Jensen Ackles’ High 8 TV Characters Ranked: #1 Could Shock You

Jensen Ackles has made his mark on tv via his greatest characters, because the actor stands out in each TV present he is in. Whether or not they’re heroes or villains, the characters the actor portrays in Ackles’ best movies and TV shows are elevated by the actor’s inherent charisma and the dedication he brings to every function. Although we like to see him as the great man, Ackles is simply as able to being morally ambiguous and even evil.

Beau Arlen – Large Sky (2020–2023)

Ackles’ character in Large Sky, Beau Arlen, takes middle stage within the sequence’ third and last season, but it surely’s value watching each installment of the present to get there. Operating for 3 seasons on ABC, Large Sky introduced the e-book sequence The Freeway to life, grappling with crime and drama in Montana.

Beau seems in season 2, and Ackles is a welcome addition to the forged, changing into the interim Sheriff and giving his all to defending the group. He works nicely with Katheryn Winnick’s Jenny Hoyt, who serves because the protagonist of the sequence, and rapidly finds a distinct segment for himself throughout the thriller present, and is an emotional anchor within the episodes main as much as the sequence finale.

It is simple to like Beau all through Large Sky season 3, and if the sequence has returned for a fourth season, we might’ve wished to see much more from Beau. There are parts of Beau that may remind followers of his earlier work, and it is sensible that Large Sky would faucet him for the function of Beau, because the present solely acquired stronger because the seasons progressed.

Ben & Alec McDowell – Darkish Angel

For many of his time on Darkish Angel, the short-lived however iconic science fiction sequence, Ackles performs Alec, one of many transgenic supersoldiers who populate the forged of Darkish Angel. Nonetheless, he additionally briefly seems as Alec’s clone, Ben, who can also be an X5, however has a a lot darker story arc, giving Ackles the prospect to dig into many attention-grabbing sides of the characters.

Darkish Angel might need solely run for 2 seasons, but it surely’s thought of a cult basic throughout the sci-fi style as we speak. Co-created by James Cameron, a filmmaker recognized for his bold tasks and big set items, Darkish Angel is as richly advanced and compelling as followers of the director would anticipate. With Jessica Alba starring as Max, one other X5, Darkish Angel is filled with iconic actors.

The connection between Alec and Max and their want to return to phrases with their pasts as genetically engineered people, and the opposite youngsters who suffered the identical destiny. In Darkish Angel, audiences can see how this challenge and Ackles’ work as Alec would come to affect his later, extra well-known, work within the speculative fiction style.

C.J. Braxton – Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003)

So far as teen heartthrobs go, it is sensible that Ackles was tapped to be one among them in Dawson’s Creek, even when it was just for a single season. Dawson’s Creek is a TV show that defined the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly throughout the teen drama style. Between the love triangles and really particular episodes, the sequence remains to be a basic as we speak.

Ackles’ character, C.J., joined the forged as a recurring character in season 6, as a love curiosity for Jen, and Ackles proves himself to have robust chemistry with Michelle Williams. Nonetheless, C.J. was a controversial character on Dawson’s Creek​​​​​​, as he was very hot-and-cold with Jen, and did not appear to have a robust understanding of what he wished, making it arduous for him to decide to others.

After all, one of the best relationships on Dawson’s Creek revolved across the Pacey, Joey, and Dawson love-triangle, so the arc between C.J. and Jen wasn’t probably the most compelling on the sequence’ last season. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable to revisit Dawson’s Creek and see the younger Ackles be a part of a present that is so firmly rooted in actuality.

Mark Meachum – Countdown (2025–Current)

Within the years since Supernatural ended, Ackles has primarily been forged in recurring or supporting roles in his new TV exhibits. Nonetheless, Countdown is notable as a result of it facilities on the actor because the protagonist, Detective Mark Meachum​​​​​, who’s tapped to be a part of a process pressure in Los Angeles following the demise of a Homeland Safety officer.

The motion sequence is one among Prime Video’s newest makes an attempt to seize the magic of tasks like Reacher and capitalize on the momentum of those thrilling exhibits that revolve round crime and conspiracy. Since Ackles has loads of expertise with battle choreography and felony investigations onscreen, he seamlessly suits into the world of Countdown​​​​​​.

