---
name: "Nathan Fillion"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/nathan-fillion"
fi1m_id: "nathan-fillion"
imdb_id: "nm0277213"
tmdb_id: 51797
wikidata_id: "Q342549"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "27 March 1971"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-13T21:45:32.924993+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Nathan Fillion

## Identity

Nathan Fillion

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/nathan-fillion
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** nathan-fillion
- **IMDb ID:** nm0277213
- **TMDB ID:** 51797
- **Wikidata ID:** Q342549
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Fillion, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q342549, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0277213/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/51797

Actor. Born 27 March 1971 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 27 March 1971, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- **Active:** 2002–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Joss Whedon](https://film.one/person/joss-whedon.md), [Alan Tudyk](https://film.one/person/alan-tudyk.md), [Alexi Hawley](https://film.one/person/alexi-hawley.md), [Bethany Rooney](https://film.one/person/bethany-rooney.md), [Bill Roe](https://film.one/person/bill-roe.md), [Elizabeth Davis Beall](https://film.one/person/elizabeth-davis-beall.md), [Gina Torres](https://film.one/person/gina-torres.md), [Jessica Yu](https://film.one/person/jessica-yu.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 14 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 78 (4), 2010s 73 (6), 2020s 66 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 73 across 13 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Action 5, Adventure 5, Drama 5, Science Fiction 5, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 4
- **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,746m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Fillion, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q342549, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0277213/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/51797

## Coming up

- *Man of Tomorrow* (2027-07-07), as Guy Gardner

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Firefly*](https://film.one/tv/firefly.md) (83), [*Rick and Morty*](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md) (78), [*Castle*](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) (73), [*Monsters University*](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md) (72), [*Cars 3*](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md) (58)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Much Ado About Nothing*](https://film.one/film/much-ado-about-nothing-2013.md) (76)
- **HBO Max:** [*Superman*](https://film.one/film/superman.md) (66)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Nathan Fillion

> Nathan Fillion is good at playing men whose confidence gets slightly ahead of their judgement. We like him best with colleagues who can answer back; give him only a haircut and a repeated joke and the appeal soon wears thin.

Mal Reynolds can sound a little too pleased with his own judgement, and Fillion lets us hear it. In Joss Whedon’s *Firefly* (2002), his emphatic delivery gives the captain authority while making that authority faintly ridiculous. We laughed at his self-importance because Fillion puts such conviction into it. Mal remains useful to the crew even when we would rather somebody else had the last word.

Gina Torres’s steadier Zoë Washburne and Alan Tudyk’s lighter Hoban Washburne are essential to how this works. Fillion has room to be emphatic because the other actors do not all press their lines with the same weight. When the writing gives everyone a clever answer, the differences in delivery keep the exchanges worth listening to. We recommend the series warmly, with the reservation that an easy joke sometimes interrupts a serious moment.

Mal was the breakthrough, followed by the film continuation *Serenity* (2005). His subsequent television leads shifted the setting: Richard Castle, the crime novelist working with police in *Castle* (2009–2016), then John Nolan, the older police recruit in *The Rookie* (2018). Those roles make sense for an actor who can soften a character’s self-assurance with humour and vulnerability. They also keep him close to familiar territory, where charm and a sarcastic answer are often part of the job.

James Gunn’s *Superman* (2025) shows how little that familiarity can achieve on its own. Gunn has worked with Fillion repeatedly, including on *Slither* (2006) and *The Suicide Squad* (2021), but Guy Gardner gives him a haircut and one joke to repeat. Edi Gathegi’s deadpan, capable Mr Terrific gets more to do and earns the attention. Fillion is among the supporting players whom a busy film leaves short of a proper character. Start with *Firefly*, and give the rest of the crew time to answer him.

## Biography

Nathan Fillion is a Canadian-American actor. He was born on 27 March 1971 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

He first gained recognition for his role as Joey Buchanan on the soap opera *One Life to Live* (1994–97), for which he received a Daytime Emmy nomination. Subsequent television work includes the sitcom *Two Guys and a Girl* (1998–2001) and the leading role of Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the series *Firefly* (2002–03) and its film *Serenity* (2005).

