Twelve years ago, the WB and UPN merged together in an effort to compete with declining viewership brought on by bigger TV networks. After several years of struggling to maintain interest, the CW emerged as a re-branded powerhouse, shifting its focus towards teen-centric television series with a dramatic flair. Now with hit series like The Vampire Diaries and the shows of the Arrowverse giving the network a much needed boost in the Nielsen ratings, a host of stars have come from out of the woodwork, popping up across various CW programs.

Not one to shy away from claiming favorites, the CW has shown tendencies to recycle its cast of actors if executives believe there’s talent to be shared. That means that some of the actors on this list have become central figures for the network, showcasing their loyalty and firmly planting their flag as the happy faces of the CW’s drama-filled original content.

Although some of the faces in this list have found fame elsewhere, everyone has had strong ties to the CW that has helped solidify them as a one of the more reputable teen stars of the time. From the more well known faces to the not so popular performers who appear everywhere, these are 18 Actors Who Played Multiple CW Roles.

Britt Robertson

With an extensive resume in film and television, Britt Robertson is one of the more instantly recognizable stars of CW’s history. Branching out beyond the network, she’s appeared in notable series such as Under the Dome and Girlboss while also starring alongside notable big league talents such as George Clooney.

With all her success outside the CW, she remains one of the more popular faces to grace the network, even if her series didn’t prove to be as successful.

Robertson first appeared on the CW as foster child Lux Cassidy in the drama Life Unexpected. Despite garnering favorable reviews, the series was off the air after two seasons. Becoming a CW favorite, Robertson quickly bounced back with the supernatural series The Secret Circle, but the show was axed after one season, giving the actress a sad 0-2 record for the network.

Jensen Ackles (2 Shows)

Jensen Ackles in Smallville

Before hunting down demons and paying annual visits to Hell, Jensen Ackles was a teenage soap star acting in Days of Our Lives, a role which led him to three Daytime Emmy nominations. Later, he would get his first taste of the CW when he auditioned for the role of Clark Kent in Smallville, eventually losing out to Tom Welling. Leaving an impression, he would return to the DC series in season four as Jason Teague, a love interest of Lana Lang.

By 2005, Ackles had built a reputation as a leading male, giving him the opportunity of a lifetime. After joining the cast of Supernatural as Dean Winchester, Ackles and co-Star Jared Padalecki are now part of the CW’s longest running series.

Now on season 13, Ackles is having as much fun with the series as he did on day one and shows no signs of quitting any time soon.

Ian Somerhalder (2 Shows)

Bring up Ian Somerhalder’s name to a fan and you’ll likely find yourself talking to either a Lost lover or a Vampire Diaries fanatic, but before he was crashing onto mysterious islands and wooing women as Damon Salvatore, he was being resurrected as Adam Knight on Smallville. In the season three arc, Somerhalder’s character would die only to be brought back by Lionel Luthor and his Lazarus Serum, causing some serious problems for Clark Kent.

In 2009, Somerhalder made his way back to the network when he got his next big break in TVD. The frightening older brother of Stefan, Damon Salvatore slowly became more compassionate as the series wore on, transitioning from the series’ main antagonist to one of the show’s heroes. Most recently, Somerhalder pitched a Southern soap series to the CW titled Prohibited with the actor set to come on board as an executive producer.

Kristin Kreuk (3 Shows)

Kristin Kreuk in Smallville and Beauty and the Beast

There before the merger of the WB and UPN, Kristin Kreuk was the first to be cast in the Superman adaptation Smallville. Initially, series creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar were searching for their leading man, but after discovering Kreuk’s audition tape, the duo were astounded by her girl-next-door quality and on-screen compatibility with actor Tom Welling.

Over the course of Kreuk’s eight seasons, Lana and Clark’s relationship proved to be one of the most tragic in CW’s history, giving the actress a fan following. She would follow her role with a leading part in the modern day remake of Beauty and the Beast.

Nowadays, Kreuk is finding herself in hot water over allegations that she took part in an abusive cult. Still, the controversy hasn’t stopped her from snagging another CW role in the upcoming legal drama Burden of Truth.

Jessica Lucas (3 Shows)

Although Jessica Lucas may be most recognizable for projects like the 2013 Evil Dead remake and the DC series Gotham, the 32-year-old Canadian actress jumpstarted her career as another fledgling CW star.

Starting in 2008, Lucas landed a guest role on 90210 as Kimberly MacIntyre, a dedicated police officer posing as a student of West Beverly Hills High School. She soon followed the part with a one-season run as Riley Richmond in the spin-off series Melrose Place.

Melrose Place was canceled after its first season, opening up the door for Lucas to appear in yet another short-lived series Cult. Luckily, Lucas has found ways to stay relevant since the end of the 13-episode long supernatural mystery, though she has yet to work her way back to the same leading level status she found on the CW.

