10 Now-Unemployed TV Actors We Need Back on Screen Pronto
The recent spate of broadcast TV show cancellations was so brutal that even The CW, typically a renewal-happy network, axed nine of its series. (Amid those many cancellations, Legacies creator Julie Plec tweeted that it was “the Red Wedding at WBTV/CW,” referencing the infamous Game of Thrones bloodbath.)
With so many titles not returning for the 2022–2023 season, however, dozens of TV actors are suddenly free to take on a series-regular job. Here are 10 we’re hoping to see back on our screens as soon as possible.
Morena Baccarin
Baccarin makes for a compelling baddie, as we saw this season on NBC’s The Endgame and more than a decade ago on ABC’s V reboot, another series canned after its debut season. We’d be happy to see her back on TV—on either side of the law.
Morris Chestnut
Speaking of V alums who could use a break, this actor heated up the small screen in two gone-too-soon Fox series: 2015’s Rosewood and this season’s now-canceled Our Kind of People.
Kaci Walfall
This teen hooked viewers with roles on Army Wives, The Equalizer, and, of course, Naomi. The title character of that CW series has strength and speed as superpowers; Walfall has acting as hers.
Jay Hernandez
Despite CBS’ frustrating cancellation of Magnum P.I.—a crowd-pleaser with Top 25 ratings—something tells us the always charming Hernandez won’t be off TV for long.
Don Johnson
If there’s any silver lining to NBC’s giving the ax to Kenan, it’s that now USA might be able to lure Johnson for a full-on Nash Bridges revival series.
James Wolk
We’ve been singing Wolk’s praises ever since Fox’s 2010 one-season wonder Lone Star. NBC’s now-canceled Ordinary Joe didn’t have quite the same acclaim, but we’ll be eager to see where its lead actor lands next.
Jeanine Mason
After winning So You Think You Can Dance, Mason waltzed into acting with a recurring role on Grey’s Anatomy and a lead part on The CW’s now-canceled Roswell, New Mexico. Maybe now she could help reboot another Y2K-era series?
Bellamy Young
Our dreams of a Mellie-centric Scandal spinoff amounted to nothing, and now we can’t even see Young on ABC’s Promised Land. If it’s any consolation, though, she’s reprising her part as Olivia Walton in the upcoming CW movie The Waltons’ Thanksgiving.
Ser’Darius Blain
Now that Fox has grounded The Big Leap, this actor is a free agent…and he can’t even be resurrected on Charmed, since that CW series is canceled now, too. Fans will see Blain in the Hallmark TV movie Caribbean Summer next month, but he deserves another series.
Holly Hunter
It was a casting coup for NBC’s Mr. Mayor to land this recipient of an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and two Emmys. And Hunter will be the MVP of whatever TV cast she joins next.
Conversation45 Comments
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O
DO NOT CANCEL MAGNUM P. I. just after Magnu & Higgins declared their “feelings” ❤️for each other & that first kiss! 💋
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R
I’m right there with you I think is a shame to cancel Magnum P.I. Was an awesome show I loved it and all the characters on the show.
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B
They didn't want to cancel it - it was doing well...they had some sort of licensing disagreement
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G
Magnum shouldn’t be cancelled. CBS has poor judgement regarding this.
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B
Yes they do!!
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G
How can they cancel Magnum and renew some if the others
Must be the declaration of feelings - this always kills the series and they got in first..
One of my favs and will be missed
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O
Any of the actors on this list would be a great addition to NCIS, if the rumors are true about the actor who plays Torres leaving. My first pick of the list would be the Magnum actor.
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P
Magnum shouldn't have been cancelled in the first place, but if anything's going to get me to tune back in to NCIS, it'd be Jay.
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C
I agree
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B
I really liked Magnum and can’t believe CBS canceled it. Bad decision.
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O
Which T V executive muppet do we need to thank for canceling Magnum PI. Can't someone else please pick it up
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G
Please don’t cancel Magnum PI it was a great show
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G
I also liked Magnum and think it deserved a renewal more than the CSI reboot. However, if they were going to cancel it why couldn't they just move it to their streaming service? They seem to like to do that..it happened to Seal Team and Evil.
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O
Our Kind of People is a great show. It kept me wanting more. Just like The prodigal son. It’s a shame that both of them got canceled and should be petition to be back on for another season
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B
James Wolk is one of the most insanely cute men on the planet. I’ll watch him in anything. He needs to be in a show that allows him to be frequently unclothed…
Bellamy Young is a fantastic actress who needs a project worthy of her talents.