Fillion is also known for playing Richard Castle in the series *Castle* (2009–16) and John Nolan in *The Rookie* (2018–present). He appears as Guy Gardner in the film *Superman* (2025).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, thecanadianencyclopedia.ca.*

## On Fi1m (14)

- *Lanterns* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Guy Gardner — [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *Superman* (2025), Fi1m 66, as Guy Gardner — [page](https://film.one/film/superman.md)
- *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), Fi1m 60, as Headpool (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), Fi1m 71, as Master Karja — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md)
- *A Series of Unfortunate Events* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Jacques Snicket — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-series-of-unfortunate-events.md)
- *Cars 3* (2017), Fi1m 58, as Sterling (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), Fi1m 80, as Monstrous Inmate — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *Monsters University* (2013), Fi1m 72, as Johnny (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md)
- *Much Ado About Nothing* (2013), Fi1m 76, as Dogberry — [page](https://film.one/film/much-ado-about-nothing-2013.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Cornvelious Daniel (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Castle* (2009), Fi1m 73, as Richard Castle — [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog* (2008), Fi1m 81, as Captain Hammer — [page](https://film.one/tv/dr-horribles-sing-along-blog.md)
- *Serenity* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/film/serenity.md)
- *Firefly* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Mal Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/tv/firefly.md)

