Earlier than getting out of the enterprise of manufacturing scripted content material, Cinemax’s lineup of reveals was really phenomenal.
The community introduced nice reveals like Strikeback, Warrior (now on Max), and Banshee to life.
These reveals had been well-written, with nice characters and tales. The motion was top-tier, making motion buffs weak on the knees with each sequence.
Banshee’s narrative, storyline, route, and enigmatic characters stood out. The present is likely one of the most underrated reveals from the 2010s.
After seeing its lead male actor’s phenomenal abilities in a at present airing present, I used to be compelled to check out the forged and see what they have been as much as within the years for the reason that present ended.
Antony Starr — Lucas Hood
Comparatively unknown on the time, New Zealand actor Antony Starr embodied the function of Lucas Hood.
Recent out of jail after a theft, turning into an everyday citizen was the least of Lucas’ considerations when he witnessed the homicide of a brand new sheriff and adopted the murdered sheriff’s identification.
Lucas was testomony to that undeniable fact that when it rains, it pours. He had survived a lifetime of crime, jail, and on his first day trip, he is caught up in a homicide. What are the probabilities!
Starr gave his every part for the function, from his nice appearing abilities to the athleticism for quite a few motion scenes wanted to tug off the character.
After the present ended, Starr acted in a single film earlier than touchdown his breakout function as Homelander in Prime Video’s hit present, The Boys.
Since 2019, Starr has dropped at life the terrifying superhero character. It will appear that his expertise on Banshee taking part in an anti-hero got here in helpful as a result of he balances the twisted attraction Homelander embodies whereas making him uncomfortable to look at.
The world of The Boys is an expansive one with a number of spinoffs from together with Gen V, and Starr has reprised his function for the character when wanted.
The Boys Season 4 is the upcoming season of the present which guarantees to be as wild because the final three and all of us stay up for seeing Antony Starr blow our minds as Homelander.
Ivana Milicevic — Carrie Hopwell
Other than her hard-to-pronounce household title, Ivana Milicevic has hanging magnificence, making her a reputation within the modeling world earlier than touchdown roles in movie and TV.
She portrayed the function of Carrie with the soul and grit that was wanted to tug off a girl reminiscent of Carrie, who was attempting to lift a household whereas operating away from her previous.
We rooted for Carrie as a result of she was extremely relatable to individuals as somebody who had been dealt a nasty hand in life and nevertheless a lot she tried to outrun her historical past, it all the time caught up along with her to devastating penalties.
After leaving Carrie behind, Ivana took on recurring roles, first being seen in Strikeback Season 9. Ivana’s prowess for taking part in emotionally complicated girls who’re menacing on the surface discovered her taking part in Diyoza in CW’s apocalyptic drama The 100.
The present has seen a revolving door of visitor stars all through the years however Diyoza stood out as a result of she was badass and being pregnant was not stopping or slowing her down till she obtained what she needed.
She additionally did some voice appearing work in Castlevania within the function of Striga.
She has accomplished a number of in motion pictures, with the most recent, Each Final Secret, popping out in 2022.
Ulrich Thomsen — Kai Hope
Even earlier than being forged in Banshee, Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen was completed in his residence nation of Denmark.
If Banshee had been as mainstream as Breaking Dangerous, Kai Hope could be one of the notorious villains of all time as a result of that man was terrifying.
Kai was one of many worst characters to ever grace the small display with who was okay with committing any crime or sin within the e-book. From informal homicide to lusting after his niece, he was disgustingly attention-grabbing to look at.
Thomsen was the right match for the character from his signature expressioneless look to his balanced and well-timed line deliverly.
After Banshee, Ulrich participated in lots of different initiatives with however his most notable on TV was his function on The Blacklist as Dr Alexander Kirk.
Dr, Kirk was The Blacklist Season 4’s huge dangerous who got here at Reddington from a private angle by claiming to be Liz Eager’s father. He confused Liz a lot that she went on the offensive in opposition to Purple and their relationship by no means fairly recovered.
He had one other quick stint as a health care provider on HBO’s The Younger Pope.
Thomsen continued his unimaginable appearing streak in Scandinavian TV and flicks with roles in productions reminiscent of Trom and Agent.
His subsequent movies are in post-production and are set to return out quickly.
Frankie R. Faison — Sugar Bates
His appearing credit are in depth, having entered the enterprise within the Nineteen Seventies. Earlier than his function as Sugar, Frankie R. Faison was no stranger, having starred or recurred on a lot of the greatest reveals from the 2000s, from The Wire to Gray’s Anatomy.
Lucas did not have many pals, however he might rely on Sugar. To Sugar, Lucas did not want to cover who he was as a result of Sugar might odor it off him. It was simple to low cost Sugar because the outdated man who runs a bar.
Frankie introduced the calmness wanted to tug off Sugar, who appeared like the one regular particular person in a world filled with insane individuals. Even when his ugliness would leap out, he was nonetheless probably the most likeable.
After Banshee, Frankie popped up in TV reveals and flicks right here and there earlier than touchdown a fundamental function in The Village, which lasted for a single season on NBC.
Frankie was forged as Cutty on The Rookie: Feds alongside Niecy Nash-Betts. He performed Simone’s father with a painful previous the place he had been wrongly incarcerated and misplaced a few years together with his household.
