It’s Anne Hathaway‘s world, and we’re just living in it. After a few years of relative dormancy, Hathaway has returned to the center stage of movie culture to remind everyone why she’s not only a major icon but also one of the best actors living today, and her filmography from this calendar year showcases her range across all genres and scales. The Oscar-winning actor has five credits to her name in 2026, including hits like The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey, as well as the brand-new sci-fi thriller The End of Oak Street, with Verity, a drama based on the bestselling book by Colleen Hoover, still on the way. The film that kicked off the Year of Hathaway, Mother Mary, was her smallest and most niche release, but it arguably features the actor’s finest on-screen performance to date. David Lowery‘s psychological drama, available on HBO Max on August 21, is a beguiling and heart-wrenching portrait of fame and friendship.

Anne Hathaway is at Her Most Powerful in ‘Mother Mary’

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A24 has developed such a pedigree of prestige and acclaim that they are far from the little-engine-that-could indie studio that they started out as. In 2026, they have the cachet to attract a global brand name in Anne Hathaway, whose star power can be used to help a challenging arthouse film like Mother Mary get off the ground. Released in April 2026, the film stars Hathaway as the titular fictional pop star preparing for her comeback performance. Long-buried wounds resurface when Mary’s estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm, played by an equally brilliant Michaela Coel, reunites with her, forcing the musician to reckon with her life and regrets.

It was reported that, during the production of Mother Mary, Hathaway broke down in tears while filming an intense scene, and the raw human emotion is registered throughout the film’s runtime. This headline suggested that audiences would be getting a sweeping, operatic epic, and not the quiet and methodical chamber drama that David Lowery ended up delivering to mixed results from critics and audiences. Either way, there’s no denying the sheer magnitude of Hathaway’s earth-shattering performance in Mother Mary, where she evokes a lifetime’s worth of pain and yearning through subtle gestures and histrionic expressions.

While there is no clear one-to-one analog to Mother Mary, her lavish wardrobe and stage decor feel akin to Lady Gaga, a star whose bold conviction and uncompromising image have been her calling card for 20 years. The parallels are open to interpretation, as Hathaway’s take on an uber-famous, emotionally burnt-out, and addled pop star taps into our ongoing discussions about celebrity culture and parasocial relationships between stars and fans. Even when she keeps her composure, Mary is on the brink of an emotional breakdown, and Hathaway seamlessly straddles this line. She makes Lowery’s more ostentatious flourishes, such as Mary’s interpretive dances and the stilted dialogue, feel wholly human. The character’s coldness is not a turnoff, but rather, an invitation to explore her mindset.

‘Mother Mary’ is a Daring Study of Fame and Broken Friendships

David Lowery, best known for A Ghost Story and The Green Knight, directed his most audacious and unorthodox film to date with Mother Mary, a vision that unsurprisingly left some viewers perplexed. From its dialogue and pacing to its visual language, the film defies cinematic conventions. The narrative blurs the line between reality and fantasy, and its marketing suggested that the titular character’s concert performances would be more of a focal point. Instead, Mother Mary is primarily concerned with the thorny relationship between Hathaway and Coel’s characters. A story of love and hate, Mary and Sam share toxic traits of spite and envy, but they have a symbiotic partnership in their professional lives that’s apparent. The bond taps into the unique dynamics between above-the-line and below-the-line artists, as Sam carries herself with a sense of alienation over feeling constantly overshadowed by Mary.

The film can feel like a slog in its middle stretch, perhaps intentionally so, but it springs to life in its sparse fantasy sequences, notably a spellbinding scene that depicts Mary’s silhouette behind the concert stage. Lowery’s formalist bravado comes alive even in the most stripped-down conversation scenes between Mary and Sam, and his sense of control is impressive in its own right. In terms of entertainment value, Mother Mary doesn’t provide the charm and thrills of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey, but its thematic depth leaves you in a cloud of intrigue. At the very least, the film is a must-watch thanks to Hathaway, who is at the peak of her powers as a pop star you can’t avert your eyes from.

