tons of cameos from his Firefly castmates, including Nathan Fillion as his former co-star who’s gone on to become a massive Hollywood success (art imitating life much?).
Wait for it… #Conmantheseries pic.twitter.com/Of5cET0mil
— Con Man (@ConManSeries) August 4, 2017
What makes this performance special is how Tudyk walks the fine line between comedy and pathos – Wray’s frustration at being typecast is played for laughs, but there’s an underlying truth that gives the character real dimension.
Plus, where else can you see Tudyk deal with rabid fans, eccentric fellow celebrities, and the indignities of sci-fi convention bathrooms all in one show? Con Man gives us a glimpse into Tudyk’s own relationship with fame, making it one of his most personal and entertaining projects to date.
4. Harley Quinn (2019-Present)
Did you know Alan Tudyk voices not just one but multiple characters in DC’s adult animated series Harley Quinn? Talk about getting your money’s worth! His main character, Clayface, is absolutely one of the most delightful parts of this already fantastic show.
Imagine the most overly dramatic, constantly auditioning, method actor you’ve ever met, then give him the ability to shapeshift, and you’ve got Tudyk’s Clayface. His pompous delivery of his lines never fails to have us in stitches.
But that’s not all – Tudyk also voices the Joker, giving us a fresh take on the iconic villain that somehow stands out in a crowded field of legendary Joker performances. And just when you think that’s impressive enough, he also voices Calendar Man, Doctor Trap, and a handful of other characters, each with completely different vocal qualities.
The real magic here is how Tudyk manages to make each character distinct – you’d never guess they’re all coming from the same person. His Clayface in particular has become a fan favorite, with his constant need to insert himself into situations with theatrical flair providing some of the show’s best running gags. It’s voice acting at its finest, and proof that Tudyk doesn’t need to be on camera to steal the show.
3. Doom Patrol (2019-2023)
Have you ever seen a villain so deliciously unhinged that you can’t help but root for them a little? That’s exactly what Tudyk gave us with Mr. Nobody in Doom Patrol. This wasn’t just any villain role – Tudyk played a fourth-wall-breaking, reality-warping, existential nightmare who also happens to be the show’s narrator. Talk about a tall order!
The way Tudyk addresses the audience directly, mocking superhero tropes while simultaneously embracing the absurdity of the DC universe, is nothing short of brilliant. He delivers lines with such gleeful malice that you can tell he’s having the time of his life in this role.
What makes this performance truly special is how Tudyk balances genuine menace with bizarre comedy – one minute he’s terrifying, the next he’s hilariously petty about past slights. The backstory scene where we learn how Eric Morden became Mr. Nobody showcases Tudyk’s ability to transition from vulnerable to psychotic in a heartbeat.
Though his role decreased after the wonderfully weird first season (a crime, honestly), his impact on the series can’t be overstated. He essentially set the tone for what would become one of DC’s most unique and critically acclaimed shows. If you want to see Tudyk at his most maniacally creative, look no further than his turn as the reality-bending Mr. Nobody.
2. Resident Alien (2021-Present)
Remember when we said Alan Tudyk was a chameleon? Well, in Resident Alien, he’s literally playing an alien trying to be a human – and it’s absolute television gold! As Harry Vanderspeigle (or rather, the alien who murdered the real Harry and stole his identity), Tudyk delivers what might be the performance of his career.
Just watch the way he moves – that slightly off-kilter walk, the head tilts when he’s confused by human behavior, the too-wide smile that never quite reaches his eyes. It’s physical comedy perfection!
What makes this role so special is how it capitalizes on everything Tudyk does best. His alien Harry is simultaneously hilarious, endearing, and slightly terrifying as he navigates small-town life while harboring a secret mission to destroy humanity. The way he delivers simple lines with deadpan seriousness never gets old.
But it’s not just comedy – Tudyk also brings surprising depth to Harry as the alien gradually develops connections with the humans he’s supposed to eliminate. You can actually see the internal struggle playing out on his face as he fights against growing attachments.
The show has become SYFY’s biggest hit in years, and it’s largely thanks to Tudyk’s committed, multi-layered performance. There’s something so ridiculously entertaining about watching an alien try to figure out how to laugh properly or understand why humans care about each other. If you haven’t watched Resident Alien yet, you’re seriously missing out on what might be Tudyk’s most perfect role to date.
1. Firefly (2002-2003)
As Hoban “Wash” Washburne, the Hawaiian-shirt-wearing, dinosaur-toy-playing pilot of the Serenity, Tudyk created a character so beloved that fans are still not over his fate in the follow-up film Serenity more than 20 years later.
What made Wash so special? He was the heart and humor of the crew – the normal guy surrounded by tough warriors and criminals, yet never out of place. Tudyk brought an every-man quality to Wash that made him instantly relatable, while still making you believe this was a man skilled enough to fly impossible maneuvers through space.
His relationship with Gina Torres‘ Zoe gave us one of TV’s most authentic and chemistry-filled marriages – they felt like a real couple who had history, inside jokes, and genuine love for each other.
Despite Firefly being tragically canceled after just 14 episodes (we’re still not over it, Fox!), Tudyk’s performance as Wash remains his most iconic television role. The way he balanced comedy with genuine emotional depth created a character that continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
When people talk about why Firefly inspired such passionate devotion, Tudyk’s perfect portrayal of Wash is always part of the conversation. If you somehow haven’t seen Firefly yet, what are you even doing reading this list? Go watch it right now – we promise you’ll fall in love with Wash just like the rest of us did.
Honorable mentions
We could honestly talk about Alan Tudyk all day (and night), but we had to draw the line somewhere! Some other fantastic Tudyk TV appearances that just missed our top 10 include his role as the painfully awkward Pastor Veal in Arrested Development – his scenes with David Cross are comedy gold.
Then there’s his regular role as Dr. Noah Werner in Suburgatory, where he played a status-obsessed suburban doctor with surprising heart. Animation fans will recognize his voice work as King Butterfly and Ludo in Star vs. the Forces of Evil, where he once again showed his incredible vocal range.
Alan Tudyk DC roles
My favourite of the bunch is definitely Young justice Green Arrow pic.twitter.com/UEqZXqBStT
— D🅰️hz🅰️n (@D4hz4hn) September 5, 2024
We also can’t forget his appearances in Big Hero 6: The Series as Krei, his various voices on Robot Chicken, and his brilliantly weird turn as the villainous King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph (okay, that last one’s a movie, but we couldn’t help ourselves).
The man simply doesn’t know how to give a bad performance, whether you can see his face or just hear his voice!
What’s next for Alan Tudyk?
With Resident Alien continuing to win over critics and audiences alike, Tudyk’s stellar TV career shows no signs of slowing down. We’re still waiting (not so patiently) for K-2SO to make his appearance in Andor Season 2, and rumor has it Tudyk has more voice acting projects in the pipeline. One thing’s for certain – whatever show he pops up in next, we’ll be watching!
There’s something special about an actor who can move effortlessly between live-action and voice roles, between drama and comedy, between hero and villain, all while bringing that unique Tudyk charm to every performance.
Whether he’s playing humans, aliens, droids, or talking boats, his ability to find the humanity and humor in every character ensures that whatever he does next will be worth our time. We just hope he keeps those Hawaiian shirts handy, just in case a Firefly revival ever happens (a fan can dream, right?).
What’s your favorite Alan Tudyk TV role? Are there any performances we missed that you think deserve recognition? Let us know in the comments below – we’re always ready to talk more about this incredibly versatile actor!
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