Nathan Fillion has become a household name thanks to his starring roles in hit procedurals like Castle and The Rookie, not to mention his cult-favorite turns in sci-fi and superhero projects. But before all that, the 55-year-old actor was winning over audiences in a sitcom that time seems to have forgotten: Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place.
Premiering on ABC in 1998 and running for four seasons, the show followed a trio of twenty-something friends navigating life and love in Boston. Ryan Reynolds played the wisecracking Berg, Richard Ruccolo was the anxious Pete, and Traylor Howard rounded out the group as Sharon. The three spent their days working at a local pizza joint, but the series was really about their friendships and romantic entanglements.
Fillion joined the cast in Season 2 as Johnny Donnelly, a charming repairman who quickly became Sharon's love interest. His laid-back demeanor provided a perfect counterbalance to the more high-strung Pete and the often obnoxious Berg. Over time, Johnny's storyline evolved—he dealt with career changes, eventually becoming a firefighter, and even bought a fixer-upper that famously burned down in the final season.
Despite the show's success in its early years, it faced a tough road. ABC moved it to the dreaded Friday night slot for Season 4, and the series was ultimately canceled on a cliffhanger. The finale, titled "The Internet Episode," let fans vote on which character was pregnant, ending with Ashley and Pete discovering they were expecting. The show also dropped the "Pizza Place" from its title in Season 3, signaling a shift away from its original premise.
Looking back, Fillion has been candid about his performance, admitting to Inverse that he felt he "failed" in the final season. "I was trying to be funny rather than just being honest," he said. "It was a hard lesson to learn." Still, he acknowledged the show wasn't a failure overall, just a learning experience.
Since then, Fillion has largely steered clear of sitcoms, though he's made memorable guest appearances on shows like Modern Family and Santa Clarita Diet. His comedic timing has also served him well in action-heavy roles, from his collaborations with James Gunn to his current portrayal of Guy Gardner in the DCU. He even popped up as a Headpool variant in Deadpool & Wolverine, a nod to his friendship with Reynolds.
While Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place may not have the lasting legacy of other late-'90s sitcoms, it remains a crucial stepping stone in Fillion's career. It's a reminder that even the most overlooked roles can shape a star's path. For fans of great sitcoms, it's worth revisiting—even if it's not currently streaming anywhere.
Fillion's ability to blend humor with heart has become his signature, whether he's solving crimes as Richard Castle or mentoring rookies as John Nolan. That charm was on full display in his early sitcom days, proving that sometimes the best roles are the ones we almost forget.
