What Shows Was Martin Donovan in Before ‘Archive 81’? - Netflix Tudum

  • Guide

    Here’s Where You Recognize Martin Donovan From

    The Archive 81 actor is no stranger to the screen.

    By Reyna Cervantes
    Jan. 17, 2022

Martin Donovan is an actor with quite the laundry list of roles. Making his screen acting debut in 1985, he’s a face you've seen numerous times without realizing it. This month, he appears in Archive 81 as the millionaire Davenport, the keeper of a trove of videotapes that he hires a young film archivist to restore — a daunting task because the tapes were all destroyed in a mysterious apartment fire in the ’90s. While this may be Donovan’s first foray into the horror genre, it’s far from his first appearance in some of the most well-known movies and TV series of the past decade. Let’s look at a few of Donovan’s most notable roles — and where you’ve likely seen him before.

Weeds

One of Donovan’s most recognized roles was in the runaway success Weeds. The show follows widowed mother Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) as she begins selling marijuana to support her family, and, in the process, unwittingly builds a lucrative drug empire. Donovan played corrupt DEA Agent Peter Scottson, who inevitably developed a romance with Botwin. Donovan was praised for his portrayal of the loose cannon agent and was promoted to series regular after just one season, eventually earning him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Ant-Man

In 2015, Donovan appeared in Ant-Man, playing Mitchell Carson, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who works for nefarious terrorist organization Hydra. Carson sets out to acquire “yellowjacket” technology from the film’s main villain. His plan fails, leading to the rise of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), who takes his rightful mantle as Ant-Man. Ant-Man was a massive success at the box office, grossing $519.3 million worldwide. What’s more, Donovan’s role was integral to subplots in Marvel movies for years to come.

Tenet

After working with Christopher Nolan on one of the acclaimed director’s earliest movies, Insomnia, Donovan reunited with Nolan for the 2020 thriller Tenet. Donovan portrayed Fay, the CIA boss to whom the story’s lead character (John David Washington) reports as the two work to uncover an international terror plot. The film is notable for being one of the first tentpole Hollywood releases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and was critically praised for its action and for Donovan’s coolly shrewd performance.

All About Archive 81

  • Needle Drop
    ‘Archive 81’ Composers Created a Haunted Soundscape Using Everyday Objects
    Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury describe banging on radiators and singing cult chants to score Archive 81.
    By Alani Vargas
    Feb. 12, 2022
  • Guide
    The Saudi-born Archive 81 star is proud of her heritage.
    By Jean Bentley
    Jan. 18, 2022
  • Guide
    You’ll want to watch him again after streaming Archive 81.
    By Reyna Cervantes
    Jan. 18, 2022
  • Ask an Expert
    Getting a clear picture is a delicate process.
    By Reyna Cervantes
    Jan. 16, 2022
  • Guide
    Our favorites from his favorites.
    By Reyna Cervantes
    Jan. 14, 2022
  • Guide
    This takes horror storytelling to a whole new level.
    By Reyna Cervantes
    Jan. 7, 2022
  • Trailer
    All eight episodes will hit Netflix on Jan. 14.
    By Lydia Wang
    Jan. 6, 2022
  • Introducing
    We’ve seen some of these faces before.
    By Reyna Cervantes
    Jan. 1, 2022

Shop Archive 81

GO TO NETFLIX SHOP

Discover More Guide

  • Guide
    Hunt games, toys, fashion, books, collectibles, and more for your wish list.
    By Olivia Harrison
    April 28
  • Guide
    Sunny Sandler stars in the coming-of-age drama-comedy produced by Adam Sandler.
    By Brookie McIlvaine
    April 28
  • Guide
    Does Cam successfully overthrow Isla? Does Ali return to the LA Waves?
    By Brookie McIlvaine
    April 23
  • Guide
    Sadie Sandler, Chloe East, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll, and more star in the comedy film.
    By Brookie McIlvaine
    April 17
  • Guide
    Watch Dan Levy and Laurie Metcalf stumble their way into organized crime.
    By Brookie Mcilvaine & Christian Zamora
    April 16
  • Guide
    Gone Girls tells the stories of those who disappeared for decades.
    By Roxanne Fequiere
    April 8
  • Guide
    The bookish episode titles and Lolita-inspired bakery are enough for a syllabus.
    By Jean Bentley
    March 23
  • Guide
    From the familiar to new horrors, here’s what’s next from the Duffer brothers.
    By Christian Zamora
    March 18

Related Videos

  • Press Play
    Meet Melody, Dan, Mark, Anabelle, Jess, Samuel, and Virgil, along with the Actors that play them.
    Feb. 1, 2022
    2:24
  • Press Play
    What do you guys do exactly?
    Jan. 14, 2022
    0:55
  • Press Play
    You have no idea what's happening here.
    Jan. 14, 2022
    0:41
  • Press Play
    What's that sound?
    Jan. 14, 2022
    0:57
  • Press Play
    Rewind to reveal the truth.
    Jan. 14, 2022
    1:21
  • Press Play
    What brings the residents to this building?
    Jan. 10, 2022
    1:03

Latest News

  • News
    Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry Joins Rousey–Carano Mega MMA Card on Netflix
    4:25 pm
    Ronda Rousey & Gina Carano sparring in a professional arena cage, one delivering a kick as the other blocks. Crowd and bright lights in the background, motion blur shows intensity and movement of the match.

Popular Now

  • News
    Plus: Viewers choose new series Unchosen, and Running Point Season 2 is nothing but net. 
    By Ananda Dillon and Ashley Lee
    April 28
  • News
    The Battle for the Fans results are in. Celebrate with performances of “Soda Pop” and “How It’s Done.”
    By Olivia Harrison
    April 28
  • New on Netflix
    Stream Apex, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, plus new seasons of BEEF, Running Point, and more.
    By Ashley Lee
    March 31
  • Casting Call
    Kate Hudson leads another all-star team, including some appearances from real-life LA legends. 
    By Brookie McIlvaine
    April 23