Although Countdown has confronted some criticism for being repetitive and formulaic, it scratches an itch and is a present that is straightforward to look at with out being boring. Meachum is not probably the most advanced character that Ackles has ever performed, however he nonetheless brings his attribute charisma and high-energy efficiency to every episode of Countdown. Hopefully, Countdown shall be renewed for season 2 quickly.

Russell Shaw – Tracker (2024–Current)

Within the years since Supernatural ended, Ackles has constantly acted in action-adventure exhibits that permit him to embrace critical, dramatic roles. In Tracker, each episode that options Ackles is a thrill for audiences, as Russell fulfills a compelling area of interest as Colter’s brother, and their dynamic provides a component of stress to the story.

Justin Hartley leads the forged of Tracker as Colter, and whereas the viewers can see that he is an skilled survivalist and excels at discovering people who find themselves lacking, his backstory is likely one of the most attention-grabbing elements of the present. By bringing his brother, Russell, into the fold, Tracker will get to dig into the character-driven drama of the story.

Jensen Ackles will return in Tracker season 3, and this bodes nicely for his continued presence within the sequence. Tracker places an efficient twist on the procedural style, and Ackles has loads of expertise inside this area of interest of tv, permitting him to navigate the character Russell with ease, making the viewers immediately join with him. The brotherly relationship between Russell and Colter is one which Ackles is aware of nicely.

Jason Teague – Smallville (2001–2011)

Like many different actors who be a part of TV exhibits on the CW, Ackles appeared in multiple sequence on the community, together with his work as Jason on Smallville being one among his extra advanced characters. Launched in season 4 as a love curiosity for Lana and each a good friend and rival for Clark, Jason turns into one thing of a villain earlier than he in the end leaves the present.

Nonetheless, followers of Smallville may know that Ackles was nearly forged as Clark Kent when the present was in its infancy (by way of Collider). Smallville would’ve been a really completely different sequence if Ackles had performed the younger Superman as a substitute of Tom Welling. Nonetheless, it is lucky that Ackles did get to depart his mark on the present ultimately.

Jason got here on the scene when Smallville was evolving, as Clark was in his last yr of highschool, Lois was additionally launched this season, and Clark is inching towards embracing his future as Superman. Although Ackles would go away the present as a result of he was forged in Supernatural, this does not make his time on Smallville any much less memorable.

Soldier Boy – The Boys (2019–Current)

As The Boys season 5 approaches, it is thrilling to suppose that Ackles will quickly be again on our screens as Soldier Boy, among the finest characters launched after season 1. It is sensible that the creator of The Boys, Eric Kripke, would need to collaborate with Ackles once more, because the pair had labored collectively prior to now.

Nonetheless, Soldier Boy is not like another character we have seen Ackles painting. The Boys is well-known for its gore, violence, and darkish themes, and Soldier Boy is not any exception to those tendencies. With a harrowing backstory and a risky character that triggers using his appreciable powers, Soldier Boy bounces between a tentative ally and a villain in want of suppressing within the narrative.

Whereas Soldier Boy is not precisely likable, he is one of the vital attention-grabbing characters in The Boys, and brings the battle between the Boys and Homelander to the subsequent degree. Since many followers of Ackles sometimes affiliate him with the gruff however in the end kind-hearted hero archetype, seeing him so flawed and harmful is partaking and a enjoyable problem for Ackles.

Dean Winchester – Supernatural (2005–2020)

If there’s one character with whom Ackles will all the time be related, it is Dean Winchester. Humorous, charming, and fiercely loyal to the top, it is unattainable to not fall in love with Dean all through Supernatural‘s groundbreaking fifteen seasons. Watching Dean evolve over time, however by no means lose the elements of himself that made him distinctive, was made doable because of Ackles’ efficiency.

There’ll never be another show like Supernatural, and a big a part of why is the chemistry and dynamic between Ackles and his co-star, Jared Padalecki. Whereas Sam Winchester is as attention-grabbing and complicated a personality as Dean, the older Winchester brother will get to be rather less critical and have enjoyable together with his work as a hunter.

There could be no Ackles with out Supernatural​​​​​​, and vice versa, because the TV present and actor grew up collectively, establishing themselves as inextricably linked. Although enjoying the identical character for fifteen years could be troublesome for performers, the truth that it was Dean gave Jensen Ackles the chance to turn out to be the actor he’s as we speak.