Jon Hamm's New Villain Role in Upcoming Apple TV Show Promises to Be His Best in 8 Years

Article Overview

Jon Hamm's portrayal of Paul Marks in The Morning Show on Apple TV+ is his finest since his iconic role in Mad Men, establishing his remarkable return to television. Hamm's impeccable performance showcases his knack for embodying an ominous character with a composed certainty and an air of intimidation.

Jon Hamm's resurgence in television is evident through the success of The Morning Show and his future role in Fargo season 5, marking his most impressive television run since his iconic portrayal in Mad Men. The Morning Show on Apple TV+ has showcased Hamm's return to the small screen with his captivating performance as Paul Marks, a billionaire tech titan who swoops in to rescue the network from imminent financial collapse. As the season unfolds, Paul's true colors as a villain become increasingly apparent. This portrayal solidifies Hamm's reign in television in 2023 and bodes well for his forthcoming role in another ongoing series.

Hamm's television success is well-known, having received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for all seven seasons of Mad Men. He ultimately won the award in 2015 for his memorable portrayal of the iconic Don Draper. Although Hamm has been involved in various television projects like Good Omens and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt since the end of Mad Men eight years ago, his return to television with The Morning Show is undoubtedly his most significant endeavor. What makes this even more noteworthy is the fact that it will be swiftly followed by another highly anticipated project for Hamm.

The Morning Show Season 3, Episode 9 Makes Jon Hamm Its New Big Villain

When Paul initially joined The Morning Show, he maintained an enigmatic air, concealing the less favorable aspects of his character behind a carefully crafted facade. However, as the show delved into Paul and Stella's past and showcased his interactions with his assistant, it became increasingly evident that he possesses neither admirable qualities nor honorable intentions in his pursuit of acquiring UBA. In the ninth episode of The Morning Show's third season, Stella, Bradley, and Chip's investigation into Paul and his company Hyperion yielded some significant breakthroughs, ultimately revealing that he remains unchanged since Stella first collaborated with him.

Jon Hamm's The Morning Show Character Confirms How Great His Fargo Season 5 Villain Will Be

However, it wasn't Paul's past or his business failures that truly established him as a villain. It was his menacing behavior and the way he threatened Bradley in the ninth episode of season three of The Morning Show. Paul handled the confrontation with a calm and casual demeanor, which was enough to frighten and intimidate Bradley into quitting her job at UBA within minutes. Unlike previous villains on the show who would have outbursts, Paul's calm confidence made him an even bigger and more formidable threat that won't be easily discouraged.

The Morning Show, an Apple Original series, continues to thrive with the confirmation of its fourth season even before the release of its third season. With the addition of Hamm, the show garnered even more viewers and his standout performance added to its success. Hamm joined a cast of esteemed actors, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Julianna Margulies, and more, further elevating The Morning Show. In his role as Paul, Hamm brings a new level of intensity, delivering compelling scenes opposite Crudup's Cory and a captivating romance with Aniston's Alex.

Hamm is set to join the fifth season of Fargo, alongside a talented ensemble cast, this time taking on the role of a villain. According to the executive producer of Fargo, Hamm's character has been described as "wonderfully menacing," a fitting description that could also be used for his character Paul Marks in The Morning Show. Hamm will portray the character of Roy Tillman, a sheriff and preacher, whose relentless pursuit is directed towards Dorothy "Dot" Lynn, played by Juno Temple from Ted Lasso. This marks Hamm's first leading role on television since his iconic portrayal of Don Draper in Mad Men, and his remarkable performance in The Morning Show serves as a testament to his continued growth as an actor. While not his first venture into playing a villain, Hamm's recent roles serve as a reminder to television audiences that he remains one of the most skilled actors in the industry.

Jon Hamm's TV Villain Trend Marks His Best TV Run Since Mad Men

Hamm established himself as a true television star during his time on Mad Men, playing the iconic character Don Draper. Draper swiftly became one of the most captivating and well-known figures in TV history, propelling Hamm to stardom. While he has primarily focused on big-screen projects following Mad Men, such as Tag, Bad Times at El Royale, Richard Jewell, and Top Gun: Maverick, his recent return to television in 2023 marks his most noteworthy television comeback since the conclusion of Mad Men in 2015. With his roles in both The Morning Show and Fargo, Hamm embarks on a trend of playing TV villains, which has the potential to further solidify his legacy beyond the realm of Mad Men.

Editor's P/S

Jon Hamm's portrayal of Paul Marks in The Morning Show on Apple TV+ is a captivating performance that solidifies his return to television. Hamm's ability to embody an ominous character with a composed certainty and an air of intimidation is on full display in this role. As the season unfolds, Paul's true colors as a villain become increasingly apparent, and Hamm's performance is a key factor in making him one of the most compelling villains on television.

Hamm's resurgence in television is evident through the success of The Morning Show and his future role in Fargo season 5, marking his most impressive television run since his iconic portrayal in Mad Men. His performance as Paul Marks has garnered critical acclaim, and it is clear that Hamm is still one of the most talented actors in the industry. I am excited to see what he brings to the role of Roy Tillman in Fargo season 5 and am confident that he will deliver another unforgettable performance.