By Sage Kiernan-Sherrow, UOAA Communications Student Associate

 

Have you ever watched something on Netflix, caught a glimpse of an actor onscreen and thought to yourself “that must be Ty Burrel.” Well chances are, you’re right, but Burrel (Modern Family) is not the only Duck making a name on a streaming platform. There might be a few more Ducks on the screen—or behind the scenes—than you originally thought. We’ve compiled a list of five of the best TV shows and films currently on Netflix that feature Ducks.

1) If Anything Happens, I Love You produced by UO alumnus, Michael Govier (BS ’00, theater arts)

We’re starting off with a tearjerker—and the one that won the Oscar in 2021 for Best Animated Short Film, at that. If Anything Happens, I Love You spans 12 minutes and personifies the emotional state of parents who have lost a child to a school shooting. Following the film’s success, the hashtag #IfAnythingHappensILoveYou garnered more than 31 million views, and reactions to the film became a viral trend on TikTok. 

Described as a natural comedian by Department of Theatre Arts Senior Instructor Janet Rose, director Michal Govier, decided to take a more serious route with his filmmaking to magnify an issue becoming more prevalent in today’s society.

“Sometimes the world gets a little desensitized to these kinds of events, and it just kind of becomes a number . . . I want to show . . . that grief, I think, is a point we can all relate to,” Govier said in a recent interview with the UOAA. “Everyone wants their kids, their families, their loved ones to come home safe. I think it’s a starting point where we can all begin the conversation from.” 

Released on Children’s Day in 2020, the film features gorgeous minimalist graphics enhanced by silence and shadow play. And, although it is not for the faint of heart, it is nevertheless a must-see.

2) Into the Badlands featuring UO alumnus and actor, Daniel Wu (BArch ’97, architecture)

If you’re looking for some of the best martial arts on television, look no further than Into the Badlands. It has an 83 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes—so you know it must be good.

This dystopian thriller is loosely based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and centers around the intertwined lives of a celebrated warrior and a teenage boy with a dark secret.

Daniel Wu plays the lead as Sunny and as one of the most recognized Asian actors and activists makes the show's three seasons absolutely binge worthy. Sure, there's the captivating cinematography and the plot's edge-of-your-seat twists and turns, but what really makes the series shine is the fantastic choreographed fight scenes. Wu brings years of personal expertise in martial arts to the series, heck, he started the Wu Shu Club at the UO, and it shows. 

But Wu almost didn't take the role. In the podcast The Duck Stops Here, Wu talks about his worries as an aging actor and how his friendship with Jackie Chan—someone who has suffered chronic lifelong pain because of his roles in action films—originally influenced him against taking the role. 

“I didn't actually think of putting myself forward for the main role because I knew how much fighting there was going to be in the show,” Wu said. “I was already 40 and had a slew of injuries and I had actually stopped doing that level of action in my Hong Kong work . . . I didn't want to stay in that genre and put myself in this type of position when I could do other types of films.” 

But after the producers insisted that the role was “made for him,” Wu agreed, and the rest is history.

3–4) All-American inspired by UO alumnus Spencer Paysinger (BS ’10, economics) and episode 2 of Abstract: The Art of Design profiling Tinker Hatfield (BArch ’77, architecture)

Ever wished there were more films about Ducks that you could learn some UO history while being entertained? The next two series are for you. 

All-American is a sports drama based on the life of UO alumnus and retired professional NFL player Spencer Paysinger before he became a star. It's chock-full of teenage angst and was just renewed for a fourth season, so you'll have plenty of time to play catchup before it airs. You'll also be able to look forward to seeing the Paysinger make his debut as both an actor and filmmaker soon, as he shifted from football to creative work.

Abstract: The Art of Design is a documentary that, according to IMDB, looks “into the art and science of design, showcasing great designers from every discipline whose work shapes our world.” 

One such great designer is UO alumnus Tinker Hatfield (BArch ’77, architecture) who is featured in episode two of the series—although he might not be what you think of when you hear the word ”designer.” Instead of applying his degree in architecture in a typical setting, Hatfield used his knowledge to create some of the world's best-selling and most recognizable shoes—the Air Jordan series.

So, there you have it. Two series focused on bringing the life and minds of some of the UO's greatest alumni to light—one a dramatized version of a young teen's life before the UO and another an in-depth exploration of how the UO shaped a man's career. Which one will you be watching this weekend?

5) Stargate SG-1 featuring UO alumnus Christopher Judge (class of 1987)

Completing the list is an oldie but a goodie for all of the sci-fi fans out there: Stargate SG-1. The 10-season cult classic picks up where the film left off, sending a secret military team to investigate Stargate an ancient alien device of great power. It's full of adventure, mythology, and romance, and features a star-studded cast, including UO's very own Christopher Judge. 

Judge tried out a host of majors before settling on film at the UO, but after winning a contest to host the West Coast FOX KLSR Morning Show during his senior year, he knew he wanted to become an actor. Using that experience to get an agent and moving to Los Angeles he had several minor parts before landing the role of Teal’c, a stoic alien, and fan-favorite, who joins the SG-1 crew in hope of liberating his race. Judge appears in more episodes of SG-1 than any other cast member. And with 18 awards and 97 nominations, the series has certainly cemented him in sci-fi history. 

Don't go into this series blind; however, there are so many spinoffs and so much lore, you might end up going down a rabbit hole that you can't climb back up from. Don't say we didn't warn you. 

So, there you have it. Five titles featuring or produced by Ducks that are leaving their webbed feet all over the television and film industry—maybe even the Hollywood boardwalk, someday. Of course, this isn't a full list of all the veteran and up-and-coming actors and producers who also happen to be Ducks, so let us know who we missed and who you've been binge-watching.

Related Articles

Michael Govier
May 2021 Shout – If Anything Happens I Love You

Daniel Wu
The Duck Stops Here – Action Hero, Activist and Asian Megastar: Daniel Wu

Spencer Paysinger
January 2019 Oregon Quarterly – Paysinger Tackles New Show
University of Oregon Athletics (goducks.com) – UO Alum's Life A Hollywood Story
The Duck Stops Here – All American

Tinker Hatfield 
The Mighty Oregon Podcast – 33. Tinker Hatfield (Part 1): A Disrupting Beginning
The Mighty Oregon Podcast - 34. Tinker Hatfield (Part Two): The Innovator
The Mighty Oregon Podcast - 35. Tinker Hatfield (Part Three): Cracking The Code