As a die-hard fan of Darren Barnet, I must say his versatility as an actor is nothing short of extraordinary! From the charming yet slightly antagonistic Paxton Hall-Yoshida in “Never Have I Ever” to the intense and determined Taigen in “Blue Eye Samurai,” he has truly outdone himself.
In the Netflix show “Never Have I Ever,” Paxton Hall-Yoshida, played by Darren Barnet, wasn’t his debut role, but it certainly catapulted him into stardom. This popular swimmer left quite an impression on Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), her peers, and viewers alike from the very first episode. Throughout the series, we witness Paxton evolve as a character. Initially, he grapples with his life choices after being unable to attend college for swimming. Later, we see him reconsidering higher education right after high school graduation, only to return to his hometown when he realizes it’s not the path for him.
Among the many projects in Barnet’s portfolio, “Never Have I Ever” may be one of the most prominent, but there are numerous other works showcasing his talent, particularly for fans of the Netflix series. He has appeared in episodic roles in well-known shows like “Criminal Minds” and “This Is Us,” graced genre-defining films such as “Anyone but You,” and become a part of big franchises with “Jurassic Park: Chaos Theory” and “Skull Island.” As such, the actor’s career offers something for everyone. If you’ve enjoyed “Never Have I Ever” and are seeking similar productions featuring Barnet, here is a list of his movies and TV shows that you might want to binge. These selections should satisfy your craving for teen drama like “Never Have I Ever.
Untitled Horror Movie
The Unnamed Horror Film differs greatly from “Never Have I Ever” in terms of genre, yet viewers might recognize Darren Barnet’s character from the Netflix series. This screenlife horror movie revolves around six actors who attempt to produce a film when they suspect their long-running show is being canceled. Initially, this seems like an enjoyable, at-home project, but things take a darker turn when a séance inadvertently unleashes something malevolent upon one of the actors.
In the movie “Belle”, Barnet’s character Max made his second on-screen appearance. This opportunity to work on other projects represents a chance for him to demonstrate the acting abilities he believes he possesses. Max can be seen as a fusion of Paxton and Trent (Benjamin Norris), inheriting the attention span and penchant for discussing unrelated topics from Trent, similar to his tendency to bring up podcasts at random. At the same time, he shares the charisma and quick wit of Paxton. Like Trent, Max often becomes the subject of humor, with jokes directed at him, including some due to his background in acting.
For fans of “Never Have I Ever,” the movie titled “Untitled Horror Movie” offers an intriguing take on Barnett portraying a character somewhat like Paxton but with a distinct twist. Max, the protagonist, exhibits quick-wittedness to silence others, yet also boasts a side-splitting scene with his acting coach that mirrors something Trent might concoct just as friends arrive for a party. The film offers more than just the horror aspects, which are subdued due to the screenlife production style, making it accessible and enjoyable even for those typically apprehensive about horror genres, while also showcasing Barnett’s captivating performance.
- Starring: Luke Baines, Darren Barnet, Timothy Granaderos
- Director: Nick Simon
- Year: 2021
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Rating: Unrated
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
Chicago Med
Since its debut in 2015, “Chicago Med” has seen numerous doctors come and go. In Season 10, Darren Barnet was introduced to the show as Dr. John Frost, a fresh emergency pediatric resident. He joined the team at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center following the closure of his previous hospital, where he was successfully transferred.
John and Paxton share striking similarities in their charismatic personalities, which they both wield strategically. While Paxton often employs this trait to achieve his own goals, such as getting help with homework or escaping responsibility, John leverages it to advocate for his patients who aren’t always able to do so themselves. If swimmer Paxton had pursued a career in medicine instead, he could have become a person like John down the line. Both characters demonstrate a strong protective instinct – Paxton towards his sister Rebecca (Lily D. Moore) and John toward his young patients.
In a featurette on One Chicago’s YouTube channel, Barnet expressed his opinion that the new doctor uses his charisma to achieve his goals, which he finds touching and an honor to be a part of. Though Barnet won’t appear until the tenth season, fans of “Chicago Med” can catch up on previous seasons to get familiar with the hospital where he will work, before his debut.
