10 unforgettable John Noble movies and TV shows you need to see

John Noble is an Australian actor who is famously known for playing the role of Denethor in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The actor has played various acclaimed roles in movies and TV shows like Sleepy Hollow, Elementary, The Mule, and others, and is known for portraying authoritarian roles that are morally ambiguous.

Noble is also known for his deep voice and has therefore also lent his voice in several animated and video game projects like Batman: Arkham Knight game, the Transformers: Prime series, and others. Here is a list of 10 of his best performances on TV and the big screen.

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Lord of the Rings, Severance, and other movies and shows featuring John Noble

1. The Mule

Directed by Tony Mahony and Angus Sampson, this Australian black comedy and crime drama features Hugo Weaving, John Noble, and others. The movie is about a television repairman, Ray Jenkins (Angus Sampson), who is requested by his friend, Gavin (Leigh Whannell), to transport heroin on his return flight from Thailand to Australia. Gavin has to do this because he works for a local property owner and crime lord, Pat Shepherd (Noble).

Now, Ray has to put the drugs in his body and avoid being caught by the authorities. The movie abounds with dark humor, and John Noble embodies the character of a corrupt crime lord who wants his drugs at any cost. The actor perfectly portrays the street-smart villainous character of Shephard, who has all the vile qualities of ruthlessness and greed. The movie proves Noble’s range as he is able to prove his acting prowess in both gritty crime dramas and settings with dark humor.

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2. Severance

Starring Adam Scott, Britt Lower, John Noble, and others, this science fiction and dystopian thriller series is created by Dan Erickson and produced and primarily directed by Ben Stiller.

The show has gained critical acclaim and love from viewers as it focuses on a group of employees in a biotechnology corporation, Lumon, which requires its employees to undergo a “severance” procedure that results in two personalities for each employee. The procedure makes it possible for people to forget the outside world while at work and the workplace while on the outside.

John Noble entered the show in season two and plays the role of Fields, who is a mysterious but dangerous figure in the shady businesses of Lumon. Noble embodies the character of a dedicated figure of authority who stops at nothing to protect the company. Noble once again proves that he can handle flawed characters with intensity and dedication, and the actor offers an intensity that heightens the tense atmosphere of the show.

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3. Fringe

Created by JJ Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and starring Anna Torv, John Noble, Joshua Jackson, and others, this science fiction series aired for five seasons from 2008 to 2013 and revolved around an FBI agent Olivia (Torv), a genius but dysfunctional scientist Walter (Noble), and his son with trauma from his past Peter (Jackson).

The show focused on these three characters as they become members of a Fringe division in the FBI and have to use experimental science to investigate a series of supernatural occurrences. The show had themes of parallel universe and mythology, and after an initial lukewarm response, the show has developed a cult following.

John Noble delivers a career-defining performance as Walter Bishop, who holds the trio together and is a complex character haunted by his past mistakes. Noble embodies the character's complexities and layers and expresses his character’s tragic yet lovable persona. Noble also provides humor through Walter and proves that he has the ability to excel in comedy as well. The actor even won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for his outstanding portrayal of Walter.

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4. Salvation

Starring Jennifer Finnigan, Charlie Rowe, John Noble, and others, this science fiction thriller was created by Liz Kruger, Craig Shapiro, and Matt Wheeler. The show is about different groups of people trying to survive to the best of their abilities after the news breaks that an asteroid is about to hit the Earth in six months.

The show focuses on the repercussions on human society because of such an event and has layered characters. The show has high-stakes drama and is full of suspense. Amidst all the chaos, a tech billionaire and a young scientist try to race against time to work with the US government and prevent the impending doom.

John Noble plays the role of Nicholas Tanz, who is the morally ambiguous yet charming father of Darius Tanz, one of the protagonists. Noble plays a mysterious yet regal character and once again taps into his excellence in playing characters with villainous tendencies. The actor exudes power for the role and steals the screen with his superior presence and enigma.

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5. Twilight of the Gods

Created by Zack Snyder, Jay Oliva, and Eric Carrasco, this adult animated series features the voices of Sylvia Hoeks, Stuart Martin, John Noble, and others. The animated show is based on Norse mythology and focuses on Sigrid (Hoeks), who is half human and half Jotunn, and is a warrior. She swears revenge when Thor, the god of thunder, destroys her wedding and kills her clan.

