As of today, thomas haden church is closing out 2025 with fresh, high-profile visibility—thanks to a prominent part in a new streaming mystery film, continued momentum from a hit comedy series, and a notable representation move that signals an active next chapter in his career.
Table of Contents
A new “Knives Out” mystery puts him back in the conversation
Church appears in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” the third entry in Rian Johnson’s modern whodunnit series, with Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc. The film is now streaming on Netflix.
In the movie, Church plays Samson Holt, the longtime groundskeeper of the parish at the center of the story. The setting revolves around Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, where a murder triggers a sprawling investigation and a long list of suspects.
The project is one of Church’s most visible late-2025 releases because the franchise has a broad, mainstream audience and a cast built for awards-season buzz and social media conversation. In an ensemble mystery, screen time often comes in memorable bursts—sharp confrontations, carefully placed clues, and character reveals—and Church’s grounded screen presence fits naturally into that kind of storytelling.
Who he plays and why the role fits his strengths
Samson Holt is portrayed as a working, embedded figure in the church community—someone who knows the property, knows the people, and has likely seen more than he says. That’s a lane Church has long excelled in: characters who feel lived-in, blunt around the edges, and difficult to read at first glance.
It’s also the kind of role that benefits from his range. Across his career, Church has moved easily between comedy and drama, and mystery films like this often ask actors to do both—selling humor in one beat and suspicion in the next, while still feeling real.
A busy Netflix year: from comedy to mystery
Before the new mystery film grabbed attention, Church spent 2025 in a very different Netflix world: the workplace comedy “Tires.”
“Tires” Season 2 premiered June 5, 2025, and Church joined the season as Phil, a wealthy, immature father figure tied closely to Shane Gillis’ character. His arrival added a recognizable, veteran presence to a show powered by comedians and fast, confrontational dialogue—exactly the kind of environment where Church’s timing and dry reactions can land hard.
Netflix has also renewed “Tires” for Season 3, keeping the series in forward motion and leaving the door open for Church’s character to continue as part of the show’s ongoing family-and-workplace chaos.
Representation update: a clear signal of momentum
In October 2025, Church made a significant professional move by signing with Paradigm for representation. For longtime actors, changes like this often reflect a new push—whether that means pursuing bigger ensemble films, lining up prestige TV opportunities, or reshaping the types of roles coming in.
This is the kind of behind-the-scenes development that doesn’t feel flashy on its own, but it matters. Representation decisions can influence what scripts land first, which rooms open up, and how aggressively projects get pursued.
Why 2025 stands out in his recent run
Church’s 2025 arc is especially notable because it’s not just “one project.” It’s multiple audience lanes at once:
- A major franchise mystery film with wide mainstream reach
- A popular streaming comedy series with renewal momentum
- A representation change that suggests active planning for what’s next
That combination tends to lift visibility in a way a single supporting role can’t. It also broadens the kinds of viewers talking about him—some finding him through the mystery franchise, others through comedy, and plenty reconnecting with earlier work after seeing him pop up again.
A familiar face with a durable screen identity
Church has always had a recognizable, durable screen identity: calm authority when needed, dry humor when it helps, and an ability to make even small moments feel specific rather than generic. That’s exactly why he works well in ensemble casts—he can elevate a scene without overpowering it.
In 2025, those strengths are being used in two very different formats: the rapid-fire, character-driven rhythm of a comedy series and the clue-and-character architecture of a whodunnit.
What audiences are reacting to right now
A lot of the current conversation around Church is tied to how naturally he fits into big ensembles. In a franchise mystery, the fun often comes from watching skilled performers share the screen while the story shifts suspicion from one character to another. In a comedy series, the fun comes from friction—strong personalities colliding and forcing sharper jokes.
Church’s work in both spaces this year highlights the same core asset: he plays characters who feel like they existed before the camera showed up, and who will keep existing after the scene ends.
What to watch next
With “Wake Up Dead Man” now available to stream and “Tires” continuing into another season, Church’s near-term visibility is already baked in. The representation move also suggests more announcements could follow as new projects lock into place.
For viewers, the easiest way to track the next step is simply to watch where he turns up next—because his current momentum looks built for more than a one-off appearance.
