From Sterling Cooper To Stardom: 6 Mad Men Cast Members’ Shocking New Careers And Projects In 2025

The world of 1960s advertising may be long gone, but the stars of AMC's critically acclaimed drama, Mad Men, are far from retiring their typewriters. As of December 2025, the ensemble cast has cemented their status as Hollywood heavyweights, moving far beyond the offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce and into a diverse slate of projects, from high-stakes espionage thrillers to unexpected comedy-dramas and even a foray into the Western genre. Their career trajectories prove that the show’s legacy is not just about nostalgia, but a springboard for continuous, critically relevant work.

The iconic series, which concluded its seven-season run in 2015, launched its core actors into a new era of prestige television and film. This in-depth look reveals the freshest and most current details of where the main Mad Men cast members are now, detailing their latest roles, personal milestones, and the surprising career pivots that are keeping them in the spotlight today, a full decade after the final episode aired. The following profiles capture the most up-to-date information on their professional lives.

The Main Cast: Biographical Profiles and Key Roles

The success of Mad Men was built on the shoulders of its brilliant ensemble. Here is a brief look at the actors who brought Don Draper, Peggy Olson, Roger Sterling, and the rest of the Sterling Cooper crew to life.

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• Jon Hamm (Don Draper)
  • Full Name: Jonathan Daniel Hamm
  • Born: March 10, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
  • Key Role: The enigmatic, philandering creative director, Don Draper.
  • Career Highlight (Pre-2024): Earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Mad Men, and roles in films like The Town and Top Gun: Maverick.
• Elisabeth Moss (Peggy Olson)
  • Full Name: Elisabeth Singleton Moss
  • Born: July 24, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Key Role: The ambitious secretary turned copy chief, Peggy Olson.
  • Career Highlight (Pre-2024): Winning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her role as June Osborne/Offred in The Handmaid's Tale.
• Christina Hendricks (Joan Holloway)
  • Full Name: Christina Rene Hendricks
  • Born: May 3, 1975, in Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
  • Key Role: The sharp, pragmatic office manager and partner, Joan Holloway.
  • Career Highlight (Pre-2024): Six-time Emmy nominee for Mad Men, and starring as Beth Boland in the popular series Good Girls.
• John Slattery (Roger Sterling)
  • Full Name: John M. Slattery Jr.
  • Born: August 13, 1962, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
  • Key Role: The witty, silver-haired partner of the firm, Roger Sterling.
  • Career Highlight (Pre-2024): Known for his roles in Veep, Arrested Development, and directing the film God's Pocket.
• January Jones (Betty Draper)
  • Full Name: January Kristen Jones
  • Born: January 5, 1978, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
  • Key Role: Don Draper's beautiful, troubled ex-wife, Betty Draper.
  • Career Highlight (Pre-2024): Roles in X-Men: First Class, The Last Man on Earth, and her early career as a fashion model.
• Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell)
  • Full Name: Vincent Paul Kartheiser
  • Born: May 5, 1979, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
  • Key Role: The ambitious, perpetually dissatisfied account executive, Pete Campbell.
  • Career Highlight (Pre-2024): Known for his role as Connor in the series Angel before his breakout performance in Mad Men.

Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss: Headlining the New Era of Prestige TV

The two central figures of Mad Men, Don Draper and Peggy Olson, have continued to dominate the television landscape with major, highly-anticipated projects in 2024 and 2025. Their recent work showcases a deliberate move toward genre diversity, proving their versatility beyond the period drama. The latest career moves for these two stars are a testament to their enduring appeal and acting prowess.

Jon Hamm’s Dramatic Return to Series Regular Status

After years of starring in films and limited series, Jon Hamm is set to anchor a new ongoing drama series for the first time since Mad Men. His latest major project is the Apple TV+ comedy-drama, Your Friends & Neighbors, which is expected to premiere in 2025. The show features Hamm in the main role, marking a significant collaboration with the streaming giant. Beyond television, Hamm is exploring new territory in film. He is part of the voice cast for the animated film Transformers One, set for release in late 2024. Perhaps most notably, he is also starring in Taylor Sheridan's new Western drama series, Landman, a major pivot that sees the actor embracing a completely different genre and setting, a move that critics are already calling a smart career evolution.

