Thebestmartial artsTV showsall feature their version of high-octane action sequences, fighting choreography, and commanding performances from their leads that combine together to create a compelling series. The star doesn’t just need to give a compelling performance with his dialogue but alsodemonstrate legitimate martial arts skills and the physicalityneeded to pull off the sequences. The best shows will seamlessly combine all the elements to create an entertaining series that doesn’t really focus too much on the narrative or the action but creates a balance of both.
Ina genre with many iconic performances, from David Carradine’s breakthrough role inKung Fuway back in 1972 to William Zabka’s dynamic return to the iconicKarate Kidfranchise inCobra Kai, the stars continuallyprovide an authentic and intense portrayal of martial arts. Whether it’s as a kung fu master, a martial arts icon, or someone just at the beginning of their journey, the roles all play a crucial element in the series. The actors must rely on their skills, training, and choreography to produce the best and most iconic performances of their careers.
10Kevin Cheng - Ip Man (2013)
As Ip Man
Fan Xiaotian’sIp Mansees Kevin Cheng take onthe role of the legendary Chinese martial arts grandmasterwho taught many students the art of Wing Chun, most famously, Bruce Lee. The series is set in the early 20th Century and romanticizes the life of the icon, showing his journey into martial arts and his personal and business struggles.
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For a biographical series focused on realism, it should be noted that the real-life Ip Man’s sons, Ip Chun and Ip Ching, were tasked as martial arts consultants for the series, which adds a genuine quality to the action.Cheng gives the performance of his career,with impeccable Wing Chun techniques and a ruthless physicality that also defined the real Ip Man’s combat style. Though the show has flown under the radar, overshadowed by some bigger budget films aboutIp Man, Cheng’s performance alone is enough to watch it.
Iron Fist
Cast
Part of the original Netflix line-up of Marvel shows, Iron Fist follows billionaire heir Danny Rand on his journey to become the legendary Iron Fist. Returning to America after going missing for fifteen years, Danny returns to reclaim his family fortune and use it to help others in need. However, a call to action pulls Danny away from his family duties as a new threat emerges, calling upon the powers of the Iron Fist to protect his friends and family - and New York City.
Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and thus continuing the story from other franchise films and series,Iron Fisttells the story of Danny Rand (Finn Jones). Rand had been presumed dead after disappearing for 15 years, after spending his time as a Buddhist monk,learning martial arts, kung fu, and his ability to call upon the ‘Iron Fist’, a mythical power he can summon. He returns home to New York to discover his family’s business has been taken over by Harold Meachum, and he has to choose between family loyalties and his role as the Iron Fist.
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In his breakout role, Jones had to prepare for a performance like never before, stating that he studied kung fu, wushu, and tai chi, along with extensive weight training and meditation practices. It’s this attention to detail that helped him perform as ably as he did,completing complex fighting scenes with close-quarter kung fu techniques. His character has a complex and layered nature, requiring a unique combination of skills, personality, and mysticism that Jones delivers to mostly universal acclaim.
Wu Assassins
Wu Assassins follows a wannabe chef who partners with a homicide detective to unravel an ancient mystery. As the last in a line of Chosen Ones, he must confront supernatural assassins, balancing personal aspirations with a quest to defeat mystical threats.
In the American supernatural action seriesWu Assassins, Iko Uwais stars as Kai Jin, a young Chinatown chef in San Francisco who gets involved in the Chinese Triad’s pursuit of deadly ancient powers.Kai learns he is the 1000th and final ‘Wu Assassin’who have a lifelong duty to kill the five Wu Warlords. He is given a magical amulet that has the skill and power of 1000 monks that helps him enhance his powers and martial arts skills.
The series was given a follow-up sequel in the form of the 2022 American supernatural action thriller film,Fistful of Vengeance, directed by Roel Reiné.
Uwais, best known for his roles inThe Raidseries, brings a unique skill set to the table for his starring role as Kai. As well as acting, he has credits for stunt work and fight choreography, which helpselevate his role to new heightswith his increased athleticism and understanding of fight scenes from both sides of the camera. It’s that added realism and authenticity that makes his portrayal stand out so much, bringing his character to life with exquisite skills and brutal power.
7Danny Chan - The Legend Of Bruce Lee (2008)
As Bruce Lee
The Legend of Bruce Leeis a Chinese biographical series about the life and times of the ultimate icon in martial arts cinema, Bruce Lee. Danny Chan portrays the titular character in this 50-episode saga that pays tribute to all aspects of the legend’s life and career.Broken into seven distinct parts, it follows Lee’s early years in Hong Kong, his training and rise to martial arts master, his turn into a Hollywood superstar, and his untimely death at the age of just 32.
The Legend of Bruce Leeis the most-watched Chinese television drama series of all time, as of 2017 (400 million viewers).
As well as developing the skills and mannerisms needed to accurately portray Bruce Lee, it also helps that Chanbears a remarkably striking resemblance to the martial arts icon. It’s clear that Chan put in a monumental amount of work in order to replicate Bruce Lee’s style so accurately, from legendary moments like his ‘one inch punch’ and his explosive Hollywood fight scenes, Chan nails every sequence. His charisma and natural similarities help make this Chan’s most confident and acclaimed performance of his career.
6Wataru Ichinose - Sanctuary (2023-Present)
As Kiyoshi Oze/Enno
In a slightly different take on the martial arts genre that hasdefinitely flown under the radaris the Japanese dramaSanctuary. It follows the story of Kiyoshi Oze (Wataru Ichinose), an outspoken and volatile young delinquent who, to make ends meet for himself and his family, decides to enter into the brutal world of professional sumo wrestling. Ichinose’s performance is incredibly gripping as a young man struggling with his own demons while trying to perform at the highest level of a sport he knows nothing about.