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Mother Mary

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Release Date

April 17, 2026

Runtime

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112 minutes

Director

David Lowery

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Writers

David Lowery

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Japan is one of the leading countries in terms of video games, providing some of the greatest franchises of all time, such as The Legend of Zelda and Metal Gear Solid. They continue to innovate the genre with their creativity and dedication, which can be seen across multiple genres. RPGs are an immersive experience that grounds the player in their role, and Japan spawned its own subgenre from this called JRPGs.

Simply standing for Japanese role-playing games, these titles have a vastly different feel to them, such as a linear story, direction, art style, and less agency, which is why this list will rank the ten best JRPGs of all time. Based on aspects such as gameplay, design, narrative, visuals, originality, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these are the ten best role-playing games that have come out of Japan.

10

‘EarthBound’ (1994)

Image via Nintendo

Nintendo is one of the most famous Japanese gaming companies, and they love their RPGs, so fans can expect a handful of their games on this list, including EarthBound. A cosmic entity known as Giygas threatens to destroy the world, but of the many unlikely saviors, a child named Ness and his friends step up to the challenge.

A lot of fans say Mother 3 is the best, but it sadly was never localized in the West; plus, the first game is much more influential, which is why it is placed here instead. EarthBound has such a unique vibe that blends lighthearted fun with existential dread and bizarre oddities set in a satirical version of the 1990s. As such a redefining game so early on, it stuck out as a timeless masterpiece that deserves another entry in the franchise.

9

‘Xenoblade Chronicles 2’ (2017)

Image via Monolith Soft

Nintendo doesn’t just rely on old JRPG franchises; they can also deliver new ones, as seen with Xenoblade Chronicles, which started on the Wii. However, it is more dominant than ever on the Nintendo Switch with Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Rex is just a scavenger, and Pyra is a living weapon, but this unlikely duo teams up in order to find Elysium, a supposed paradise for humanity to live in peace.

It was difficult to choose which Xenoblade Chronicles game was the best, considering they are all perfect, but fans seem to prefer the second game the most. Story-wise, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a standout in its franchise, delivering a thematic masterclass that explores existential questions, but that doesn’t get in the way of a deep gameplay system and world with lots to do, highlighting why it is one of the best modern adventure video games.

Image via Sega

JRPGs were wildly successful in the 1990s, but they have made a modern resurgence in the 2020s, with this decade sporting one of the best of all time, Metaphor: ReFantazio. After the king’s assassination, a worldwide tournament for the throne is now underway, and as the protagonist, players must fight against all of those unworthy and break the curse on the one true heir.

Earning a nomination for Game of the Year, it instantly proved to spice up the genre that so many casual gamers look down upon. Metaphor: ReFantazio brings in the studio’s defining mechanics and refines them, creating a polished gameplay system that is the best of the social-link and calendar-management mechanics. Plus, with its poignant narrative, this game earns the title of best JRPG of the 2020s.

7

‘Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ (2019)

Image via Nintendo

Every popular game series has a dedicated fanbase, but JRPG fans are more faithful than most, with Fire Emblem having some of the most diehard supporters. This franchise has always been popular, but it reached new heights when Fire Emblem: Three Houses came out. With the nation split into three distinct parts, players control Byleth, a mercenary who is enlisted to become a professor, but when they start having prophetic visions, their nightmare slowly becomes true.

The Nintendo Switch introduced a lot of fans to new franchises, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses was one of the biggest successes, leaving its mark as one of the best Nintendo Switch games. With refined mechanics and investment in character dynamics and development, the party felt authentic, plus the classic grid-style combat and social management continue to be a staple and the reason why Fire Emblem is so beloved.

6

‘Pokémon Black 2 and White 2’ (2012)

Image via The Pokémon Company

Funnily enough, all of Nintendo’s games are placed on the bottom half of this list, but that still proves they are a juggernaut of this genre, with their best franchise being Pokémon, and the greatest game in that lineup is arguably Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Following the events of the first game, the remnants of Team Plasma are still haunting Unova, and it is up to the player to stop this.

Sure, there are more influential and popular Pokémon games than Black 2 and White 2, but in terms of sheer quality, these games are the best. They perfected the timeless formula with gorgeous pixel art and animation, the best story in the franchise, polished combat, engaging exploration, and refined mechanics. Black 2 and White 2 expanded the Pokédex, included a hard difficulty mode, and added lots of post-game content, proving why it is the complete Pokémon package and definitive version of the franchise that perfected the 2D format.