Phoebe Tonkin (3 Shows)

Born in Sydney, Phoebe Tonkin got her start in acting when she was cast in the Aussie children’s program H2O: Just Add Water, where she played a teenager who transforms into a mermaid. After gaining recognition worldwide, she moved to the States where she launched the second phase of her career as Faye Chamberlain on The Secret Circle.

When her first CW series failed to pick up steam, Tonkin looked to the hit show The Vampire Diaries where she joined her former H2O co-star Claire Holt, as the werewolf Hayley. Soon Tonkin’s guest role lead to a more permanent spot on the spin-off series The Originals.

Since becoming a member of the CW community, Tonkin has become a bit of a celebrity off-screen after a four year, on-again, off-again relationship with her former Vampire Diaries co-star Paul Wesley.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher (3 Shows)

JoAnna Garcia Swisher in Privileged

Getting her start as a child actor while attending school in her native Florida, JoAnna Garcia Swisher played limited roles in series like seaQuest DSV and Superboy before catching a break after being picked up by Nickelodeon for three seasons of Are You Afraid of the Dark? She soon followed the part with stints on series like Party of Five and Freaks and Geeks before landing her most recognizable role as Reba McEntire’s daughter in the sitcom Reba.

Reba’s final season would air on the CW following the merger of the WB and UPN. Swisher would continue her good standing with the network, however, with roles in both Privileged and Gossip Girl. Today, she can be seen in episodes of Kevin (Probably) Saves the World as well as Once Upon a Time, though she hasn’t ruled out reprising her role in Reba if the opportunity ever opens up.

Willa Holland (3 Shows)

Drawn to the camera at an early age, Willa Holland was born into the industry thanks to her cinematographer father and actress mother. At age seven, she began modeling, leading to her eventual transition into television with the role of Kaitlin Cooper in the Josh Schwartz-created series The O.C. With the help of Schwartz, Holland soon found herself on the CW on the creator’s new series Gossip Girl, where she played the role of the 16 year old rebellious model Agnes Andrews.

In 2012, with a relationship already established with the CW, Holland was cast as Thea Queen in Arrow.

Growing into the part, she would soon take over the identity of Speedy, adding to the growing collection of superheroes in the Arrowverse with her appearance on The Flash. In 2018, Holland exited the role to pursue other creative opportunities, though the network is more than happy to invite her back should she choose to return.

Arielle Kebbel (4 Shows)

Bouncing around from show to show since making her CW debut in The Vampire Diaries in 2009, Arielle Kebbel is one of the odder choices on our list, having never been a leading lady in her own drama series. As the vampire Lexi Branson in TVD, she would be taken out in season one before popping back up occasionally to guest star. Eventually she moved on, doing seven episodes in Life Unexpected’s second season as well as 15 episodes of 90210.

In 2013, Kebbel won the opportunity to play matchmaker for the network when she was selected as the host for Perfect Score, a 30-minute game show that matched singles with the most compatible contestants. Unfortunately the show failed to match up to the competition and was dropped after one season. Luckily, Kebbel has rebounded quite well, having most recently starred opposite Dwayne Johnson in the HBO series Ballers.

Peyton List (5 Shows)

The only actor on our list to share the same name with a Disney star twelve years her junior, Peyton List’s resume is far from just a series of children’s programs. Her CW career began when she guest starred as Louis Lane’s younger sister Lucy in an episode of Smallville. Soon she would fill out her list of CW appearances with roles in both 90210 and The Flash, though her biggest part would come as the leading lady in the short-lived series The Tomorrow People.

In 2016, following her bad luck with her first major CW role, List would land another opportunity to play a leading character on the police drama Frequency. Unfortunately, the series would meet a similar fate. Despite her string of disappointments on the network, List continues to work, having most recently been cast as Ivy Pepper, aka Poison Ivy, in Fox’s Batman drama Gotham.

Erica Cerra (5 Shows)

Captivated by acting at a young age, Erica Cerra was cast in a string of guest star roles in many critically acclaimed television series between the years of 2001 and 2006, including bit parts as a Metropolis Museum curator in season ten of Smallville as well as a role in the supernatural series Reaper. Later, after Cerra had gained some recognition as an actress in shows like Eureka, she returned to the CW where she accepted a role in The 100 as A.L.I.E., a sentient artificial intelligence modeled after its creator, also played by Cerra.

Now a noted actor of the network, Cerra is through kicking ass as a member of The 100, though she has had moments on other CW shows such as iZombie and Supernatural. Other recent projects from the actress’s resume include roles in Power Rangers as well as the hit Fox series Lucifer.

Nick Zano (5 Shows)

Nick Zano in Legends of Tomorrow - Camelot 3000

An active television personality since 2002, Nick Zano’s career took off with a bit of luck after he was discovered while selling shoes inside a Los Angeles boutique. His first job would land him a hosting gig as part of MTV’s Movie House, an infotainment program about the ins and outs of the film industry. In 2007, he would appear in the final season of 7th Heaven and by 2010, Zano had worked his way into Melrose Place in a recurring role as a UCLA medical student who briefly dated lead character Riley Richmond.

