Jon Hamm, the enigmatic Don Draper of Mad Men fame, had a pivotal moment in his career before he became a household name. It was a crime series on Lifetime, The Division, that first showcased his talent and potential.
In 2002, Hamm joined the cast of this procedural drama, playing the role of Inspector Nate Basso, a cynical character with a distinctive shaggy hairstyle. His performance was so well-received that he became a series regular in season 2, and his character's popularity kept him on the show until its conclusion.
Hamm, in a 2015 interview, reflected on how The Division served as his big break, offering him stability and security in an industry known for its unpredictability. He shared, "It was my first series regular job, and working alongside Taraji Henson, who is now having her moment in the sun, was an incredible experience. We were cast as replacements for the second season, and for three seasons, I had the opportunity to be one of the leads in an ensemble show, knowing I had a job year after year."
Taraji P. Henson, who played Inspector Raina Washington, went on to star in the Oscar-winning film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and landed a lead role in the hit series Empire.
Hamm credits The Division for setting him up for his iconic role in Mad Men. Despite not being a major phenomenon, The Division taught him valuable lessons about the TV industry, particularly how to navigate major cast changes. He explained, "Tracy Needham, who played my first partner on the show, was written off after two seasons. It was a difficult time, losing a friend and adjusting to a new dynamic on set. It opened my eyes to the business side of television."
This experience mirrored what happened on Mad Men, where characters were sometimes abruptly written out or had their scenes reduced.
Most importantly, The Division showed Hamm that success can come from unexpected places. He realized he didn't need to limit himself to established prestige series on networks like HBO to make an impact. As he noted, "AMC wasn't known for prestige TV when Mad Men came around, but I took a chance on it. Work is work, and I'm glad I did."
So, while Mad Men may have defined his career, it's important to remember that Hamm's journey began with a lesser-known crime series on Lifetime, proving that sometimes the most memorable roles can come from unexpected places.
