The One Genre Tom Hiddleston Has Never Tackled in His Diverse Career

Tom Hiddleston’s career has spanned a vast array of genres, from superhero blockbusters to historical dramas and romantic comedies. With a portfolio that includes roles in films like Thor, Crimson Peak, War Horse, and Only Lovers Left Alive, as well as his celebrated turn in the TV series Loki, it’s clear that Hiddleston’s range as an actor is vast. However, despite his diverse acting experiences, there remains one genre that Hiddleston has yet to explore: the Western.

A Career Defined by Genre Variety

From the very beginning of his career, Hiddleston has embraced a variety of roles across numerous genres. His breakthrough role in Thor (2011) introduced him as the villain Loki, a character he would reprise in several other Marvel films, including The Avengers (2012) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017). His involvement in the superhero genre cemented him as a versatile actor capable of balancing action with complex character work.

Beyond the Marvel Universe, Hiddleston has delved into drama with films like War Horse (2011), a Steven Spielberg-directed epic, and The Deep Blue Sea (2011), a romantic drama. He’s also dabbled in horror with Crimson Peak (2015), a gothic romance directed by Guillermo del Toro, and Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), a haunting film about vampires by Jim Jarmusch.

Hiddleston’s filmography also includes comedies such as Midnight in Paris (2011), where he portrayed F. Scott Fitzgerald, as well as the animated The Pirate Fairy (2014) and Early Man (2018). His roles have ranged from biographical dramas like I Saw the Light (2015) to science fiction and fantasy, including Kong: Skull Island (2017) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

A closer look at his extensive career reveals that while Hiddleston has tackled almost every genre imaginable, the one notable absence is the Western. Westerns, known for their tales of cowboys, gunfights, and frontier life, are a staple of American cinema, but Hiddleston has never appeared in such a setting.

Television and Stage Roles: No Westerns in Sight

Hiddleston’s television roles further reflect his genre-spanning range. In Loki (2021-2023), a show set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hiddleston embraced sci-fi and fantasy, while in The Night Manager (2016), he won a Golden Globe for his performance in a spy thriller. His roles in Wallander (2008) and Suburban Shootout (2006) further diversify his credits, showcasing his ability to thrive in detective dramas and comedies.

On stage, Hiddleston’s Shakespearean performances in Hamlet (2017) and Coriolanus (2013) showcased his classical training and expertise in drama, while his portrayal in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal (2019) highlighted his talent in intense, contemporary drama. However, despite his deep involvement in dramatic and action-heavy genres, Westerns have never appeared on his radar.

The Western Genre: A Notable Gap

The Western genre, which often highlights the rugged individualism of life on the American frontier, is one of the few that Hiddleston has not explored. While many actors, from Clint Eastwood to Leonardo DiCaprio, have built iconic careers in Western films, Hiddleston has yet to step into this world. His career has focused more on roles in fantasy, history, drama, and action, but the quiet landscapes and dramatic showdowns typical of Westerns have not been part of his cinematic journey.

Interestingly, while Hiddleston has embraced genres that are often known for their action elements—such as superhero films and war dramas—he has not ventured into the rugged, often gritty world of the American West, which is defined by its slow-building tension, moral complexity, and themes of justice and survival.

Why the Western Genre May Be Missing from Hiddleston’s Career

Hiddleston’s absence from the Western genre may simply be a result of the types of projects that have come his way, rather than a deliberate choice to avoid the genre. His focus on roles that require versatility and emotional depth may not have aligned with the typical character types found in Westerns, where archetypical roles like the lone gunslinger or the grizzled lawman dominate the narrative.

It’s also worth noting that Westerns have become less prevalent in mainstream cinema in recent years, with the genre taking a backseat to other popular forms of storytelling. That said, the genre has had a resurgence in recent years with films like The Revenant (2015), which earned DiCaprio an Oscar, and the popular TV series Yellowstone. It remains to be seen whether Hiddleston might take on a role in this genre in the future, as the Western continues to evolve and attract new talent.

Conclusion

While Tom Hiddleston’s acting career has touched nearly every genre, from fantasy to drama to horror, the Western remains a notable gap in his impressive portfolio. Given the breadth of his acting range and his willingness to embrace diverse roles, it’s not out of the question that Hiddleston could one day bring his signature depth and intensity to a Western. For now, however, fans of his work will have to appreciate his incredible versatility in the genres he has already conquered, and look forward to what new territories he will explore in the future.