The Ultimate Ranking of Colton Ryan's Must-Watch Movies & TV Shows

Summary

Colton Ryan has consistently given great performances in a range of genres and narratives, showcasing his talent as an actor.

Ryan's exceptional performance in The Girl from Plainville showcases his talent in portraying intricate and emotionally demanding characters. Regardless of the magnitude of his roles in TV and film, Ryan consistently reveals his ability to stand out among A-list cast members and carry his own weight as a lead in shows like Little Voice.

Colton Ryan has quickly emerged as a highly skilled actor with a promising future in Hollywood. Initially making his mark on stage, Ryan showcased his talent in several notable regional theater productions, including memorable roles in "The Secret Garden," "My Fair Lady," and "West Side Story." However, his breakthrough came in 2016 with his Broadway debut in the hit musical "Dear Evan Hansen," where he stood out while serving as the standby for Evan Hansen, Connor Murphy, and Jared Kleinman. Ryan then ventured into television with his debut on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in 2017.

Since then, Ryan has flourished in a diverse range of film and television projects, spanning from intimate indie dramas to comedic crime mysteries to exhilarating musicals. With his remarkable versatility and consistently impressive performances, Ryan has firmly established himself as a formidable presence in various genres and narratives. Although details of his next endeavor remain unknown, audiences can rest assured that there are already numerous memorable Colton Ryan movies and TV shows to indulge in.

10 The Social Ones (2019)

Watch The Social Ones streaming on Tubi and The Roku Channel. This 2019 mockumentary short film, directed by Laura Kosann, delves into the personal lives of a group of social media influencers striving to conquer their social anxieties and rise to fame. With notable actors such as Richard Kind and Debra Jo Rupp, the real stars of this film are the main cast, particularly Colton Ryan, who impressively portrays both a cliché social media influencer and a person striving to overcome their insecurities.

9 Law and Order: SVU (1999-Present)

Stream on Hulu and Peacock

The Law & Order series by Dick Wolf has spawned numerous spin-offs, the first being Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU). With a staggering 24 seasons and counting, SVU revolves around the dedicated members of the NYPD's Special Victims Unit, tasked with investigating and solving sexually-based crimes. In episode 4 of season 19, titled "No Good Reason," a compelling storyline unfolds as Colton Ryan portrays Andrew Drake, a childhood friend of Mandy Fowler who perpetrates a heinous assault and rape after she rejects his romantic advances. Despite this being his inaugural television role, Ryan's immersive portrayal showcases his undeniable talent as he convincingly embodies this despicable character.

8 The Americans (2013-2018)

Stream on Hulu

The Americans is a gripping series based on true events, following the thrilling story of Elizabeth (played by Keri Russell) and Phillip (played by Matthew Rhys), who masquerade as Americans while working as KGB agents to infiltrate the US government. They are dedicated to sending valuable classified information and secrets back to the Soviet Union. In episode 5 of season 6, titled "The Great Patriotic War," Ryan takes on the role of Vince, a character who tries to flirt with Paige (portrayed by Holly Taylor), the American-born daughter of Elizabeth and Phillip. Vince charms her by buying her a drink, but their fun moment is abruptly interrupted by Vince's drunken friend, Tony, who ruins everything. Ryan's portrayal of the charismatic Vince shines, even in this relatively minor role.

7 Adam (2019)

Stream on Tubi

Directed by Rhys Ernst, Adam is a comedy-drama film centered around a shy high schooler named Nicholas Alexander. He attends an LGBTQ+ party where he crosses paths with Gillian, a lesbian girl portrayed by Bobbi Menuez. In a moment of deception, when Gillian questions if Adam is transgender, he falsely affirms. Consequently, the film delves into the intricate dynamics of this relationship built on lies. Colton Ryan also joins the cast as Brad, a character of lesser prominence who showcases his ability to collaborate with other actors and shine within an ensemble cast.

