Like many Quentin Tarantino movies,Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodhad a large ensemble cast that was a mix of proven box office juggernauts and relative newcomers on the rise. Many of theactors who cameoed as members of the Manson familywere about to break out as major stars. For example, Austin Butler was Academy Award nominated for his role as the King of Rock and Roll inElvis, whileMikey Madison won an Oscar for her titular role inAnora.
While there are manygreat movies starring the cast ofOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, you might be surprised how many of the actors you’ve already seen on the small screen in many of your favorite TV shows. From streaming anchor shows to 90s teen dramas to auteur-driven horror limited series,now is a great time to revisit some of the hit series starring the castahead of theBrad Pitt-David Fincher-NetflixOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodquasi-sequel.
12Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
Luke Perry As Dylan McKay
Beverly Hills, 90210redefined teen dramas in the 1990s, blending soap-style storytelling with real-world issues. Luke Perry’s character Dylan McKay was a huge part of the show’s appeal, playing a brooding, misunderstood bad boy.
Why Luke Perry Left Beverly Hills, 90210 (& Why He Came Back)
Luke Perry played Dylan McKay on the iconic teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210 before exiting in season 6, only to return three years later in season 9.
Dylan brought unexpected emotional depth to the series, demonstrated in many ofLuke Perry’s best episodes ofBeverly Hills, 90210. Decades later, Perry’s role inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodserved as a quiet tribute to his legacy.
Beverly Hills 90210
Cast
Beverly Hills 90210 is a teen-centric drama series that ran on Fox from 1990 to 2000. The show focuses on twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh, two teens forced to move from Minnesota to the progressive and wildly different Beverly Hills in California. 90210 explores significant and controversial topics for teens that have remained prevalent over time, such as sex, racism, and drug abuse, and became a global sensation in the early 90s.
Playing the aging actor Wayne Maunder, Perry brought warmth, charisma, and a sense of lived-in history, mirroring his own journey from teen idol to respected character actor.Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodwas a poignant final film released posthumously for Perry, dedicated to his memory, reminding audiences of his lasting impact on television and film.
11The Carrie Diaries (2013-2014)
Austin Butler As Sebastian Kydd
The Carrie Diarieswas an ambitious attempt to explore the early life ofSex and the City’s iconic Carrie Bradshaw. While it never reached the cultural heights of its predecessor, the series had charm, a strong visual style, and standout performances from teen stars like AustinButler, who played Carrie’s love interest Sebastian Kydd, a teen heartthrob.
The Carrie Diaries
The Carrie Diaries is a prequel to Sex and the City, following a young Carrie Bradshaw, played by AnnaSophia Robb, as she navigates high school life in the 1980s. Set in suburban Connecticut, the series explores Carrie’s early experiences with friendship, love, and aspiration for a career in writing.
Butler was a teen star, but it’s still surprising in retrospect that this CW actor was soon plucked for more prestige projects. Butler’s small but memorable role asTex inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodsignaled a turning point in his career. Butler was allowed to show more of his range, leading to his starring roles inElvisandDune: Part 2.
10The First Lady (2022)
Dakota Fanning As Susan Ford
Showtime’s historical seriesThe First Ladyexplored the lives of prominent wives to American presidents in aThis Is Us-style interwoven narrative across different time periods. The show had high-profile talent, but never found its audience and sadly,The First Ladywas canceled after just one season.Dakota Fanning played Susan Ford, the daughter of Gerald and Betty Ford, delivering a poised and thoughtful performance.
The First Lady
The First Lady is a Showtime series that examines the personal and political lives of some of America’s most iconic First Ladies. Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, the series humanizes these public figures by exploring their contributions and challenges within the confines of their historic roles in the White House.
Susan Ford is a notable contrast to Fanning’s brief but impactful role inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, where she played the unsettlingManson girl Squeaky Fromme. Fanning’s impressive range, even as a young actor, continues to elevate every project she joins.
9Pan Am (2011-2012)
Margot Robbie As Pan Am Stewardess Laura Cameron
Pan Amwas a short-lived but stylish drama that followed the glamorous, globe-trotting lives of Pan Am stewardesses in the 1960s, a time when air travel symbolized sophistication and women’s opportunities were still deeply limited.
Margot Robbie stood out as Laura Cameron, a beauty queen escaping a sheltered life in search of independence and purpose, one of Robbie’s first major roles in the U.S.
The show revisited gender politics, spotlighting women who wanted more than what society expected.Margot Robbie stood out as Laura Cameron, a beauty queen escaping a sheltered life in search of independence and purpose, one of Robbie’s first major roles in the U.S.
Pan Am
Set in the early 1960s at the beginning of the commercial Jet Age, Pan Am is a period drama series that aired on ABC for one season from 2011-2012. The show follows the lives of the pilots and stewardesses working for Pan American World Airways, known as Pan Am. The show stars Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, Michael Mosley, Karine Vanasse, Mike Vogel, and Kelli Garner.
Robbie actually reprised her Pan Am role as a stewardess (though her face isn’t seen) inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, whereRobbie famously played Sharon Tate with a controversial alternate ending. Robbie excels at bringing a depth beneath her breathtaking looks in every role.
8Better Things (2016-2022)
Mikey Madison As Max Fox
Better Thingswas a groundbreaking, creator-driven dramedy from Pamela Adlon that redefined what personal storytelling could look like on TV. Loosely based on Adlon’s life, the series followed a single mother raising three daughters in Los Angeles, blending comedy, melancholy, and emotional realism.
Mikey Madison Went Full Manson Auditioning For Tarantino, And She Knew He’d Cast Her In OUATIH Before She Got The Role
Rising star Mikey Madison recounts her Once Upon a Time in Hollywood audition to prove to Quentin Tarantino that she was right for the Manson role.
