Jon Hamm’s magnetic ad man Don Draper, every character followed a morally ambiguous but riveting arc, from Peggy Olson’s quiet revolution to Joan Holloway’s triumphant ascension.

The main cast of Mad Men used their cachet from the hit series as a launchpad for exciting new projects. From starring in prestige streaming series to taking a risk on ion project films with auteur directors, even the ing characters have made their mark on Hollywood. Seeing the actors in other projects makes me appreciate how perfectly they embodied their Mad Men characters, who could feel so real I often forgot they were scripted.

10 The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)

Kiernan Shipka As Sabrina Spellman

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina made a bold impact as a darker, more supernatural remake of the ‘90s sitcom. The series expanded the Riverdale television universe, blending horror, camp, and coming-of-age drama with a gothic aesthetic that made it a popular Netflix hit for two seasons. At the center was Kiernan Shipka, who used her breakout role as Sally Draper on Mad Men as a springboard into leading-lady territory.

As Sabrina Spellman, Shipka fully embraced the show’s tonal shifts, from playful occult hijinks to genuinely chilling stakes, cementing herself as a new Gen Z star. Shipka struck a balance between power and vulnerability, helping the series gain a devoted fanbase and influencing the tone of teen fantasy TV to come, and she reprised Sabrina in Riverdale season 6.

9 Good Girls (2018-2021)

Christina Hendricks As Beth Boland

Good Girls was a crime dramedy with a small but loyal cult following that ran for four seasons, following three suburban moms who turn to crime to their families. Christina Hendricks starred as Joan Holloway’s transformation in Mad Men, there’s thematic overlap between the two characters.

Beth and Joan were both women navigating male-dominated spaces, driven by loyalty to family and a desire for agency. In each series, Hendricks plays characters who are underestimated by the men around them, which she uses to her advantage. Whether in a 1960s ad agency or a contemporary criminal underworld, Hendricks’ characters forge paths for themselves where none existed before.

8 The Last Man On Earth (2015-2018)

January Jones As Melissa Chartres

The Last Man on Earth was Will Forte’s weird, wonderful post-apocalyptic ion project, a comedy that imagined the end of the world as a deeply awkward, oddly heartwarming playground for human behavior. January Jones starred as Melissa, a woman with sharp instincts and zero patience, who refused to compromise even in a world with no rules. This was a refreshing pivot from her dramatic turn as Betty Draper in Mad Men, allowing Jones to flex her comedic chops and play a character with agency and attitude.

While Betty’s arc toward freedom and self-fulfillment was tragically cut short, Melissa lives in a world where she can make her own choices, no matter how bizarre. The role let Jones embody a character who got to be funny, unpredictable, and free in a way that even Betty’s best moments never permitted her to be.

7 Avengers: Endgame (2019)

John Slattery As Howard Stark

Avengers: Endgame was a true cinematic and box office achievement, serving as a powerful conclusion to the Infinity Saga and honoring characters we had followed for over a decade. One of the movie’s riskiest elements, the “time heist,” could have easily slipped into hollow fan service, but instead it delivered some of the movie’s most emotionally resonant moments, including Tony Stark’s unexpected encounter with his father, Howard Stark, played by John Slattery.

Known for his sharp-tongued charm as Roger Sterling on Mad Men, Slattery brought a similar character but with more warmth and sincerity to the role, giving Tony a rare moment of closure. This scene added emotional weight to Iron Man’s final arc.

6 The People V. O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story (2016)

Robert Morse As Dominick Dunne

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story was a surprising success, reigniting America’s obsession with true crime through prestige TV. With its gripping storytelling and star-studded cast, the Ryan Murphy series brought fresh perspective to a case that had long fascinated the public. Among its many standout performances was Robert Morse as Dominick Dunne, the real-life writer and socialite who chronicled the trial’s media circus.

Dunne was a small but memorable role, showcasing Morse’s quiet gravitas, very different from the eccentric, musical-leaning spirit of Bertram Cooper on Mad Men. While Cooper was a symbol of old-school elegance and mystery in the ad world, Dunne was an observer of celebrity culture’s darker side. The success of The People v. O.J. Simpson led to two more seasons, covering The Murder of Gianni Versace and Bill Clinton’s Impeachment.

