Julian McMahon's television career has been the cornerstone of his career. He has created several iconic characters that have left a lasting mark on television history.
Breakthrough Role in the United States
Role: Dr. Christian Troy (lead role)
Duration: 6 seasons, 100 episodes
Network: FX
Nip/Tuck was a dramatic television series about the lives of two plastic surgeons in Miami (and later Los Angeles). The series was known for its bold approach to the beauty industry, sexuality, and questions of human self-esteem.
Christian Troy Character: McMahon played Dr. Christian Troy, a charismatic and narcissistic plastic surgeon known for being a womanizer with a superficial lifestyle. However, the character was much more complex than it appeared on the surface - the series explored Christian's deep insecurities, traumas, and his ongoing search for meaning in life.
Character Development: Over six seasons, McMahon portrayed Christian's significant character development from a shallow person to a more complex and empathetic human being. His ability to balance the character's charm and vulnerability made it one of television's most interesting characters of the 2000s.
Critical Reception: McMahon's performance received widespread critical acclaim. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2005. The role established him as one of television's leading actors and brought him international recognition.
Cultural Impact: Nip/Tuck was a cultural phenomenon that addressed themes of aesthetic surgery and appearance pressures before they became mainstream topics. McMahon's role was central to the series' success.
Iconic Villain Role
Role: Cole Turner / Belthazor (recurring role, later main role)
Seasons: 3-5
Charmed was a popular fantasy series about three sisters who are powerful witches. The series dealt with the battle between good and evil, family bonds, and women's empowerment.
Cole Turner Character: McMahon portrayed Cole Turner, half-human and half-demon (Belthazor), who fell in love with one of the sisters, Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano). The character was tragic and complex - a demon fighting against his own evil nature for the sake of his love.
Romantic Chemistry: The chemistry between McMahon and Alyssa Milano was one of the series' best elements. Their characters' tragic love story was a central plotline for several seasons and brought depth and emotional weight to the series.
Fan Favorite: Cole Turner remains one of the most popular characters among Charmed fans. McMahon's ability to bring out the character's internal struggle between good and evil made the role unforgettable.
Return to Television
Role: Jess LaCroix (lead role)
Duration: Seasons 1-3
Network: CBS
FBI: Most Wanted is a crime drama that follows the FBI's Fugitive Task Force as they hunt down the most dangerous criminals on the bureau's Most Wanted list. The series is a spinoff of the FBI series.
Jess LaCroix Character: McMahon played Jess LaCroix, the team leader of the FBI's Fugitive Task Force. LaCroix is a dedicated agent and single father struggling to balance his dangerous work with raising his daughter.
Different Role Type: This role marked a shift for McMahon from the charming, sometimes morally ambiguous characters he was known for to a more straightforward heroic role. It showed his range as an actor and ability to lead a procedural drama.
Departure: McMahon left the series during Season 3 in 2022. His character's departure was written as a heroic sacrifice, giving the character a fitting send-off.
Early Career and Guest Roles
Profiler (1998-2000): McMahon had a significant recurring role as Detective John Grant in this FBI crime drama, which helped launch his American television career.
Home and Away (Australian series): One of McMahon's earliest roles was in this popular Australian soap opera, where he gained experience before moving to Hollywood.
Runaways (2019): McMahon played the villain Jonah in this Marvel television series about teenagers discovering their parents are part of an evil organization.