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LA Noire Developers Considered Jon Hamm for Cole Phelps Role

WireByte Staff · July 13, 2026

The team behind the 2011 detective game LA Noire considered Mad Men star Jon Hamm for the role of Cole Phelps, but ultimately chose Aaron Staton due to a better fit for the character. Hamm was deemed more suitable for the role of Jack Kelso, another character in the game.

Key points

  • LA Noire developers considered Mad Men star Jon Hamm for the role of Cole Phelps, but chose Aaron Staton instead.
  • Hamm was deemed a better fit for the role of Jack Kelso, a character of great power and control.
  • The game's writer, Daniel McMahon, confirmed that Hamm was discussed as a possibility for the role of Cole Phelps.
  • McMahon shared images of Hamm wearing a suit and hat from Mad Men, showing he fit the game's vibe and tone.
  • The decision not to cast Hamm as Cole Phelps was only revealed in hindsight, with McMahon stating it was a better fit for Jack Kelso.

The team behind the 2011 detective game LA Noire has revealed that they considered Mad Men star Jon Hamm for the role of Cole Phelps, but ultimately chose Aaron Staton instead. According to the game's writer, Daniel McMahon, Hamm was discussed as a possibility for the role of Cole Phelps, but was deemed a better fit for the role of Jack Kelso.

The decision not to cast Hamm as Cole Phelps was only revealed in hindsight, with McMahon stating it was a better fit for Jack Kelso. This insight provides a new perspective on the game's casting choices and highlights the importance of character fit in the game's development.

LA Noire is a critically acclaimed game that features a number of actors from the TV series Mad Men, including Aaron Staton, who plays the game's protagonist, Cole Phelps. The game's success can be attributed to its engaging storyline, immersive gameplay, and well-cast characters.

The revelation that Jon Hamm was considered for the role of Cole Phelps adds another layer of interest to the game's development. It highlights the importance of casting in game development and the need for careful consideration when choosing actors for key roles.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.