Band of Brothers set a new benchmark for television, uniting a remarkable cast in one of the most memorable war dramas ever made. Released at a time when audiences were eager for complex, character-driven stories, the series struck a powerful chord worldwide. Debuting in 2001—just three years after the gritty realism of Saving Private Ryan (1998)—it once again paired Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to depict the harrowing journey of American paratroopers as they fought against Nazi Germany.
Adapted from Stephen E. Ambrose’s acclaimed book, the project was a collaboration between HBO and Spielberg’s DreamWorks. Featuring high production standards and blending fresh faces with seasoned actors, the miniseries brought a cinematic quality that was rare for television. Viewers were introduced to rising stars like Damian Lewis (Homeland) and witnessed unexpected dramatic performances from familiar names such as David Schwimmer (Friends), all delivering portrayals that authentically reflected the hardships and bravery of Easy Company.
Though the cast as a whole was outstanding, certain performances stood out in particular. The following list looks at ten actors who were relatively unknown at the time but went on to achieve significant success in Hollywood.
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy has become one of Britain’s most versatile and commanding actors, known for bringing raw intensity to every role he takes on. His early breakthrough came with a brief but memorable appearance in the Band of Brothers episode “Why We Fight,” where he played Pvt. John Janovec and managed to stand out—even without donning a soldier’s uniform.
Over the years, Hardy has built a strong reputation through collaborations with celebrated directors, particularly Christopher Nolan. The two have worked together on multiple films, including the gripping World War II epic Dunkirk (2017), where Hardy delivered a powerful performance as a steadfast RAF pilot.
Like several of his Band of Brothers co-stars, Hardy eventually made his mark in the world of comic book adaptations. He brought an imposing presence to Bane in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and later headlined Sony’s Venom (2018), portraying the conflicted antihero with both menace and depth.
James McAvoy
James McAvoy took on the role of James W. Miller in the Band of Brothers episode “Replacements.” Though his appearance was brief, it marked an early step in what would become a celebrated acting career. McAvoy later rose to international fame for his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men prequel films, a role he inhabited for nearly ten years until his final performance in Dark Phoenix (2019).
Beyond the X-Men series, McAvoy built a diverse filmography that includes It: Chapter Two (2019) and Victor Frankenstein (2015). He also starred as Lord Asriel in HBO’s His Dark Materials (2019–2022), a fantasy series exploring themes of science, religion, and parallel universes. Interestingly, the show reunited McAvoy with HBO, the same network behind Band of Brothers, and featured actor Andrew Scott, who—like McAvoy—portrayed a character traveling between alternate worlds.
Andrew Scott
In the “Day of Days” episode of Band of Brothers, Andrew Scott, who would later become known for portraying villains on screen, played paratrooper Pvt. John “Cowboy” Hall, portraying a heroic role. Nearly ten years afterward, his portrayal of Jim Moriarty in BBC’s Sherlock (2010-17) garnered significant acclaim, catching the eye of the James Bond franchise. This led to his casting as the sinister Max Denbigh (aka “C”) in 2015’s Spectre.
Scott further demonstrated his acting range in the second season of Fleabag (2016-19), where he won over and broke hearts alike as the series’ “hot priest,” opposite creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who would later contribute to the James Bond franchise as a writer. Additionally, he returned to the wartime setting in Sam Mendes’ 2019 World War I drama, 1917.
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon might be better known today as an alumnus of Saturday Night Live (1975-present) and the present host of The Tonight Show (2014-present), but back in the day, he was a small-time actor looking to make his mark on Hollywood. He was among the many actors to have a minor role in Band of Brothers, bringing Second Lt. George C. Rice to the small screen in the episode, “Crossroads.”
As his career has progressed, Fallon has become a mainstay of Late Night. Prior to taking over hosting duties on The Tonight Show, he was the host of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009-14). While he’s largely portrayed himself in recent movie and television productions, he did showcase his acting chops in the likes of Fever Pitch (2005), Taxi (2004) and Doogal (2006).
Simon Pegg
Although Simon Pegg may not have been the most famous actor when he portrayed First Sgt. William S. Evans in two episodes of Band of Brothers, he undoubtedly deserves recognition on this list, particularly given how much his career has thrived since the miniseries aired. Best known for his roles in the comedic classics Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007), Pegg has also shared the screen with action star Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Beyond acting, Pegg stays busy writing and producing films and TV series. He has built a reputation not only as a versatile actor who shines across genres but also as a creative force who consistently delivers fresh and engaging content to both film and television audiences.
Michael Fassbender
Burton “Pat” Christenson was the television debut role for a youthful Michael Fassbender. Band of Brothers had 10 episodes, and he appeared in seven of them. He went on to develop a successful career as a bold actor, taking on other real-life roles, including Bobby Sands in Hunger (2008) and Steve Jobs in the 2015 movie of the same name.
Fassbender joined James McAvoy as Prof Xavier’s friend/nemesis Magneto in the X-Men franchise. The actor also entered the Alien franchise as android David in the prequels Prometheus (2012) and Covenant (2017).
Colin Hanks
The son of one of the men involved in bringing Band of Brothers to life, Colin Hanks appeared as First Lt. Henry S. Jones in the HBO miniseries. It was his second foray into television, having played a main role in the first two seasons of the series, Roswell (1999-2002), and it served as the role that helped elevate his star power.
While some could associate nepotism with Hanks’ success in Hollywood, the actor has made a name for himself in his own right over the years. Along with being cast in some big-name movies – Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), King Kong (2005) and W. (2008) – he’s also made a name for himself on television, securing main roles in the likes of Fargo (2014-present), Life in Pieces (2015-19) and The Offer (2022).
Stephen Graham
Before facing off against Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in The Irishman (2019), actor Stephen Graham appeared as Sgt. Myron “Mike” Ranney in the first two episodes of Band of Brothers.
Graham is a powerful presence who’s given his talent to larger-than-life gangster roles, such as Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire (2010-14) and Baby Face Nelson in the 2009 Johnny Depp movie, Public Enemies. He also accompanied Depp on some exciting voyages for two Pirates of the Caribbean films: 2011’s On Stranger Tides and 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Luke Roberts
Better known among British audiences, Luke Roberts’ first ever on-screen role came on Band of Brothers. He portrayed Herbert J. Suerth in the episode, “Crossroads.” Funnily enough, his next role would be on a British soap opera that was called… Wait for it… Crossroads (2001-03)!
Since Band of Brothers, Roberts has made a number of television and movie appearances. He played the captain of the guard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011); Thomas Wayne in The Batman (2022); Joseph Byrne on Holby City (1999-2022); and Eric Beaumont in Ransom (2017-19). Most recently, he portrayed Steve in the 2023 film, Seagrass.
Tom Hanks
We know who Tom Hanks was before Band of Brothers, and while the actor’s work behind-the-scenes is known, he also made a few cameos. He appeared a couple of times, as both a British and French officer. Hanks also directed the episode, “Crossroads,” and co-wrote the opening instalment, “Currahee.”
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Hanks’ body of work with Steven Spielberg has become the stuff of legend. After Band of Brothers, he starred in Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Terminal (2004), Bridge of Spies (2015) and The Post (2017). Separate from Spielberg, the actor also starred in Greyhound (2020), a WWII-era story adapted from C.S. Forester’s The Good Shepherd.