Best of 2014, TV Performances


The year is nearly over, which means it's time to look back at the best of 2014. In these posts I put my top 10 lists from the TV shows and movies I've seen this year. This time it's the best TV performances of 2014.

Best Actor, Drama:
* Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective" — It was a great year for McConaughey, and that included this performance.
* Woody Harleson, "True Detective" — He got somewhat overlooked by his co-star, but Harleson was every bit up to the task in one of TV's best shows.
* Mads Mikkelsen, "Hannibal" — He imbues a familiar part with a fresh take and helps make the show incredibly compelling.
* Martin Freeman, "Fargo" — He did a great job with the accent, the performance, and the character.
* Michael Sheen, "Masters of Sex" — It's not a showy part, but he plays it very well.

Best Actress, Drama:
* Alison Tollman, "Fargo" — She was perhaps the best thing about an excellent first season of "Fargo."
* Lizzy Caplan, "Masters of Sex" — She deservedly got an Emmy nomination this year. Her work on the show is great.
* Tatiana Maslany, "Orphan Black" — No actress works harder. Maslany plays half a dozen parts, and creates a unique character for each. It's simply incredible.
* Robin Wright, "House of Cards" — The second season wasn't great, but Wright's work on the show was.
* Kerry Washington, "Scandal" — This soap can feel way too over-the-top, but Washington is the engine that drives it.

Best Actor, Comedy:
* Chris Messina, "The Mindy Project" — His Danny is the perfect foil to Mindy, and comedy gold.
* Andy Samberg, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" — He does a great job leading this ensemble cast.
* Chris Geere, "You're The Worst" — One half of the most caustic and awesome leading duo on TV.
* David Walton, "About a Boy" — The show isn't always great, but Walton is always a lot of fun to watch.
* Jake Johnson, "New Girl" — The show has had its ups and downs, but I love the way Johnson brings the comedy.

Best Actress, Comedy:
* Julia Louis Dreyfuss, "VEEP" — Dreyfuss continues to serve as something of a comedy MVP on the show.
* Mindy Kaling, "The Mindy Project" — She does a great job bringing Mindy and her foibles to life.
* Aya Cash, "You're The Worst" — The other half of the most caustic and awesome leading duo on TV.
* Anna Faris, "Mom" — I don't always love "Mom," but Faris does a great job bringing the show to life.
* Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly" — It's not a great show, but McCarthy is great in the role.

Best Supporting Actor:
* Peter Dinkledge, "Game of Thrones" — Where would TV be without the amazing Tyrion.
* Billy Bob Thornton, "Fargo" — He plays an incredible villain here.
* Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" — His Captain Holt is a joy to watch.
* Max Greenfield, "New Girl" — Where would the world be without Schmidt?
* Christopher Evan Welch, "Silicon Valley" — The late Welch was great as Peter Gregory.

Best Supporting Actress:
* Melissa McBride, "The Walking Dead" — The work she did as Carol this season was outstanding.
* Lena Heady, "Game of Thrones" — It was a great year for Heady, who got some emotional scenes as damaged Cersei.
* Emily Bett Rickerd, "Arrow" — Felicity is the best character on the show thanks to Rickerd.
* Cristin Miliotti, "How I Met Your Mother" — She got the best episode and some of the best moments in the last year of the show.

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