Forget The Rookie, Here Are 5 Nathan Fillion Roles That Are Way Better

Nathan Fillion has built a diverse career with some pretty memorable characters, each time delivering standout performances on both television and in the movies. And while he is most beloved by modern fans for his iconic portrayal of John Nolan in The Rookie, there are other roles he has played that deserve just as much praise.

Here's a look at five of the actor’s best roles to date.

1. Castle (2009-2016)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Castle has 82% from critics and 87% from viewers.
• On IMDb, Castle has 8.1/10.

There was no way this list could have started with anything else (sorry, Firefly fans). The longest-running show starring Fillion, Castle is ABC’s non-mainstream police procedural that follows the actor as Richard Castle, a cocky and witty writer who specializes in mysteries. He is not a cop per se, but he is a NYPD shadow who helps them with their cases.

The fans love the show and Fillion's character as well. And his dynamics with his co-star Stana Katic, who played his detective-partner Kate Beckett. The fans say the role of Richard Castle was basically perfected by Fillion and made the magic happen.

2. Firefly (2002–2003)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Firefly has 77% from critics and 96% from viewers.
• On IMDb, Firefly has 8.9/10.

The honorary silver medal in this top goes to Joss Whedon's cult classic Firefly, which, despite not even lasting a full season, ended up as the all time favorite show for many fans of science fiction. In the series Nathan Fillion was sharing the screen with the amazing Gina Torres.

Fillion played Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds, the leader of the spaceship Serenity. Set in a future where humanity has colonized other planets, Mal is a morally complex character navigating the fringes of society.

“As I’ve gotten older and as time has gone on, I’ve started to realize that I’m glad firefly ended when it did. Imagine if it started really awesome, but then kept going and going and going and started sucking more and more. Truly, a case of better to die the hero than to live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” Redditor SkyGuy182 said.

3. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog has 90% from viewers.
• On IMDb, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog has 8.4/10.

This one landed here at the request of the hardcore fans of the actor who embrace his every project. Nobody seems to be talking about this hidden gem these days, and that's a shame. In this musical web dramedy, Fillion portrayed Captain Hammer, a self-absorbed superhero.

Set in a world of aspiring villains and heroes, the show made sure we understood that Fillion's comedic timing is perfect — and he can sing. His performance absolutely added depth to the satirical take on superhero tropes.

4. Waitress (2007)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Waitress has 89% from critics and 74% from viewers.
• On IMDb, Waitress has 7.0/10.

In the indie film Waitress, Fillion played Dr. Pomatter, a gynecologist who starts an affair with the film's protagonist, Jenna, played by Keri Russell (try watching her not in a political drama for a change).

Set in a small-town diner, the movie explores themes of love and self-discovery. Fillion's portrayal of the flawed, yet caring doctor ready to help an unhappy woman escape from her disturbing reality added a layer of warmth to the movie's narrative.

5. Slither (2006)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Slither has 87% from critics and 63% from viewers.
• On IMDb, Slither has 6.5/10.

The fans of multi-genre movies will definitely love this one as it mixes sci-fi with comedy and horror. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars Fillion as Bill Pardy, a small-town sheriff who investigates a series of bizarre events. It was Fillion's performance alone that balanced the absurdity with genuine concern, contributing to the movie's cult status.