5

‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)

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Of all the acclaimed JRPG franchises, two stick out the most: Pokémon, which this list already covered, and Final Fantasy. Of the latter, there isn’t a better game than Final Fantasy VII. The evil mega-corporation known as Shinra is draining the life energy out of the planet, but luckily, Cloud Strife and his band of eco-terrorists are the only ones who can stop Sephiroth from achieving godhood.

In terms of how iconic it is, Final Fantasy VII is the biggest on this list, with Cloud and Sephiroth alone being instantly recognizable legends of the gaming scene. This game is a cinematic masterclass that brought the weight of storytelling to video games. More than that, Final Fantasy VII is a fantasy game masterpiece and a landmark in the industry that broke the JRPG genre into the mainstream.

4

‘Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King’ (2004)

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Akira Toriyama is the most influential manga artist, best known for Dragon Ball, but he also dabbled in the JRPG genre, with two games on this list, starting with the Dragon Quest franchise. There are many remarkable games, like the fifth and eleventh, but the best goes to Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, which follows an adventurer and his party as they reverse the curse of the king and the prince by defeating an evil jester.

Dragon Quest has a habit of redefining itself with new games, but Dragon Quest VIII decided to perfect what is already incredible, creating the definitive experience in the franchise. It has a classic fantasy vibe with stunning cel-shaded graphics that make up this ambitious world. Dragon Quest VIII is intricately balanced and boasts a party of compelling characters that make the journey even more memorable.

3

‘Chrono Trigger’ (1995)

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JRPG’s have been around for a while, but they gained prominence in the 1990s, and a big reason for that was Chrono Trigger. When an alien parasite named Lavos threatens to consume the entire world, a group of adventurers must travel through the past, present, and future in order to stop it, taking them from a prehistoric era of dinosaurs to a highly advanced future of robots.

A lot of RPGs are bloated with content or rush their story, but Chrono Trigger avoids that with meticulously crafted pacing from start to finish. Everything done in the past directly affects the future, meaning players need to understand the weight of their choices and how it changes the narrative. This creates multiple endings, a new feature for the time, that makes each playthrough something new and special in this flawless 1990s fantasy game.

2

‘Persona 5’ (2016)

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RPGs don’t just fit into one category; they can be all sorts of things, including JRPGs and turn-based RPGs. In fact, a lot of the games on this list are turn-based, including one of the best modern iterations, Persona 5. A group of high school students forms a group of phantom thieves, aiming to steal artifacts and other valuables from evil adults, stopping their villainous desires from harming the rest of the world.

In terms of engaging characters, Persona 5 excels, delivering a handful of endearing personalities that interact with the world differently, letting players embody multiple distinct characters. However, the gameplay is just as perfect, combining life-simulator elements with dungeon-crawling to create a unique style of combat. From its dazzling and bold aesthetic to striking mechanical prowess, Persona 5 is a modern miracle of the JRPG genre.

1

‘Xenogears’ (1998)

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From grand franchises that release new innovative masterpieces in the 2020s to small-scope classics from the 1990s, JRPGs are a vast and deep ocean of content. The best isn’t so easily decided, but this list has selected Xenogears as the greatest of all time. Fei Fong Wong is exiled from his village, which gives him the chance to explore his past and clear his amnesia, but this adventure leads him into a world of the unknown.

If fans want a good story out of a JRPG, then Xenogears is the game for them, because it features the greatest story in the genre. The scale of narrative ambition is unmatched, delving into psychology, philosophy, and gnosticism, which shape the lore of the world. This incredibly intriguing narrative can be text-heavy at times, but Xenogears remains a staple of the genre, cementing itself as the best JRPG of all time.

The ending to a film is extremely important. One can have what some think to be the greatest plot out there, but without a good ending to finish it off, and wrap everything up in a nice bow, the experience will be tainted. This can especially be said for the likes of superhero movies. With how much they’ve taken over the industry over the past few decades—the Marvel Cinematic Universe specifically—the reputation of these flicks has minimally wavered.

In the case of the MCU, this could, in part, be because of some of the amazing endings their films contain. When some of these adventures find their finales, the way said endings are executed has the ability to leave audiences feeling even more excited about the product than they’d been without it. A story can really be hyped up in people’s minds if it leaves them feeling awesome at the end.

