10 Roles from TV Shows that required the respective actors to push beyond their limits

The normal view of acting is that it is a glamorous profession. However, there are parts that actually place an actor beyond the limit of one's physical, emotional, and psychological capacity. Such roles need an intense amount of time and training, method acting, or total emotional immersion that sometimes leaves a mark on the performer.

Many television actors have played parts over time that skillfully test their endurance, patience, and steadfastness. Some roles were staged above an actor's emotional meter, be it the pressure of reifying a real-life character without much room for error or putting on the shoes of a riveting, emotionally taxing character. In fact, some even suffered breakdowns or health disorders and had personal issues resulting from the toll these roles took on them.

From Bryan Cranston's harrowing descent to Millie Bobby Brown's intense preparation, the roles have an intense revelation of what limits are. This type of list can study the top ten TV roles that demanded everything from an actor. Some of the most memorable characters might really be made famous by the price tag attached to them. Thus, here goes some of the most intense performances in TV history.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

1. Bryan Cranston as Walter White (Breaking Bad)

Bryan Cranston's makeover from a submissive chemistry teacher to a cold-blooded drug lord in Breaking Bad was nothing less than revolutionary. To portray Walter White's slide into villainy, Cranston researched the psychology of desperation, even consulting with actual chemists to understand meth-making subtleties. The psychological drain of playing an ethically collapsing man was palpable his meltdown in the "Ozymandias" episode left the crew in awed silence. Even post-Breaking Bad, Cranston confessed that getting into Walter's head was thrilling yet psychologically draining, demonstrating how the role had left its mark on his mind.

2. Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven (Stranger Things)

Only 12 years old, Millie Bobby Brown played demanding Eleven, a telekinetic girl with a traumatic past. Brown went through intensive training to master Eleven's unpredictable movements and calculated expressions, frequently performing without words. She shaved off her hair to completely dedicate herself to the character, comparing to Mad Max: Fury Road's Furiosa. The price of performing Eleven's graphic scenes, such as her isolation in sensory deprivation tanks, was staggering. Over the latest seasons, Brown spoke of the challenge of playing Eleven's breakdowns, especially in Stranger Things 4, when she needed to revisit painful childhood trauma.

3. Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson (Mr. Robot)

Rami Malek's portrayal of socially anxious hacker Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot took him to the limits physically as well as mentally. The character involved him to incorporate the fight of Elliot with dissociative identity disorder and drug abuse realistically. Malek distanced himself on set, not only portraying Elliot's paranoia when the camera was rolling but even in between takes. He sported loose hoodies and avoided direct eye contact to mimic Elliot's embarrassment. The series' brain-twisting plot changes compelled Malek to continuously adjust his performance. He afterward revealed that the intensity of performing as Elliot made it difficult for him to detach himself from the role, even had trouble sleeping due to the mental pressure.

4. Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)

According to Lena, Cersei in Game of Thrones was physically demanding, a character with whom everyone picked not just on-screen but off-screen too; she received some personal threats. The famous Walk of Shame scene where Cersei was made to walk naked was given to a body double because it was so emotionally draining for Lena that she felt she had to take care of her mind. In further seasons, there was the mark of madness that headlined Cersei; she had to keep a certain quiet intensity at play in this challenge, which she leaned into fully. She subsequently remarked that when the filming wrapped, it was hard to let Cersei go.

5. Evan Peters as Various Roles (American Horror Story)

Evan Peters has undergone some of the most extreme role changes in American Horror Story, playing everything from a school shooter to a sadistic cult leader. The physical and emotional strains of these characters finally caught up with him—his performance as Jeffrey Dahmer in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story was so immersive that he remained in character for months. The psychological toll was so overwhelming that Peters stepped back from playing dark characters. Ryan Murphy even proposed therapy for Peters, recognizing the gravity of his performances. Despite that, his commitment has established him as TV's most brazen actor.

6. Tatiana Maslany as Multiple Clones (Orphan Black)

Playing one is difficult enough, but Tatiana Maslany played more than a dozen separate clones on Orphan Black, each with its own accent, mannerisms, and personality. She would sometimes shoot scenes in front of herself, and extensive choreography and concentration were required. Maslany created physical tics for each clone and sometimes had to switch between personas within minutes. The complexity of the performance earned her an Emmy, but at a price she confessed to exhaustion and confusion about identity. Even after Orphan Black had ended, Maslany couldn't shake off the clones, testifying to just how deeply she immersed herself in the roles.

7. Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark (American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson)

Sarah Paulson's makeup into real-life prosecutor Marcia Clark in American Crime Story was so realistic that Clark herself was taken aback. Paulson studied hours of courtroom footage, mimicking the way Clark spoke and the expressions she wore. The emotional toll of the role, especially the misogyny Clark endured, caused Paulson to cry on set several times. She even wore a dental prosthetic to mimic Clark's teeth, contributing to physical discomfort. The work paid off. Paulson earned an Emmy and made a speech thanking Clark for the treatment she received at the hands of the media. Even years after, Paulson finds this one of her tougher roles.

8. Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman (Better Call Saul)

Bob Odenkirk, the man most familiar for his work in comedy, needed to reach deep to bring nuance to Jimmy McGill, the man who would become Saul Goodman. Where his lighter moment came in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul called for raw openness as Jimmy fell into moral rot. Odenkirk did many of his own stunts, even having a near-lethal heart attack on set. He later confessed that shooting emotionally taxing scenes, such as Jimmy's meltdown over Chuck's passing, was psychologically draining. In spite of the cost, Odenkirk welcomed the intricacies of the role, demonstrating that he was much more than a comedic leading man much more a dramatic force.

9. Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan (Dexter)

Jennifer Carpenter's work as foul-mouthed detective Debra Morgan on Dexter demanded enormous emotional depth. Debra's own spiral into madness, leading to her ultimate tragic death, tested Carpenter to her limits. She frequently shot scenes that left her emotionally exhausted, especially those related to her complicated relationship with Dexter. Off-screen, Carpenter was also battling the psychological demands of the role, which caused her to take time away from acting. She went on to confess that reliving Debra's shoes for Dexter: New Blood was tough, as the character's anguish felt too genuine. Nevertheless, her commitment rendered Debra one of the most layered characters in crime drama history.

10. Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)

Andrew Lincoln's performance as Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead was physically and emotionally taxing. Shooting in the hot Georgia heat, drenched in blood and dirt, wore him down. His emotional investment, especially in the scenes when major characters die, drained him entirely after some scenes. Lincoln invested so heavily in Rick's universe that he would sometimes skip modern luxuries to remain immersed in the role. He quit the show after nine seasons, attributing this to physical and mental exhaustion.