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O
I think channel 2 SHOULD NOT HAVE CANCELLED MAGNUM PI. There ratings were great. I read because they didn't have the younger age group. Boo hoo for you! MAGNUM IS A GREAT SHOW!!!!!!
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O
Magnum should not of been cancelled it is a great show to watch!! Always something new going on!! Bring it back!!😡😡😡
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G
Why are they cancelling magnum I think it is a great show, please bring it back, i don’t know what’s wrong with CBS…
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P
Please DO NOT CANCEL MAGNUM P.I. WHY WOUKS THAT EVEN BE A CONSIDERATION?? ESPECIALLY WHEN RIDICULOUS PROGRAMS LIKE HOLY MOLLY AND WIPEOUT?? THEY ARE A WASTE OF
AIR TIME..MAGNUM IS AN IRREPLACEBLE PROGRAM. THOMAS AND HIGGIE FINALLY GOT TOGETHER AND THE OTHER STORY LINES OPENED UP PLENTY MORE STORY LINES. MY ENTIRE FAMILY AND ALOT OF FRIENDS ENJOY FRIDAY NIGHTS WITH MAGNUM! PLEASE DONT CANCEL
MAGNUM. PLEASE.
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G
Please don’t cancel magnum PI love the show and the actors ❤️
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B
Seriously with all the crap on TV your going to cancel a feel good show!
We are attached to lives of these characters and the Hawaiian vibe…..
Time to rethink your decision……..
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O
I love Magnum, PI. I'm really sad it's being cancelled.
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G
Me too
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O
It’s a bummer Magnum was canceled. However, I think it jumped the shark when they had Magnum and Higgins get together.
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O
Please do not cancel Magnum PI🥲. We need that humour especially in these days. It is one of the best on tv. This is a total shock😢
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G
Hate to see Magnum go.it was a nice entertaining series. Gimuess more reruns to watch in Ion.
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G
Cancelling Magnum and Good Sam is a very disappointing decision…
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G
Equalizer should stay on air. That is all.
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G
Please do not cancel Magnum… It is a fabulous show with great characters!!!!!!!!!!!!
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G
Magnum that's terrible. But all the crap they keep
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G
Magnum PI is one of our favorite shows. So disappointed it’s been cancelled!
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C
I loved Magnum. Shame on CBS for canceling it. They need to bring it back. BEST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
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R
We want Magnum PI back… DO NOT CANCEL IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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G
The people who decided to cancel Magnum PI should all be fired. It’s one of the best shows on t.v. And definitely the best on Friday nights.
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G
Loved Magnum!!! So many bad shows returning… don’t understand
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B
Bring Magnum back what the heck is CBS thinking. One of the best shows on TV. Friday nights wouldn't be the same without it. Love that show
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G
Seeing as Magnum is produced by Universal and Universal is owned by NBC. Come on NBC pick upMagnum
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G
Keep Magnum PI!! Maybe some other station should pick it up!
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C
I don’t understand why Magnum is canceled if it’s in the Top 25! I enjoy watching Magnum so much!!
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B
The CW canceled three shows with strong female reliant characters all lgbtq. What a shame to take away some strong females to look to. Tsk tsk CW I’m not going to watch any of my other shows on this station
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P
I am sick of three hours of the same stories since when did FBI work overseas? With all the shotings in the US why are we teaching "how to get away from the police 3 hours long" If I wanted to read a novel I would get a book! A lot of us do not want to pay for cable or streaming, why are we stuck, I just watch reruns to take my imagination away enough crime and sadness in the US. At least with Magnum we had the ocean and palm trees. All these series with 3 hours suck, bring back our imagination.
Even Star Trek reruns are better on ION different characters, different locations imagination, I want Maginum back!
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G
While I do agree that there is way too much of the same on TV (how many versions of NCIS do we need and the same goes for FBI). I'm also not sure we needed a reboot of CSI (that had worse ratings than Magnum). However, just so you know the FBI does actually work overseas. They are involved in crimes against US citizens that happen in foreign countries.
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G
Would like to see Ted Levine back on TV. He's a great actor
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G
I can do without any of the above, particularly without Bellamy Young whom I despised on Prodigal Son.
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O
For the record, the rebooted "V" TV series ran for two seasons on ABC. Unfortunately, it was cancelled with a momentous cliffhanger. Too bad ABC never gave the fans any closure with something like a mini-series or TV movie to wrap it up. Of course, this was before Hulu and Netflix and streaming services.
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