Corey Stoll might not be a household name, but he is one of those actors who audiences will immediately recognize from his large body of work. Though his movie career includes big roles like Darren Cross in Ant-Man and, most recently, as Uncle Junior in The Many Saints of Newark, Stoll’s television career is filled with acclaimed credits.
Stoll pops up in countless acclaimed dramas where he can always be counted on to deliver a memorable performance. Whether he is playing an inspiring hero or a dastardly villain, Corey Stoll’s top-rated television roles are nothing short of impressive.
Law & Order: Los Angeles (2010-2011) – 6.7
Stoll is one of the many actors who started out in Law & Order. Law & Order: Los Angeles followed the same basic setup as the other shows in the franchise with detectives investigating crimes and district attorneys prosecuting the offenders.
Stoll played Detective Tomas Jaruszalski and was the only actor to appear in all episodes of the show’s single season. Despite having other talented stars like Terrence Howard and Alfred Molina, Law & Order: Los Angeles is one of the lowest-rated spinoffs in the series.
Girls (2012-2017) – 7.3
Stoll was one of many famous faces to pop up on the hit HBO comedy Girls. The series follows a group of young women living in New York City and experiencing all of the struggles of their 20s. Stoll appears in the show’s fifth season as Dill Harcourt, a news anchor who begins dating Elijah.
Girls helped to make stars of the likes of Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, and Adam Driver and was also praised for its clever writing and sharp wit. It also featured a number of standout guest stars aside from Stoll, including Riz Ahmed, Matthew Rhys, and Donald Glover.
The Strain (2014-2017) – 7.3
Guillermo del Toro is one of the best directors of monster movies working today and he brought his Oscar-winning talents to the small screen in The Strain. The horror series centers around a viral outbreak that allows an evil and ancient form of vampires to rise in New York City.
Stoll headlines the show as a disease specialist named Dr. Ephraim Goodweather. The series was not a huge hit throughout its four seasons, but it maintained a strong fanbase, especially for those who enjoy del Toro’s particular brand of gory horror moviemaking.
Ratched (2020 – ) – 7.3
The classic drama One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest cemented Nurse Ratched as an iconic movie villain so it’s no surprise she got her own prequel series. Ryan Murphy puts the character front and center in Ratched with his regular star Sarah Paulson playing the sadistic nurse at the beginning of her career.
Stoll plays a private investigator named Charles Wainwright who becomes entangled with Ratched’s journey. The show may not have had much to do with the beloved movie it is a prequel to, but fans enjoyed seeing Paulson play such a twisted character.
Baghdad Central (2020) – 7.3
The one-season thriller Baghdad Central tells an interesting crime story set inside a war zone. The show takes place in Baghdad Iraq in 2003 following the fall of Saddam Hussein and follows a former police officer in the city who searches for his missing daughter. Stoll plays an American military officer who begins working with the man.
Though it went largely overlooked when it was released, the show was seen by many as an intense and compelling story with a unique approach.
The Normal Heart (2014) – 7.9
Before joining Ryan Murphy’s Ratched, Stoll starred in the director’s made-for-television movie, The Normal Heart. Based on a play of the same name, the T.V. movie tells the story of Ned Weeks (Mark Ruffalo), a gay activist who fought to raise awareness of the A.I.D.S. epidemic in the 1980s.
Stoll joins a star-studded cast that includes Julia Roberts, Jim Parsons, and Taylor Kitsch. It is a powerful story that speaks to many current issues and features some incredible performances, including Ruffalo in a highly praised starring role.
The Deuce (2017–2019) – 8.1
The HBO drama The Deuce took a trip back in time to explore the history of the porn industry and Time Square in New York City. With each of the show’s three seasons tackling a new era in the city, it focuses on the club owners, prostitutes, and mobsters who became involved in adult entertainment at the time.
Stoll plays a businessman who begins dating Maggie Gyllenhaal’s rising adult movie director, Eileen. The series was a grimy yet captivating look at a very different New York City than the one that exists today. Filled with diverse characters, each with their own story, it made for an engrossing journey.
Scenes From A Marriage (2021) – 8.4
Though it has only just ended its five-episode run, HBO’s Scenes from a Marriage has already become one of the most talked-about shows on television. The miniseries stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain in this exploration of the love, hate, and complexities of modern marriage.
Stoll appears as a friend of the couple who memorably gets in a heated argument with his own wife during an awkward dinner party scene. The raw and emotional drama drew audiences in with its amazing performances and heartbreaking examination of this fragile relationship.
Billions (2016– ) – 8.4
Though it is not talked about as much as some of the other big shows on television, Billions is a hugely entertaining series set in the world of powerful New York City figures. Paul Giamatti stars as a U.S. attorney who goes after a hedge fund king named Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis).
Stoll was a recent addition to the show, joining its fifth season as Michael Prince. With so many talented actors in the cast who all play fun and colorful characters, Billions is an intense and exciting ride with plenty of humor.
House of Cards (2013–2018) – 8.7
Though it was ultimately brought down by behind-the-scenes controversy, House of Cards was once the most gripping show on television. Kevin Spacey starred as Frank Underwood, a seedy politician who proves he will do anything to secure the ultimate seat of power.
Stoll was part of the show’s incredible first season as a promising young politician battling his own demons which brings him into Frank’s dark world. The show was a riveting and disturbing look at the worst aspects of the political world and the most corrupt people operating within the government.
