From the cozy feeling of Stars Hollow to Lorelai and Rory’s fast-talking banter to its perpetual association with fall, there will never be another show like <em>Gilmore Girls</em>. It’s easy to think of the cast of Gilmore Girls only as their characters, but many of the leads went on to appear in other TV shows, and the cast of Gilmore Girls also starred in many great movies.
From classic network sitcoms to fantasy dramas, to some of the best TV shows of all time, these eight TV series star the talented actors of Gilmore Girls. Some of them see a different take on similar characters, while others are a completely different genre that showcase the actors’ versatility.
Key Highlights
- Melissa McCarthy’s Role: In Mike & Molly, she showcases her comedic talent beyond her role as Sookie St. James.
- CBS Sitcom Success: The show ran for six seasons, highlighting McCarthy’s ability to balance humor and warmth.
- Matt Czuchry’s Performance: In The Resident, he plays a maverick doctor who prioritizes patients over protocol.
- Liza Weil’s Evolution: In How to Get Away with Murder, she transforms Bonnie into a complex character with depth.
Mike & Molly (2010–2016)
Melissa McCarthy As Molly Flynn
Mike & Molly is an excellent showcase of Melissa McCarthy’s comedic genius outside of her underrated side character, Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls. While she is widely recognized for her bombastic, scene-stealing roles in films like Bridesmaids, Mike & Molly gave her the opportunity to lead a network sitcom and demonstrate the full range of her talents.
As second-grade teacher Molly Flynn, McCarthy played the most rational member of her family, yet she also delivered moments of explosive humor, highlighting her signature quick temper and exceptional physical comedy. The show, a dependable CBS sitcom for six seasons, allowed McCarthy to balance heartfelt warmth with outrageous comedic timing, a combination that earned her an Emmy in 2011.
Unlike her later film projects with husband Ben Falcone, which often leaned heavily on broad humor, Mike & Molly provided a structured environment for McCarthy to explore nuanced character work while still embracing her fearless, larger-than-life comedic instincts. Though sometimes overlooked today, the series remains a standout example of McCarthy’s ability to anchor a show with both charm and hilarity.
The Resident (2018–2023)
Matt Czuchry As Dr. Conrad Hawkins
The Resident is an outstanding medical drama anchored by Matt Czuchry’s undeniable charm. Czuchry brings the same smarmy charisma that made Logan Huntzberger memorable in Gilmore Girls to Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, playing Dr. Conrad Hawkins in The Resident, a maverick chief resident who bends — or outright breaks — the rules to protect his patients.
Conrad’s dedication to people over protocol frustrates his superiors and challenges his medical students, giving the series its moral and dramatic center. An excellent medical series, The Resident thrives on romantic tension, complex cases, and ethical dilemmas, but Czuchry’s Conrad adds a warmth and charisma that elevate the drama.
While both Conrad and Logan hail from wealth, Conrad’s arc digs deeper into issues of class identity and family expectations, particularly through his strained relationship with his father. Anchored by Czuchry’s performance, The Resident succeeds as a procedural with heart, blending sharp medical storytelling with character-driven drama that keeps viewers invested season after season.
How To Get Away With Murder (2014–2020)
Liza Weil As Bonnie Winterbottom
How to Get Away with Murder is the best showcase of Liza Weil’s talent since Gilmore Girls. Weil plays Bonnie Winterbottom, a fiercely dedicated associate attorney under Viola Davis’ formidable Annalise Keating. At first, Bonnie appears stoic, but as the series unfolds, her traumatic backstory is gradually revealed, allowing Weil to display her full range of emotional depth and subtlety.
The character’s intelligence, competitiveness, and occasional ruthlessness draw clear parallels to Weil’s beloved Paris Geller in Gilmore Girls, yet Bonnie inhabits a world far darker and higher-stakes than the halls of Chilton. How to Get Away with Murder blends intense legal drama with moments of heightened, almost campy tension, giving Weil opportunities to balance sharp wit, vulnerability, and controlled ferocity.
Over six seasons, she transforms Bonnie from a background player into a fully realized, indispensable part of the narrative, proving that Weil is just as adept at complex, layered drama as she is at fast-paced comedy. For fans of her work on Gilmore Girls, Bonnie Winterbottom is a compelling evolution of everything that made Paris Geller unforgettable.
Sullivan’s Crossing (2023–Present)
Scott Patterson As Harry “Sully” Sullivan
Sullivan’s Crossing shares a lot in common with Gilmore Girls, from its small-town charms to its strong sense of community, and of course, Scott Patterson’s signature grumpy-but-lovable presence. Patterson’s character, Sully, who runs the eponymous Nova Scotia campground, could easily be Luke Danes’ Canadian twin brother.
Both men embody the rugged outdoorsman persona, are irascible yet secretly tender, and radiate that quietly proud “girl dad” energy. The series, based on the novels by Robin Carr of Virgin River fame, centers on Sully’s delicate, heartfelt journey to rebuild his relationship with his daughter, giving the show its emotional core.
The series is also built on Chad Michael Murray’s undeniable heartthrob appeal. Murray, who first charmed audiences in Gilmore Girls, brings romantic charisma to Sullivan’s Crossing, balancing Patterson’s gruffness with his own charm. With its small-town connections, relatable family dynamics, and the combined pull of Patterson and Murray,Sullivan’s Crossing is a satisfying watch for fans.
Supernatural (2005–2020)
Jared Padalecki As Sam Winchester
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