His portrayal of Kiyoshi Oze is graphic and unflinching, as he captures the raw struggles of a wayward youth who is trying to find themselves. Far from the typical acting role, it is one that he had to prepare for, both in terms of body composition and frame as well aslearning the intricate and devastating art of Sumo. His dedication to the process is evident in all his fight scenes as he has mastered the nuance of the sport, and the show brings a spotlight to a martial art that is so revered but also so overlooked in terms of media coverage.
Daredevil
Daredevil is a Netflix original series starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock. The TV show ran for three seasons before being canceled by Netflix, despite being critically praised. Kingpin was the main antagonist in seasons 1 and 3 and also introduced Jon Benrthal’s Punisher in season 2. Daredevil was followed by Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again.
Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock, akaDaredevil, in this Netflix series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It tells the story of Murdock, a blind lawyer who fights crime in the court of law during the day, but thenturns into a superhero vigilante by night. It should be noted that while he is technically a superhero, he doesn’t possess any extraordinary abilities apart from heightened senses that can help him ‘see’ as he is using his martial arts skills to defeat the criminal underworld of Hell’s Kitchen.
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Into The Badlands (2015-2019)
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Cox had to undergo extensive physical and skill-based training to effectively play the part ofDaredevil. He trained in Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu as well as worked on his physical condition to complete the fight sequences and bring the physicality needed to the character. The show has many incredible fights, particularly the’phone booth’ style one-take hallway sequencesthat have become a trademark of the show. Cox’s innate ability to portray a masked vigilante able to mercilessly beat his enemies while also displaying vulnerable moments makes it one of his finest ever performances.
4David Carradine - Kung Fu (1972-1975)
As Kwai Chang Caine
In a series that, in no small part, helped introduce and educate a widespread mainstream audience about martial arts, David Carradine stars as Kwai Chang Caine. Caine is the orphaned son of an American father and Chinese mother, who trains at a Shaolin Monastery, where he grows up to become aShaolin priest and martial arts expert. He then travels across the American West to find his half-brother, while also using his martial arts skills to dish out justice and protection when he sees fit.
The series' phrases and aphorisms are adapted or directly from the Tao Te Ching, a book of ancient Taoist philosophy written by Lao-tzu.
It can’t be understated how influential this show was at the time, and it’s possible some other shows on this list may not have been developed if not for the trailblazing work of Carradine. His calm persona and incredible martial arts ability quickly made him an icon in this62-episode-long drama. While not as physical as some of the others, Carradine made sure every movement had a purpose, effortlessly displaying his skill on larger opponents, and he laid the groundwork for more modern martial arts work in Western film and television.
Warrior
Warrior is an action-thriller television series set in the ruthless underworld of San Francisco in the late 1800s, pitting rival Chinatown syndicates against one another, the police, and a privileged and prejudiced upper class. Inspired by stories from the late Bruce Lee, the series follows Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who emigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances and becomes a hatchet man for Hop Wei, one of Chinatown’s most powerful crime families.
Based on an original concept and treatment by martial arts icon Bruce Lee,Warrioris set during the Tong Wars of 1870s San Francisco and follows Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji). Sahm is a Chinese immigrant and martial arts prodigy who gets drawn into thecriminal underbelly and brutal gangland scenein hopes of finding his sister, who has gone missing since they arrived in the area.
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Koji dropped out of university at age 19 to focus full-time on acting and martial arts, studying and competing in various taekwondo tournaments, while also learning Shaolin kung fu at his local Shaolin Temple. It’s this background that helps Koji perform his incredible fight scenes and stuntsthat blend authentic martial arts with gritty street brawls. His commitment to his role and the fluidity and genuine ability on display create a masterpiece of martial arts media that has made him one to watch going forward.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
In Robert Mark Kamen’s series sequel to the originalThe Karate Kidfranchise,William Zabka reprises his role as the iconic bullyand antagonist to star Daniel LaRusso, Johnny Lawrence. His portrayal in this latest installment is a fascinating character study, showing his journey from high school bully to depressed, absent father to eventual mentor and sensei to the newCobra Kaidojo.
Zabka’s portrayal of the grown-up bully is both heart-wrenching and comical, with many bittersweet moments throughout the series. With six seasons and 55 episodes, his character arc and life story are able to be fully developed,showing growth and maturity throughout the series. The fight sequences and action are all more realistic and unpolished compared to the film, and Zabka’s performance, as well as the respect and homage paid to the original, is what makes this one of the most popular series of all time.
Into the Badlands
Into the Badlands follows Sunny (Daniel Wu) and M.K. (Aramis Knight), who traverse a post-apocalyptic world set 500 years in the future. Premiering in 2015, Into the Badlands was created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and aired on AMC until 2019 when its third season came to a close.
Into the Badlandsis a post-apocalyptic drama series that stars Daniel Wu as Sunny,a highly skilled and trained ‘clipper’ who is a loyal fighter and servant to the Badlands' most powerful baron, Quinn. The series is set five hundred years in the future, in states between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River that have developed a feudal society where monopolies, divisions, and labor roles are all managed to maintain some form of order.
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Having developed an interest in martial arts when he first saw Jet Li inThe Shaolin Temple, Wu began training in the martial art wushu at age 11. Wu’s early martial arts background gave him the ability to perform the stunts needed to solidify his portrayal as the most feared assassin in the Badlands. The series has anaction-heavy narrative blended with stylized choreography and beautiful visuals, which help make it a must-watch show, and Wu’s intricate fight scenes and perfect delivery in both acting and martial arts make it the best performance in a martial arts series to date.
