Working so many years on a television show, the actors get bit by the director’s bug. knowing the ins-and-outs of camera angles, storytelling and what it takes to make a good episode, the actors try their hand at directing. Some fans might not realize that certain episodes in their favorite show were direct by the actors themselves.
Kelsey Grammer directed 36 episodes in the hit sitcom, Frasier. It might be one of the reasons why the show was so immensely popular. Donnie Wahlberg even directed an episode in Blue Bloods. There are plenty more actors from fan favorite shows who took a seat in the director’s chair, but just how well did the episode do?
Jon Hamm “Tea Leaves” (Mad Men): 7.9
Mad Men was one of the most talked bout television dramas on television. Fans got hooked on the riveting storyline and the womanizing advertising executive Don Draper (Jon Hamm). As Jon Hamm embodied his role on- screen, he also had his hand in directing a couple of episodes.
The first being ‘Tea Leaves” from season five. A lot went on in the episode from finding out a character has cancer to Don trying to convince The Rolling Stones to do a commercial. Hamm later directed another episode in season six, “Collaborators.”
Jason Alexander “The Good Samaritan” (Seinfeld): 8.0
Seinfeld is tagged as being the most successful sitcom in history. Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, the show often used the same directors. The list including Andy Ackerman and Tom Cherones. There was a twist in season three. Jason Alexander, who plays George, directed the episode “The Good Samaritan.”
The episode was unique, a bit bizarre and overall a good laugh. Jerry starts to date a hit-and-run driver and refuses to tell Elaine the truth. Meanwhile, Kramer experiences seizures whenever hearing Mary Hart’s voice.
Paul Wesley “Resident Evil” (The Vampire Diaries): 8.1
The Vampire Diaries was a fond time for any fan of supernatural dramas and romance. The show was a major hit and there are many episodes that got successful scores on IMDb. But some of those episodes were directed by Paul Welsey himself who played the character, Stefan Salvatore.
His first episode was “Resident Evil” in season five. At this point in the show, the Travelers posed a threat and Elena and Stefan have dreams of a different life. Don’t be surprised to also find out that Ian Somerhalder also directed a few episodes.
Matthew Gray Gubler “Heathridge Manor” (Criminal Minds): 8.3
Criminals Minds ended its run after a successful 15 seasons on television. It’s one of the most beloved crime dramas to have aired. Just as fans were drawn to watch every episode, some of its actors were drawn to try their hand in directing them. Matthew Gray Gubler played the role of Spencer Reid.
Gubler went on to direct many episodes in the show and his first being “Heathridge Manor” in season seven. The episode was dark and eery when a woman is found murdered in an abandoned asylum. The team suspects ritualistic murder and satanism.
Robin Wright “Chapter 23” (House Of Cards): 8.4
Robin Wright was the second main character in the hit show House of Cards. She played the role of Claire Underwood, the wife to Frank (Kevin Spacey). The actress made her directorial debut in season two and later directed more episodes the following seasons.
Due to the scandal with Kevin Spacey, there was a major shift in characters on the show. This lead to Wright directing the season finale of season six, before the show was cancelled that same year.
Lucy Liu “Paint It Black” (Elementary): 8.5
Audiences have seen many renditions of the famed detective Sherlock Holmes over the years. There’s Robert Downey Junior and Henry Cavill in their own respected films. Then there’s Benedict Cumberbatch versus Johnny Lee Miller on television.
The show Elementary brought a new spin to the character, especially to Watson played by actress Lucy Liu. Liu got to show her skills as a diretor and directed the episode “Paint It Black” in season two. The episode is jam-packed with storylines from kidnapping, interrogation and the NSA.
David Schwimmer “The One On The Last Night” (Friends): 8.5
Friends, alongside Seinfeld, became a notalbe and popular sitcom in the 90s to 2000s. Fans fell in love with a group of friends living in New York City trying to get through the qualms of adulthood. One of the characters fans often feel hot and cold about is Ross Geller, played by David Schwimmer.
Schwimmer not only acted in front of the camera but also directed a couple of episodes. His first was “The One on the Last Night” in season six. It gained a favorable score and would shift the group’s dynamics. The night before Chandler and Monica move in together, Monica and Rachel have a fight. Back in his apartment, Chandler feels guilty about leaving Joey and tries to trick him into taking some money.
David Duchovny “The Unnatural” (The X-Files): 8.6
David Duchovny played one-half of the leading roles in The X-Files. He was Fox Mulder, an unconventional yet skilled FBI agent. He and his partner are in charge of the X-Files paranormal division. The science-fiction supernatural show is a fan favorite with multiple noteworthy and memorable episodes.
Duchovny got his chance to create his own vision with the episode “The Unnatural” in season six. The episode was successful and received an 8.6 score. As the storyline goes, Mulder finds a photo of Arthur Dales with an alien bounty hunter. The episode is a retelling of a past event regarding a baseball player.
Neil Patrick Harris “Jenkins” (How I Met Your Mother): 8.6
How I Met Your Mother became a popular sitcom about the lives of a group of friends that mostly revolves around Ted’s disastrous love life. One of the main actors, Neil Patrick Harris, who played Barney, got to direct an episode in season five. The episode was Harris’s first role as a director.
“Jenkins” had multiple fun storylines to follow. To start, Marshall is upset at Lily’s lack of reaction when meeting one of his female coworkers. It cements who’s the “reacher” and who’s the “settler.” On the other end, Ted discovers that his students use Robin’s morning show as a drinking game.
Bryan Cranston “Blood Money” (Breaking Bad): 9.5
Breaking Bad is one of those rare and highly successful shows where the main character is actually a villain. The villain being Walter White played by actor Bryan Cranston. Cranston took his character and his acting skills to new levels seeing as he also directed the episode, “Blod Money” in season five.
It’s one of the most successful episodes in the show that received a score of 9.5 on IMDb. Things start to come full circle as the characters try to move forward. Walt is out of the business as Jesse tries to get rid of his money. At the same time, Hank comes to discover Heisenburg’s identity.
