Talent Wasted: 10 Great Actors Trapped in Terrible TV Shows

1. Jonny Lee Miller in Eli Stone (2008-2009)

One would think that Jonny Lee Miller, renowned for his captivating performance as the titular character in Elementary, would be enough to save any TV show. However, the trainwreck known as Eli Stone sadly proves otherwise. The show centers around a lawyer who begins to have strange hallucinations leading him to believe he may be a prophet.

While the premise might sound intriguing, the execution falls flat, and the bizarre mix of legal drama and fantasy becomes increasingly disorienting. Despite Miller's best efforts to portray the confusion and existential crisis of his character, the show only lasted two seasons, and currently sits at a measly 36% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Christian Slater in My Own Worst Enemy (2008)

Christian Slater, a face usually associated with cult classic movies like Heathers, made an unfortunate foray into television with My Own Worst Enemy. The show's premise involves Slater's character having two identities – a family man and a spy. It's an interesting concept, but the implementation was utterly disastrous.

The show struggled with its identity just as much as Slater's character did, wavering between a serious spy thriller and a convoluted family drama. The narrative was as clear as mud, and despite Slater's best attempts to inject some life into the dual roles, the show was axed after only nine episodes.

3. Sean Bean in Legends (2014-2015)

Yes, you read that right. Our beloved Sean Bean, known for his iconic roles in Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, also fell victim to a disastrous TV show. Legends sees Bean play an undercover FBI agent who can transform himself into a different person for each job. However, with a convoluted plot and lackluster writing, the show didn't live up to its promising premise. Despite Bean's best efforts, he couldn't rescue the show from its own mediocrity. It was eventually canceled after two seasons (much to the relief of Bean's fans.)

4. Famke Janssen in Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)

Even X-Men's Jean Grey couldn't save this horrifically confusing supernatural series. Hemlock Grove, based on Brian McGreevy's novel of the same name, is a mishmash of werewolves, vampires, mad scientists, and murder mysteries. Janssen, who plays the wealthy and mysterious Olivia Godfrey, delivers a performance as well as one could hope given the baffling script. But even her talent wasn't enough to rescue this sinking ship. The series holds a poor 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. Michael Chiklis in No Ordinary Family (2010-2011)

Michael Chiklis, best known for his Emmy-winning role on The Shield, must have wondered what he'd signed up for with No Ordinary Family. The series follows a family who gains superpowers after surviving a plane crash in the Amazon. This concept might work in the hands of Pixar (hello, The Incredibles), but it fell flat in this live-action format. The series (understandably) never quite took off and was canceled after just one season.

6. Jimmy Smits in Cane (2007)

When you cast Jimmy Smits, the powerhouse actor from NYPD Blue and The West Wing, expectations run high. Unfortunately, in the case of Cane, a drama about a Cuban-American family running a rum and sugar business in Florida, it seems like those expectations fell into a vat of molasses. Smits plays the lead, Alex Vega, who is the adopted son and chosen successor to the family patriarch.

Despite Smits' charisma and dramatic prowess, he couldn't rescue the show from its telenovela-style theatrics and predictable plotlines. The show didn't even make it through its first season, and was canceled after just 13 episodes.

7. Robin Williams in The Crazy Ones (2013-2014)

It's hard to believe that a TV show featuring Robin Williams, an unparalleled comedy legend, could ever be considered terrible. Yet, The Crazy Ones stands as a testament to that possibility. Williams played Simon Roberts, an eccentric and unorthodox advertising executive. The sitcom, sadly, didn't capitalize on Williams' comedic genius, instead relegating him to a series of tired, clichéd advertising plots that failed to amuse its viewers. The show was canceled after just one season.

8. Heather Locklear in LAX (2004-2005)

After a successful run on Melrose Place, Heather Locklear ended up landing in LAX, a drama about the daily operations of Los Angeles International Airport. Locklear played Harley Random, an airport executive whose character arc was about as interesting as a three-hour flight delay. Despite Locklear's attempts to inject some life into her character, the plotlines were as monotonous as the baggage carousel, and the show was grounded after only one season.

9. Patrick Dempsey in The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair (2018)

You'd think Dr. McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey, could salvage any TV show with his charisma and talent, but The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair is proof that this isn't always the case. The miniseries, based on the best-selling novel by Joël Dicker, featured Dempsey as the titular Harry Quebert, a famous author accused of murder after the body of a young girl is found on his property.

Despite a promising start, the plot quickly became convoluted, and Dempsey's solid performance couldn't save the series from its narrative collapse. The series sits at a disappointing 60% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

10. Geena Davis in Commander in Chief (2005-2006)

Academy Award winner Geena Davis took on the role of Mackenzie Allen, the first female President of the United States, in Commander in Chief. While Davis' performance was commendable, the show itself felt more like a poorly paced political soap opera than a thrilling drama. The storyline wobbled between half-baked political intrigue and frustrating family drama, never quite finding its footing. Despite Davis winning a Golden Globe for her performance, the show was canceled after just one season.