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TV shows with big ensemble casts bring together a plethora of personalities and perspectives, grouping stars who have mastered the art of making a character their own. We, as the audience, enjoy watching these shows because of our previous emotional investment in the actors, and seeing them share the screen with other famous names creates an unpredictability factor that is loved by the fandom. If you like watching shows that bring together famous names, here is a list of the 10 biggest ensemble casts in TV shows.
1) Game of Thrones (2011)
One of the biggest names in TV shows that had a legendary ensemble cast is Game of Thrones. The show brought together famous veteran actors like Sean Bean, Lena Headey, Charles Dance, and combined them with young stars like Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke, and Sophie Turner. This huge character roster made the entire series iconic. With its themes of corruption, power, loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice, Game of Thrones is truly ranked number one in almost all spheres.
2) Friends (1994)
What Friends managed to achieve with its cast of 6 main characters with zero hierarchy between them is very rare to see in Hollywood. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer have since then become superstars in the field of acting, and their niche styles of acting have continued to have a strong impact on the audience, shaping pop culture in its wake.
The show, with the use of humor, portrays how friends are our chosen family. Friends is considered one of the best sitcoms and has an immense reputation that precedes it. The chemistry and dynamics between this ensemble cast are truly unique, which captured the audience emotionally.
3) Stranger Things (2016)
Stranger Things took the world by storm with its science fiction plot, portrayed by a blend of cast members. From 1980s super hit actors like Winona Ryder and Jim Hopper to current TikTok stars and child actors Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Matarazzo, the ensemble cast of this series had a very cross-generational appeal and was, in fact, loved by all.
With every new season, they kept adding new characters and new narratives, and this has given rise to more famous names like Sadie Sink, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, and Joseph Quinn. The makers of the show have perfectly balanced this multigenerational cast, making sure every character gets their due screen time and meaningful arcs. The show is enjoyed even more by the audience because of its theme of found family, which was enriched by its ensemble cast.
4) The Sopranos (1999)
The television series, The Sopranos, is considered one of the best shows to have ever been made. Exploring the American dream and its rot in a whirlwind of family, loyalty, and betrayal, this show is an emotional exuberance showcasing morally grey and misunderstood characters.
The lead character of the show is, of course, Tony Soprano, played by the talented James Gandolfini, but it is the combined effort of the entire ensemble cast that earned the show its great reputation. It features great talents like Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, and others whose nuanced performances have had a lasting impact.
5) Lost (2004)
Another TV show that left a dent in the realm of series with an amazing ensemble cast is 2004's Lost. After the stranded survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 find themselves on an island, they must go through a series of different challenges to survive.
The ensemble cast consisted of a mix of famous names and newcomers who together played a role in the success of the show. This included actor Matthew Fox, who already had earned himself a reputation with his prior pursuits in shows like Party of Five. Other names included that of the newcomer Evangeline Lilly, veteran actor Terry O’Quinn, and Dominic Monaghan from The Lord of the Rings, among others.
6) Succession (2018)
Succession is a 2018 show that revolves around the dysfunctional Roy family and their dynamics and distress. The show explores the themes of power, corruption, ambition, wealth, and privilege, among others. The cast of the show included famous names like Brian Cox, who has earned a massive fan following from the movies Troy and Braveheart.
Other famous names that drive the success of the show even further include Jeremy Strong, Matthew Macfadyen, and Alan Ruck, among others. It was the combined effort of these actors that earned this show its multiple Emmys and Golden Globes.
7) American Horror Story (2011)
American Horror Story is famous for presenting an ensemble cast, rotating them to embody different characters with different arcs in standalone episodes. Over the years, this show has cast some extremely famous names in Hollywood. They include the likes of Naomi Campbell, Max Greenfield, Neil Patrick Harris, Adam Levine, Billy Porter, Eric Stonestreet, Kim Kardashian, Kaia Gerber, and Lady Gaga.
In every season, this show explores different types of fear and trauma, including not only supernatural elements but also mental themes of morality, betrayal, and addiction.
8) Vikings (2013)
Based on Norse Mythology, Vikings is a show about the rise of Ragnar Lothbrok, his ambition, power, sacrifice, and the legacy he left behind. While the ensemble cast included newcomers like Travis Fimmel in lead roles, the show does have a fair share of famous names, including Clive Standen, Gustaf Skarsgård, Alexander Ludwig, and Linus Roache.
It is the onscreen chemistry of these stars and their fortified talents that made the show a compelling representation of history, drama, and action.
9) Downton Abbey (2010)
While talking of historical drama, a TV show that time and time again finds its name at the top is Downton Abbey. Based on the life of the Crawley family and their servants living in early 20th-century Britain, this show stands at the absolute pinnacle of the list of period dramas.
Another reason for the global popularity of this show, besides its plot and production, is the list of famous names involved in its cast. These names include - Maggie Smith from The Harry Potter Franchise, Hugh Bonneville from Notting Hill, Elizabeth McGovern from Ordinary People, Dan Stevens from The Guest, and Jim Carter from Shakespeare in Love.
10) The O.C. (2003)
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Released in 2003, The O.C. is another TV show known for its ensemble cast. The series featured actors like Ben McKenzie, Adam Brody, Mischa Barton, Rachel Bilson, Peter Gallagher, and Kelly Rowan, among others, whose talent and dedication made the show an instant hit.
The show is about the wealthy Cohen family and the love and heartbreak surrounding them, including themes of class, identity, privilege, and corruption.
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