Iconic Roles: The Best Henry Cavill Movies and TV Shows

Iconic Roles is a look at some of the best performances in film and television by actors and actresses.

Thanks to a solid combination of well-chosen casting choices and good performances, Henry Cavill has become one of the most well-known actors in pop culture in recent years. The 39-year-old British actor is best known for his portrayal of Superman but has also landed many other iconic characters over the years, including the much-appreciated live-action portrayal of Geralt of Rivia. Cavill will return as Sherlock Holmes in Netflix’s upcoming Enola Holmes 2, which hits the streaming service on Friday, November 4.

Here’s a list of the best Henry Cavill movies and TV shows.

Charles Brandon in The Tudors (2007-2010)

The role that opened Hollywood doors to the British actor is also one of Henry Cavill’s best acting performances. In the much-talked-about series, Cavill portrayed the Duke of Suffolk, King Henry VIII’s intimate and loyal friend. The show was well received by audiences, and Cavill’s performance didn’t go unnoticed, especially since he appeared in all 38 installments across four seasons. The cast of the Showtime series featured a good mix of veteran and up-and-coming actors, including Cavill, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Sam Neill, Natalie Dormer, and more.

Superman in Man of Steel (2013)

Fans and critics were skeptical, to say the least, when news broke out that a British actor would portray Superman. Yet, the first collaboration between Zack Snyder and Cavill turned out to be quite memorable and successful, undoubtedly one of the best Henry Cavill movies. Cavill put his statuary physique in service of the story that saw a stern and bulked Superman. Even so, Clark Kent’s fragile humanity was quite perceivable. Cavill developed his character in two sequels, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017’s Justice League — three considering Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It all started with Man of Steel, which also served as the first installment in the DC Extended Universe.

August Walker in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

You wouldn’t expect the guy who plays Superman to portray a bad guy, right? Yet Cavill smashed it with his performance as August Walker, a double-face agent who manages to deceive even the mighty Ethan Hunt. More than that, Cavill did it by working side-by-side with Tom Cruise, Hollywood’s kingpin when it comes to action movies and box-office records. Mission: Impossible – Fallout is the second-highest box-office result in Cavill’s career, grossing more than $790 million. The ensemble cast included Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Angela Bassett, Michelle Monaghan, and Alec Baldwin.

Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher (2019-2023)

While his future as the Man of Steel in the DCEU was hanging in the balance since his contract with Warner Bros. was expiring, Cavill gave new life to his career by landing the role of Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s hit series The Witcher. The rest is recent history. Cavill proved very passionate about his character, the white-haired monster hunter first invented by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. In addition to showcasing the necessary physique du role, Cavill also put Geralt’s humanity and inner drama in the spotlight. Unfortunately, the British actor will depart from the series following the upcoming Season 3, leaving the role to Liam Hemsworth. The show also features Freya Allan, Eamon Farren, and Anya Chalotra.

Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes (2020)

Much to everyone’s surprise, Cavill put his traditional action roles aside to portray England’s most famous detective in Netflix’s coming-of-age story. The result was excellent. Sure, Sherlock is just a supporting character in his younger sister’s story, yet he jumps in and out of the story at the right moments. It’s more than enough to praise Cavill for sharing the spotlight with up-and-coming actress Millie Bobby Brown, the real star in Harry Bradbeer’s film. The sequel will further develop the story of the dysfunctional Holmes family, offering more insight into Sherlock’s relationship with his sister.