‘The Avengers’ (2012)

Image via Marvel Studios

After Phase One of the MCU had begun to truly thrive between 2008 and 2011, it was up to The Avengers—the first big crossover movie—to solidify this as a true, bona fide cinematic universe. It’s one thing to have some characters appear in other hero’s movies, but The Avengers was going to prove that a big, multi-character crossover could be successful. Boy, oh boy, did it do just that.

After the devastating Battle of New York, The Avengers go their separate ways with a voice-over from Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) talking about how, now that they’ve come together, despite going their separate ways, they’ll come back when something like this happens again. “Because we’ll need them to,” is how he specifically puts it. It leaves the door open for their solo franchises to continue, while promising the audience that, yes, they’ll be coming together once more.

‘Black Panther’ (2016)

Image via Marvel Studios

One of the most impactful superhero movies out there is, without a doubt, Black Panther. It didn’t just find itself penetrating the cultural zeitgeist because it did something truly amazing by having an almost all-Black cast and crew, but the story itself was truly moving and thought-provoking. Director Ryan Coogler knows how to make an effective movie, with more than applies to the ending, as well.

Something that really stands out about T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) character arc in Black Panther is the way that Coogler emphasizes how imperfect not only the protagonist is, but the country of Wakanda—more specifically their previous leaders—too. This movie’s villain, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), is so beloved because the ending decides to highlight how, while he was doing some despicable thiongs, he had a lot of validity to what he believed. It keeps the main characters accountable. T’Challa actually learns from his enemy, setting an ideal for the other leaders of the world and other Marvel superheroes, too.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

Image via Marvel Studios

The project that started it all is important and impactful not only because of how great of a movie it is, but additionally because of how it ends. The final moments of Iron Man are what helped put it, and the upcoming MCU, on the map. Up until this point, superhero movies decided to focus on heroes that had secret identities, and it was relatively unheard of for one to not have one. Iron Man, however, changed that completely.

The “I am Iron Man” quote is one of the most popular in modern superhero cinema for this very reason. This moment not only totally shocked viewers, but also got them super intrigued about how on Earth the people over at Marvel Studios were going to move forward in this franchise with such a huge shift in the typical superhero status quo.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)

Image via Marvel Studios

After the terrible passing of series star Chadwick Boseman, no one really knew how in the world the series was going to continue post-passing. Expert director Ryan Coogler, thankfully, knew exactly what to do and handled the situation with grace and prowess—turning Black Panther: Wakanda Forever into not just a great movie, but a huge tribute to the deceased lead. This truly comes through in the final scene.

After completing her character arc, Shuri (Letitia Wright)—sister of T’Challa—takes some time to herself to finally burn the funeral robes for her brother, to the amazing musical track of “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna. Alongside the world watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shuri gets to finally find comfort in her grieving.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023)

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Ever since director James Gunn debuted the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise in 2014, he turned some of Marvel Comics’ biggest misfit toys into absolute fan favorites. After two successful entries in the trilogy, Gunn had a huge responsibility to finish it off with a great third project. Thankfully for everyone, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wound up being a phenomenal project.

The ending of this third Guardians of the Galaxy project does a borderline perfect job wrapping up everyone’s stories and giving them a happy ending. While everyone’s individual endings are brilliantly executed, it’s the group dance sequence with everyone in Knowhere to Florence + The Machine‘s “Dog Days Are Over.” Despite there being a few scares along the way, everyone got their happy ending, and it’s beyond tear-jerking in the best ways.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (2026)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures’ newest smash hit in the Tom Holland Spider-Man franchise is one of the most well-received superhero movies in recent years. Breaking records by quickly becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of all time—in a ridiculously short amount of time, by the way—and being loved critically by both hardcore Spidey fans and general audience members alike. After the first trilogy of the MCU’s Wall-Crawler, people were pretty happy with the films, but many had things they wished they’d seen and hoped to see when moving forward with this character. The biggest thing people have been asking for is a more street-level Spider-Man, and that’s exactly what Spider-Man: Brand New Day delivers.

