If you were watching The Walking Dead back in the day, you probably had a very complicated relationship with Shane Walsh. On one hand, the guy was loyal, fearless, and downright protective, and on the other hand, he made you want to scream at your TV more times than you can count.
But here’s the thing. Love him or hate him, Jon Bernthal owned that role. He made Shane unforgettable, and honestly, he made the entire show just a little more intense, a little more unpredictable, and a whole lot more thrilling. But Shane was only the beginning. Since being killed off in the second season, Bernthal hasn’t slowed down one bit. He’s been taking over screens big and small, proving he’s more than just a zombie apocalypse heartthrob.
In this article, we’ve rounded up four of the best Jon Bernthal shows and movies that every Walking Dead fan absolutely needs to see. While there might not be any zombies in these projects, they're still just as entertaining.
His & Hers (2026)
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Created by: William Oldroyd
- Seasons: 1
His & Hers is Bernthal's latest project, which is based on the book of the same title by Alice Feeney. Bernthal's role in this series is very similar to Shane's in that he plays someone in law enforcement. His & Hers is a six-part mystery thriller on Netflix about an estranged married couple drawn back together by a brutal murder in their small Georgia hometown.
Bernthal plays Detective Jack Harper, a sheriff’s office investigator who is not only leading the homicide case but is personally entangled in it. The victim is connected to his past, and his estranged wife, Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson), a news reporter, has returned to town and inserted herself into the investigation. As the series unfolds, multiple murders occur, and old relationships, jealousies, and childhood histories come into play.
The cast also includes Pablo Schreiber, Marin Ireland, Sunita Mani, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Crystal Fox, Chris Bauer, and Poppy Liu.
The Punisher (2017-2019)
- Where to watch: Disney+
- Created by: Steve Lightfoot
- Seasons: 2
When Netflix dropped the news that Punisher was getting his own series, superhero fans everywhere basically lost their minds, and honestly, can you blame them? For years, Frank Castle/Punisher had been this brooding, unstoppable force lurking in the shadows of the Marvel universe. He'd even made appearances in the first Marvel Netflix series, Daredevil. But to learn that he'd be finally stepping into the spotlight and getting his own series felt like a dream come true. And for Walking Dead fans, it was an extra thrill, because Bernthal would be reprising the role.
The Punisher picks up after Frank has already lost everything: his family, his normal life, and any patience for people who do wrong. He’s got a singular mission now: take down anyone and everyone who hurts innocent people, or just happens to be in the way. And by “takes down,” we mean in ways that are brutal, clever, and often terrifying.
Joining Bernthal in the cast are Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Revah, Daniel Webber, Paul Schulze, Jason R. Moore, and many others.
The Unforgivable (2021)
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Directed by: Nora Fingscheidt
- Written by: Peter Craig, Hillary Seitz, and Courtenay Miles
The Unforgivable is a psychological drama that's based on the British series, Unforgiven. It hits hard, diving into themes of guilt, judgment, and the messy road toward redemption. Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock stars in the leading role of Ruth Slater, a woman trying to rebuild her life after serving time in prison, as she faces a society unwilling to forgive and a past that refuses to stay buried.
Bernthal joins Bullock in the cast as a character named Blake, a coworker who becomes a brief but meaningful love interest for Ruth. This offers Ruth a rare sense of connection and humanity amid the challenges of reclaiming her life. Although Bernthal doesn't have the biggest part in this film, his scenes are memorable and perfectly complement Bullock’s powerful performance.
Besides Bernthal and Bullock, the cast is made up of Vincent D'Onofrio, Richard Thomas, Linda Emond, Aisling Franciosi, Rob Morgan, Viola Davis, and others.
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
- Where to watch: Rent or purchase on digital platforms
- Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
- Written by: Sheridan, Michael Koryta, and Charles Leavitt
Those Who Wish Me Dead has Bernthal stepping into another law enforcement role, solidifying his knack for playing tough, no-nonsense characters. Honestly, we could watch him do this kind of role over and over. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Michael Koryta, the action thriller flick follows skilled smokejumper Hannah Faber (Angelina Jolie) as she races against time to protect a young boy from two relentless assassins, all while battling a massive forest fire that threatens to consume everything in its path.
Bernthal plays the role of Ethan, a sheriff’s deputy in rural Montana who gets pulled into the intense hunt for the boy on the run. He and Jolie are joined in the cast by other gifted actors, including Finn Little, Nicholas Hoult, Aidan Gillen, Medina Senghore, Tyler Perry, and Tory Kittles.