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Elisabeth Moss: The Queen of Psychological Thrillers

Elisabeth Moss, who has been a fixture on television with her award-winning role in The Handmaid's Tale, continues her reign in the psychological thriller space. In 2024, Moss starred in the FX on Hulu series The Veil, an international spy thriller that follows the dangerous relationship between two women playing a deadly game of truth and lies. This project highlights her continued ability to carry complex, high-tension narratives. Looking ahead, Moss is attached to star in and executive produce the Apple TV+ psychological drama Imperfect Women, a story centered around a friendship-testing crime. Additionally, she is slated to star as former Congresswoman Katie Hill in the pre-production project She Will Rise, further showcasing her commitment to powerful, female-led dramas.

Christina Hendricks, January Jones, and John Slattery: Surprising New Directions

The remaining core cast members have also made significant and often surprising career moves, diversifying their portfolios across different genres and mediums. From A24 horror films to major network dramas, the actors who played Joan, Betty, and Roger are proving their versatility.

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Christina Hendricks’s New Chapter and Creative Work

Christina Hendricks, famous for her role as the formidable Joan Holloway, has embraced new professional and personal beginnings. In April 2024, the actress married her second husband, George Bianchini, a major personal milestone. Professionally, she continues to pursue diverse roles, including the Sky series Small Town, Big Story. In late 2024, Hendricks shared updates on a new, unnamed project that she described as giving her "brain aerobics," sparking significant curiosity among fans about her next creative endeavor. Her commitment to complex characters remains evident in her selective choice of roles following her successful run on the NBC series Good Girls.

January Jones’s Pivot to A24 Horror

January Jones, who perfectly embodied the mid-century housewife Betty Draper, is making a sharp turn into the horror genre. She is set to star in the upcoming A24 horror film Altar, alongside Kyle MacLachlan. This move into the highly-regarded, boundary-pushing world of A24 films is a fascinating and unexpected career pivot for the actress. Her choice of a dark, genre-specific role demonstrates an exciting willingness to challenge her established image and explore new facets of her acting talent.

John Slattery: Antagonist Roles and Ocean Conservation

John Slattery, known for his effortless charm as Roger Sterling, is now embracing the role of the antagonist. In a significant television role, Slattery has joined the USA Network drama adaptation of John Grisham’s novel, The Rainmaker, as the lead antagonist, Leo F. Drummond. This high-profile legal drama role follows his work on the film Nuremberg. Beyond acting, Slattery has also been vocal about his commitment to environmental causes. He is actively involved in ocean conservation efforts, lending his voice and platform to organizations focused on protecting marine life, a surprising passion project for the man who once played a Madison Avenue playboy.

Vincent Kartheiser: Indie Films and Legal Drama

Vincent Kartheiser, forever remembered as the ambitious and often awkward Pete Campbell, has maintained a steady career in both film and television. His recent projects include the completed film Unholy Communion and the feature film Go On, which was in post-production in 2024. On the television front, Kartheiser starred in the FOX legal drama Proven, showcasing his ability to transition from period pieces to modern network programming. Like his co-stars, Kartheiser is consistently seeking out challenging and diverse roles that keep his career vibrant and unpredictable.

The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority of Mad Men

The career paths of the Mad Men cast—Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks, January Jones, John Slattery, and Vincent Kartheiser—are proof that the show was more than just a cultural phenomenon; it was a launchpad for enduring, high-level talent. The topical authority of the cast's work in 2025 is undeniable, with major roles across top-tier streaming services (Apple TV+, Hulu) and prestigious film studios (A24). Their collective body of work continues to influence the landscape of modern television, ensuring that the legacy of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce remains a benchmark for acting excellence.