ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The 21 best performances by actors on TV shows in 2017

In honor of all the phenomenal performances on TV this year, here's our list of the best we saw in 2017.

Great performances stay with you, and in 2017, there were dozens that we can't stop thinking about.

There were so many exquisite performances on TV — in leading roles, supporting roles, and guest roles — that it's impossible to pick a handful as the best. But we narrowed it to the top 21.

Some of the outstanding dramatic performances of the year include Nicole Kidman's best work of her career on "Big Little Lies," Elisabeth Moss' work on "The Handmaid's Tale," and Cameron Britton's creepy portrayal of serial Ed Kemper on Netflix's "Mindhunter."

Comedy also had a great year, with multiple performances on "The Good Place" that brought heart, soul, and many, many laughs to the clever afterlife comedy. Comedian and podcaster Marc Maron brought his lovable snark to his bitter character on the Netflix comedy "Glow," and Rob Delaney showed he has a dark side in season three of "Catastrophe."

ADVERTISEMENT

A note: We couldn't include everyone on "Big Little Lies" and "The Handmaid's Tale" because it was important to us to showcase smaller, less talked-about performances that you might have missed.

Here's our list of the best TV performances in 2017:

21. Rob Delaney — "Catastrophe"

20. Zach Woods — "Silicon Valley"

19. Maggie Gyllenhaal — "The Deuce"

ADVERTISEMENT

Maggie Gyllenhaal is the highlight of HBO’s “The Deuce.” She brings her prostitute-turned-pornographer character Candy to life by being both fierce and vulnerable. It’s clear in her performance that Gyllenhaal understands her character more than anyone, and believes in her, too. Gyllenhaal’s confidence in Candy's ability as a businesswoman in an unconventional business translates into her performance.

18. Marc Maron — "Glow"

17. Rachel Bloom — "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"

16. Alex Jennings — "The Crown"

ADVERTISEMENT

David, The Duke of Windsor, is not a great guy. He's self-centered and doesn't think about consequences. He famously abdicated the throne he was born to take, but doesn't seem to care about the effect it had on the country and on his family, including his niece, Queen Elizabeth II. In season two, Elizabeth finds out about David's deep Nazi ties. But Alex Jennings is so good at his role that his ignorance and relentlessness is somewhat charming. You'll feel bad for him, hate him, feel bad for him, then hate him again, all in one scene.

15. Sterling K. Brown — "This Is Us"

On a show that is filled with striking, emotive performances, Sterling K. Brown stands out among them all. Brown won an Emmy for best actor in a drama for his role, and continues to pull at viewers' heartstrings (but not in a manipulative way) well into season two.

14. Ewan McGregor — "Fargo"

13. Angela Bassett — "Master of None"

ADVERTISEMENT

Angela Bassett was only in one episode of "Master of None," but her presence had massive impact. Lena Waithe, who wrote "Thanksgiving" (and won an Emmy for it), had Bassett in mind for the role of her character Denise's mother. The episode focuses on Denise's strained relationship with her mother after coming out to her as a lesbian. Bassett fits comfortably into this role, expressing concern rather than judgment over her sexual preference.

12. Ted Danson — "The Good Place"

The veteran comedy actor brings his never-fading charms to NBC's "The Good Place." His role takes a shocking turn in the season one finale's twist that makes his performance even better when looking back on the whole season. His character's evolution in the first half of season two is quite different from the work he was doing in season one, and proves that Danson can make an evil demon one of the most charming characters on TV.

11. Ann Dowd — "The Handmaid's Tale"

Instead of portraying her character as a one-note villain, Dowd brings a certain empathy to this otherwise repulsive human being that no one else could've pulled off. In simple facial expressions and body language, Dowd gives a subtle, chilling performance that adds to the story by giving some perspective from the people who run Gilead.

ADVERTISEMENT

10. Claire Foy — "The Crown"

Season two of "The Crown" was Claire Foy's last season on the show. Her character loses some screen time to Prince Philip and other characters throughout the season, and

9. Jessica Lange — "Feud: Bette and Joan"

Jessica Lange is good in everything, but she's great in "Feud: Bette and Joan." What most assumed would just be a fun, glossy show about old Hollywood and women fighting was actually an insightful look at the treatment of women in the film industry, especially older women. Lange didn't hesitate in highlighting Joan Crawford's flaws: she's vain, selfish, and catty. But Lange plays her with so much empathy it makes the show and her feud with Bette Davis (played by Susan Sarandon) a believable, tragic, and exciting true story.

8. Aiden Gillen — "Game of Thrones"

ADVERTISEMENT

How the fabulous Aiden Gillen managed to make everyone feel kind of bad for Littlefinger getting such a sudden, brutal death after all he has done to the Stark family will always be a mystery. But he did it.

7. Alexander Skarsgård — "Big Little Lies"

Alexander Skarsgård's role on "Big Little Lies" was chilling. But in some moments, he was also completely charming. Skarsgård's role as Perry could have easily gone a stereotypical route we've seen before, but he put a lot of thought and work into his role as an abusive husband to Nicole Kidman's Celeste. Kidman and Skarsgård worked together to pull of an abusive marriage, and it was beneficial to both of their Emmy-winning performances.

6. D'Arcy Carden — "The Good Place"

D'Arcy Carden plays Janet, a robot assistant in the afterlife. Until the end of season one, Janet was just a helpful robot who provided a lot of visual comedy. But toward the end of season one and into season two, Janet progresses, gaining some humanity. Carden plays a robot developing human connection perfectly, and has sparkling chemistry with her co-stars, especially Ted Danson. Since Janet's become more of a person, she's become the heart of the show, and it wouldn't be the same without Carden in the role.

ADVERTISEMENT

5. Cameron Britton — "Mindhunter"

Cameron Britton is so haunting as real-life serial killer Ed Kemper that his performance will stay with you. Kemper is so charming and empathetic when he shares his troubled childhood that you might end up feeling bad for him, but you also might lose some sleep over his terrifying demeanor.

4. The kids on "American Vandal"

"American Vandal" wouldn't have worked without its perfectly casting and acting. Each student the main characters and supporting characters fits perfectly into this world in looks, body language, and delivery.

3. Elisabeth Moss — "The Handmaid's Tale"

ADVERTISEMENT

Elisabeth Moss was phenomenal as Peggy Olson on "Mad Men," a role that unfortunately never won her an Emmy. Her transformative role as Offred on "The Handmaid's Tale" proved that she's one of the best actresses alive, and she finally won an Emmy for it. She added vibrancy and personality to her character, which added layers to her performance as an oppressed woman.

2. Carrie Coon — "The Leftovers"

1. Nicole Kidman — "Big Little Lies"

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT