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Brandon Jay McLaren

Brandon Jay McLaren

Actor, also producer and writer · Born July 3, 1981 (45) · Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Canadian American actor Brandon Jay McLaren is well known for his extensive work portraying a diverse range of characters on both the big and small screen. Notable television credits include fan favorite 'Xavier Watkins' on the comedy/action series Turner & Hooch, Disney+'s reboot of the classic 1989 buddy-cop film, the ABC action series The Rookie, alongside Nathan Fillion, and as 'Buckley' on season five of the acclaimed FX series Snowfall, created by Dave Andron, Eric Amadio and John Singleton. In 2021, McLaren starred on the hit Netflix drama series Firefly Lane, alongside Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke. Previously, he portrayed psychological profiler 'Oliver Yates' for three seasons on the popular CBS action/drama series Ransom and starred as 'Dr. Simon' on the third season of the Emmy-nominated Lifetime series UnReal, opposite Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer, for which he was nominated for a UBCP/ACTRA Award. From 2013 through 2015, McLaren starred as undercover agent 'Dale Jakes' on the USA drama series Graceland, for which he won a Best Actor Golden Maple Award in 2015. Other television credits include recurring roles on Chicago Fire (NBC), Slasher (Chiller Network), Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (Bravo), Falling Skies (TNT), Harper's Island (CBS) and The Killing (AMC), for which he was nominated for a 2012 Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series. McLaren's work in film includes the independent feature Plush, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Emily Browning, and the cult horror comedy Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, which became a Sundance Film Festival favorite and won the 2012 SXSW Audience Award. Other film credits include the comedies She's The Man and Dead Before Dawn 3D. In 2015, McLaren executive produced and starred in the independent film Almost Anything, which premiered at Cinequest. Born and raised in Vancouver, Brandon is of Trinidadian and Grenadian descent. He attended high school at Johnston Heights Secondary, where he took theater courses and his love for acting began. A star soccer player in his youth, he received a full athletic scholarship to attend the State University of New York at Albany. After graduating with a degree in Human Biology, McLaren returned to Vancouver to pursue acting full time. He now resides in Los Angeles. You can follow him on Instagram at @brandonjaymclaren and on Twitter at @brandojay.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
July 3, 1981 (45)
From
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 65 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 12% in 30 days

What are Brandon Jay McLaren's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 9th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
24%
Bonds
24%
Self
22%
Morality
17%
Society
8%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 3 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 7 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 3
Trickster
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Absurd
6
Thrilling
5
Melancholic
5
Dread
3
Other
16

How their films linger

Fun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Brandon Jay McLaren's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Brandon Jay McLaren's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

65 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page.

  • Wayward(2025)

    Show 7 episodes · as Dwyane Andrews

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • NEXTLAND (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Story · Writer · as Dale Jakes

  • The Rookie: Feds(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Elijah Stone

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • The Cleaning Lady(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · as Jeremy Dolan

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Everything's Trash(2022)

    Show as Hamilton Hayes

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Turner & Hooch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 12 episodes · as Xavier Watkins

  • Firefly Lane(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · as Travis

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Marry Me This Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • The Twilight Zone(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookie(2018)

    Show 12 episodes · as Elijah Stone

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Snowfall(2017)

    Show 14 episodes · as Buckley

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Ransom(2017)

    Show 39 episodes · as Oliver Yates

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Slasher(2016)

    Show 8 episodes · as Dylan Bennett

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Almost Anything(2015)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Will

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jason Walker

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • UnREAL(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · as Dr. Simon

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Romantically Speaking(2015)

    as Dave

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Seasick Sailor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Big Guy

  • Plush(2013)

    as Butch Hopkins

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Graceland(2013)

    Show 38 episodes · as Dale "DJ" Jakes

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Motive(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee Ward

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Fire(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · as Danny Booker

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Dead Before Dawn 3D(2012)

    as Dazzle Darlington

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • 17th Precinct (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Andres Lopez

  • Three Inches (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Macklin Sportello

  • Three Inches (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Falling Skies(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · as Jamil Dexter

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Two Knots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Producer · as Devon

  • Tron: Legacy(2010)

    as Sobel (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • R.L. Stine's the Haunting Hour(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Mayhem

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Hard Ride to Hell(2010)

    as Dirk

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Betwixt(2010)

    as Decker

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Messages Deleted(2010)

    as Dude up Front

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Tucker and Dale vs Evil(2010)

    as Jason

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Human Target(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Omar

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Revolution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Love Happens(2009)

    as Mohawk

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Cole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Clay

  • National Lampoon's Ratko: The Dictator's Son(2009)

    as Juwann

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Harper's Island(2009)

    Show 13 episodes · as Danny Brooks

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts(2009)

    as Brandon Turner

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Yeti: Curse of the Snow Demon(2008)

    as Rice

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Sea Beast(2008)

    as Drew

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Vice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Gangbanger Driver

  • Love Sick: Secrets of a Sex Addict(2008)

    as Gabriel

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Hybrid(2007)

    as Ashmore

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Best Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 21 episodes · as Devon Sylver

  • Scar(2007)

    as Howard

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Ashes Fall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Owen

  • She's the Man(2006)

    as Toby

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Power Rangers S.P.D.: Boom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jack Landors

  • Power Rangers S.P.D.: Zapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jack Landors

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Adrian Scott

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Power Rangers S.P.D.: Stakeout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jack Landors

  • Power Rangers S.P.D.: Wired (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jack Landors

  • Power Rangers S.P.D.: Joining Forces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jack Landors

  • The Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 5 episodes · as Trey Morgan

  • Perfect Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Rude Student

  • Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed(2004)

    as Skater Dude #2

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Have You Heard? Secret Central (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Eddie Edwards

  • D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear(2003)

    as Eye Witness

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Smallville(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Yance

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Anthony Samuels

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers(1993)

    Show 38 episodes · as Jack Landors

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 64 titles from 1993 to 2025; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

$4.7M worldwide

Highest rated

Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Ransom (2017)

Film career

19932025

Peak 2009 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting64 of 64: 61 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score45thWriting2 of 64: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing2 of 64: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

64 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1990s1 · acting2000s29 · acting2010s27 · 27 acting · 2 crew2020s7 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 13 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Brandon Jay McLaren's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 20th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 10th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

10thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

12thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 43 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Betwixt (2010)

98th percentile spread · 42% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Snowfall (2017)

Midcredits 98th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 48/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 29. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Brandon Jay McLaren's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 4 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 71 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles25–59 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 51 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 64 · intenseMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Brandon Jay McLaren work with?

People who share at least 2 of Brandon Jay McLaren's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Paul Ziller shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles