2016 was another great year for television and with that comes a multitude of fantastic performances from breakout to well-known actors.
The Emmys and other major awards aren’t always the most absolute indicators of the year’s most powerful television performances. I put together a list (in alphabetical order by show title) that showcases both the winners, underdogs and those in between that made us the most emotionally invested in their stories this year.
Click next to move through the slideshow.
Sarah Paulson in American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J.
The People vs. O.J. had more than its share of standout performers. Both Courtney B. Vance and Sterling K. Brown astound in their respective roles, but it’s truly Sarah Paulson who completely nails her portrayal of Marcia Clark, lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. She never turned Marcia into a caricature, despite how easy it could have been to do so. Unlike the media at the time of the trial, Paulson showed us a relatable side to Marcia Clark and was a major reason why this miniseries was so intriguing.
Advertisement
Donald Glover in Atlanta
Donald Glover doesn’t just get points for acting so well in Atlanta, but for creating and writing the show. His own brainchild, Atlanta is one of two shows mentioned on this list that is very much representative of my generation. Glover tackles timely and important subject matter, which at times can be brutally funny, brutally honest, or even both. Yet, despite the realities the show presents, there is a surreal quality to Atlanta and its protagonist that makes it stand out from the rest.
Advertisement
Élodie Yung in Daredevil
The second season of Daredevil had quite a few misfires, but one thing that can’t be counted toward that is the introduction of Elektra, played by Élodie Yung. Yung steals the show as Matt Murdock’s former love, who re-enters his life to cause some trouble. The compelling chemistry between Murdock and Yung sure revitalized the duller aspects of the season, but Elektra herself is made to be an especially fascinating and complex character, who in my mind also deserves her own spin-off show, like Jon Bernthal is getting with The Punisher.
Advertisement
Kit Harington in Game of Thrones
The new season of Game of Thrones didn’t waste much time bringing Jon Snow back to life, and I feel very fortunate for that. It allowed Kit Harington to have some of his best material as Jon Snow yet in the series. Broody, uncertain, and fiercely heroic, Harington did outstanding work at every turn.
Liza Weil in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Weil’s Paris Geller is arguably Gilmore Girls’ best character. Therefore, it’s no surprise that her few scenes in the show’s revival miniseries were a real highlight. Truthfully, they were my favorite scenes of A Year in the Life, and it only made me wish Paris had more screen time. Weil is just. so. good. at playing up Paris’ eccentric neuroticisms without taking it a pitch too high or too low. From her personal meltdowns to sheer and unwavering career confidence, Paris remains a terrifying delight in the Gilmore Girls universe.
Issa Rae in Insecure
From The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl to her own HBO show, 2016 is Issa Rae’s breakout year. With Insecure, she captures one of many voices of our generation, giving us a show that is so specific yet still universal in its themes. Playing the show’s protagonist, Issa Rae manages to tap into all the little and big things that are part of growing womanhood. Insecure doesn’t work off stereotypes, but normalizes an experience for people and a culture that many often see via archetypes in past films and television.
Yael Grobglas in Jane the Virgin
Yael Grobglas is double the trouble this year on Jane the Virgin. When Petra’s surprise identical twin, Anezka, shows up, she turns Petra’s world upside down. Anezka couldn’t be any more different than Petra, and what’s amazing is how easily we forget that Grobglas is playing both of these insanely odd but distinct characters. While the entire cast of Jane is always at the top of their game, Grobglas clearly goes beyond the measure with two equally entertaining and devious performances.
Simone Missick in Luke Cage
While Mike Colter plays the title hero oh so well and Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard play effective villains, the true MVP of Luke Cage’s first season is Misty Knight, played by Simone Missick. A Harlem detective tasked with fighting the underground crime going on in her neighborhood, Misty Knight is a badass character that matches Luke’s strength with her perseverance and ferocity. She isn’t defined by any of the male characters but allowed to stand on her own and find justice the way she sees fit. Missick brings all her character’s strengths to life with a performance that is self-possessed and very human.
Rami Malek in Mr. Robot
Nabbing an Emmy Award for Best Actor, it’s been a great year for Rami Malek. He definitely hit our radar in 2015 with the first season of Mr. Robot, but his work this year in the second season is incredible. He upped his game and tricked us all along. Malek full commits to playing Elliott, which in turn makes us fully invested in Elliott’s twisted journey.
Riz Ahmed in The Night Of
An unexpected treat from the summer, The Night Of was a fascinating miniseries that dealt with a lot of timely and interesting topics. At the center of its story is Riz Ahmed’s character, Nasir Khan. When I think of perfect casting, I think of Ahmed’s take on Nasir. Ahmed is an actor who knows how to tangle with darkness while also being young and naïve, which made Nasir’s murder case all the more intriguing.
Kate McKinnon on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live knows how to make the most of political year. This year, Kate McKinnon played Hillary Clinton with confidence and wonderful comic timing. Aside from her Clinton impersonations, McKinnon has grown to be funniest cast member on SNL. After a great turn in the new Ghostbusters, I can wait to see the strong comedic work she does next.
Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things
The world, you, and I were all hooked on the new Netflix show, Stranger Things, this summer. If there is one character and actor who captured our attention and hearts the most, it’s Eleven, played by newcomer Millie Bobby Brown. Brown is a true discovery, and her subtle work in this 80’s set genre show is noteworthy.
America Ferrera in Superstore
Behind the crazy antics and ridiculous characters, Superstore humorously tackles class, race, sexuality and many other themes that you wouldn’t expect. America Ferrera stars in and produces the NBC comedy, and while she may not be the funniest character on the show, she’s the most interesting. Ferrera brings a mixture of practicality and optimism to Amy, a working mom struggling with finances and an unhappy marriage. Some of the best episodes are when more layers are peeled back from Amy’s hard exterior and we get to understand her a little better.
Chrissy Metz in This Is Us
One of fall’s newest hits, it’s hard to pick one performance from This Is Us that we love the most. However, after the last few episodes, Chrissy Metz, who plays Kate, won me with over with some powerful emotional scenes. It’s rare to get a lead character like Kate in a popular show, much less give her a real voice and an authentic, non-judgmental look at her struggles. Metz nails each emotional scene, while also creating a perfect chemistry and camaraderie with the rest of the cast.
Judith Light in Transparent
For two seasons, we’ve watched the Pfefferman’s grow in Transparent, but one character who didn’t quite get a chance to shine is Shelly, played by Judith Light. In season three, an unexpected amount of story is dedicated to Shelly, who feels underappreciated by the rest of the Pfefferman’s. This inspires her to work on herself, by creating a one woman show. Throughout the season, we get behind-the-scene glimpses of her show, mostly used for comic relief, during the other Pfeffermans more darker moments. But the final scene of season three is an absolutely stunning moment for Shelly and true showcase for Judith Light’s talent.
Who is your Most Valuable Performer in TV for 2016? Share with us in the comments.
Advertisement