- Starring: Marlyne Barrett, S. Epatha Merkerson, Oliver Platt
- Creator: Dick Wolf
- Year: 2015-present
- Seasons: 10
- Rating: TV-14
- IMDb score: 7.6
Anyone but You
I was absolutely captivated by “Anyone but You,” a film that sent shockwaves at the box office and breathed new life into 2000s romantic comedies. This heartwarming tale shares similarities with Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” featuring Sydney Sweeney in the role of Bea, a student who calls off her engagement. Glen Powell plays Ben, a man she encounters during a night out. The initial meet-cute turns sour as they become adversaries rather than lovers. However, destiny brings them together once again when they find themselves part of the same wedding party – for Bea’s sister Halle (Hadley Robinson) and Ben’s best friend Pete’s (GaTa) sister Claudia (Alexandra Shipp).
Viewers of “Never Have I Ever” would likely appreciate not just Bea and Ben’s tale, but also the self-assured allure of Jonathan, Bea’s ex-fiancé, portrayed by Darren Barnet. He unexpectedly appears at the wedding, orchestrated by Bea’s parents, unbeknownst to her. He embodies the epitome of a refined gentleman, winning over Bea’s parents and expressing a desire for reconciliation with Bea. Despite being a supporting character, Barnet radiates vitality and charm. Jonathan navigates every situation with poise, even when he learns that Bea is in a relationship, handling it with grace. He laughs off her parents’ awkward attempts to rekindle their romance and maintains his cool demeanor throughout.
- Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp
- Director: Will Gluck
- Year: 2023
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Rating: R
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 54%
Blue Eye Samurai
Apart from “Never Have I Ever,” Darren Barnet also stars in another Netflix series called “Blue Eye Samurai.” This animated production chronicles the journey of Mizu (Maya Erskine), a 17th-century Japanese warrior, who is on a quest to find four individuals who remained in Japan after its borders were closed during the Edo period.
Barnet portrays Taigen, a manly warrior who has issues with Mizu. He believes it was her fault that his engagement to Princess Akemi (Brenda Song) was called off. He deeply cares for the Princess, but their relationship ended after he lost a fight against Mizu. The princess’s father then terminated the arrangement. This incident only worsened the already strained relationship between Taigen and Mizu, which has been tense since they were kids.
In “Never Have I Ever,” Paxton sometimes displays antagonistic behavior towards Devi, especially after she cheats on him. However, Taigen stands out as a true villain, offering viewers a new side to the actor’s character portrayal. While other roles have Barnet playing the hero, he often employs his charisma strategically to accomplish his objectives. In contrast, Taigen is driven by a single-minded mission: winning over the love interest’s father. He will go to any lengths to achieve this goal, making him one of Mizu’s primary adversaries in the series.
- Starring: Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka
- Creators: Amber Noizumi and Michael Green
- Episodes: 8
- Year: 2023
- Rating: TV-MA
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Gran Turismo
As a dedicated gamer, I find myself immersed in the gripping tale that unfolds in “Gran Turismo.” It revolves around a remarkable individual named Jann Mardenborough, who transitioned from gaming to becoming a professional race car driver. This film chronicles his journey, starting at the GT Academy and culminating in the reality of racing behind the wheel of a genuine vehicle. Guiding him along this path is Jack Salter, a veteran driver turned trainer and mechanic, offering guidance every step of the way as he prepares for the physical demands of professional racing.
In the GT Academy, Darren Barnet plays Matty Davis, a driver who’s competing against Jann. Matty is known for his self-assured demeanor, while Jann tends to be quieter and less certain in press situations. However, after Jann wins the Academy over Matty, they pair up as co-drivers. Initially portrayed as rivals, they eventually unite due to their shared ambition: racing.
In “Never Have I Ever,” a significant part of Paxton’s persona revolves around his swimming skills. This is his chosen path for funding his college education, and he becomes perplexed when this avenue seems unattainable following his shoulder injury. Similarly, “Gran Turismo” offers fans of “Never Have I Ever” a glimpse into Barnet portraying another character whose life has been shaped by an unwavering dedication to a sport.
- Starring: David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe
- Director: Neill Blomkamp
- Year: 2023
- Runtime: 2h 15m
- Rating: PG-13
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
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2024-12-16 18:30