The end of this rip-roaring, web-slinging ride is extremely cheer-worthy. Jean Grey (Sadie Sink) finds her redemption after saving Peter from a gunshot wound and heads upstate; Punisher (Jon Bernthal) realizes his wrongdoings in his methods; Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya) begins to remember—seemingly—her time with Peter; and, finally, the young hero decides to bring his best friend, Ned Leeds’ (Jacob Batalon) back by doing their iconic handshake. Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s ending has people smiling and feeling satisfied all around.

‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)

Image via Marvel Studios

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is often considered not only one of, if not the best, MCU movies, but one of the best superhero movies of all time, as well. This is for a plethora of reasons, discovered throughout the journey of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) unveiling a government conspiracy and discovering that his best friend, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), is actually alive and has been brainwashed into becoming the terrifying assassin, The Winter Soldier.

The entire runtime of Captain America: The Winter Soldier is amazing, and it is wrapped up greatly as Steve decides he’s going to continue searching for his bestie, after he was saved by him following the final battle—so, there must be good within him, still. At the same time, said friend goes to the iconic Captain America Museum to discover more about himself, showing the audience firsthand that he’s looking for answers to be the man he once was.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)

Image via Marvel Studios

Ask any Spider-Man fan, and they’ll tell you that they love to see the young hero be miserable—a huge part of why Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been so successful. While he’s not too miserable throughout the third film in his franchise, Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s the ending that brings the feeling of melancholy and sets the stage for Spider-Man: Brand New Day to have the exact thing that has made it so appealing.

Spider-Man: No Way Home ends with Peter Parker making the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends and the multiverse by sacrificing his identity. To save the collapse of the universe(s), he erases his identity from the minds of the entire world. While he promises MJ and Ned that he’ll come back to them and remind them of who he is… he chooses not to, in order to protect them. It’s genuinely so heartbreaking and is one of the most Spider-Man-feeling endings of a Spidey flick in a very, very long time.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

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Avengers: Endgame has fought back and forth with Avatar for the highest-grossing movie of all time, and for very good reason. It wasn’t just a gigantic event movie that acted as a culmination of the long, 10+ year-running cinematic universe, but a genuinely well-written story. It acts as the sendoff for the first 11 years of the MCU and most of the original 10 Avengers.

It’s because of this that seeing the wrap-up of so many stories felt so impactful for so many people, especially with the death of the fan-favorite Tony Stark. While the MCU has continued forward post-Avengers: Endgame, this finale ended up as what many people consider one of the greatest eras in superhero cinema. Steve Rogers gets his happy ending, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) goes off to discover himself, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) goes to settle down with his family, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) unfortunately also met her end, and the perfect endings for so many other major MCU characters.

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Image via Marvel Studios

While Avengers: Endgame was a phenomenal event/finale movie, it’s Avengers: Infinity War that acts as, without a doubt, the best The Avengers flick. This is thanks to the fact that the third film in this series is a borderline perfectly executed project that, on paper, should have failed in every way. Somehow, though, directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo weaved this project together with flying colors.

They also finished the story in one of the most heart-wrenching ways an MCU movie ever has. Everyone knew—given that they knew this 2018 film was going to act as a “Part One,” of sorts—that this was going to end in a cliffhanger, but non-comic fans had no clue that half of the universe was going to get destroyed. What makes this so great, though, is that while it acts as a perfect cliffhanger, it is simultaneously a great full-circle moment that solidifies this as Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) story and can be consumed as a single plot—that ends depressingly, that is.

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Avengers: Infinity War

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Release Date

April 27, 2018

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Runtime

149 minutes

Writers

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Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely

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• 

  Robert Downey Jr.

  Tony Stark / Iron Man

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  Chris Evans

  Steve Rogers / Captain America

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Jon Bernthal has a type, at least in the characters he plays. Whether portraying a corrupt cop, mobster, vigilante, or con man, the actor often brings his signature brash sensibility to these men who straddle the line between good and evil. And The Punisher star will be the first to admit he has struggled with the same angry tendencies as his on-screen counterparts.

At nearly 50 years old, he has hit a professional peak — starring in Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ originals, making his Broadway debut, and joining Tom Holland in the summer blockbusters The Odyssey and Spider-man: Brand New Day. But many fans would be shocked to know Bernthal got his start in comedy. His first starring role was as a series regular in The Class, a short-lived sitcom from Friends co-creator David Crane and his partner Jeffrey Klarik.

