Bryan Fullerisn’t exactly a household name, but he’s responsible for creating some of the most visually striking and innovative TV series of the last 20 years. Beginning as a writer onStar Trek:Deep Space NineandVoyager, Fuller worked his way up to being a showrunner, creating his own cult classics likeWonderfallsandDead Like Me. Often whimsical and imaginative, Fuller’s series tend to dabble in the macabre.
Some of Bryan Fuller’s most notable works includePushing DaisiesandHannibal; both are very different in tone, but each takes a look at life and death…and sometimes life after death. Recently, Fuller executive produced the docu-seriesQueer for Fear: The History of Queer HorrorforShudder, and is in pre-production forCrystal Lake, which is based onFriday the 13thand Jason Voorhees. Bryan Fuller is no stranger to adapting projects, likeAmerican Gods, and integrating his own unique visual style, soCrystal Lakehas a lot to live up to. Before the new series lands on television, catch up on Bryan Fuller’s other TV shows, ranked here.
5’American Gods'
Dates Aired: 2017-2021
Based onNeil Gaiman’s (The Sandman) novel of the same name, Starz’sAmerican Godswas created by Bryan Fuller andMichael Green.American Godsfollows Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) as he becomes a bodyguard for the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday (Deadwood’sIan McShane), who introduces him to a fantastical world of Gods, both old and new. Gaiman’s otherworldly work seemed to be a great match for Fuller, who was able to utilize hisinnovative visuals in this science-fiction drama featuring actual Godslike Odin, Anansi, and Thoth, along with a Jinn and a leprechaun. The series was even nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects.
American Godsalso featured stand-out performances byEmily Browning,Crispin Glover,Demore Barnes(who guest starred in an episode of Fuller’sHannibal), andOrlando Jones.Gillian Anderson, fresh off her recurring role inHannibal, also received praise for her supporting turn as Goddess Media (who took on iconic looks from Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball). After the immense praise for the first season, thanks to thecaptivating visual style and excellent acting, Fuller and Green left and were replaced as showrunners for Seasons 2 and 3 (reportedly due to budget concerns). Perhaps as a result of this changeover, Season 2 of the series lost its way, but bounced back into favor with fans and critics for Season 3. In 2021, Starzcanceled the series after its third season.
American Gods
Watch on Starz
4’Wonderfalls'
Date Aired: 2004
Bryan Fuller’s 2004 fantasy dramedyWonderfallslasted only one season, but still made an impact on fans, gaining cult status. The series starredCaroline Dhavernas(who would later recur in Fuller’sHannibal) as Jaye, a loner who sells souvenirs at Niagara Falls. But this wouldn’t be a Bryan Fuller series if there wasn’t some kind of fantastical element. In this case, the animal tchotchkes talk to Jaye and encourage her to help strangers. Rounding out the cast is future Fuller collaboratorLee Pace,William SadlerandKatie Finneranas Jaye’s family, andTyron Leitsoas her love interest.
The dry, witty banter between the characters, the cute animal trinkets, and the emotional beats between Jaye’s family members provided a winning combination – at least for viewers. Unfortunately, Fox didn’t agree and aired only four of the Season 1 episodes before canceling the series (arguably too soon by fans) and releasing the complete set on DVD. Additionally, whileWonderfallswas originally intended to be a standalone season, Fuller and co-creatorTodd Hollandexpressed plans for episodes spanning three potential seasons. Fuller’sdistinct style and sharp deadpan humorcouldn’t resurrect this series despite a fan-driven campaign for another season.
Wonderfalls
Buy on Amazon
Dates Aired: 2003-2004
Two-season fantasy dramedyDead Like MestarredEllen Muthas recently deceased George, who becomes a grim reaper after getting hit in the head with a toilet seat that fell from a space station. As ridiculous as the premise sounds,Dead Like Mewassentimental and charming in its dissection and exploration of grief. Guided by boss Rube (Mandy Patinkin), as a grim reaper, George must take the souls of the dying and escort them to their afterlife. This allows the series to lean into the morevulnerable themes of appreciating life and relationships.Dead Like Meperfectly balances out the drama with comedic Rube Goldberg-style death scenes, giving viewers a breather from their feels.
After only five episodes into Season 1, Bryan Fuller left the series due to creative differences, and the studio’s insistence on cutting the material. Supporting actressRebecca Gayheartalso left after these five episodes, leaving actorsJasmine Guy,Callum Blue, andLaura Harristo round out the cast.Dead Like Mefinished its first season and was canceled by Showtime after its second; a straight-to-DVD film followed without Fuller’s involvement. The series was full ofimaginative world-building and deep reaper lore, and served as almost a trial run of Fuller’s future seriesPushing Daisies, which also explored death in a mostly comedic (but still grounded) way.
Dead Like Me
Watch on Amazon
2’Pushing Daisies'
Dates Aired: 2007-2009
The facts are these: In 2007, Bryan Fuller broughtPushing Daisiesto life, and death, and life again. The delightful TV series ran for 22 episodes before succumbing to the2007 writers' strike. Starring previous supporting actor Lee Pace as the charmingly awkward Ned andAnna Frielas his back-alive love interest Chuck,Pushing Daisieswas a whimsically beautiful masterpiece. Young Ned unluckily finds out that he has the ability to bring people back from the dead via touch – but only for one minute, otherwise death balances the scales by taking another nearby victim. Theseries was played for comedic effect instead of horror(although some of the reanimated bodies can be graphic); grown-up Ned uses his ability to run a successful pie shop and help private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) solve murders.
OverPushing Daisies' two seasons, fans were treated to delectable narration byJim Dale, stunning production design, quick and pun-filled dialogue, and emotionally resonating episodes. Adding to the fun were quirky supporting characters like Chuck’s cheese-loving aunts (Swoosie KurtzandEllen Greene) and Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth), who is in unrequited love with Ned. Bryan Fuller even capitalized on Greene and Chenoweth’s musical theater background by giving them endearing musical numbers (don’t worry,the series is not a musical). Critically acclaimed,Pushing Daisiesearned 17 Emmy nominations, with seven wins, including one for Chenoweth’s supporting role. The series' abrupt cancelation was devastating to fans wholonged for a conclusionto the cherished show, and a happy ending for Ned and Chuck’s love story.
Pushing Daisies
Watch on Max
1’Hannibal'
Dates Aired: 2013-2015
Arguably Bryan Fuller’s most celebrated series,Hannibalwas one of the best shows on TV at the time, and is still beloved today. Based on the infamous serial killer from Thomas Harris' novels, the show followed thecaptivating relationshipbetween forensic psychiatrist and cannibal Hannibal Lecter (an outstandingMads Mikkelsen) and FBI Special Investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). For three seasons, audiences delighted in thetension-filled cat-and-mouse game between the two intelligent-but-troubled characters, butHannibalwas canceled in 2015 by NBC, never getting toThe Silence of the Lambsstoryline fans were eager to see play out.
Hannibalwas known for itsoutstanding acting and delectably dense dialogue, but Fuller also brought a unique style to thegruesome and beautiful death scenes. Fuller and his team expertly crafted a dreamlike quality to the show, keeping viewers on their toes and waiting for the next grotesquely arresting kill. The combination of complex and fascinating characters with life-or-death stakes made the deaths in the series more impactful and provocative. With fans still hoping foran unlikely fourth season,Hannibalserved as a nice precursor toCrystal Lake– a horror IP getting new life as a prequel television series – and it will be exciting to see how Bryan Fuller carries his expertise into the new show.
NEXT:Bryan Fuller’s ‘Wonderfalls’ May Not Be Streaming Anywhere, But It’s Still a Great Watch