John Noble is known for his distinctively deep voice, and he has therefore expanded his canon by venturing into animated and video game projects. This show is one example of how the actor majestically portrays the role of Odin, who is the father of Norse mythology. The role is perfect for him, as he is known for playing troubled leaders, and his deep baritone adds gravitas to the character. Noble is able to express the various character traits of resilience, anguish, and strategy through his voice.

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6. Fracture

Directed by Larry Parr and starring Kate Elliott, John Noble, and others, this New Zealand drama movie is based on a novel by Maurice Gee.

The movie was a commercial and critical success and focuses on a young mother, Leanne (Elliott), who loves her son but is also emotionally divided because of her love for her brother (Jared Truner). She also has a broken relationship with her fundamentalist mother. However, when Leanne’s brother, Brent, causes a woman’s neck to be broken, Leanne has to fight between her love for her brother and the right thing to do.

John Noble plays the role of Howard Peet, who is a businessman and has his own family troubles. Noble portrays the emotional conflicts of his character perfectly, and it is one of the underrated movies in his canon. Noble’s character Peet must propel his business forward while also dealing with his son’s impending trial for fraud and his other son’s separation from his wife. The actor, therefore, portrays the emotional complexities of his character with elan.

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7. The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Based on the novel of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien, the epic fantasy adventure movie franchise is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful trilogy of movies. Directed by Peter Jackson and starring an ensemble cast of Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, and others.

The movie series is set in the fictional Middle Earth and focuses on the hobbit Frodo and the Company of the Ring, who venture into various adventures to destroy the One Ring and defeat its maker, the evil Lord Sauron.

John Noble plays the role of Denethor in all three movies, and it is one of the most famous roles in his career. The actor brings a Shakesperean magnificence to his character, who is an emotionally traumatized Steward of Gondor. The actor embodies the rich complexities of his character and lends a magnificence and emotional weight to his role. Noble delivers a memorable performance and steals the screen with his portrayal in the movie series.

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8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

Directed by Michael Chaves and starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, John Noble, and others, this supernatural horror movie is a part of The Conjuring universe. It is based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson and a book about the trial by Gerald Brittle.

The movie focuses on Arne, who stabs and kills his landlord and claims that he was under demonic possession. Farmiga and Wilson play the roles of Lorraine and Ed Warren, who investigate the case and try to prove Arne’s innocence.

John Noble plays the role of Father Kastner in the movie, and his character also has dark secrets. The actor delivers a stellar performance as an anguished former Priest and proves that he is effective in the horror genre as well. Noble’s character is complex, and like many of his other characters, Noble is able to portray a troubled leader with brilliance. The actor’s role adds suspense and emotional depth to the movie as Kastner deals with moral conflict.

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9. Sleepy Hollow

Starring Tom Mison, John Noble, Nicole Beharie, and others, this supernatural drama series aired from 2013 to 2017 and is based on the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.

Created by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Len Wiseman, and Philip Iscove, the show is about Ichabod Crane (Mison), who shoots and beheads a horseman in the 18th century and awakens in 2013 to find out that he and the horseman have returned. He must now unravel an ancient mystery and stop the headless horseman from creating carnage.

John Noble plays the role of Henry Parrish, who is initially an ally of Crane but has darker secrets buried within him. Like his other roles, Noble proves his mettle by playing a morally conflicted character who is a tragic figure torn between family and fate. The actor has a defining screen presence in the series, and his performance is complex and layered. Noble’s character Parrish descends from goodness to villainy, and Noble is able to expertly portray this transformation.

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10. Elementary

Based on author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes, this procedural drama features Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes, Lucy Liu as Dr Joan Watson, and John Noble as Morland Holmes. The show aired from 2015 to 2019 and received positive reviews for its performances and plot.

The show focuses on Sherlock Holmes, who is a recovering drug addict and a genius detective. As the former consultant to Scotland Yard, he now helps the New York City Police Department and is aided in his adventures by Joan Watson. John Noble plays the role of Sherlock’s father, Morland, who also hired Joan to be by his son’s side.

Once again, Noble embodies the role with his majestic presence and infuses enigma and charm into his character. Morland is a well-defined character who often traverses between morality and power, and Noble is known for his portrayals of complex authority figures. The actor portrays influence, a questionable stance, and manipulations with expertise. The actor gives a stellar performance as a complex father-son dynamic is an important part of the show.