Jon Bernthal’s Surprising Start Was on ‘The Class’

Image via CBS

While the largely forgotten CBS sitcom premiered in 2006 and went off the air after just one season, the role provides viewers with the chance to see Bernthal in a different light. The series followed a group of former third grade classmates who reunite as adults. Bernthal played Duncan Carmello, a contractor who lives with his mom while pining for his high school girlfriend, Nicole Allen (Andrea Anders). The Class also featured future stars Lizzy Caplan, Jason Ritter, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actors who have continued pursuing comedy with the Now You See Me franchise, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, and the long-running Modern Family among their later projects.

While reminiscing about the “formative” experience during a May 2026 episode of Dinner’s On Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Bernthal told his former co-star that getting the job felt like a “fluke.” Still, his character had an ease on the show flirting with Anders and serving as a foil for Ferguson’s Richie Velch, a man on the brink of suicide and fresh out of an unhappy marriage. Looking back, even Duncan showed glimpses of the Bernthal modern fans have come to expect. While he is not necessarily aggressive, Duncan is a masculine, confident, and romantically-experienced man working a blue-collar job.

The half-hour comedy was filmed as a multi-camera in front of a live studio audience. But the experience set Bernthal on a different path, explaining to Ferguson on his podcast that while the production was “magical,” he felt like an outsider ill-equipped for the format. And with a few exceptions, like guest appearances on How I Met Your Mother, Robot Chicken, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bernthal has avoided not only the medium but the genre. Instead, he referenced other auditions from that time that aligned more with his future roles, including the World War II miniseries, The Pacific.

Despite his reservations and its eventual cancellation, The Class won “Best New Comedy” at the 2007 People’s Choice Awards. Some dedicated fans even launched an ill-fated petition to reverse The Class’ cancellation. But in today’s light, The Class has been scored somewhat harshly, only earning a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes and unable to be streamed on any service without purchasing the season outright.

Lizzy Caplan Offered Support After Jon Bernthal’s Arrest

Image via Warren Feldman/©Showtime/courtesy Everett Collection

Bernthal’s characters often share this violent streak that he had to work through himself. As if a storyline ripped from one of his movies, Bernthal faced a personal crisis a couple of years after The Class ended. During an appearance on the Howard Stern Show, the actor explained that his July 2009 arrest was the “single most important event” in his life. Bernthal recounted to the radio host that a drunk man called over Bernthal’s dog during a walk and wouldn’t initially release him. He retrieved his dog, but explained the man started following him despite protests to stop. Bernthal was arrested after knocking the man unconscious, revealing to Stern, “You know these cops are telling me, ‘If this guy doesn’t wake up, that’s it for you.’ I remember sitting there on that bench just so disgusted with myself and utterly disappointed with myself.”

Vowing to make a change, Bernthal actually found help in his former The Class co-star, Lizzy Caplan. During an appearance on Dinner’s On Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, he revealed the Mean Girls actress reached out after the incident. She set up Bernthal with someone to talk to, who he told Ferguson was “instrumental” in helping him finally work through his anger issues. Bernthal added, “I’m forever indebted to her.”

Jon Bernthal Pursued Drama After ‘The Class’

Bernthal is hardly the first sitcom star to pursue dramatic roles. He joins the likes of Steve Carrell who dropped his Michael Scott persona in Foxcatcher, Bryan Cranston who transitioned from Malcolm in the Middle to Breaking Bad, Melissa McCarthy who earned an Oscar nomination for Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and Katey Sagal who went from nagging housewife to motorcycle matriarch. But while they all oscillate between the two genres, Bernthal has spent the years since The Class playing gun-toting, foul-mouthed men in a series of gritty dramas and action films.

The Bernthal typecast first really emerged when he took on the role of Shane Walsh in AMC’s The Walking Dead, following it up with roles like The Wolf of Wall Street, The Accountant duology, and We Own This City. But as he admitted during an appearance on Dinner’s On Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, there has been no great strategy to his career. Not worrying about being stereotyped, Bernthal told Insider in 2017 that he tries “to make these characters as specific as possible and as unique as possible.”