The series was critically acclaimed for its authenticity and innovative style, earning a prestigious Peabody Award in 2016.Mikey Madison played Max inBetter Things,the volatile eldest daughter, who brought a mix of vulnerability and teenage rebellion.
Better Things
Created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K, Better Things is a Black Comedy that was released in 2016 and ran for five seasons before ending in 2022. The series stars Mikey Madison, Hannah Alligood, and Pamela Adlon. The series revolves around a mother and her three feisty daughters.
She later brought the same unpredictable energy to Madison’s role of Sadie, a member of the Manson cult, although Max’s emotional complexity is even more in line with Madison’s nuanced performance inAnora.
7Euphoria (2019-present)
Sydney Sweeney As Cassie Howard
Euphoriabecame a cultural phenomenon for its bold, stylized, andemotionally gritty portrayal of modern teen life. With its hypnotic visuals and unflinching honesty, the HBO series launched a new wave of Gen Z storytelling. The show catapulted a fresh generation of actors into stardom, including Zendaya (who won an Emmy for her role,) Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney.
Euphoria
Euphoria is a teen drama created by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya, Maude Apatow, and Angus Cloud. The series deals with the dark reality of a drug-addicted teen on her road to recovery as she faces a multitude of challenges and issues.
Sweeney’s breakout turn as Cassie Howard,a deeply insecure girl chasing love and identity, showcased her dramatic range and emotional depth. That same year, Sweeney played a Manson girl inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, proving her versatility and helping cement her place as one of Hollywood’s most compelling rising stars, with her role inThe White Lotus’ acclaimed first season coming just two years later.
6Maid (2021)
Margaret Qualley As Alex Russell
Maidwas a breakout hit for Netflixculturally and critically, becoming one of the streamer’s most-watched limited series of the year. Adapted from Stephanie Land’s memoir, the show delivered a raw and empathetic portrayal of poverty, domestic abuse, and resilience through the eyes of a young mother trying to rebuild her life.
Maid
Maid is a 2021 Netflix mini-series starring Margaret Qualley as Alex Russell, a young, single mother who finds a job as a maid after escaping an abusive relationship to support her daughter, Maddy. The series comes from writer Molly Smith Metzler, who previously wrote for Orange is the New Black and Shameless.
Margaret Qualley’s deeply affecting performance as Alex earned her widespread acclaimand an Emmy nomination, cementing her as a major talent capable of anchoring a project.Maidwas a significant leap from Qualley’s small supporting role as a Manson girl inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, proving she could carry a series and channel emotional complexity with subtlety, grit, and vulnerability.
5Billions (2016-2023)
Damian Lewis As Bobby Axelrod
Billionsmade a major cultural splash with its sharp writing, high-stakes power plays, and morally complex characters, helping pave the way for prestige dramas centered on wealthy, self-serving elites likeSuccessionandThe White Lotus.
Billions’ exploration of ego, power, and loyalty elevated Lewis’s already formidable screen presence.
Lewis brought ruthless charisma to Bobby Axelrod, a brilliant hedge fund king constantly clashing with Paul Giamatti’s relentless district attorney inBillions.Billions’ exploration of ego, power, and loyalty elevated Lewis’s already formidable screen presence.
Billions
Billions is a drama series created for Showtime that follows hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod’s quest to accumulate power and wealth, often leading him to utilize unscrupulous tactics. The one man standing in his way is U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades - who will do what it takes to ensure Axelrod is brought to justice. The series is based on several real-world cases featuring dramatizations and embellishments for entertainment purposes.
The same confidence and swagger carried intoLewis’ role as Steve McQueen inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, a part that demanded not just movie-star looks, but the cool, magnetic gravitas of someone who could command a room with a glance.
4Girls (2012-2017)
Lena Dunham As Hannah Horvath
Girlswas a lightning rod of a series that shook up the TV landscape withitsraw, unfiltered look at millennial womanhood. Created by and starring Lena Dunham,Girlsran for six seasons, tackling taboo subjects and flawed characters with honesty and humor while launching the careers of actors including Adam Driver and Allison Williams.
Girls
Created by Lena Dunham, Girls is a coming-of-age comedy-drama series that follows a group of four twentysomething-year-old girls now discovering that they’re on their own and must find their way through life. Central to the show is Hannah Horvath, who, after graduating college, is cut-off financially from her family. Hannah will soon discover trying to make it as a writer in Brooklyn is far more challenging than she thinks.
Its success helped pave the way for similarly voice-driven comedies likeBroad City,Insecure, andFleabag, expanding the scope of who could tell stories. Dunham’s casting inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodwas one of Tarantino’s more unexpected choices. Her role as a Manson Family member fit Tarantino’s knack for turning unconventional actors into compelling figures in his revisionist world.
3Deadwood (2004-2006)
Timothy Olyphant As Sheriff Seth Bullock
Deadwoodleft an indelible mark on television with its gritty, poetic portrayal of the American West. WithDeadwood’s historical accuracyand complex characters,the HBO series earned eight Emmy Awardsand inspired years of fan demand, eventually leading to a TV movie more than a decade after the original run ended.
Deadwood
Deadwood is a western drama series created for HBO by David Milch. The series takes place in Deadwood, South Dakota, where corruption runs rampant in the gold-mining era as the settlement existed outside the U.S. territory expansion following the Civil War. As the town was the site of a major gold find, it continues to attract people from all walks of life - especially opportunistic criminals.
Timothy Olyphant’s Sheriff Seth Bullock stood out as one of the few principled men in a town ruled by vice, adding a moral core to the chaos. The show influenced modern TV westerns likeYellowstoneandJustified. Olyphant’s history as a stoic, rugged leading man gave added gravitas to his turn as actor James Stacy inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood.
