Ranking Taylor Kitsch's best series including 'American Primeval'

Taylor Kitsch could have been a one-note actor. He was handsome, and could have delved into making a bunch of Hallmark films and been just fine. Instead, the British Columbian decided he wanted to stretch himself. He still got pigeonholed a bit.

He tends to get roles that show him as a bit rough around the edges. He plays the roles well, though one might want to see Kitsch get a chance to do something else. Maybe that time will come soon.

In the series below, Kitsch plays a lot of the same types of characters, but he is talented enough to bring some nuance to each role. The shows might not be perfect, but that is no fault of the actors. And his new series on Netflix, American Primeval, might rank as one of his best.

Ranking from worst to best each series that Taylor Kitsch has starred in

No. 7 - The Terminal List (2022)

The actors, including Kitsch, Chris Pratt, and Constance Wu, did all they could to overcome the wretched writing of the show. As all actors know, however, one can only do much if the script is bad. It's grim and, well...dumb, at times. You might find some mindless entertainment here, but nothing close to any kind of artistry from the words on the page.

No. 6 - Painkiller (2023)

The issue with the series, other than it being poorly written, is that it pales in comparison to the excellent Dopesick on Hulu. The characters are not as fully formed in Kitsch's show, though that is no fault of the actors. He performs admirably. He just needs better material to work with in another series about the opioid crisis.

No. 5 - Waco (2018)

Kitsch plays David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians who were set upon by the FBI and ATF in 1993. Was it right to do so? You can make up your own mind, but if you are on the side of the government, you might not like the series. The show comes off as pro-Koresh. Kitsch's acting might make you pull for Koresh as well.

No. 4 - The Defeated (2020)

The plot of this series is both a stretch and also highly interesting. Kitsch plays a New York police department detective who gets assigned to post-World War II Germany to help fight crime and rebuild the police force. The issue with the show is that it is overly depressing (likely not something that could be avoided) and graphically violent. Kitsch was at least believable in his lead role as Detective Max McLaughlin.

No. 3 - True Detective season 2 (2015)

The second season is fine and has a bunch of people worth watching, such as Kitsch, Colin Ferrell, and Rachel McAdams. The drawback is that the second season followed one of the greatest seasons in television history when Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson starred. Season two was doomed from the start.

There are almost too many storylines in season 2 and some loose ends. Again, though, had this not been following the greatness of season 1, the show would be quite good. After McConaughey and Harrelson, season 2 seems very disappointing.

No. 2 - American Primeval (2025)

This series seems perfectly made for Kitsch. He always seemed like he would be a huge star in Westerns, though this show has a bit of a different take. There is little joy to be had as Kitsch helps a mother search for her husband while Mormons, fur trappers, the military, and indigenous people fight out who really controls the land.

Clearly, violence can be expected, and you won't be disappointed. The key here is to go to Rotten Tomatoes and read the reviews of the people instead of the critics. The show was not created to win Emmys; it was made to entertain. It does that.

No. 1 - Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Much like season 2 of True Detective, Kitsch is unlikely to ever have the same kind of success that he had in a previous series. Friday Night Lights is not just enjoyable; it probably is one of the 20 best TV series ever made. Kitsch was perfect in his role as Tim Riggins, the handsome fullback who had some demons. He was not a bad guy, though; he was just misunderstood by many of the other characters early on in the show.