As a voracious fan of Jason Bateman, I’m always captivated by his work. Whether it’s absurdly funny, seriously creepy, or intensely harrowing, he always knocks performances out of the park while bringing a rare distinctiveness to every role he embodies. Starting out as a teen star in the 1980s, Bateman went on to headline some of the best and most influential shows of the 21st century as an adult, delivering exceptional performances.
While Bateman has a slew of movie and TV show titles under his acting belt, there are four 21st-century shows that stand out as his best and are worth your time, with a fifth currently in progress, airing on HBO Max. Let’s take a look at what those shows are, what Bateman brings to each, and where you can stream them.
4
Black Rabbit
Deals, debts, and double-crosses
A dramatically thrilling miniseries, the real story of Black Rabbit is the volatile relationship existing between brothers Jake and Vince Friedken, played by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, respectively. The events of the story are partially based on the controversies surrounding NYC restaurant The Spotted Pig.
Jake is a successful, high-end New York City restaurateur. Vince is estranged, chaotic, and debt-ridden. When he resurfaces in town, Jake hesitates to let him back into his personal and professional life but ultimately opens the door. Once he does, he soon finds his business and family under the threat of destruction after Vince brings danger and trauma that results in escalating consequences for both of them.
While the series weaves in some criminal elements that don’t always work, and while there are plot holes, the reason to watch is the central story of the Friedken brothers, which is captivating and makes it a Bateman must-see. The show’s high-stakes, anxiety-inducing blend of a slow-burn crime thriller and restaurant drama is anchored by the electric chemistry between our lead actors, with Bateman giving an unforgettable standout performance as a troublemaker refusing to take responsibility for his mistakes.
Black Rabbit is currently available to stream on Netflix.
3
Ozark
Not your typical family business
I love a good crime series, and Ozark makes my list of the best ever made. The four-season show follows one family’s descent into the criminal underworld, navigating dangerous local criminals, the cartel, and the FBI. It’s all about the corruption of a simple, middle-class family led by Jason Bateman.
Marty Byrde (Bateman) is a Chicago financial advisor who relocates his family to the Missouri Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel goes horribly wrong. To appease the cartel and save his family, he must launder $500 million in five years. As his family’s fate hangs by a fine thread in the balance, dire circumstances force the fractured family to reconnect on a level they didn’t think possible.
A masterful performance by Bateman leads this critically acclaimed, fast-paced, high-tension thriller, along with a solid performance by Laura Linney and a breakout performance by Julia Garner. Its gripping narrative, suspenseful storytelling, deep character development, and intensely violent, high-stakes drama make it a must-see gritty crime binge not just for Bateman fans but also for crime drama fans.
Ozark is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Ozark is a major departure from what fans knew of Bateman. The actor was also heavily involved behind the scenes as a director, helping to shape the movie’s chilling look. The show received a mind-blowing 45 Emmy nominations and won 4, with Bateman taking the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Series.
2
The Outsider
Things aren’t always what they seem
Even in smaller roles, Bateman stands out, especially in an already-stellar series like The Outsider, which is a Stephen King adaptation of his best-selling horror novel of the same name. Bateman plays a respected small-town man accused of a gruesome murder.
Boasting a 91% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, our story kicks off with what seems like a simple, straight-forward investigation. Hope fades to a hell-bent focus when a murdered 11-year-old boy is discovered, initially pointing the investigation to a beloved teacher named Terry Maitland (Bateman). The case soon takes a supernatural turn when ironclad evidence places the suspect in two places at one time, forcing a skeptical detective (Ben Mendelsohn) to explore an insidious, otherworldly force, challenging everyone’s perception of reality and justice.
The hit show delivers on thrills, chills, and creepiness while giving us a gripping experience, but what truly makes it worth watching is Bateman’s exceptional performance, alongside those of Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Erivo. We’re given an expertly crafted slow-burn suspense that seamlessly blends a grounded police procedural with King’s iconic style of supernatural horror and a stellar cast to top it all off.
The Outsider is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
1
Arrested Development
You can’t choose your family
Arguably, Bateman’s best TV show is Arrested Development. Why? It’s the source of his comeback. After being all over television in the 80s, the actor largely disappeared from Hollywood before landing the lead role in this inventive little sitcom about a wealthy family thrown into chaos when the patriarch is arrested.
Bateman stars as Michael, the Bluth family’s level-headed son and the only “normal” Bluth. After his father is sent to prison for committing white-collar crimes, Michael is forced to stay in Orange County and run the family real estate business. He also finds himself reluctantly juggling the wants and needs of his super-spoiled, eccentric, dysfunctional family while trying to be a good role model for his teenage son, George Michael (Michael Cera).
The role of Michael Bluth cemented Bateman’s status as a modern-day comedy star, and while the show itself was never a ratings hit, it has become regarded as one of the best TV comedies of the 21st century. Watch it and you’ll see why.
Arrested Development is currently available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
Jason Bateman’s current project
Currently, Jason Bateman can be seen in the HBO dark comedy DTF St. Louis, which is based on a real murder case and is one of this spring’s must-see shows. Though the show has yet to air in full, it’s also another Bateman show worth your time. The intriguing new project follows the actor’s amazing run of hit shows that highlight his comedic and dramatic acting skills, so you don’t want to miss it!
