This week's news that Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff is bringing her brand of blond steel to 24 next season got me thinking. (No, not about THAT.) About how Battlestar, pound for pound, probably had the strongest ensemble cast of the past decade. Oscar-nominees (Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell), talented newcomers (Grace Park, Tahmoh Penikett, Tricia Helfer), seasoned veterans (Michael Hogan, Richard Hatch), and complete surprises (Sackhoff, James Callis) — while the writing on Battlestar Galactica was indeed the strength of the base of the pillar, the ensemble is what gave that pillar its height.
Given that assembly of talent, it's no wonder that people are being drafted for meaty roles: Penikett on Dollhouse, Helfer's run on Burn Notice, and now Sackhoff giving Kiefer Sutherland a run for his money.
But BSG isn't alone in building a powerful company of players: The Wire clan is incredibly strong, as was The West Wing's extended family, The Sopranos' brothers in arms, and Oz's inmates.
Who's your favorite ensemble cast? And who from that cast would you like to see on a more regular basis? (No, not like THAT.)
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I love the West Wing’s ensemble. They all played off of each other wonderfully. The reruns on Bravo are now a part of my morning routine! And also Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They may not have won any awards, but they were great! Dawn may have been whiny alot of the time, but I can’t really think of any other recurring or main characters that weren’t good during the series.
In the last ten years? No, that would be The West Wing.
Chuck
Cold Case
Name a useless member of the Arrested Development clan. Can’t? Duh. Of course you can’t.
I agree…BSG. I love seeing the cast in other roles. But where’s James Callis?
Six Feet Under and Arrested Development
Weeds! And Lost.
Buffy’s core 4 – Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Giles. Their chemistry grounded the fantasy and comedy with what always felt like genuine friendships.
Six Feet Under
LOST, The Office, Breaking Bad
I love BSG’s cast. But I also believe that the cast of Lost is incredibly strong. Granted they have a lot to work with because of the story lines. I also think the casts of The Office and Ugly Betty both have amazing chemistry.
Mad men, damages. 24, true blood, dollhouse, battlestar, life on mars, how I met your mother, big bang, better off ted and LOST!
Arrested Development. And 30 Rock’s leads get all the attention, but the ensemble really makes it what it is, as much of the show’s charm comes from secondaries like Grizz, Dotcom, and Jonathan walking through a scene with just the right timing and line.
I for one thought Jamie Bamber’s towel was the best member of the cast. That performance moved me.
Best ensemble cast ever? No question. The cast of Six Feet Under. First runner-up: Alias. Second: West Wing. Third: Weeds.
Gotta be Lost. Skins (first generation), Pushing Daisies, Weeds, and Friday Night Lights deserve honorable mentions, though.
Chuck
How I Met Your Mother
’nuff said.
LOST, Chuck, and Burn Notice
Best ensemble cast: The Office. There is no weak link on that show.
How about LOST? Its cast is made up of veteran actors and rookie actors alike. They are all talented. They work with what they are given. They can all have a long career in Hollywood. Sure, several actors (and their characters) stand out, such as Michael Emerson, Terry O’Quinn, Henry Ian Cusick, Elizabeth Mitchell, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Matthew Fox, Jorge Garcia, and Naveen Andrews. Overall, the diversity and the collective and individual talent of the LOST cast makes it a great ensemble.
To me, a great ensemble cast involves a large and diverse cast where every single actor performs a specific role well, and there are no weak links at all. As much as I love Lost as possibly the best show ever, it’s not due to consistent acting. The actors don’t have clear roles, some have seemed extraneous. There are great performances (Emerson, O’Quinn), but also weaker actors (Fox, Lilly). So I can’t consider Lost to be the best ensemble. Other considerations
-Weeds: too dependent on its excellent lead
-HIMYM: cast is just too small, though excellent
-30 Rock: Great ensemble, but they simply don’t get enough airtime, just too focused on the two leads.
-Friday Night Lights: Up there as one of the best ensembles ever, everyone has a role, and plays it well, with several standout roles. With stunning writing, I’d consider it second best of shows I’ve seen to…
-Arrested Development: Undeniable-large cast, everyone fills a role spectacularly. Really, nothing more to say.
Deadwood and Carnivale had the best ensembles by far. It’s sad that both were cancelled before their time.
-Lost
-The Big Bang Theory (you could tell they all love working together)
Deadwood and Carnivale had the best ensembles by far. It’s sad that both were cancelled before their time.
The West Wing and Friday Night Lights are my top two, although if we can count miniseries Band of Brothers would also be up there for me. Also, you forgot Jamie Bamber in the BSG cast list, who in certainly not forgettable in my book.
Six Feet Under, Arrested Dveleopment
I would agree on Buffy The Vampire Slayer- Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, Giles. Then throw in Oz, Tara, Anya, Angel and you have characters that have a life outside of just being supporting actors. They’re a living breathing unit. Great cast!
Gotta go with Buffy, SATC, The Office, Friends, Friday Night Lights, Seinfeld, and The Sopranos. Of the shows still in production the cast of The Office is absolutely amazing and I would love love love more John Krasinski!!!!!!