Luke Evans may be the very definition of a cinematic chameleon. He can sing at the top of his lungs, brood, charm you, or frighten the living daylights out of you—and still manage to resemble a figure who belonged in a Renaissance painting. More often than not, most think of him as the larger-than-life Gaston from Beauty and the Beast or as the mysterious Lars from Nine Perfect Strangers, but his filmography is full of roles that don’t receive nearly enough attention. If you’re willing to look beyond the blockbusters and uncover some genuine gems, here’s a top ten list of Luke Evans roles that you likely missed—but truly shouldn’t.
10. Ben – Ma (2019)
In this twisty psych horror, Evans portrays Ben, erstwhile high school golden boy (and not-so-secret mean boy) turned father of the boyfriend of the film’s protagonist. Initially, he is a good guy reconnecting with old friends—though as the tension escalates, you catch on that there’s more beneath the surface. Evans’s brief screen time still makes a lasting impression, courtesy of the combination of charm and moral ambiguity he applies to the part.
9. Scott Hipwell – The Girl on the Train (2016)
Do you think Evans can only do nice guys? Scott Hipwell disagrees. He’s a hot-headed husband whose wife is missing, and how Evans captures his rage, sorrow, and nastiness makes him one of the most interesting suspects in the film. It’s a performance that demonstrates Evans can play characters who are not very likable—and still be irresistible.
8. Alex Tchenkov – Anna (2019)
As exhausted KGB agent Alex Evans enters a sophisticated world of espionage, deceit, and fatal loyalties. His Alex is both realistic and compassionate, sharing a surprising chemistry with the movie’s killer heroine. Their screen relationship sparkles, adding depth to a tale of tension and double-crosses.
7. John Moore – The Alienist (2018–2020)
Based in gritty, Gilded Age New York, this crime series finds Evans playing John Moore, a newspaper sketch artist pulled into an investigation of brutal, ritualistic murders. His slick suave is perfectly period, and the chemistry between Evans, Dakota Fanning, and Daniel Brühl makes the series as much about character dynamics as it is about solving the mystery.
6. William Moulton Marston – Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017)
Back when Wonder Woman first landed on the page, there was Marston—a psychologist, inventor, and the unorthodox man who created the heroine. Evans portrays him with charm and warmth, revealing the intellect and humanity behind a life that challenged convention. It’s a performance that easily could have devolved into eccentric cliché, but Evans provides it real emotional depth.
5. Richard Wilder – High Rise (2015)
This dystopian thriller takes place in a high-rise tower that spirals out of control, and Evans’s Richard Wilder is right in the middle of it. From affable documentarian to collapsing class warrior, he slowly comes undone as tensions come to a head. Seeing him unfold from ordinary guy to raging force of nature is disturbing—most enjoyably.
4. Andy Cobb – Tamara Drewe (2010)
As local handyman Andy Cobb, Evans is the steady, quietly likable presence in a love triangle that unfolds when Tamara comes back to her small hometown. His portrayal makes Andy not only a rival for her affections, but the one you wish in secret she would choose.
3. Apollo – Clash of the Titans (2010)
Before major Hollywood stardom, Evans wore the robes of the Greek deity Apollo. He doesn’t overwhelm the screen time, but his regal demeanor and natural presence make the role memorable. It’s a small but indicative peek at the gravitas he’d later infuse into larger roles.
2. King Merriman – Crossing Swords (2020–Present)
Evans unchains himself here in this off-color, stop-motion animated farce, explaining an outrageously over-the-top king. His reading is laced with comedic bite, demonstrating that he’s equally at ease at having you laugh as he is at having you cry–or wince. You can almost hear him having a ball.
1. Charles Cavendish – Murder Mystery (2019)
Yes, even in an Adam Sandler comedy, Luke Evans manages to shine. Playing a wealthy aristocrat whose yacht getaway turns deadly, he keeps you guessing about whether he’s charming or dangerous—or both. It’s a lighter role, but one he elevates effortlessly.
Luke Evans’s filmography is much more than the most popular credits he’s ever held. Whether he’s showing up as a god, a baddie, a monarch, or simply a bloke with a secret, he always brings something compelling to the screen. These performances may not headline his IMDb page—but they should make it onto your watchlist.