Last updated on: July 29, 2025
Let me tell you something that might surprise you: Matthew Lillard is one of the most underrated actors on television right now. Yes, the same guy who played Shaggy in Scooby-Doo and got slashed in Scream. But if that’s all you know him for, you’re missing out on the real depth of his talent.
Lillard has evolved. Quietly, confidently, and with so much emotional force that his performances hit you right in the chest when you least expect it. So today, I’m walking you through the five TV shows where he absolutely crushed it. Not just appeared—but stole the scene, redefined the character, and made me (and probably you, too) look at him in a whole new light.
1. Criminal Minds
There’s this episode of Criminal Minds—Season 13, “The Capilanos”—and it lives rent-free in my mind. Lillard plays David Roy Turner, a former clown turned serial killer. It sounds ridiculous at first, right? But then you watch it. And he’s terrifying.
What makes it unforgettable isn’t just the clown makeup or the twisted storyline. It’s the way Lillard plays it. He’s not just a monster; he’s a broken man. You can see the hurt, the unraveling of someone who once wanted to bring joy. That kind of duality—where you’re creeped out and heartbroken at the same time—only someone like Lillard can pull off.
It was the moment I realized: this guy isn’t playing around anymore. He’s not the comic relief. He’s the reason you can’t look away.
2. Supernatural
Supernatural fans, you know how epic and crowded the show’s universe gets. Angels, demons, ghosts, and everything in between. So to stand out in the final season? That’s a tall order.
Lillard pulls it off with flair. He pops in as a demon known as Belphegor, and even with minimal screen time, he’s got that oily, sinister charm that sticks with you. It’s like watching a magician work—smooth, deliberate, a little unsettling. Kind of like if Loki from the Marvel universe decided to drop by just to stir the pot.
It wasn’t a major arc, but it didn’t have to be. Lillard left a mark with a character that added flavor to a well-seasoned finale. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
3. Good Girls
Now let’s talk about Good Girls. If you’ve ever known someone who means well but just can’t get it together—someone you roll your eyes at but deep down still care about—you already understand Dean Boland. That’s Lillard’s character. He’s the husband of Beth (played by Christina Hendricks), and let’s just say… he’s a mess.
Dean is a cheater. A liar. A guy who thinks he’s slick but is basically always in over his head. And yet? Somehow, you don’t hate him. You should. But Lillard makes you feel for the guy. Maybe because he lets us see Dean trying, failing, flailing—and looking so human through it all.
What’s brilliant here is that Good Girls is a crime drama, but Lillard’s role brings emotional texture. He adds realism to a world of heists and secrets. You end up caring not just about the action, but about the fallout in the living room.
That’s the power of performance.
4. Billions
Then there’s Billions. If Good Girls showed Lillard at his rawest, Billions shows him at his most refined.
He plays Gordon Morrow, a crypto-tech mogul who’s polished, wealthy, and knows exactly how to play the high-stakes financial game. This role is sleek. It’s sharp. And it’s subtle in a way that makes you lean in.
Lillard doesn’t overplay it here. There’s no dramatic outbursts or wild gestures. Just calm control and surgical precision. He slides into this world of egos and strategy and holds his ground.
Honestly, if you weren’t paying attention, you might miss how powerful his presence is. But once you catch it? You can’t unsee it.
It’s a masterclass in restraint. And it proves that Lillard can thrive in any tone—whether gritty, goofy, or razor-smart.
5. Twin Peaks: The Return
This one’s a ride. Twin Peaks: The Return is famously bizarre, and David Lynch doesn’t cast people lightly. So when Lillard appears as William Hastings, you know it’s for a reason.
Hastings is a high school principal who finds himself caught in some truly cosmic weirdness. He’s confused. He’s scared. And Lillard brings that terror to life with this desperate, almost childlike energy. You feel like you’re watching a man come undone in real-time.
There’s a scene where he breaks down during an interrogation—and it’s brutal. No walls, no filters, just raw panic and confusion. I remember thinking, “Wow, I didn’t expect to feel this much.” But that’s what Lillard does. He turns what could’ve been just another side character into a soul-crushing performance.
It’s not just good TV. It’s art. And Lillard is the brush Lynch uses to paint one of the series’ most emotionally charged moments.
Honorable Mentions – Just Because You Should Know
There are a few other gems in Lillard’s TV career that deserve a quick shout:
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Bosch: Legacy – He steps into the legal drama world with quiet force.
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Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – His voice work as Shaggy? Honestly, it’s some of the best animated acting out there.
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The Bridge – A reminder that even in gritty, ensemble crime thrillers, he still stands out.
Each one adds another brushstroke to the bigger picture of who Matthew Lillard is on TV: a storyteller, a shape-shifter, and someone who’s never phoning it in.
So What Makes Him So Good?
You know how some actors just feel honest? That’s Lillard. He doesn’t hide behind technique or polish. He brings all the messiness and intensity of real life to the screen. And you can tell he cares—not just about hitting his marks, but about making you feel something.
He’s not afraid to be goofy. Or terrifying. Or pathetic. Or heartbreakingly vulnerable. That emotional range? That’s what sets him apart. He doesn’t just act. He immerses.
And maybe that’s why his characters stick with you. They feel like people you know—or people you hope you never meet.
Where to Watch These Performances
Here’s the good news: you can stream most of these shows right now:
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Criminal Minds – Hulu, Paramount+
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Supernatural – Netflix
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Good Girls – Netflix
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Billions – Showtime, Paramount+
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Twin Peaks: The Return – Hulu, Paramount+
So if you’ve got a weekend to kill and want to witness one of the most slept-on actors of our time at work? You know where to go.
Final Take
Matthew Lillard isn’t just that guy from the 90s. He’s not just Shaggy or the dude who got gutted in Scream. He’s an emotional powerhouse with a range that spans the absurd to the devastating. And his TV work? It’s some of the best out there.
If you’ve ever doubted him—or simply haven’t been paying attention—it’s time to fix that. Because Matthew Lillard is quietly redefining what it means to be great on television.
And trust me, once you see it, you won’t be able to forget it.
