Honestly, if you told me back in 2015 that Jon Hamm would eventually trade his tailored gray suits for a stolen hedge fund manager's hoodie or a "constitutional" sheriff's badge, I’m not sure I would have believed you. We all lived through the Don Draper era. It was a decade of high-waisted trousers, Old Fashioneds, and that specific brand of existential dread that only a Madison Avenue ad man could pull off. But looking at the Jon Hamm TV series landscape in 2026, it’s clear the man didn't just survive his career-defining role; he basically dismantled it and built something much weirder and more interesting.
He’s everywhere right now. If you've logged into Apple TV+ or Paramount+ lately, you've probably seen that jawline staring back at you. He isn't just "the guy from Mad Men" anymore. He’s become this weirdly versatile utility player who can go from a terrifying villain in the frozen North to a guy robbing his own neighbors in the suburbs.
The Current Heavy Hitters: Your Friends & Neighbors and Landman
The big talk of 2026 has been Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV+. It’s a trip. Hamm plays Coop, a disgraced hedge fund manager who gets fired and, instead of doing the normal thing like updating his LinkedIn, decides to start burgling the wealthy houses in his own upscale neighborhood. It’s got this tense, suburban-noir vibe that feels a bit like Breaking Bad if Walter White had really nice loafers.
The show already got picked up for a second season before the first one even finished airing. People are obsessed with the "upstairs/downstairs" dynamic, but with a twist—the guy doing the stealing is actually one of the people from "upstairs." It’s sort of a perfect role for Hamm because he can play that "I belong here" confidence while secretly being a total mess.
Then you have Landman over on Paramount+. This is a Taylor Sheridan production, so you know exactly what you’re getting: grit, oil, and probably a lot of people standing in dirt looking serious. Hamm isn't the lead here—that's Billy Bob Thornton—but he plays Monty Miller, a Texas oil titan. It’s a recurring guest role, but he owns every scene he's in. It’s a very different kind of power than Don Draper. Don was about persuasion; Monty Miller is about raw, industrial-sized wealth.
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Why We Still Can't Stop Talking About Mad Men
Look, we have to mention it. You can't talk about a Jon Hamm TV series without acknowledging the 1960s-shaped elephant in the room. Mad Men ran from 2007 to 2015, and it basically defined the "Golden Age of TV." Don Draper was the ultimate "prestige" protagonist—a man who was a literal fraud (remember Dick Whitman?) but was so good at his job that we didn't care.
The legacy of that show is why his current career is so fascinating. Most actors who hit that level of iconic status get stuck. They play "Don Draper Lite" for the rest of their lives. But Hamm? He spent the years following the finale doing everything in his power to poke fun at that image.
The Darker Turn: Fargo and the End of "Handsome Leading Man"
If you haven't seen Season 5 of Fargo, go fix that. Like, right now. Hamm plays Sheriff Roy Tillman, and he is—honestly—one of the most despicable characters put on television in the last decade. He’s a "constitutional sheriff" who thinks he is literally the law.
There is no Don Draper charm here. Roy Tillman is a misogynistic, violent, ego-driven nightmare. Hamm put on a thick accent, grew a meaner-than-usual mustache, and basically told the audience, "I know you think I'm the handsome hero, but I can make you absolutely hate me."
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Critics loved it. It was a huge "prestige" moment for him that proved he could do more than just look good in a suit. He earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations for it, and it really paved the way for the more complex, morally gray roles he’s taking on in 2026.
The Comedy Streak: 30 Rock, Kimmy Schmidt, and Grimsburg
One thing people often forget is that Jon Hamm is actually really funny. He’s got that "handsome guy who doesn't know he's an idiot" thing down to a science.
- 30 Rock: He played Drew Baird, the doctor who was so handsome he lived in a "bubble" where everyone pretended he was good at things he was actually terrible at.
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: He played Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, the cult leader who kept Kimmy in a bunker. It was a dark premise, but Hamm played it with this bizarre, over-the-top energy that was hilarious.
- Grimsburg: He’s currently voicing Marvin Flute in this animated Fox series. He plays a "greatest detective ever" who is also a total disaster of a human being.
It’s almost like he uses comedy as a palate cleanser between the heavy dramas. He’s hosted Saturday Night Live three times, and every time, he’s willing to look like a complete moron. That lack of vanity is probably why he’s had such a long career.
What’s Actually Worth Watching Right Now?
If you’re trying to navigate the Jon Hamm TV series catalog and don't know where to start, here is the breakdown of what actually deserves your time:
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- Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple TV+): This is the current "watercooler" show. If you like suspense and seeing rich people behave badly, this is the one.
- Fargo Season 5 (FX/Hulu): If you want to see his best acting work since Mad Men. It’s dark, violent, and incredibly well-made.
- The Morning Show (Apple TV+): He joined in Season 3 as Paul Marks, a tech billionaire. It’s a bit soap-opera-ish, but the chemistry between him and Jennifer Aniston is undeniable.
- Good Omens (Amazon Prime): He plays Archangel Gabriel. It’s quirky, British, and he gets to play a version of an angel that is basically a corporate middle manager. It’s great.
The "Hidden" Gems
Don't sleep on A Young Doctor's Notebook. It’s a miniseries where he stars alongside Daniel Radcliffe. They play the same person at different ages. It’s based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s stories and it is bleak, bloody, and surprisingly funny. It’s one of those projects that shows Hamm was looking for "weird" long before it was cool.
Why Jon Hamm Still Matters in 2026
The reason we’re still talking about him isn’t just because he’s a good actor. It’s because he’s one of the few stars from the "Linear TV" era who successfully transitioned to the "Streaming Era" without losing his brand. He didn't just chase a paycheck; he chased creators. Working with people like Noah Hawley (Fargo), Taylor Sheridan (Landman), and Jonathan Tropper (Your Friends & Neighbors) shows he knows where the good writing is.
He’s also leaned into being an Executive Producer. He isn't just showing up to say lines; he's helping build these shows. That gives him a level of control over his career that most actors his age just don't have.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Viewers
If you're looking to dive into the latest Jon Hamm projects, here is how to handle it:
- Check the Platform: Most of his 2025-2026 work is split between Apple TV+ and Paramount+. If you’re budgeting for streamers, those are the two you need right now.
- Watch Chronologically (Sort of): If you’ve only seen Mad Men, jump straight to Fargo Season 5. It provides the best "shock to the system" to see how much his range has grown.
- Don't Ignore the Voice Work: If you have kids (or just like adult animation), Grimsburg is actually a solid watch. It captures that dry, cynical humor he’s become known for.
The bottom line is that the Jon Hamm TV series era is far from over. If anything, we’re in a second "Golden Age" for him. He’s moved past the shadow of Don Draper and become a leading man who can pretty much do whatever he wants—and luckily for us, what he wants to do is usually pretty great.
You should start with the pilot of Your Friends & Neighbors this weekend. It’s the best entry point into his current "Suburban Noir" phase, and with Season 2 already confirmed, you won't be left hanging for long.