6 Uncle Frank (2020)

Stream Uncle Frank on Amazon Prime Video, a captivating film with an incredible ensemble cast including Paul Bettany, Judy Greer, Steve Zahn, and Margo Martindale. The story follows Frank Bledsoe (Paul Bettany), a gay man who has kept his true self a secret from his family. As he embarks on a road trip, he must confront his past while facing the unexpected advances of Bruce (Colton Ryan), the boyfriend of Beth Bledsoe (Sophia Lillis). Though a smaller role, Colton shines alongside the film's remarkable A-list cast, showcasing his talent and ability to hold his own.

5 Little Voice (2020)

Stream on Apple TV+

Little Voice revolves around Bess King (Brittany O'Grady), a young aspiring musician who grapples with the fear of rejection while chasing her dreams of professional success. Alongside her musical pursuits, Bess confronts challenges in her love life and her relationship with her family. Ryan portrays Samuel, a character that showcases one of his finest performances. Although Bess takes the spotlight in the series, this marks Ryan's entrance as a significant member of the main cast. His exceptional acting skills affirm his rightful place in more prominent television roles.

4 Homeland (2011-2020)

Stream on Hulu

Homeland, a spy series inspired by the Israeli TV show Prisoners of War, follows the thrilling journey of CIA Agent Carrie Mathison (played by Claire Danes) and Marine Corps Scout Sniper Nicholas Brody (played by Damian Lewis). Together, they embark on covert missions to safeguard the United States against potential terrorist plots. In season 7, Colton Ryan portrays J.J. Elkins, an avid listener and follower of right-wing radio host Brett O'Keefe. Although not a central character, his role is particularly memorable as the show delves into the impact of O'Keefe's dangerous words and rhetoric on J.J., ultimately driving him towards perilous choices.

3 Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

Stream on DirecTV and Freevee

Dear Evan Hansen, a coming-of-age musical, is based on the eponymous stage musical where actor Colton Ryan made his Broadway debut. The storyline revolves around the young high school teenager Evan Hansen (played by Ben Platt) who gains popularity and fame by fabricating a relationship with his fellow student, Connor Murphy (played by Colton Ryan), who tragically took his own life soon after signing Evan's cast and taking the letter Evan wrote to himself. Despite being unsuccessful at the box office and receiving negative reviews from critics, Dear Evan Hansen provided Ryan with the opportunity to showcase his musical talents, with the standout song being "Sincerely, Me".

2 Poker Face (2023)

Stream on Peacock

Poker Face, a gripping crime comedy-drama series created by Rian Johnson, follows the unexpected journey of Charlie Cale (played by Natasha Lyonne), a casino worker who unwittingly stumbles upon a perplexing string of deaths. The show boasts an extensive and impressive ensemble cast, featuring phenomenal guest appearances by the likes of Adrien Brody, Ron Perlman, Hong Chau, and the talented Colton Ryan. In a standout performance, Ryan portrays Jed, a cunning mechanic who cold-bloodedly eliminates a Subway employee named Damian (Brandon Micheal Hall) after the latter wins a life-changing lottery ticket. Although Ryan's character only appears in a single episode, his portrayal of a conniving, manipulative villain is nothing short of exceptional, making it one of his most memorable roles.

1 The Girl from Plainville (2022)

Stream on Hulu

The miniseries titled "The Girl from Plainville" depicts the tragic suicide of Conrad "Coco" Roy, played by Colton Ryan, and explores the possible involvement of his girlfriend Michelle Carter, portrayed by Elle Fanning, who was later charged with involuntary manslaughter in 2017. Colton Ryan delivers a remarkable performance in this role, showcasing his immense talent by fully immersing himself into the character's profound sadness and anguish. His portrayal of Coco is unlike any other role he has taken on, proving his versatility as an actor. It is hoped that Ryan will continue to embrace more challenging and multifaceted characters like this in the future.