Many people first started following Ted Sutherland when he stepped into the role of Simon on the NBC series Rise (2018–), a show that dives into the lives of high school students navigating a theater program. By the time Ted Sutherland joined the cast, he was already something of a seasoned young performer—having built up years of professional experience long before the spotlight hit him on Rise.
Ted Sutherland had actually begun his journey in the entertainment world much earlier, making a name for himself on stage. Back in 2010, he performed in the musical Fanny as part of the prestigious City Center Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert series—an early sign of his growing talent. Then, in 2011, Ted Sutherland made his screen debut with a role in the Fox TV movie Family Album, marking his official entry into on-screen acting.
From there, Ted Sutherland continued to build momentum. He had a small but notable appearance in John Turturro’s comedy Fading Gigolo in 2013, which opened doors to even bigger opportunities. That same year, he landed the lead role in the independent film Dovid Meyer—a major milestone that gave Ted Sutherland serious hands-on experience and helped shape his understanding of storytelling through film.
Never one to rest on his accomplishments, Ted Sutherland treated each new role as a learning opportunity, both artistically and professionally. In 2015, he took on a minor but memorable part in the ABC Family TV movie Fan Girl, starring alongside Kiernan Shipka. His growing resume also included guest appearances on well-established shows: a turn on an episode of Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 1999–), followed by a spot on the political drama Madam Secretary (CBS, 2014–).
All these experiences—the stage performances, the indie films, the television guest spots—helped prepare Ted Sutherland for the emotional depth and complexity required in Rise. Drawing from his early days in theater and years of steady work, Ted Sutherland brought authenticity and maturity to his portrayal of Simon, solidifying his place as a rising talent to watch.
So, when we take a look at Ted Sutherland’s work, it’s interesting to note that his highest rated movie actually turns out to be Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021). Yeah, you heard that right—Ted Sutherland’s most acclaimed project so far is this 2021 release. Now, here’s the twist: oddly enough, the same film also holds the spot for his lowest rated movie. I know, kind of surprising, right? But that’s how it goes sometimes. Ted Sutherland seems to have a bit of a split reception with Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021), making it both a high and low point in his career. Ted Sutherland definitely made an impact with this one, whether people loved it or weren’t quite as impressed. It just shows how subjective film ratings can be. Ted Sutherland might want to explore different projects next time to balance things out.