17 Actors In Completely Contrasting Roles That You Won't Believe They're The Same Person

Being typecasted is something that regularly happens in Hollywood. Many performers have avoided this trap by accepting roles that are diametrically opposed to those they had previously portrayed – and grown famous for. These actors have kept their careers intriguing by playing roles that are diametrically opposed. It takes a lot of talent, but it also takes a lot of guts to pull off such a feat.
Dozens of performers have had their turn at experiencing dramatic alterations for a specific role. In the past, elaborate prosthetics in performance were generally associated with a higher possibility of receiving awards attention during Oscar season. Or sometimes, an actor just relies on their acting chops and plays a character with a completely different personality.
Here are 17 actors who you might be surprised to see in other roles.

#1 Henry Cavill

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures/Paramount Pictures

Cavill also apparently played Humphrey in Stardust.

#2 Hannah Waddingham

Source: Apple TV+/HBO

On Ted Lasso, the owner of the football team is the same female that plays the SHAME, SHAME, SHAME woman on Game of Thrones.

#3 Karl Urban

Source: Amazon Prime Video/New Line Cinema

Karl Urban, who plays Éomer in the Lord of the Rings films, is one of the primary protagonists in The Boys.

#4 Lesley Nicol

Source: ABC/ITV

On Downton Abbey, she portrays Mrs. Patmore, a quiet, reserved woman from the early 1900s. Then I saw her in five episodes of the short-lived show The Catch as a modern-day brutal crime boss. The roles couldn't have been more dissimilar, and it was unsettling!

#5 Sandra Oh

Source: Sony Pictures Releasing / ABC

Sandra Oh is borderline unrecognizable in this horror film.

#6 Jesse Plemons

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures/20th Century Fox

Ox from Like Mike was also played by Jessie Plemons.

#7 Imelda Staunton

Source: Pathé Distribution/Universal Pictures/Warner Bros.

Imelda Staunton plays Bunty in Chicken Run and the cook in Nanny McPhee. Though most people know her as Umbridge.

#8 Jon Bernthal

Source: Netflix

Weird how Jon just casually pops up in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt after playing The Punisher.

#9 Chris Evans

Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Universal Pictures

In Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Captain America is one of Ramona's exes.

#10 Sarah Paulson

Source: Netflix / ABC

I was recently re-watching Desperate Housewives, and seeing Sarah play Lynette's sister blew my mind!

#11 Ian McElhinney

Source: Channel 4/HBO

I was trying to remember where I saw Grandpa Joe the first time I saw Derry Girls. He played Barristan Selmy in Game of Thrones!

#12 Sarah Drew

Source: ABC/Fox

Sarah Drew, who plays Dr. April Kepner on Grey's Anatomy, also appeared on Glee in the episode 'Ballad' as Suzy Pepper!

#13 Daniel Kaluuya

Source: Universal Pictures/E4

Daniel Kaluuya used to be Posh Kenneth in Skins!

#14 Rainn Wilson

Source: NBC/DreamWorks Pictures

Rainn Wilson in this film is completely different from Dwight.

#15 Tom Ellis

Source: Netflix/BBC

Miranda stars Tom Ellis from Lucifer. Though in the show he plays a dork, completely different from the suave Devil.

#16 Catherine Keener

Source: Universal Pictures

Did you realize the Get Out therapist is also the love interest in The 40-Year-Old Virgin?

#17 Sebastian Stan

Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/The CW

Considering all his success in the MCU, it's pretty surprising to find out he's in Gossip Girl. Carter Baizen was his character, and a very different one from Bucky.