Best known as Gaston in the live action Nine Perfect Strangers, Luke Evans has steadily and rightfully won his way into the most sought-after roles.
However, some of his characters and movies may not be that well known to audiences, even to fans of the actor. His filmography proves to be far ranging, encapsulating pretty much all genres. Evans's diverse underrated performances shows just how versatile he is. He can be serious, intimidating, sweet, or silly, delivering whatever the material requires.
Charles Cavendish - Murder Mystery (2019) - Stream On Netflix
Many may not think of Luke Evans in an Murder Mystery. The movie is about a blue-collar New York couple who travel to Europe for the honeymoon they never had. A chance encounter with an aristocrat gains them a spot on a luxurious yacht. But, the couple gets more than they bargained for when one of the yacht's guests is murdered.
Evans stars as the aristocrat who gets the couple entry into the yacht and is also the murder victim's nephew. The audience really never knows what kind of person his character is until the turning points of the movie. Evans pulls this off effortlessly, helping to elevate the film.
King Merriman - Crossing Swords (2020- Present) - Stream On Hulu
Evans shows his silly side in this adult animated stop motion series. In a similar animation vein as Adult Swim's Robot Chicken, this show is about a good-hearted peasant named Patrick who lands his dream job as a squire only to be disappointed that his new kingdom is a disaster.
Playing King Merriman to which Patrick is his squire, Evans's voice-over role is among a number of talented actors like Nicholas Hoult and Tony Hale. The audience can tell that Evans has fun with this comedic role as evidenced in his voice performance of his strident royal character.
Apollo - Clash of the Titans (2010) - Stream On HBO Max
A remake of the 1981 Harry Hamlin film, this movie tells the story of the myth of demigod Perseus who must stop the underworld minions from conquering Mt. Olympus as well as Earth. In one of Luke Evans's earliest roles, he plays the character of the Greek god Apollo.
Given Evans's impressively muscular physique, this bit of casting was genius as Evans embodies the characteristics that the audience would think a Greek god possesses.
Andy Cobb - Tamara Drewe (2010) - Rent On Vudu
Directed by acclaimed director Stephen Frears, Evans portrays the titular protagonist's former flame and a local handyman. The film follows an ugly duckling journalist who returns to her small town completely transformed where she causes a stir by being pursued by three very different men.
Evans being one of the love interests, he does an exceptional job of being incredibly charming and likable to the audience. The viewer roots for Evans's character to get together with Tamara and for the two of them to be happy together.
Richard Wilder - High Rise (2015) - Stream On Crackle
In a high-rise apartment building in London, the rich are placed at the top while those with less money are forced to live in the bottom tiers of the tower with a young divorced doctor stuck between the two warring divisions. Soon, things come to a troubling head for all the residents.
Evans plays one of the lower-level residents who is a documentary filmmaker with a family that the main character befriends. At first, a genial and affable character, Evan's Richard soon mentally disintegrates along with the other high-rise residents, causing destruction at all turns.
William Moulton Marston - Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017) - Stream On HBO Max
A biographical historical drama, this film looks at psychologist William Moulton Marston and the polyamorous relationship he had with two women who inspired his creation of the superhero Wonder Woman. Evans plays the brilliant psychologist who also invented the lie detector test.
Along with the two other female leads, Evans's performance is magnetic and charismatic. He makes a very convincing portrayal of a gifted and accomplished creator. Playing a complex character, Evans does a fantastic job at showing the humanity of this larger-than-life person who created one of the most well-known characters in popular culture.
John Moore - The Alienist (2018 - 2020) - Stream On HBO Max
In this TNT historical drama series, Evans stars alongside Dakota Fanning and Daniel Brühl as a newspaper illustrator in 1896 New York. Evans's Moore is tasked along with Fanning's Sara and Brühl's criminal psychologist Dr. Kreizler to secretly investigate a series of murders done by a ritualistic killer.
The alienist of the title refers to Brühl's character as the phrase means to describe one who studies those who are alienated from society and the self. Evans proves to be an apt choice for the historical setting as the costumes mixed with his debonair screen presence place the audience in the late 19th century.
Alex Tchenkov - Anna (2019) - Stream On IMDbTV
This action-thriller looks at government assassin Anna, who never knows quite who to trust. Evans plays a KGB agent that lures Anna into the life of a government assassin. As a KGB agent, Evans plays the role as a man who is world-weary.
Alex has seen too much in his life leaving him jaded but also empathetic to the plights of the eponymous Anna. Alex and Anna have much in common, making the two feel a kinship to one another. Evans shows this bond through the easy chemistry he shares with his co-star.
Scott Hipwell - The Girl On The Train (2016) - Rent On Vudu
2016's The Girl on the Train is the story of a woman named Rachel who rides the train aimlessly after her life falls apart. While riding the train, she fixates on the life of her ex-husband and their neighbors. In a weird turn of events, Rachel becomes wrapped up in a missing persons case.
Evans plays the husband of the missing woman who Rachel obsesses over. Scott Hipwell is an emotionally abusive and rageful man who later becomes a prime suspect in the investigation. Evans does a great job of presenting an unlikeable character and showing him in all his layers and complexities.
Ben - Ma (2019) - Rent On Apple TV
In this underrated psychological horror film, Evans portrays Ma's high school crush/bully all grown up and the parent of the protagonist's boyfriend. The film follows a lonely middle-aged woman who befriends a group of teenagers led by new in town Maggie. At first, the friendship seems like a win-win for everyone but slowly Maggie realizes that Ma may not be the nice, kind woman they think she is.
Evans's Ben is a complicated character as the audience goes through moments of liking and loathing him. An actor as talented as Luke Evans pulls this off flawlessly, adding to the film despite his limited on-screen time.
