Altered Carbon is the Netflix series based upon the cyberpunk novel by renowned author Richard Morgan. It takes place in a dystopian future where organic bodies can be replaced with synthetic ones or sleeves. Death is not imminent, thanks to cortical stack (inspired by an alien technology), a chip which can store consciousness.
A veteran rebel and former fighter of the Protectorate, Takeshi Kovacs is the protagonist. Only two seasons have come out so far, but, six actors have already been resleeved as Kovacs. This list is dedicated to finding out who played him the best, based on different criteria.
10 Brooding
The Kovacs fans knew completely changed in the second season - and not for good. Byron Man or Will Yun Lee or Joel and even Morgan Gao have a different, consistent vibe about them. They like to be thinking about one thing or the other.
They look hardened, tense and match perfectly with the settings. Anthony Mackie came as a breath of fresh air, but he changed the whole mood. He smiles and has a boyish charm about him which is in complete contrast with what Takeshi Kovacs is supposed to be.
9 Chemistry With Poe
So far Joel Kovacs had the best chemistry with Poe. Whenever Mackie interacts with Poe, he either comes across as too out there, or too daunting. In simpler terms, Mackie Kovacs feels like Mackie, meaning the actor’s personality overtakes Kovacs’.
Poe is the backbone of the first season on so many different levels, but even he felt bland in this season. Somehow it felt like he was trying too hard to build an on-screen chemistry with Mackie's Kovacs. Joel and he had perfect chemistry which doesn’t come through anymore after Mackie replaced him.
8 Stoicism
The lead character of Takeshi Kovacs in the series has been heavily borrowed from the books and does not stray much from the arc described by the novelist. When Joel Kinnaman’s Kovacs is not kicking asses or making love (or chilling with Poe), he can be found mulling over things or seeing Quell in flashbacks, but, the demeanor has a stoicism about it.
He has lost one too many people and endured too much pain to cry over or rant about it. Both Kinnaman and Yun Lee showcase this with absolute perfection, but, sadly Mackie doesn’t touch the bars.
7 Slow Burn
The series moves rather slowly and delightfully, establishing its facts and the universe for the audience, except the action scenes (which are fast and on point), of course. Joel Kinnaman seems to be moving in alignment. Anthony Mackie's Kovacs is much too fast for everything. He gives feedbacks almost immediately, refuses to give in when he doesn’t feel like and is rather vocal throughout the season. Kinnaman totally rocked the slow burn mood.
6 Expressions
Alerted Carbon's is a premise of neo-noir punk. The show is about a man who has lived through several centuries and has lost almost everyone he loves or has loved. He kills for a living. Such a man needs to look hard-boiled as Kinnaman and Will Yun Lee (for most of the part) look. One can not speculate where their true intentions lie. Joel’s Kovacs perfectly nails this with his expressions (or deliberate lack thereof). He is a mystery and there lies the perfect charm of the man. Mackie Kovacs seems over-eager to express his mind. Even when he doesn't say anything, his face reveals what he feels. Kinnaman wins this one, hands down.
5 Cyber Punk & Character Believability
Cyber punk is a science fiction genre which explores a world devoid of laws or any general protocols. Technology or science drives it and arguably the rich or the powerful dominate this world. The setting is mostly tense and grim, rampant with crime and injustice. A hero of this genre generally has to be in the same mood too, to be believable. This aligned perfectly with W Y Lee and Kinnaman. Mackie did not look like he belonged to this genre.
4 Build & Muscle Strength
Joel Kinnaman is taller, tougher and his build is perfect for the show's (or book's) original character. His chiseled shoulders and perfect jawline too, added much-needed oomph to the role. At any point of his airtime, he always looks like he’s got nothing to lose.
No one wants to be on the wrong side of such a person. Will Yun Lee looked average for this guy. Anthony Mackie looks equally eligible for this one.
3 Tough Guy
Kovacs is a former top-performing fighter of the Protectorate, the highly feared organization. For the most part of the series, he is an anti hero. Kinnaman looks menacing and tough. His dry humor adds another finishing touch. While Will Yun Lee certainly looks a tough guy, Anthony Mackie was not largely successful playing the antihero part. He gave the character a warmness. He made it boyish and likable. Yun Lee and Kinnaman both played this shade really well.
2 Out Of Place
Takeshi Kovacs has been resleeved after a century and a lot has changed since he died. Will Yun Lee's Kovacs (whenever he came on screen) looks like he doesn't care about the surroundings much. That is alright too as it doesn't distract the audience. Kinnaman looks out of the place for half the time, and the other half, he looks quite okay or he simply doesn't care. For example, when Ortega gives him a ride to the Bancroft’s, he didn't bat an eye about the choice of their conveyance. Mackie's Kovacs, on the other hand, looks quite at ease, for instance, when he returned to the Harlan’s world or when he visited the site of the Hotel Raven. He does not look out of place at all, which is why Kinnaman is the clear winner here.
1 Really Really Old & The Lover Boy
Kovacs is a man who is three centuries old. Being on again, off again for so long has hardened him to an extent where he is not afflicted by tiny things. Yun Lee nailed it. Kinnaman did it well too. Mackie was unable to crack this one. Lee played this part the best. In line with the settings of the show and overall tone, the romance had to be slow burn with a dollop of tease here and there, but, Mackie's Kovacs seemed to be fiddling for commitment and promises too much and too soon. Lee played it well, but, Kinnaman lived and breathed the lover boy.
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