For Bryan Cranston, playing Zordon in the upcoming Power Rangers film is a bit like going back to a high school reunion as he voiced two different baddies in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the series that started a craze in North America. He’s not the only recognizable actor who’s appeared in a Power Rangers series.
Here’s some more famous faces and the iterations they’ve appeared on in alphabetical order:
Eka Darville, Power Rangers R.P.M. – As Scott Truman, Ranger Red, Eka lead this team. He next played Pietros on Spartacus: War of the Damned, Diego on The Originals and Ryan Morgan on Empire. But now he may be best known as Malcolm Ducasse on Marvel’s Jessica Jones.
Adelaide Kane (Saban Entertainment)
Adelaide Kane, Power Rangers R.P.M. – After playing the complicated Tenaya, many have next seen her as Zoey Sandin in the horror film The Purge or as Cora Hale in Teen Wolf. Adelaide can currently be seen starring in the CW’s Reign as the young Queen Mary Stuart.
Archie Kao, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy – Archie’s Blue Galaxy Ranger also appeared on Lightspeed Rescue and he voiced General Venjix on the Wild Force “Forever Red” episode. He’s likely best know as playing Archie Johnson on CBS’ long-running juggernaut CSI for over a decade.
Michael Maize, Power Rangers In Space – After playing the villainous Psycho Black Ranger in all the character’s appearances, Michael worked on shows like Angel, Charmed, Justified, Grimm and True Blood as well as films National Treasure: Book of Secrets and Saving Lincoln. He can also be seen in Season 2 of Mr. Robot.
Rose McIver, Power Rangers R.P.M. – The iZombie star served as Ranger Yellow in 2009, also appearing in Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones which came out the same year. You may also recognize her as Tinker Bell on Once Upon A Time.
Brandon Jay McLaren (Saban Entertainment)
Brandon Jay McLaren, Power Rangers S.P.D. – After his time as the Red Ranger, Brandon never really stopped working. Most notably, he was played major characters in Harper’s Island, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, The Killing, Falling Skies, Graceland, the Chiller series Slasher, and Chicago Fire. He can next be seen in the mid-season CBS series Ransom.
Nikolai Nikolaeff, Power Rangers Jungle Fury – Nikolai already had quite a few credits before becoming the (White) Rhino Ranger. You can currently catch him on not one but two major Netflix series—he plays Vladimir Ranskahov on the first season of Marvel’s Daredevil and as Roman Azorov on The OA.
Craig Parker, Power Rangers Ninja Storm – Adalaide Kane isn’t the only Power Rangers alum appearing on Reign. Craig, who plays Lord Narcisse, voiced Motodrone in several episodes of Ninja Storm. Between the two, he’s played Sabas in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Darken Rahl on Legend of the Seeker, Glaber on Spartacus: War of the Damned and guested on an episode of Sleepy Hollow among others.
Britt Robertson, Power Rangers Time Force – Before Britt starred in Tomorrowland, Under the Dome or The Secret Circle, one of her very first gigs was as a kid who got saved by the Green Ranger in an episode of Time Force.
Keith Robinson, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue – Keith has built up quite the resume after serving as the Green Ranger. He’s had major roles in the Fat Albert live-action movie, American Dreams, Over There, Half & Half, Dreamgirls and Get On Up. He can currently be seen on the series Saints & Sinners.
Peter Shinkoda (Saban Entertainment)
Peter Shinkoda, Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – Peter played Ferrian in the 3-episode arc “A Friend in Need” (and in 1 episode of Masked Rider!). Since then, he’s appeared on a lot of fan favorite shows like Dark Angel, Kingdom Hospital, Supernatural and Falling Skies. He’s also carrying on the Power Ranger/Daredevil connection—he plays Nobu on the Marvel series.
Now we want to go back and rewatch all the Power Rangers series! But it’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers that features in February’s BUILD Loot Crate, Loot Wear and Loot Pets. Sign up by 2/19!
(This article appears in Loot Crate Magazine, February 2017)
