You probably know the face. Maybe it’s the way he tilts his head as Detective Llewellyn Watts in Murdoch Mysteries, looking like he’s solving a math equation and a murder simultaneously. Or perhaps you caught him in the cult-favorite sci-fi hit Impulse. Either way, Daniel Maslany has become one of those "Oh, that guy is amazing" actors who quietly steals every scene he's in.
Honestly, it’s easy to just label him as "Tatiana Maslany’s brother" and move on. That would be a massive mistake. While his sister was busy playing ten different clones on Orphan Black, Daniel was carving out a career that is arguably just as weird, eclectic, and impressive. He doesn't just play characters; he inhabits these strange, socially off-beat outsiders in a way that feels incredibly human.
The Murdoch Mysteries Breakout: Detective Llewellyn Watts
If we're talking about Daniel Maslany movies and tv shows, we have to start with the big one. Detective Watts wasn't even supposed to be a permanent fixture. He showed up in Season 10 of Murdoch Mysteries as a bit of a wildcard—a philosopher-detective who seemed more interested in the "continuity of personhood" than standard police procedure.
Fans weren't sure what to make of him at first. He was awkward. He spoke with a rhythmic, almost artificial cadence. But then, something happened. The audience realized that Watts wasn't just "quirky" for the sake of it. He was a man living in a rigid Victorian society while possessing a mind that refused to be boxed in.
"In truth, the continuity of personhood may be nothing more than a delusion," Watts famously mused in his debut.
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That line basically sums up Maslany’s acting philosophy. He plays characters who are constantly shifting. Since joining the show in 2017, he has appeared in over 90 episodes. He took what could have been a "Columbo" trope and turned it into a deeply moving exploration of an outsider finding his place. His chemistry with the rest of the Station House No. 4 crew is undeniable, specifically because he provides a messy, eccentric foil to Murdoch’s precision.
Beyond the Fedora: From Indie Films to YouTube Sci-Fi
Most people don't realize Daniel Maslany has been working since he was a kid. His first film role was actually back in 2000 in Skipped Parts, where he played Petey Pierce alongside Drew Barrymore. Not a bad way to start a resume.
He eventually found his way into Four in the Morning, a dark CBC comedy about four friends who hang out at 4:00 AM. He played Bondurant Smit, an eccentric guy from Manitoba who moves to Toronto. The show was short-lived—only eight episodes—but it’s where he really honed that "tired, slightly unhinged" energy that helped him land the role of Watts.
Then came Impulse on YouTube Premium.
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Playing Townes Linderman, the autistic best friend of a girl who can teleport, Maslany proved he could handle high-concept sci-fi without losing the emotional core. He didn't play Townes as a collection of symptoms. He played him as a kid obsessed with facts and safety who was genuinely terrified for his friend. It’s a performance that deserved way more awards than it got.
A Quick Look at the Filmography (The "Must-Watch" List)
If you're looking to binge-watch his work, don't just stick to the TV stuff. His film choices are where things get really interesting.
- The Mohel (2021): A short film where he plays James, a new father navigating the complexities of Jewish tradition. It’s tense and grounded.
- Lie Exposed (2019): He plays Jerry in this indie drama. It’s a much darker, more adult turn than his TV work.
- Goliath (2019): He plays Parker in this moody drama about a man returning to his hometown after a tragedy.
- Close to You (2023): Most recently, he appeared in this film alongside Elliot Page.
The Theatre Roots Nobody Talks About
Daniel isn't just a screen actor. He’s a massive nerd for the stage. Back in Regina, Saskatchewan, he was a staple at the Globe Theatre. He even wrote and performed a solo show called O.C. Dean in 2013.
What’s wild is that he’s also a composer and sound designer. When he’s not in front of the camera, he’s often behind the scenes creating soundscapes for plays like Metamorphoses or Robin Hood. This multi-instrumentalist background probably explains why his vocal performances are so distinct. He hears the music in the dialogue.
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Why He Matters in 2026
In a world of "cookie-cutter" leading men, Maslany represents a shift toward character-driven storytelling. He doesn't look like a traditional action star, and he doesn't try to. Instead, he leans into the "otherness."
Recently, he was nominated for a 2025 Canadian Screen Award for his work in My Dead Mom, a web series about grief that is as funny as it is heartbreaking. He plays Cole, and yet again, he manages to find the sweet spot between absurdity and genuine pathos.
What most people get wrong about Daniel Maslany movies and tv shows is thinking he's just a supporting player. If you watch his trajectory from Corner Gas cameos to leading a YouTube original and anchoring one of Canada's biggest TV exports, it's clear he's a powerhouse.
If you're new to his work, start with the Murdoch Mysteries episode "Concocting A Killer." It’s the perfect introduction to the "Watts-ian" logic that has made him a household name in Canada and a cult icon abroad. After that, track down Impulse for a completely different vibe.
The next step is simple: check out the indie short The Mohel if you can find it on the festival circuit or streaming platforms. It shows a side of his range that the procedural TV world rarely lets him explore.