Many will rememberEbon Moss-Bachrachfrom his performance inThe Punisheras the “tricky” and complex David Lieberman, or Micro, who assists Castle with his fight against the criminal underworld. In addition to this, he showcased his diversity as an actor through a variety of other performances. From complicated, morally dark characters to good-for-nothing boyfriends, Moss-Bachrach has portrayed a variety of characters. Here are some of Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s best performances, ranked:
10Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-Ongoing)
Produced by Dick Wolf,Law & Order: Special Victims Unitis acrime drama seriesthat follows the Special Victims Unit as they navigate through a variety of cases. Ebon Moss-Bachrach makes a guest appearance in Season 8, episode one, “Informed”. He portrays Justin, the boyfriend of FBI informant Haley Kerns. Justin’s character is right up Moss-Bachrach’s alley. He gives the audience just what they expect from an immoral character. From the creepy look down to the show of aggression, Moss-Bachrach delivers! Justin is associated with Earth Defenders Group, the terrorist organization that Haley was sent to spy on. During the episode, he is suspected to have sexually assaulted and brutalized his girlfriend. Even though the suspicion is cleared, Justin is eventually arrested and imprisoned for being involved in an attempted bombing.
9Andor (2022-Present)
The fourth live-action series in theStar Warsfranchise,Andoris a science fiction adventure series that follows thief-turned-rebel spy Cassian Andor, portrayed by Diego Luna. The series follows Andor through the five years before the events ofRogue One(2016) andStar Wars(1977). In episode four, titled “Aldhani”, Moss-Bachrach portrays Arvel Skeen, a radical dissident who is part of Luthen Rael’s rebel cells. As Andor joins Skeen and his cellmates last minute, internal conflict erupts, with Skeen and his companions being mistrustful of Andor. Eventually, Skeen and his squad, along with Andor, pull off a disruptive heist to unsettle the Empire. The actor does well to portray the suspicious, yet determined rebel. Perhaps what makes his performance memorable is the fact that Moss-Bachrach is also a fan of the Star Wars franchise and is familiar with the universe.
Related:New Andor Season 2 Set Photos Tease Key Reunion Between Two Characters
8Fringe (2008-2013)
Created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Robert Orci,Fringeis a sci-fi TV series that follows the newly formed Fringe Division at the FBI as they solve unexplained, ghastly occurrences, all of which are somehow related to a mysterious parallel universe. Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays Joseph Meegar, a commercial courier who worked for BiCoastal Parcels and has electromagnetic abilities. Unfortunately, Joseph has little control over his abilities. As a consequence, he ends up killing not only his crush, Bethany, when his electromagnetic abilities cause the elevator to crash to the ground but also his mother, whose pacemaker malfunctions in his presence. It’s hard to forget Joseph with his panic-stricken face, as he struggles with his abilities. The actor does a great job of capturing Joseph’s fear and desperation to control his abilities.
7Person of Interest (2011-2019)
Created by Jonathan Nolan,Person of Interestis a sci-fi crime drama TV series that centers around a reclusive billionaire programmer, Harold Finch, portrayed by Michael Emerson, who has developed a program that uses a variety of sources of information to help predict terrorist acts. In season two, episode 16, Relevance, Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays Michael Cole, an ISA agent, who teams up with Sameen Shaw to neutralize terrorists. Cole mostly worked on the technical aspects of their missions, such as surveillance and hacking. When the agent starts questioning the morals of their old missions and starts digging for information, a hit squad is sent to attack Shaw and him. He dies protecting Shaw; the moment is rather heartbreaking as he dies while telling her that he always wanted to be her hero.
6The Dropout (2022)
Based on an ABC News podcast of the same name,The Dropoutis abiographical crime drama miniseries. It documents the rise and fall of the disgraced biotechnology company, Theranos. Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays American journalist and writer John Carreyrou. Carreyrou was one of the journalists who exposed the fraudulent practices of the blood-testing company. He published a series of articles in The Wall Street Journal exposing Theranos and its wrongdoings. Moss-Bachrach was able to capture Carreyrou’s determination to reveal the truth to the world.
5Tesla (2020)
Directed by Michael Almereyda,Teslais a biological drama film that follows thelife of visionary inventor Nikola Tesla, portrayed by Ethan Hawke. Ebon Moss- Bachrach portrays Anitai Szigeti, who is not only Tesla’s assistant but also a friend from Budapest. Szigeti works with Tesla on a variety of inventions including his induction motor. Unlike fictional characters, where actors can add certain character traits, there’s less freedom when it comes to depicting real-life people. Moss-Bachrach does a pretty decent job at portraying Szigeti, who is passionate about his pursuits.
Related:Tesla Review: Style Trumps Substance in Dull Biopic
4The Last Ship (2014 - 2018)
Based on William Brinkley’s novel,The Last Shipis an action-drama TV series. Set in a world where a global pandemic haswiped off 80 percent of the world’s population, a crew of unaffected US Navy officers must search for a cure to save humanity. Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Dr. Niels Sorenson, the narcissistic scientist responsible for mutating the virus to its deadliest strain. It’s not an easy job to portray an unlikable character, but Moss-Bachrach does a spectacular job at it. One can’t help but dislike Niels for being selfish enough to not only willfully infect people but also withhold information that could’ve helped with finding the cure.
3The Bear (2022-Ongoing)
Created by Christopher Storer,The Bearis acomedy-drama seriesthat follows Jeremy Allen White as Carmy, a young chef. Used to working in fine dining restaurants, Carmy is forced to return home to run his family’s Italian beef sandwich shop after his brother, Michael commits suicide. Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays Richie, the manager of the sandwich shop and also Michael’s old best friend. Over the years, Moss-Bachrach has become something of a specialist when it comes to playing complex dirtbags. And Richie fits the character type like a glove. He’s an absolute mess at the sandwich shop, flirting with customers and teasing the staff, but he has a tragic personal life. The tough relationship Richie has with his ex-wife and daughter tugs at the heartstrings of the audience. Despite his flaws, the audience can’t help but feel sympathetic toward Richie.
2Girls (2012-2017)
Girlsis a comedy-drama series that follows thelives of four young womenliving in New York City. The show stars Lena Dunham as Hannah, Allison Williams as Marnie, Jemima Kirke as Jessa, and Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna. Aspects of the show were taken from Durham’s own life, including financial isolation from her parents and her becoming a writer. Moss-Bachrach appeared as Desi Harperin, who was a recurring character in season three and then became one of the main cast members from season four onwards. Desi forms a complicated relationship with Marnie over the course of the show. When the two eventually do end up getting together and marrying, their marriage is short-lived as Marine grows tired of his immature and self-indulgent behavior.
1The Punisher (2017-2019)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach is most popularly known for his role as David Lieberman/Micro in Marvel’sThe Punisher. The show follows the titular character, The Punisher, aka Frank Castle, who uses lethal methods to fight crime. Moss-Bachrach’s Lieberman helps Castle through his endeavors by supplying him with the equipment he requires. Unlike the Liberman in the comics, who seemed like an unnecessary sidekick, Moss-Bachrach’s Liberman has more dimensions to him. He quits his job at the NSA and fakes his death to reunite with his family. He also has a complicated yet endearing friendship with The Punisher. It’s also interesting to see the way Liberman’s consciousness keeps him awake, and ultimately leads to the rift between him and Castle.
