Every time a film audience steps into a theater, they are stepping into a new, unique world in which they are asked to believe the actors as embodiments of fictional characters. These days it is not uncommon to have two films out in theaters at a time that feature the same actor. Yet, it never appears to be an issue that the audience just accepts that it is an actor’s job to take on new roles, and it is the producers and directors’ jobs to work with the best actors for those roles, regardless of current saturation in the industry.
Though the process of producing television is not that far
from film, often the attitude towards the actors is a bit more precious because
they come into our homes week after week, if we’re lucky year after year.
Therefore, it can often be an adjustment to see leads—or even shows—switch
gears so quickly.
Yet, in order to continuously keep current within modern
media, it is inevitable that programming will adapt. The fall television season
of 2012 will reflect this perhaps better than ever with the inclusion of
American Horror Story, a series returning to FX for its second all-inclusive
season. Though the Ryan Murphy helmed horror drama started out like any other
(except it featured a Rubberman...),
its first season storyline wrapped up completely within twelve episodes. When
the new season rolls around—set in a new time period and location with a
completely different theme, none of the characters from season one will be
back—but many of the actors will.
Will audiences be able to watch season one scene stealers
Jessica Lange and Evan Peters and see any characters other than their dynamic
Constance and Tate, respectively? When on television show ends, the actors from
it often jump to another series, but very rarely is it one so similar in genre
and tone.
The CW’s Arrow has its own hurdle to jump, in that it is
telling the story of Oliver Queen, a character we saw in a different, albeit
lesser, incarnation on the network’s other superhero Smallville. There the role
was tackled by Justin Hartley, but in the new series, Stephen Amell steps in.
“I think the audience these days are savvy enough to
recognize that there's multiple iterations possible for any given character. I
mean, look at The Amazing Spider-Man the movie. It's only, like,
what, five years since the last Spider-Man movie?” Arrow executive producer
Marc Guggenheim considered.
“We certainly want to chart our own course and chart our own
destiny…Andrew [Kreisberg, co-executive producer] says it correctly: “Your love
for Michael Keaton doesn't affect your love for Christian Bale, and Christian
Bales doesn't affect your love for Adam West. There are different iterations
that are possible for any character.”
Are you ready for the next one? Sound off in the comments
below with whether or not you like television thinking outside of its usual box
or if you’re just not ready to embrace change.
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