5 Silicon Valley (2014-2019)

Ben Feldman As Attorney Ron LaFlamme

Silicon Valley was an improbable hit that became one of HBO’s sharpest comedies, skewering the tech industry through the trials and tribulations of the Pied Piper team. Critics adored the show for its smart satire and pitch-perfect performances, praising its ability to lampoon Silicon Valley culture while still investing in the underdog story. The Mike Judge series ran for six seasons, earning multiple Emmy nominations and two wins.

Ben Feldman, who played the offbeat lawyer Ron LaFlemme, perfectly embodied the strange, funny ing characters in Silicon Valley orbiting the VC world. The role was a far cry from his polished turn as ad man Michael Ginsberg in Mad Men, but both roles leaned into his gift for quirky intensity. LaFlemme's competence shone through his irreverence, always a welcomed addition to Silicon Valley.

4 Chernobyl (2019)

Jared Harris As Valery Legasov

Chernobyl became an unexpected prestige hit for HBO, earning critical acclaim for its gripping portrayal of the 1986 nuclear disaster and the human failures that caused it. The miniseries won 10 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, and earned a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries. At its center was Jared Harris as Valery Legasov, a Soviet scientist burdened with the truth.

Harris led the series with a quiet intensity and moral clarity, a stark contrast to his role as Lane Pryce on Mad Men. While his Man Men character struggled under the weight of personal and professional pressures, culminating in Lane Pryce’s suicide, Legasov faced an even greater existential crisis: risking his life and legacy for the truth. Harris used his ing Mad Men role as a stepping stone, proving his ability to command the screen as a deeply complex lead.

3 The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Rich Sommer As Doug

The Devil Wears Prada has had an enduring cultural impact, elevating what a “chick flick” could be with sharp writing, iconic performances, and a nuanced take on ambition and power. It redefined fashion films and continues to resonate nearly two decades later, so much so that a Devil Wears Prada sequel is now in development.

Rich Sommer had a small role as Doug, one of the so-called “ive” friends who actually undermine Andy’s growth, one of the few aspects of the movie that has aged poorly, though through no fault of Sommer’s. Compared to Sommer’s role as Harry Crane on Mad Men, a man constantly trying to keep up with changing times, Doug feels very one-dimensional.

2 Baby Driver (2017)

Jon Hamm As Jason 'Buddy' Van Horn

Baby Driver is an original masterpiece by Edgar Wright, a stylish action, music, and crime thriller. Meticulously choreographed to its killer soundtrack, the film stands out as one of the most inventive blockbusters in recent years. Wright wrote the role of Buddy specifically for Jon Hamm, casting him against type as a charming but dangerously unhinged criminal.

Since Mad Men, Hamm has embraced a refreshingly varied career, taking on everything from indie comedies (Bridesmaids, Confess, Fletch) to prestige dramas (The Morning Show, Black Mirror, Top Gun: Maverick), and Hamm has expressed interest in ing the MCU. Hamm’s portrayal of Buddy in Baby Driver carries a laid-back cool that slowly unravels into something much darker, echoing the self-destructive streak seen in Don Draper but in a radically different world. Baby Driver is a highlight in Hamm’s post-Mad Men filmography, showing his range and eye for bold, original material.

1 The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present)

Elizabeth Moss As June Osborne

The Handmaid’s Tale became a cultural juggernaut, originally planned as a limited series before expanding to six seasons, far suring the scope of what happens to June in Margaret Atwood’s book. Its dystopian world and chilling relevance struck a nerve, and at the center was Elisabeth Moss as June/Offred, a woman forced into silence who becomes a symbol of rebellion. Moss delivered a fierce, emotionally raw performance that anchored the series and helped shape its voice.

As an executive producer, Moss also used her star power to champion women’s stories, including the critically acclaimed thriller The Invisible Man. Like Peggy Olson in Mad Men, June is a feminist fan favorite, though Peggy fought for respect in the boardroom, while June fights for freedom in a theocracy. Both characters reflect Moss’s commitment to portraying women who won’t be underestimated.