Looking back on Bernthal’s turn on The Class, it would be easy to write off the experience as fairly inconsequential in becoming one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood. How could a fairly affable character on a long-forgotten sitcom be relevant when discussing a man known for playing hyper-masculine, morally gray roles? In reality, the short-lived CBS series was just the first domino to fall. Had he not had that experience, and had it not been canceled, he may not have clarified the roles he’d be drawn to. But more than that, in that brief time he built lifelong relationships that ended up resetting the trajectory of his life. As Bernthal said, he is indebted to Caplan for helping him get the resources to overcome his anger issues, issues he can tap into for the type of men he plays. In the grand scheme of lost one-season series, The Class’ lasting legacy may just be that of Bernthal’s impressive career.

Sam Asghari is an actor, model, reality star, and former personal trainer who was married to pop star Britney Spears. The two met on the set of her “Slumber Party” music video in 2016 and started dating shortly thereafter. Before they tied the knot in June 2022, Asghari signed an ironclad prenup protecting the “Toxic” singer’s pre-marital assets and ensuring that he received no payout, spousal support, or rights to her music catalog.

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Britney Spears has been in the industry since she was a child, so it’s no surprise that Celebrity Net Worth has her listed at $130 million. Although Britney’s ex-husband Kevin Federline’s net worth is listed at $700,000, the website only lists Sam Asghari’s net worth as $250,000.

The actor was born Hesam Asghari in Iran and moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 13. He became an American citizen in 2012, at the age of 18. A few years later, he launched a modeling career with his sister’s support and appeared in magazines such as Men’s Health and GQ.

In 2018, he had a small role in a “Star Trek” spoof movie and appeared in a few episodes of the Showtime series “Black Monday” in 2021. That same year, he also had a small part in Mel Gibson’s “Hot Seat.” However, he is best known for his relationship with Britney Spears.

Sam Asghari Met Britney Spears In 2016

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Although Britney Spears was entered into a court-ordered conservatorship in February 2008, she managed to strike up a relationship with the former personal trainer after he appeared in the music video for her hit song “Slumber Party.”

Even though Britney is 12 years older than the actor, they stuck together through the pandemic and became engaged in September 2021. The controversial conservatorship was struck down by a judge two months later, and they tied the knot at her estate in Thousand Oaks, California, in June 2022.

After 14 months of marriage, Asghari filed for divorce in August 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences” according to court documents obtained by The Blast. In a brief statement, he asked fans to be “kind and thoughtful” amid their divorce, noting “asking for privacy seems ridiculous.”

Celebrity Net Worth noted that Spears’ net worth was only $60 million when they married; however, her lucrative book deal for her memoir, “The Woman In Me,” contributed significantly to her net worth.

Sam Asghari Might Have Lost Millions In The Divorce

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As The Blast previously reported, the former couple signed an agreement stating that Asghari would receive “$1 million per every two years” of their marriage. According to the documents, the amount was capped at $10 million after fifteen years. However, Asghari called it quits after just fourteen months, and reports have since indicated that he received “no payout” from the divorce.

However, he was allowed to keep any gifts Britney gave him during the marriage, as well as his impressive car collection. The prenup that he signed also reportedly included an “extensive confidentiality clause” that prevented him from discussing her relationship.

Sam Asghari Reflects On His Marriage To Britney Spears

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Even though he has not publicly discussed the downfall of their relationship, he has come to accept that most people know him as the pop star’s ex. As The Blast previously reported, Asghari admitted that he will forever be known as “Mr. Britney Spears” while promoting his new movie “The Gentleman Thief” with John Travolta.

When asked if there would be a time when people didn’t ask him about the pop star, he told Page Six that it’s “never going to happen” but admitted that he is “fully ready to answer those questions.”

Since breaking things off with the pop star, Asghari has begun dating Brooke Irvine. They have been together for two years and live in Los Angeles with their dog Porcha. He told the outlet that his new girlfriend is “amazing” and “super supportive,” even with his hectic filming schedule.

Looking ahead, Asghari admitted he is open to starting a family with Irvine. “I’m focused on my career now, but what I’ve learned is if I’m going to create a future in Hollywood, I’m going to have to put myself at risk and not my family and the people that are next to me,” Asghari said. “But, yeah, at some point, who doesn’t want to have a family? I mean, everybody wants to have a family.”