As Timothy Olyphant finally returns to live-action TV shows afterJustified’s revival, his new slate of projects, which just kicked off with Apple TV+’sStick, couldn’t be more exciting. FollowingJustified: City Primeval’s endingin 2023, Olyphant’s TV roles were confined to animation with shows likeTerminator Zero. However, that streak came to an end in July 2025 whenOlyphant appeared inStickseason 1 as pro golfer Clark Ross.
Stick’s Clark Ross may be a far cry fromJustified’s Raylan Givens, but Olyphant’s recurring role in the new sports comedy finally gave him a great live-action TV return. Appearing in about half the season, Ross served as the antagonistic rival to Owen Wilson’s Pryce Cahill, though the twoendedStickseason 1on slightly better terms. WhileStickseason 1 is over,Olyphant is already returning to the small screen again with a major role in August.
Timothy Olyphant’s Next TV Show After Stick Is The Franchise Prequel Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth’s First Two Episodes Premiere On August 12
Without much of a gap afterStick’s season 1 finale on July 23, Timothy Olyphant will soon be back in a new TV role when the highly-anticipatedAlien: Earthpremieres on August 12. Olyphant stars inAlien: Earth’s castas Kirsh, a synthetic android who serves as the main character Wendy’s mentor. Unlike his supporting role inStick, however, Olyphant portrays a main character inAlien: Earth.
ThoughStickwas a big release forApple TV+ to see if the streamer could repeat the magic ofTed Lassowith another hit sports comedy series,the pressure and anticipation forAlien: Earthcarries much more weight.Alien: Earthmarks the massive sci-fi horror franchise’s first foray into television in the 46 years since Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie, arriving hot on the heels of 2024’s successful standalone sequel filmAlien: Romulus.
Olyphant’s big return to the horror genre arrives witha two-episode premiere on FX on August 12, followed by one new episode each week through September 23. Directed by Noah Hawley, who Olyphant previously worked with onFargoseason 4,Alien: Earth’s timelineis set two years before the originalAlienmovie, teasing major implications for the entire franchise’s lore.
Stick & Alien: Earth Can Give Timothy Olyphant More Long-Running TV Shows
SinceTimothy Olyphant’s hit multiseason TV seriesJustifiedandSanta Clarita Dietended in the 2010s, the actor’s subsequent live-action roles have largely been miniseries or shorter episode arcs. However, his new 2025 TV showsStickandAlien: Earthboth have the potential to be long-running series.
Apple TV+ has alreadyrenewedStickfor season 2, with Olyphant being expected to reprise his role as Clark Ross. Meanwhile,Alien: Earthhas yet to be renewed for season 2, but show creatorNoah Hawley discussed withVarietythe potential for more seasonsdepending on the upcoming episodes’ reception:
Season 1 is the proof of concept. And if it works commercially, then season 2 is about building a model upon which we can envision making a season 3, 4, 5.
Though Olyphant’s return in future seasons ofStickwill most likely still be in a recurring capacity,Alien: Earthcould end up giving him a sizable multiseason role more comparable toJustified. Of course, that’s only if his character Kirsh survives that long.
Stick
Cast
A disgraced golf pro seeks redemption by mentoring a troubled teen prodigy, igniting a journey of healing and second chances.
