The Ultimate 2025 Retrospective: Where Are The Mad Men Characters Now And The Cast’s Latest Projects

Few television series have left a cultural footprint as indelible as Mad Men. The show, which ran from 2007 to 2015, brilliantly peeled back the veneer of 1960s Madison Avenue, exposing the complex, often dark, ambition, and existential crises of its core characters. It remains a masterclass in period drama and character development, prompting endless re-analysis of its groundbreaking story arcs.

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the legacy of Sterling Cooper & Partners is experiencing a fresh wave of interest, underscored by a major cast retrospective event and the continued, high-profile success of its lead actors. Here is the definitive, up-to-date look at the iconic characters, their unforgettable journeys, and the latest projects from the talented ensemble that brought them to life.

The Core Mad Men Characters: A Complete Profile and Final Arc Summary

The genius of creator Matthew Weiner's series lay in its commitment to the flawed humanity of its main players. Their final scenes in the 2015 series finale remain some of the most debated moments in television history. This is a look back at the primary Mad Men characters and their ultimate destinies.

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• Don Draper (Played by Jon Hamm): The charismatic, troubled Creative Director with a secret identity (Dick Whitman). Don's arc was a continuous search for authenticity and belonging. His journey ended in California at a spiritual retreat, finding a moment of clarity that seemingly inspired the iconic "Hilltop" Coca-Cola commercial, suggesting he returned to advertising with a new, albeit commercialized, form of enlightenment.
• Peggy Olson (Played by Elisabeth Moss): The ambitious secretary who rose to become one of Madison Avenue's top copywriters. Peggy’s story is often cited as the show's true success narrative. Her final scene shows her finally balancing professional ambition and personal happiness, working alongside her love interest, Stan Rizzo, at McCann Erickson.
• Roger Sterling (Played by John Slattery): The witty, silver-haired partner whose charm masked deep insecurity. Roger’s arc saw him grappling with mortality and relevance. He ended the series happily married to Marie Calvet, Don's former mother-in-law, finally finding a stable, if unconventional, relationship after decades of hedonism.
• Joan Holloway (Played by Christina Hendricks): The office manager who used her intelligence and sexuality to become a partner, only to be marginalized. Joan's final act of defiance was leaving McCann Erickson to start her own production company, Holloway Harris, symbolizing her independence and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Betty Draper Francis (Played by January Jones): Don's first wife, whose cold exterior hid a fragile soul. Betty's arc was tragic; she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in the final season. She spent her last days preparing her children, particularly Sally, for a life without her, maintaining her dignity and control until the end.
• Pete Campbell (Played by Vincent Kartheiser): The ambitious, often whiny account executive whose immaturity slowly matured into a responsible man. Pete achieved one of the show's most satisfying endings, reconciling with his wife, Trudy Campbell, and moving to Wichita, Kansas, to take a high-paying job at Learjet.
• Sally Draper (Played by Kiernan Shipka): Don and Betty's eldest daughter, who served as the moral compass and observer of the 1960s' hypocrisy. Sally's arc was one of rapid, forced maturity. Her final scene sees her taking on the responsibility of caring for her younger brothers following Betty's diagnosis, completing her transformation from a rebellious child to a capable young woman.

The Mad Men Cast: Where Are They Now in 2025?

A decade after the series finale, the core Mad Men cast continues to dominate film and television, with many of the actors having major projects slated for release in 2025. The enduring success of the ensemble is a testament to the show's casting and the depth of its writing.

Jon Hamm (Don Draper)

Jon Hamm has successfully shed the shadow of the mysterious ad man, establishing himself as a versatile leading man and a comedic talent. In 2025, Hamm is set to star in and executive produce the Apple TV+ comedy series *Your Friends & Neighbors*, a major project that solidifies his move into production and lighter fare. He also continues to be a fixture in major films, demonstrating his range far beyond the Sterling Cooper offices.

Elisabeth Moss (Peggy Olson)

Elisabeth Moss is arguably the most critically acclaimed television actor of the group. She has continued her reign as a prestige TV powerhouse, primarily known for her Emmy-winning role as June Osborne in the dystopian drama *The Handmaid's Tale*, which is heading into its final season. For 2025, Moss has two major films: the thriller *Shell*, where she stars alongside Kate Hudson, and the political drama *She Will Rise*, in which she portrays former Congresswoman Katie Hill, showcasing her commitment to complex, intense female roles.

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Christina Hendricks (Joan Holloway)

Following her role in the popular series *Good Girls*, Christina Hendricks is returning to the small screen with a highly anticipated project. She is set to star in the 2025 series *Small Town, Big Story*, a new creation by director Chris O'Dowd, which premiered at Series Mania. Her sustained career highlights her successful pivot from the period drama to contemporary roles, while also engaging in other creative endeavors, such as designing a sustainable capsule collection for a British brand.

Kiernan Shipka (Sally Draper)

Kiernan Shipka, who grew up on the set of *Mad Men*, has become a sought-after young star. She gained significant recognition for her lead role in *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina*. For 2025, Shipka has several major film projects, including the action-thriller *Stone Cold Fox* and the thriller *The Nowhere Game*, where she stars alongside Mckenna Grace, proving her versatility across genres.

John Slattery (Roger Sterling)

The actor behind the devilishly affable Roger Sterling remains busy in both television and film. Slattery is set to appear in the upcoming historical drama film *Nuremberg*, continuing his work in high-profile dramatic projects.

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The 2025 Mad Men Retrospective: A Decade of Legacy

The enduring fascination with the Mad Men characters is best captured by the upcoming ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, which is hosting a major retrospective in May 2025 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the series finale. This event is a significant anchor for the show's current relevance, confirming that the cultural conversation around Don Draper and the Madison Avenue era is far from over.

The festival is scheduled to feature a reunion panel with key cast members, including Jon Hamm and John Slattery, offering fans a unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of the show's production and the lasting impact of their characters. These retrospectives often lead to new insights into the creative process and the actors’ interpretations of their complex roles, such as Don's constant struggle with his Dick Whitman identity or Roger's evolution from a frivolous playboy to a man seeking meaning.

The Enduring Power of the Character Arcs

What makes the show's characters so compelling, even today, is the depth of their story arcs. The series was not about happy endings, but about realistic, often messy, personal growth.

• Peggy’s Triumph: Peggy Olson's journey is a powerful feminist narrative, showing a woman's slow, hard-fought rise in a deeply misogynistic environment, culminating in her achieving the Creative Director role she earned.
• Pete’s Redemption: Pete Campbell’s transformation from a slimy account executive to a family man who prioritizes his wife Trudy and daughter Tammy over his career is a surprising, yet earned, redemption arc.
• The Supporting Cast: The development of supporting characters like Lane Pryce, whose tragic end highlighted the brutal corporate culture, and Stan Rizzo, whose shift from rival to Peggy's creative and romantic partner, provided essential depth to the narrative tapestry.

The show's ability to blend historical accuracy with deeply personal drama ensures its place in the pantheon of great television. The Mad Men characters—from the cynical Bert Cooper to the gay, closeted Salvatore Romano and the ambitious Harry Crane—each contributed a vital thread to the narrative, making the series a timeless exploration of the American identity during a period of profound social change. The 2025 reunion and the cast's continued success only serve to underscore the show’s masterpiece status.