After scoring a few more limited parts, Zano reappeared on the CW as a billionaire in 90210 before eventually traveling to the Arrowverse as Nate Heywood/Citizen Steel in Legends of Tomorrow. Since becoming a member of the Legends, Zano has worked alongside Oliver Queen on Arrow and cemented his spot in the CW’s DC universe.

Chris Wood (5 Shows)

The former Prince of Daxam and the son to the late King Lar Gand and Queen Rhea, Chris Wood crash landed into Supergirl’s life as Mon-El at the end of the show’s first season. Since wooing his way into the heart of Kara Danvers, Wood’s heroics have landed him a following in the Arrowverse, having also appeared on The Flash.

Prior to becoming the boyfriend to Superman’s cousin, Wood was Malachai Parker, the former leader of the Gemini Coven who tortured the town of Mystic Falls as the main antagonist in season six of The Vampire Diaries. He also had starring roles in the Sex and the City prequel series The Carrie Diaries as Adam Weaver, a former fling of the lead protagonist Carrie Bradshaw, as well as Containment, where is played Atlanta police officer Jake Riley.

Grant Gustin (5 Shows)

Today Grant Gustin is widely recognized as the adorably nerdy Barry Allen in The Flash, but before he was struck by lightening and gifted with his wicked fast abilities, Gustin was stopping by Star City on Arrow. Since debuting as the Scarlet Speedster, Gustin has made multiple appearances across the Arrowverse with additional guest roles in Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow, but some people may not remember him showing up on the network before all his superhero antics.

Back in 2013, Gustin played Campbell Price, a good-looking frat boy in 90210.

In the eight episode story arc, Gustin showed his range as the privileged head of the Cronus Society who showed his true colors as he bumped heads with the series protagonist Navid. In the end, things didn't go as planned for Campbell, but luckily Gustin managed to hit the ground running on his own series.

Stephen Amell (5 Shows)

Since his family’s yacht crashed onto the mysterious island of Lian Yu, audiences have tuned in to watch CW star Stephen Amell bring justice to the criminals of Star City as Oliver Queen. With his own brand of vigilante justice and his knack for looking fit while working out on a salmon ladder, Amell ushered in the network’s Arrowverse and introduced viewers to the first live-action small screen superhero multi-verse.

Long before Amell was wielding his arrows in Arrow or its three companion series, he was getting to know the CW in shows like 90210 where he guest starred as Jim Mcdohpy, the former friend of Liam Court. Amell also had a small part as the werewolf Brady in The Vampire Diaries before meeting a not-so-happy end at the hands of Stefan Salvatore.

Colin Lawrence (6 Shows)

A veteran small screen actor who’s appeared in many notable sci-fi series, including The X Files and Battlestar Galactica, Colin Lawrence is a British performer who’s most recently risen to fame thanks to his history as a recycled CW talent.

Playing three separate bit roles in Smallville, Lawrence went largely undetected on the network at first, with later roles coming in Arrow, The 100, and Supernatural.

In 2016, Lawrence got his break from the CW when he was cast as the hitman Janko in a six episode arc on iZombie. The network was impressed enough by his turn to bring him back as the varsity high school coach and father of Chuck Clayton in Riverdale. With all his credited parts, Lawrence has yet to land his leading CW role, but with the network clearly taking a liking to him, he’ll be looking to change that sooner rather than later.

Jason Dohring (7 Shows)

Jason Dohring as Logan Echolls in Veronica Mars

If you’re an avid CW watcher, the chances are high you’ve seen Jason Dohring around. For three seasons, he perfected the character of Logan Echolls, the on-again, off-again boyfriend of actress Kristen Bell in the teen detective series Veronica Mars. Before his time as Neptune High's biggest egotistical student, however, he was guest spotting on the sci-fi series Roswell, but his dedication to the CW is what ultimately landed him near the top spot on our list.

Not only is Dohring a CW regular, but altogether he’s popped up in a total of seven different series, including The Originals, The Messengers, and The Tomorrow People. Most recently, he could be seen as Chase Graves, the no-nonsense zombie paramilitary leader in the series iZombie. Though Dohring is most recognized for his Veronica Mars role, he’s still a recurring actor for the network.

Katie Cassidy

Katie Cassidy in Arrow Season 4 Episode 16

With the CW always dipping into its cast of talents, it’s hard to argue for a network favorite, but if we had to place a wager, we’d bet Katie Cassidy would place first. With a head-spinning seven major roles, she’s the reigning queen, appearing in everything from Gossip Girl to Supernatural to an episode of Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Beginning in 2007, Cassidy launched her CW career with a recurring role as the manipulative, form-changing demon Ruby in Supernatural.

She soon followed the role with a turn in the short-lived remake of Melrose Place. After a part in season four of Gossip Girl, she landed her part in the Arrowverse as Laura Lance, aka Black Canary, in Arrow. Outside of the CW, Cassidy has found some fame as a big screen performer, though she continues to come back to the network that put her on the map.

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