Before he was the face of a hit first-responder drama on ABC, Oliver Stark was dodging katanas. Honestly, if you only know him as Buck from 9-1-1, you’re missing out on a massive piece of his career puzzle. Most people forget that Oliver Stark in Into the Badlands was essentially the actor's "trial by fire." He wasn't just some supporting cast member; he was Ryder, the entitled, complicated, and often frustrating son of a Baron. It was a role that required him to act with his eyes while everyone else was doing backflips, and it's where he really learned how to command a screen.
The show itself was a bit of a freak of nature for AMC. It was this weird, beautiful blend of post-apocalyptic feudalism and high-octane martial arts. While legends like Daniel Wu were doing the heavy lifting in the fight choreography, Stark had to find a way to make a non-combatant character feel just as dangerous. It worked.
Why Ryder Was the Character We Loved to Hate
Ryder was a piece of work. As the son of Quinn, the most powerful Baron in the Badlands, Ryder had everything but the one thing he actually wanted: his father’s respect. Watching Oliver Stark navigate that insecurity was fascinating. He played Ryder with this sort of simmering resentment that felt incredibly real. You’ve probably met someone like that—someone who thinks they deserve the world just because of their last name but lacks the actual grit to take it.
The dynamic between Stark and Marton Csokas (who played Quinn) was the backbone of the early seasons. It wasn't about the swords. It was about the psychological warfare. Stark held his own against a veteran like Csokas, which is no small feat. He made Ryder pathetic, sure, but also deeply human. You almost felt bad for the guy. Almost.
Then he'd do something incredibly selfish, and you'd remember why he was the antagonist. That's the mark of a good performance. It’s easy to play a "bad guy," but it’s hard to play a "weak guy" who thinks he’s a hero.
The Fight Training Most People Don't Know About
Even though Ryder wasn't the primary martial artist of the series, Stark didn't just sit in a trailer. The production of Into the Badlands was notorious for its "Fight Camp."
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Imagine this: weeks of grueling, eight-hour days in the heat, training under the legendary Master Dee Dee (Huan-Chiu Ku). Master Dee Dee worked on The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He didn't care if you were the lead or a guest star; if you were in the Badlands, you were working.
Stark has mentioned in various interviews that the physical demand was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Even for the scenes where he wasn't doing "wire-fu," the posture, the way he carried his weight, and the way he handled weaponry had to look authentic. The show used a very specific visual language. If you looked clumsy, the whole illusion of the Badlands fell apart.
The Physicality of the Role
- Stance Work: Even non-fighters had to master the "power positions" of the feudal lords.
- Endurance: Filming in New Orleans and later Ireland meant dealing with brutal humidity and sudden cold snaps.
- Visual Storytelling: Stark had to convey power through stillness, a sharp contrast to the constant motion of the "Clipper" characters like Sunny.
The Ireland Shift and the End of the Road
By the time the show moved production to Ireland for Season 2, the stakes for Ryder had skyrocketed. He had finally seized power, but as they say, "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown." This was where we saw the peak of Oliver Stark’s range in the series. He went from a sniveling heir to a man burdened by the very power he spent years craving.
The scenery changed, the tone got darker, and the stakes became more personal. Stark’s performance matured alongside the character. He wasn't just the "bratty son" anymore. He was a man trying to survive a world that was rapidly outgrowing the Barons.
Then came the end. Without spoiling the specifics for the three people who haven't seen it, Ryder’s exit from the show was one of its most pivotal moments. It was Shakespearean. It was bloody. And it was exactly the kind of definitive ending a character like that deserved. Stark has since reflected on his departure, noting that while it's always tough to leave a steady gig, the timing allowed him to jump into the roles that would eventually lead him to his current massive success.
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How the Badlands Prepared Him for 9-1-1
You might think playing a feudal lord in a desert wasteland has nothing to do with playing a firefighter in Los Angeles. You'd be wrong.
The discipline required for Into the Badlands—the long hours, the physical toll, the ensemble nature of the cast—is exactly what makes a show like 9-1-1 work. On the AMC set, Stark learned how to be part of a massive machine. He learned how to handle high-pressure environments where timing is everything. If you're two inches off during a fight scene, someone gets a trip to the ER. If you're two inches off during a stunt on 9-1-1, the same thing happens.
Also, let's be real: Ryder's intensity isn't that far off from Buck's intensity in the early seasons. Both characters have a desperate need to prove themselves. They both struggle with "daddy issues" in their own way. Stark took that raw, nervous energy he perfected as Ryder and channeled it into a much more likable, but equally driven, character in Evan Buckley.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About His Time on the Show
There's a common misconception that Stark was "just a side character" or that he left because of some behind-the-scenes drama. Honestly, that’s just not the case. The writers of Into the Badlands always intended for the story of the House of Quinn to be a tragedy. Ryder's arc was a complete circle.
Some fans also think he didn't do his own stunts. While he wasn't doing the insane mid-air flips that Daniel Wu was performing, Stark was incredibly hands-on. He’s a naturally athletic guy, and he leaned into the physicality of the world. He’s talked about how he actually enjoyed the grit and the grime of the set. He wasn't afraid to get dirty.
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A Look at the Legacy of Into the Badlands
The show was canceled after three seasons, which many still consider a crime against television. It was doing things with action choreography that literally no other Western show has managed to replicate since. It was expensive, it was weird, and it was bold.
For Oliver Stark, it was a masterclass. He wasn't the "main guy," but he was the guy you couldn't stop watching whenever he was on screen. He brought a level of nuance to a villainous role that kept the audience guessing. Was he a monster? Or was he just a kid who never got a hug? Stark played both sides of that coin perfectly.
If you’re a fan of his current work, you owe it to yourself to go back and watch the first two seasons of the Badlands. It’s a different version of the actor—younger, leaner, and playing someone far more malicious than the lovable Buck. But the talent is unmistakable. You can see the flashes of the leading man he would eventually become.
How to Approach the Series Today
If you're diving in for the first time to see Stark's roots, here is the best way to do it:
- Focus on the subtext: Watch the scenes between Ryder and his mother, Lydia (Orla Brady). The chemistry there is incredible, and it shows Stark’s ability to handle complex, emotional dialogue.
- Ignore the "Action-Only" mindset: Yes, the fights are great, but the political maneuvering of the Barons is where the real story lives.
- Watch his eyes: Stark does a lot of heavy lifting with his facial expressions. Even when he’s standing in the background of a scene, he’s "in" it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors:
- Study the "Heir" archetype: If you're an actor, watch how Stark uses physical tension to show Ryder's insecurity. It’s a great study in "high-status vs. low-status" acting.
- Value the "Pre-Big-Break" Work: For fans, looking at an actor's earlier, grittier roles provides a much deeper appreciation for their current craft. It highlights the growth in their vocal range and physical presence.
- Don't skip the "bad" guys: Often, the most interesting acting happens in the roles that are meant to be unlikable. Stark’s portrayal of Ryder is a perfect example of finding the soul inside a "villain."
The Badlands was a brutal place, both for the characters and the actors who brought them to life. Oliver Stark didn't just survive it; he used it as a springboard. He took the discipline of the martial arts world and the complexity of feudal politics and turned it into a career that shows no signs of slowing down.