JA is great as 'Alec' in Dark Angel, as well. He guest-starred in season one as 'Ben' and TPTB created 'Alec', based on JA's showing as Ben. Alec is Ben's twin clone (which works in the context of the show) and was a regular role, with JA taking third billing.

In general season two wasn't that good, but the one thing that pretty much everyone agreed upon is that 'Alec' was a definite asset, and he quickly became a dearly loved character. Interestingly, Alec is a happy-go-lucky, smartass, self-centred womaniser on the surface, but it quickly becomes apparent that he's much more than that - sensitive and kind, but sadly wounded, having suffered canonical torture and brain washing to try and make him conform. JA's performance as Alec is a joy to watch (he's less nuanced, but he was also less experienced then), and I'm coming to love the character almost as much as Dean.

Mind you, poor JA couldn't do much with the role of Jason Teague in Smallville season 4. I couldn't bring myself to watch most of season 4, even with the JA factor, because it's so bad. I gather that JA was very disappointed with the way it turned out.

In conclusion, though, give him the right role and the boy just shines but if the material sucks, well, actually I doubt even a young Robert de Niro could have done anything with 'Jason Teague'. *g*