Top 10 Nathan Fillion Movie & TV Roles, According To IMDb

Nathan Fillion has starred and guest-starred in many popular and iconic television shows and films throughout his career. However, he is probably best known for his leading role as Malcolm Reynolds in the short-lived Firefly series.

Fillion has also starred in Castle as Richard Castle, an author who joins the local police department to get new ideas for his books. The actor has shown both his dramatic and comedic acting skills in his roles. He has also done several cameos and has voice acted in shows as well making his filmography diverse.

10 Serenity (2005) – 7.8

Serenity was a film that followed the main and supporting characters from the Firefly television series and continued their story. The film follows the familiar rebels as they run away from the Alliance who are hunting down River Tam after her brother Simon saved her. The film also delves into the lore of the Firefly universe.

9 Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019) – 7.8

Nathan Fillion has a recurring role on the Netflix comedic zombie series Santa Clarita Diet as one of Sheila’s (Drew Barrymore) victims. He is killed early on and Sheila and husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant) have to cover up his death and try to continue to solve Sheila’s recent zombification while also living a normal life amongst their neighbors and daughter in the suburbs. He comes back in the second season as a zombified head that Sheila and Joel take care of because they feel bad for killing him.

8 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – 8.0

Nathan Fillion had a small cameo in the Guardians of the Galaxy as a prisoner who tries to intimidate Peter Quill (Chris Pratt). He is unrecognizable and changes his voice throughout the short scene, but it’s Fillion.

Quill’s new friends, Rocket and Groot, quickly come to his aid and Groot uses his tree roots to make the alien tough guy stand down.

7 Castle (2009–2016) – 8.1

Nathan Fillion starred in this series as a writer who began to follow the local police department during cases to get new ideas for his stories. He quickly becomes friends with the officers he works with, although it takes a while for partner Beckett to accept him, and he is actually able to help them solve cases. It’s a fun show that mixes comedy and serious police procedural well with drama and mystery.

6 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013– ) – 8.4

Nathan Fillion guest-starred on one episode of the popular series Brooklyn Nine-Nine as an actor within the show. His character acts on a detective show that Jake and Rosa are obsessed with and happy to be working a robbery case on the set of their show and meeting one of their favorite actors portrayed by Fillion. Fillion’s actor tries to help with the case even though he’s not a real detective and the guest spot feels reminiscent of Castle. 

5 Community (2009–2015) – 8.5

Nathan Fillion was one of many guest stars who appeared in Community throughout the series and appeared in multiple episodes. He portrayed the head custodian at Greendale and acts as the political head for the whole department and isn’t afraid to make deals to get what he and his co-workers want within the Greendale system. Although he was only in a few episodes he made a funny impression as the lead custodian.

4 Saving Private Ryan (1998) – 8.6

Saving Private Ryan is a highly regarded World War II film, praised for its realistic and powerful approach to humanizing its characters while also presenting the violent dehumanization of war. A group of Allied soldiers goes on a mission to find Private James Ryan to inform him that his three brothers have been killed and send him home to his grieving family. Nathan Fillion only has a small role in the film, but it’s impactful. Fillion is Private Ryan, but he turns out not to be the Private Ryan the group is looking for.

3 Gravity Falls (2012–2016) – 8.9

Nathan Fillion guest-starred multiple times on the well-received Disney channel show Gravity Falls. The show followed twins Dipper and Mabel as they go to live with their Great Uncle Stan for the summer in the odd and quirky town of Gravity Falls. Mabel finds a rival in a local girl, Pacifica Northwest, who starts the show as a spoiled rich brat who gets upset when she doesn’t get what she wants. Nathan Fillion voices Pacifica’s father, Preston Northwest.

2 Firefly (2002–2003) – 9.0

Firefly was a space western show that followed a large cast of characters with wonderfully unique personalities as they traveled in space taking on odd jobs to survive in the dystopian future. Fillion stars as the charismatic and quick-witted leader Malcolm Reynolds.

The show was beloved for its quick dialogue, character-driven stories, and intriguing plotlines throughout its short run.

1 Rick And Morty (2013– ) – 9.2

Nathan Fillion voices Cornvelious Daniel in one of the fan-favorite episodes of the popular show Rick and Morty. Daniel is sent inside Rick’s brain to try and figure out how Rick’s portal gun works so he and his people can use the technology. It seems that Daniel might have bested Rick, but because it’s Rick of course he has a plan and tricks Daniel. The episode is highly regarded and Nathan Fillion’s guest-starring role has a lot to do with it.

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