Hollywood's Silver Linings: Why Stars are Flocking to TV
In a surprise twist, the silver screen's biggest stars are trading in their Oscars for Emmy nominations. Paramount's 1923 and Apple TV+ series Shrinking feature Hollywood legends Harrison Ford and Jason Segel in lead roles, showcasing that age is just a number when it comes to stardom.
The trend of A-list actors gravitating towards television is nothing new, but recent years have seen a surge in high-profile talent joining the small screen. Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Collins made waves in the 1980s by trading in film for TV, with Collins going on to become an iconic figure in Dynasty's world of wealthy scheming. Conversely, Charlton Heston's ill-fated stint in Dynasty spin-off The Colbys spelled the end of his acting career.
Fast-forward to today, and we see a different landscape where A-listers are flocking to TV for a range of roles. Meryl Streep has taken on complex characters in Big Little Lies and Only Murders in the Building, while Gary Oldman has traded in his action hero credentials for a turn as an ageing spook in Slow Horses.
Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone and Landman have become go-to destinations for Hollywood heavyweights looking to reignite their careers. Sheridan seems determined to lure veteran male actors out of retirement with projects like Shrinking and 1923, which feature Ford in roles that showcase his age and vulnerability.
The trend is far from altruistic, as it offers a more lucrative option for aging stars than their dwindling film careers. The financial hit of Covid-19 and the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes has left the movie industry reeling, with budget cuts and declining box office revenues forcing A-listers to look elsewhere.
However, this shift in talent has brought benefits for TV shows, which can now tap into a wealth of gravitas and experience from their cast members. With streaming services offering viewers a range of options beyond the multiplex, it's never been easier for older actors to develop complex characters and take on meaty roles that would be hard to find in film.
As Fiona Sturges notes, there's much to be gloomy about in the creative industries, but this is a golden age for pensionable actors seeking fresh glories and a third act. With talent pouring into TV shows from Hollywood's biggest stars, one thing is certain – it's never been more exciting (or challenging) to watch television.
In a surprise twist, the silver screen's biggest stars are trading in their Oscars for Emmy nominations. Paramount's 1923 and Apple TV+ series Shrinking feature Hollywood legends Harrison Ford and Jason Segel in lead roles, showcasing that age is just a number when it comes to stardom.
The trend of A-list actors gravitating towards television is nothing new, but recent years have seen a surge in high-profile talent joining the small screen. Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Collins made waves in the 1980s by trading in film for TV, with Collins going on to become an iconic figure in Dynasty's world of wealthy scheming. Conversely, Charlton Heston's ill-fated stint in Dynasty spin-off The Colbys spelled the end of his acting career.
Fast-forward to today, and we see a different landscape where A-listers are flocking to TV for a range of roles. Meryl Streep has taken on complex characters in Big Little Lies and Only Murders in the Building, while Gary Oldman has traded in his action hero credentials for a turn as an ageing spook in Slow Horses.
Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone and Landman have become go-to destinations for Hollywood heavyweights looking to reignite their careers. Sheridan seems determined to lure veteran male actors out of retirement with projects like Shrinking and 1923, which feature Ford in roles that showcase his age and vulnerability.
The trend is far from altruistic, as it offers a more lucrative option for aging stars than their dwindling film careers. The financial hit of Covid-19 and the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes has left the movie industry reeling, with budget cuts and declining box office revenues forcing A-listers to look elsewhere.
However, this shift in talent has brought benefits for TV shows, which can now tap into a wealth of gravitas and experience from their cast members. With streaming services offering viewers a range of options beyond the multiplex, it's never been easier for older actors to develop complex characters and take on meaty roles that would be hard to find in film.
As Fiona Sturges notes, there's much to be gloomy about in the creative industries, but this is a golden age for pensionable actors seeking fresh glories and a third act. With talent pouring into TV shows from Hollywood's biggest stars, one thing is certain – it's never been more exciting (or challenging) to watch television.
! I mean, who wouldn't want to see The Force Awakens' hero going from action-hero mode to playing a complex lead in Shrinking 
? And the thing is, its not just about being older and wiser (although that does help 
). These A-listers are pushing themselves creatively on TV shows like Yellowstone & Slow Horses. It's like they're proving age is just a number, right? 
. It's about time we saw some aging stars take on roles that aren't just "the old guy" or "the wise mentor". I mean, can you imagine if this trend happened in the 80s when Joan Collins was still getting her acting chops... she might've actually lived to see more of Dynasty 
. Anyway, with streaming services making TV a more viable option for aging stars, I'm excited to see what's next - and hopefully some decent storytelling too 
And let's be real, TV shows need people with experience and gravitas on their teams. It's not all about the benjamins, it's about tellin' stories that matter too! 
plus with streaming services people got the power now they can choose from so many sick shows and pick their fave actors to watch on tv
. I mean, who doesn't love seeing Harrison Ford in a role that shows off his range? 
so I just looked up the data on net worth for these actors who are making the switch to TV and OMG some of them are raking it in! 
like Harrison Ford's salary for Shrinking alone is $25M per episode 
and Jason Segel's deal for 1923 is a whopping $20M per year 
Taylor Sheridan's got some magic formula going on here! 
like the average cost per episode for a new series is $3-4M whereas a big-budget film can cost upwards of $100M 
... I mean, don't get me wrong, some of them are actually pretty good in their new roles 
. Can't they do something more original?
.
... although, let's be real, who wouldn't want to? 
The only downside is that TV shows are going to get a lot more 'veteran' and less 'edgy'. Just my two cents 
and I love that we're seeing older actors bringing depth & nuance to their roles on TV. it's not just about the money either, but also about giving these talented folks a chance to showcase their range & versatility. like meryl streep in big little lies - iconic 