Who are the actors in the new DIRECTV commercial?
A look at the faces behind the streaming-era ad campaign
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Campaign overview: “DIRECTV Like You’ve Never Seen It”
In mid-2025, DIRECTV launched a major national ad campaign under the banner “Like You’ve Never Seen It.” The campaign signals the brand’s shift from its traditional satellite-TV image toward a modern, streaming-friendly offering with flexible, genre-based bundles.
Key spots in the campaign include “Got Hot”, “Major Range”, and “Game Day Fit,” each showcasing how DIRECTV is repositioning itself—no longer just a satellite service, but a streamlined, app-friendly entertainment solution.
The campaign doesn’t just promote a service—it casts recognizable actors to embody the concept of transformation, or “glow-up,” paralleling the company’s own makeover.
The principal actors: Kumail Nanjiani & Rob McElhenney (aka “Rob Mac”)
The most prominent actors in the new DIRECTV campaign are Kumail Nanjiani and Rob McElhenney (billed as “Rob Mac”).
– Kumail Nanjiani: Known for his early comedic work, followed by high-profile roles in superhero and dramatic projects, and a publicly noted physical “glow up”.
– Rob McElhenney: Best-known for his work on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, he too underwent a visible transformation—both physically and in his career—and his casting here fits the campaign’s “glow-up” metaphor.
In the “Got Hot” spot, the two flex and compete in exaggerated fitness/TV imagery while touting DIRECTV’s modern streaming features, satellite-free access, and new subscription flexibility.
iSpot
The choice of these two actors serves multiple purposes: star recognition, comedic timing, a sense of transformation (which aligns with the brand’s narrative), and broad appeal across demographics.
Additional cast and voice-talent features in the campaign
Beyond the two main actors, the campaign includes other noteworthy talent:
Kristen Schaal voices a squirrel character named Tammi in the “For the Birds” sub-campaign alongside the pigeons.
Henry Winkler and Steve Buscemi reprise their roles as pigeons in the same bird-themed campaign.
The campaign also featured MLB players such as Dustin May, Dansby Swanson and Christian Yelich in a music-video style spot emphasizing the “satellite-free” sports angle of DIRECTV.
DIRECTV
While the two star actors sit at the core of the campaign, these supporting voices and appearances help widen its reach and inject comedic or domain-specific appeal (e.g., sports fans).
Why these actors were chosen and what the campaign aims to communicate
The campaign’s underlying message is one of transformation: DIRECTV, once a satellite-based legacy provider, has “got hot” in the sense of modernizing—smarter streaming, flexible pricing, modular bundles, and no mandatory dish on your roof.
By using actors known for their own “glow-ups” or transformations, the campaign draws a parallel: just as Kumail and Rob have changed/upgraded themselves, so has DIRECTV. This narrative gives the brand a relatable, aspirational tone.
The casting accomplishes several strategic goals:
Credibility & recognition: Both actors are established, giving the campaign legitimacy.
Humor & accessibility: Their comedic backgrounds make the spots entertaining rather than purely functional.
Visual metaphor: The “transformation” motif—lifting TVs, flexing, glow-up visuals—echoes the service’s transformation.
Broad audience: From streaming-savvy to casual watchers, the recognizable faces widen appeal.
The campaign’s production is also notable: it is directed by Taika Waititi, adding a distinct creative flavour to the ads.
Muse by Clio
Where and how the commercial is being used
The campaign is rolling out across multiple channels: national TV, over-the-top (OTT) streaming, online video, digital out-of-home (DOOH) placements, social media, and influencer marketing.
DIRECTV
Spots such as “Game Day Fit,” targeting sports fans, highlight features tailored to live sports, further broadening the campaign’s relevance.
iSpot
The strategic message is clear: by pairing recognizable actors with narrative visuals, DIRECTV wants viewers to see it not just as another TV provider, but as an entertainment platform that is stylish, modern, and flexible.
What to watch for: performance, engagement & brand impact
From a marketing perspective, this campaign represents several important trends:
Celebrity-led content: Rather than simple announcements, the brand uses actors in stylized narrative spots.
Focus on streaming transition: The message emphasises “satellite-free,” “app friendly,” and “genre bundles,” reflecting broader shifts in the TV business.
Cross-platform rollout: The ad doesn’t just appear on TV; it reaches digital and social audiences where they increasingly consume content.
Visual humour/absurdity: The “glow-up” metaphor and fitness visuals (lifting flat-screen TVs, flexing with smiles) engage viewers with humor and style.
For viewers: Recognising the actors in the ad helps anchor the message—it becomes less about generic “TV provider” claims and more about personalities you connect to. For marketers: The campaign sets a benchmark for using recognizable talent not just for star power, but as narrative conduits for brand transformation.
Conclusion: So, who are the actors?
In short: the two main actors in the new DIRECTV commercial campaign are Kumail Nanjiani and Rob McElhenney (aka “Rob Mac”). Their participation anchors the campaign’s identity around change, relevance, and entertainment. Supporting cast and voices—including Kristen Schaal, Henry Winkler, Steve Buscemi and MLB stars—broaden its appeal and thematic reach.
If you spotted the “Got Hot” or “Game Day Fit” spots, now you know whose faces you’re watching—and why they were chosen.
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