Gary Cole’s Scary Role in ‘American Gothic’ Before NCIS!

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Over a 40-year career adorned with various roles, Gary Cole stands out as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and resilient actors. Known for his captivating performances, he has graced both big and small screens with numerous hits, demonstrating an impressive acting range. Shows like The West Wing, The Good Wife, and Veep, as well as movies such as Office Space and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, are just a few examples of Cole’s significant impact on the entertainment world.

Since 2021, Cole has been playing NCIS Supervisory Agent Alden Parker in the beloved military police procedural “NCIS,” stepping into the supervisory role following Mark Harmon’s departure as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Prior to his current role solving crimes and cases on the long-running series, Cole gained fame with a leading part in the 1995 short-lived yet iconic supernatural horror series “American Gothic.” Let’s delve deeper into this often overlooked TV gem.

Gary Cole Headlines the Spooky Supernatural Horror Series ‘American Gothic‘

The captivating horror series titled “American Gothic,” taking place in the make-believe town of Trinity, South Carolina, showcases Gary Cole alongside budding stars like Lucas Black and Sarah Paulson. They portray Lucas Buck, a sinister character who serves as the sheriff, with a corrupt nature and a propensity for murder. Utilizing occult powers, he manipulates the townsfolk to carry out malevolent acts.

Buck spreads terror throughout the community and will go to great lengths to preserve his control over Trinity, focusing particularly on corrupting the young orphan Caleb Temple (Black).

In the story, it’s uncovered that Caleb is the biological son of the wicked man known as Buck, following an attack that led his mother to take her own life. Struggling with temptation and determined to resist Buck’s corrupt influence, Caleb finds support from his cousin Gail Emory, a reporter, who arrives in Trinity to look after him. In this narrative, Paulson portrays Merlyn, Caleb’s deceased sister, who was viciously killed by Buck. Merlyn frequently manifests as a ghost to guide her brother, ensuring he stays on the right path and maintains his integrity.

As a dedicated cinephile, I find myself captivated by this 22-episode series that follows a 10-year-old boy named Caleb. He’s grappling with the heart-wrenching loss of his loved ones and facing the alluring yet sinister manipulations of Buck, a charismatic yet evil character who knows that only Caleb can bring an end to his tyranny in this seemingly idyllic town.

With the guidance of his cousin Gail and the ethereal presence of his sister Merlyn, Caleb embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his heritage and destiny, all while making the crucial choice between the path of light or darkness.

‘American Gothic‘ Becomes a Criminally Underrated TV Gem

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In the mid-’90s, the television series American Gothic, crafted by Shaun Cassidy and executive produced by Sam Raimi, stood out for its unconventional lead character Lucas Buck, who was a formidable monster in an era where shows starring complex antiheroes were scarce. Characters like Vic Mackey from The Shield, Tony Soprano from The Sopranos, and Walter White from Breaking Bad would come later, demonstrating that morally questionable leads could be popular, but in 1995, audiences found it challenging to embrace such controversial material.

As a movie critic, I must say that Cole’s chilling portrayal of the villainous Buck in “American Gothic” demonstrated his undeniable ability to master any role and deliver an outstanding performance. His menacing presence added an extra layer of suspense to the series, making it impossible for viewers to look away and garnering widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics.

Premiering on September 22, 1995, “American Gothic” featured a chilling 22 episodes. Capitalizing on the popularity of other supernatural shows like “Twin Peaks” and “The X-Files,” the series aimed to captivate viewers with its eerie atmosphere. However, despite its promising start, the show failed to replicate their success, as it was unfortunately canceled after only one season.

The iconic show “American Gothic” brought significant attention to Cole, Paulson, and Black, and since its chilling premiere 30 years ago, it has garnered a devoted fanbase and admiration. Later on, Paulson became synonymous with the horror genre, earning Golden Globe accolades for her leading roles in Ryan Murphy’s suspenseful anthology series “American Horror Story” and the psychological thriller “Ratched.” Black also found success both on the big and small screens, portraying Christopher Lasalle in “NCIS: New Orleans” and appearing in the “Fast & Furious” film franchise.

Cole swiftly recovered following the cancellation of “American Gothic” and continued to display his exceptional acting talent across both television and film, gracing us with roles in numerous movies such as “Office Space”, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”, “Pineapple Express”, and “The Chicago 8”. He also made appearances in popular TV shows like “Family Guy”, “The West Wing”, “The Good Wife”, and “Veep”. Currently, he’s starring in the military drama “NCIS”, which has already been renewed for Season 23, indicating that Cole’s career is showing no signs of slowing down.

Where to Stream ‘American Gothic‘

If you’re a fan of chilling horror series, particularly ’90s underrated gems, you can now purchase and stream all 22 episodes of American Gothic on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango. This series is not to be missed, especially for those who appreciate the captivating performance of Gary Cole, as well as other supernatural favorites such as Twin Peaks, American Horror Story, and The X-Files.

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2025-04-14 05:07