## Complete filmography (92)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Man of Tomorrow* (2027), as Guy Gardner
- *Lanterns* (2026), series, as Guy Gardner — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *The Mighty Nein* (2025), series, as The Gentleman (voice)
- *Superman* (2025), as Guy Gardner — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/superman.md)
- *Skincare* (2024), as Brett Wright
- *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), as Headpool (voice) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md)
- *Krapopolis* (2023), series, as Zan (voice)
- *Bupkis* (2023), series, as Ace Spade
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), as Master Karja — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md)
- *The Recruit* (2022), series, as CIA Director Alton West
- *The Rookie: Feds* (2022), series, as John Nolan · Executive Producer
- *Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men* (2022), as Duke
- *Peacemaker* (2022), series, as Guy Gardner
- *Family Law* (2021), series, as Bud Nielsen
- *The Suicide Squad* (2021), as T.D.K.
- *Monsters at Work* (2021), series, as Johnny (voice)
- *Marvel's M.O.D.O.K.* (2021), series, as Simon Williams / Wonder Man (voice)
- *Resident Alien* (2021), series, as Octopus (voice), 42 (voice)
- *The Death and Return of Superman* (2019), as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern (voice)
- *Night Hunter* (2019), as Quinn
- *Reign of the Supermen* (2019), as Green Lantern / Hal Jordan (voice)
- *The Death of Superman* (2019), as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern (voice)
- *Henchmen* (2018), as Captain Superior (voice)
- *The Rookie* (2018), series, as John Nolan · Executive Producer
- *Big Mouth* (2017), series, as Nathan Fillion (voice)
- *Yamasong: March of the Hollows* (2017), as Shojun (voice)
- *Cars 3* (2017), as Sterling (voice) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md)
- *Santa Clarita Diet* (2017), series, as Gary West
- *A Series of Unfortunate Events* (2017), series, as Jacques Snicket (voice), Jacques Snicket — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-series-of-unfortunate-events.md)
- *American Housewife* (2016), series, as Nathan Fillion
- *HarmonQuest* (2016), series, as Tetter Spice
- *Gravity Falls: Between the Pines* (2016), as Preston (Voice)
- *CelebriD&D* (2015), series, as Jolene Glaplok
- *The Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship* (2015), as Green Lantern (voice)
- *Con Man* (2015), series, as Jack Moore · Executive Producer
- *The Thrilling Adventure Hour Live* (2015), as Cactoid Jim
- *Justice League: Throne of Atlantis* (2015), as Green Lantern / Hal Jordan (voice)
- *Assassin Banana* (2015), series, as Chick del Monte / Assassin Banana (voice)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), as Monstrous Inmate — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *Robot Chicken DC Comics Special II: Villains in Paradise* (2014), as Green Lantern / Black Adam (voice)
- *Highway of Tears* (2014), as Narrator
- *Party Central* (2014), as Johnny (voice)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Cornvelious Daniel (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), series, as Mark Devereaux — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md)
- *Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters* (2013), as Hermes
- *Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox* (2013), as Green Lantern / Hal Jordan (voice)
- *Monsters University* (2013), as Johnny (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md)
- *Much Ado About Nothing* (2013), as Dogberry — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/much-ado-about-nothing-2013.md)
- *Neil's Puppet Dreams* (2012), series, as Dr. Mayfair
- *Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special* (2012), as Green Lantern / Mr. Freeze (voice)
- *Gravity Falls* (2012), series, as Preston Northwest (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/gravity-falls.md)
- *Justice League: Doom* (2012), as Green Lantern (voice)
- *Green Lantern: Emerald Knights* (2011), as Hal Jordan (voice)
- *Super* (2010), as The Holy Avenger
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Rainer Shine — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Community* (2009), series, as Bob Waite — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md)
- *Castle* (2009), series, as Richard Castle · Producer — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *Wonder Woman* (2009), as Col. Steve Trevor (voice)
- *Commentary! The Musical* (2008), Actor
- *James Gunn's PG Porn* (2008), series, as Chris
- *Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog* (2008), series, as Captain Hammer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/dr-horribles-sing-along-blog.md)
- *Trucker* (2008), as Runner
- *The Big Bang Theory* (2007), series, as Nathan Fillion — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md)
- *The Guild* (2007), series, as Nathan Fillion
- *Waitress* (2007), as Dr. Jim Pomatter
- *Drive* (2007), series, as Alex Tully
- *White Noise 2: The Light* (2007), as Abe Dale
- *Slither* (2006), as Bill Pardy
- *Serenity* (2005), as Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/serenity.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as American Businessman Klaus (voice), Liver / Joel Larson (voice)
- *Outing Riley* (2004), as Luke Riley
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Adam Mayfair — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *Lost* (2004), series, as Kevin Callis — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md)
- *The Venture Bros.* (2004), series, as Brown Widow (voice)
- *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Vigilante (voice)
- *Water's Edge* (2003), as Robert Graves
- *Miss Match* (2003), series, as Adam Logan
- *Firefly* (2002), series, as Mal Reynolds — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/firefly.md)
- *Dracula 2000* (2000), as Father David
- *Blast from the Past* (1999), as Cliff
- *Maggie Winters* (1998), series, as Ronald
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), as Minnesota Ryan — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Two Guys and a Girl* (1998), series, as Johnny Donnelly
- *Total Security* (1997), series, as Troy Larson
- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), series, as Caleb — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Frisbee Guy (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Michael Ryan
- *Ordeal in the Arctic* (1993), as Master Warrant Officer Tom Jardine
- *One Life to Live* (1968), series, Actor
- *Strange and Rich*, as Walter Hoade
- *The Guild: Ren Faire'd*, Actor
- *The Rookie: North*, series, as John Nolan · Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Nathan Fillion](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-50df522b6493.jpg) Nathan Fillion — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Nathan_Fillion_at_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2026-5.jpg/1280px-Nathan_Fillion_at_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2026-5.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![An Eltingville Transit Center-bound SIM1C express bus traveling west on 59th Street (Central Park South) towards 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The SIM1C is t](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-3c58d0a8e658.jpg) An Eltingville Transit Center-bound SIM1C express bus traveling west on 59th Street (Central Park South) towards 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The SIM1C is t — Tdorante10, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/59th_St_7th_Av_td_%282018-08-27%29_01.jpg/1280px-59th_St_7th_Av_td_%282018-08-27%29_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Aaron Pierre, Nathan Fillion, & Kyle Chandler at San Diego Comic Con 2026](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-c60d7d33c25f.jpg) Aaron Pierre, Nathan Fillion, & Kyle Chandler at San Diego Comic Con 2026 — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Aaron_Pierre%2C_Nathan_Fillion%2C_%26_Kyle_Chandler_at_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2026.jpg/1280px-Aaron_Pierre%2C_Nathan_Fillion%2C_%26_Kyle_Chandler_at_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion and Michael Trucco speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Con Man", at the San Diego Convention Center in San D](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-e5d9240dfc22.jpg) Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion and Michael Trucco speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Con Man", at the San Diego Convention Center in San D — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Alan_Tudyk%2C_Nathan_Fillion_%26_Michael_Trucco_%2819642263066%29.jpg/1280px-Alan_Tudyk%2C_Nathan_Fillion_%26_Michael_Trucco_%2819642263066%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Nathan Fillion](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-1f737657e661.jpg) Nathan Fillion — Image via TMDB
- ![Nathan Fillion](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-8f257636ad5f.jpg) Nathan Fillion — Image via TMDB
- ![Nathan Fillion](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-450bf906c3e3.jpg) Nathan Fillion — Image via TMDB
- ![Profile image of editor AlexTheWhovian. (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-c0abcdacb916.jpg) Profile image of editor AlexTheWhovian. (2016) — AlexTheWhovian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/AlexTheWhovian_2016.jpg/1280px-AlexTheWhovian_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris Hardwick, Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Con Man", at the San Diego Convention Center in San D](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-2270b4d8402e.jpg) Chris Hardwick, Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Con Man", at the San Diego Convention Center in San D — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Chris_Hardwick%2C_Alan_Tudyk_%26_Nathan_Fillion_%2819642248656%29.jpg/1280px-Chris_Hardwick%2C_Alan_Tudyk_%26_Nathan_Fillion_%2819642248656%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Nathan Fillion](https://film.one/media/person/8257/gallery-71218d016b61.jpg) Nathan Fillion — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/nathan-fillion