The function was a far cry from Banshee’s however Frankie’s portrayal of Cutty left a mark in a present with such an enormous ensemble. Sadly, The Rookie: Feds was additionally canceled not too long ago.
On the big display, Frankie has led or been a part of a number of motion pictures together with Until.
Hoon Lee — Job
Hoon Lee is likely one of the most versatile actors within the enterprise, his filmography after Banshee.
Within the present portrayed the charmingly flamboyant Job, who greater than knew his means round computer systems. Job was one in all Lucas’s oldest pals he would and did go to conflict for.
Who can neglect Job’s iconic introduction the place as he was doing his factor in a bar, some guys affronted him due to how he offered and lets simply say the ER noticed new sufferers that day.
After Banshee, Hoon did not stray away from Cinemax as a result of he landed the function of the crafty Wang Chao on Warrior. Wang Chao was the manipulative glue that held Chinatown collectively. Chao was recognized for being Group Chao and Group Chao solely.
He additionally appeared within the second season of Apple TV+’s present See, as Toad. In a world the place the actions of the witchfinders had been wild and the logic wilder, Toad appeared like a breath of contemporary air.
Hoon’s versatility shone once more on See as a result of the function required him to behave as a blind particular person, which isn’t the simplest factor when one can see.
He targeted his power on voice work in motion pictures, the place he voiced a number of characters. His newest work is within the voice of Jade Emperor in The Monkey King.
Lili Simmons — Rebecca Bowman
Lili Simmons can play any woman, however she loves the rebellious kind.
That was true in Banshee when she performed Rebecca, Kai’s niece, who had sufficient of the Amish guidelines like her uncle. She was proof that one might fall from the pan to the fireplace as a result of she rebelled in opposition to the exploitation of the Amish solely to be exploited by her uncle.
After Banshee, Lili recurred on Ray Donovan taking part in a fictional film star, Natalie James. She was one in all Ray’s shopper who wanted one thing that threatened her budding Hollywood profession fastened.
She appeared in a number of TV reveals in visitor capacities, together with Westworld, earlier than touchdown a fundamental function in The Purge.
Her newest and arguably probably the most recognizable function is as Claudia Flynn in Energy E-book IV: Pressure.
Born to a misogynistic father, Claudia’s greatest struggle is to be seen and supplied opportunites that her brother took as a right however their father wouldn’t budge.
After being underestimated and ignored for a very long time, Claudia takes the reins and rebels in opposition to him, and as an instance it would not finish effectively for one social gathering, and it is not Claudia. Her arc was among the best on Energy E-book IV: Pressure Season 2.
Lili has additionally appeared in a number of motion pictures and quick movies.
Matt Servitto — Deputy Brock Lotus
After taking part in one of the recognizable detectives, because of his function in The Sopranos, Matt Servitto preferred paying the lawman.
His function as Deputy Brock Lotus was harking back to the one in The Sopranos, the place the characters had been bitter as a result of issues did not go their means.
After Banshee, Matt guested on some reveals together with The Blacklist and Billions.
His focus gave the impression to be on the flicks, having had a number of movie roles. His newest function was in Harmful Waters.
Ryann Shane — Deva Hopewell
So far as youngsters go, Deva wasn’t probably the most annoying, however she was excessive on that record.
She was the intuitive daughter of her mom, Carrie, who nothing obtained previous.
After Banshee, Ryann has appeared in three motion pictures.
Honorable Mentions
Tom Pelphrey — Kurt Bunker
Many individuals could be apprehensive of taking a task that requires them to behave as a Nazi, tattoos and all, however Tom Pelphrey had a blast.
The Bunker brothers had been odd on the present, however they caught out due to their beliefs. Kurt was proof that redemption is feasible if somebody seeks it really.
After Banshee ended, Tom was not planning on slowing down, showing on Marvel’s Ironfist as a part of the primary forged.
He later landed a task in Netflix’s hit present Ozark as Ben Davis and for this function, Tom was lauded for his perfomance.
He would then be seen on Outer Vary for Prime Video. His newest function is on Love & Loss of life alongside Elizabeth Olsen.
Tom was forged in an untitled HBO sequence from Mare of Easttown creator in late 2023.
Chris Coy — Calvin Bunker
Whereas Kurt was repentant of his previous, Calvin was high-quality being the best way he was.
Chris Coy may be very underrated as an actor, and his initiatives earlier than and after Banshee present this.
Chris has been on HBO for a some time potraying totally different characters in reveals like True Blood and Treme. His subsequent HBO function got here after Banshee when he joined The Deuce as Paul, a seasoned bartender.
Paul was the connection between the rising world of porn in late 70s New York and the rising LGBT group on the identical time.
After The Deuce ended, Chris landed fundamental roles in reveals like The Peripheral and Girls of the Motion.
His newest work was in an episode of Lawmen: Bass Reeves. He is additionally appeared in a number of motion pictures.
•••••
Over to you, Banshee Fanatics. Is it time for a reboot or remake? What number of instances have you ever rewatched Banshee over 5 years after it ended?
Chime in within the remark part.
Denis Kimathi is a workers author for TV Fanatic. He has watched extra dramas and comedies than he cares to recollect. Catch him on social media obsessing over [excellent] previous, present, and upcoming reveals or going off in regards to the politics of illustration on TV. Follow him on X.
