If you tuned into the second season of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, you probably had a bit of a "wait, is that who I think it is?" moment. It wasn't just another guest star. It was Nathan Fillion, appearing in a flurry of dashing heroics and V.F.D. intrigue.
He played Jacques Snicket.
Now, if you only know Fillion from his days as a space cowboy in Firefly or a charming cop in The Rookie, seeing him in a world as dreary and miserable as Lemony Snicket's might have felt like a glitch in the matrix. But honestly? It was one of the most brilliant casting moves the show ever made. It wasn't just about his face; it was about the way he balanced the show's weird, dark humor with a genuine sense of hope.
Jacques is the brother of our narrator, Lemony Snicket (played by Patrick Warburton). When Nathan Fillion joined A Series of Unfortunate Events, he didn't just show up for a paycheck. He stepped into a role that essentially redefined how we see the "good guys" in a world where the bad guys usually win.
The Brother Connection You Didn’t See Coming
The chemistry between Fillion and Patrick Warburton is something most people don't talk about enough. They look alike. They sound alike. They both have that "classic leading man" baritone that makes everything they say sound like it's being etched into stone.
Neil Patrick Harris, who played the villainous Count Olaf, was actually a huge proponent of Fillion’s casting. He saw the potential for them to play off each other. After all, Harris and Fillion had a legendary history together in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Bringing that dynamic to the Baudelaire orphans' world was a stroke of genius.
Fillion’s first day on set was actually quite emotional. He filmed a scene in a taxi with Warburton for "The Austere Academy: Part Two." In the scene, Warburton’s character is talking about how much he misses his brother. Fillion later admitted in interviews that the performance actually made him cry. That’s the thing about this show—it’s funny and absurd, but the grief is real.
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Why Nathan Fillion Was the Only Choice for Jacques Snicket
In the books, Jacques Snicket is a bit of a shadow. He’s there, he’s important, but we don’t get to live with him the same way we do in the Netflix series. The show expanded the role significantly. They needed someone who could embody "immutable goodness."
Jacques is basically a knight in a suit. He’s capable. He’s kind. He’s a veteran of the V.F.D. (Volunteer Fire Department, for the uninitiated). Fillion has this natural "I’m here to save the day" energy that fits the character like a glove. He described Jacques as having a bit of a knight-in-shining-armor complex. He knows what’s right, and he’s dedicated to it, even when the world is literally burning down around him.
But there was a catch.
Fillion has joked that the hardest part of the job wasn't the dialogue or the action—it was the mustache. The production team slapped a fake mustache on him that was apparently a nightmare to keep on. He couldn't make too many facial expressions because the glue would give way. If you watch closely during his scenes in The Vile Village, you might notice his lips looking a bit stiff. Now you know why. He was fighting a losing battle against Spirit Gum.
The Rematch: Jacques vs. Olaf
Seeing Fillion and Neil Patrick Harris go head-to-head again was a treat for long-time fans. In Dr. Horrible, Fillion was the "hero" who was actually kind of a jerk, and Harris was the "villain" you rooted for. In Nathan Fillion a series of unfortunate events, the roles were much more defined.
Jacques is the genuine article. He is the foil to Olaf’s theatrical cruelty. While Olaf is all about disguises and stealing fortunes, Jacques is about codes, secret passageways, and actually helping people. Their scenes together have a crackle of history to them. You can tell these two characters have been playing this game for decades.
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The Tragedy of the "Good" Adult
One of the running themes in Lemony Snicket’s world is that the adults are either evil or useless. The Baudelaire children are constantly let down by people who should be protecting them. Jacques was the exception.
He was the first adult who actually seemed to have his act together. He was a professional. He had a plan. He had a cool car! That’s what makes his fate so gut-wrenching. Fillion’s portrayal made you believe that, finally, the orphans had an ally who wouldn't fail them.
- He’s goodhearted.
- He’s kind.
- He’s capable.
- And then... well, you know.
When Jacques meets his end in The Vile Village, it marks a massive turning point for the show. It’s the moment the Baudelaire children realize that being a "good guy" doesn't give you plot armor. Fillion played that journey with a sense of nobility that made his exit feel like a massive loss for the series' universe.
The "Dip My Toe In" Philosophy
Fillion has been very open about why he loved this role. He called it the "perfect" gig. He’d come in for two weeks, wear a cool suit, do some action, and then he’d be out. He’s a busy guy, especially with The Rookie taking up most of his year.
He compared his time on the show to riding on "other people's coat tails," which is a very humble way of saying he’s a great ensemble player. He watched the first season as a fan and was blown away by the detail. To him, the world of the show felt like an alien planet where no detail was missing.
He wasn't there to be the star; he was there to be a piece of a very intricate, very miserable puzzle.
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Jacques Snicket’s Legacy in the Series
Even after Jacques is gone, his presence looms large. His death is what sets off the events of the latter half of the series. It’s his "Incomplete History of Secret Organizations" that everyone is chasing. It’s his relationship with Olivia Caliban (the librarian) that provides one of the few genuine romances in the show.
Fans often debate whether the Netflix version of Jacques is "better" than the book version. Honestly, the book version is more of a plot device. The Netflix version, thanks to Fillion, is a person. He’s someone you actually want to grab a drink with—provided that drink isn't poisoned and you aren't being chased by a man with a hook for a hand.
If you’re looking to revisit his performance, you should focus on the middle of Season 2. His arc runs from "The Austere Academy" through "The Vile Village."
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you've already finished the series and you're craving more of that Fillion charm, there are a few things you can do to scratch the itch.
First, go back and watch Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog if you haven't seen it in a while. The contrast between Captain Hammer and Jacques Snicket is hilarious. It shows just how much range Fillion actually has when he’s playing with the "hero" archetype.
Second, if you're a lore nerd, pick up The Unauthorized Autobiography of Lemony Snicket. While Fillion isn't in it (obviously), the book provides a massive amount of backstory on Jacques and the V.F.D. that the show only barely scratches. It explains his relationship with Jerome Squalor and his early days in the organization.
Finally, pay attention to the background details in the later seasons of the show. There are several "blink and you'll miss it" nods to Jacques's past missions that make his character feel even deeper. Nathan Fillion might have only been in the show for a short time, but Jacques Snicket is a character that stays with you long after the screen goes black.