Best of 2018, TV Performances


It's finally here, the end of the year and my Best of 2018 Series. Today I begin the first of three days of posts regarding TV, starting with performances. Below are my favorites from the year based on what I watch. There were 495 scripted series that aired in 2018, so it's fair to say I didn't see them all. But I saw a lot.

Best Actor, Drama:
* Titus Welliver, "Bosch"
* Matthew Rhys, "The Americans"
* Charlie Cox, "Daredevil"
* John Krasinski, "Jack Ryan"
* Andrew Lincoln, "The Walking Dead"

About: This is a collection of guys that turned in powerful performances. I love Welliver as Harry Bosch, and Krasinski was great as Jack Ryan. Both show the depth of Amazon's slate in 2018. Cox, meanwhile, is great as the conflicted Matt Murdock, and Rhys turned in another beautiful season as Phillip Jennings. Finally, I thought the back half of season eight was a beautiful showcase for Lincoln, the heart of that series.

Best Actress, Drama:
*Keri Russell, "The Americans"
* Sandra Oh, "Killing Eve"
* Elisabeth Moss, "Handmaid's Tale"
* Elizabeth Olsen, "Sorry For Your Loss"
* Amy Adams, "Sharp Objects"

About: It was an uneven year for TV series, but a fantastic year for incredible female leads. The five above played tortured and conflicted characters, and did so beautifully. Even when I didn't love their series (especially the case for Adams and Moss) I was blown away by their work.


 Best Actor, Comedy:
* Andy Samberg, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
* Michael Douglas, "The Kominsky Method"
* Alan Arkin, "The Kominsky Method"
* Bill Hader, "Barry"
* Marc Maron, "GLOW"

About: Comedy is becoming deeper and more complex, and this slate is evidence of that. Samberg is the only one who is in a traditional sitcom. The other four headline half hour series that show the strength of the format, and all of them demonstrated incredible talent this season.

Best Actress, Comedy:
* Rachel Brosnahan, "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
* Alison Brie, "GLOW"
* Kristen Bell, "The Good Place
* America Ferrera, "Superstore"
* Drew Barrymore, "Santa Clarita Diet"

About: This is a slate of fierce women, too. I really enjoyed a lot of performances from ladies in comedy, but these five really helped elevate their shows.


Best Supporting Actor:
* Ted Danson, "The Good Place"
* Andre Brauer, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
* Tony Shaloub, "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
* Henry Winkler, "Barry"
* Noah Emmerich, "The Americans"

About: The mix here leans toward comedy series, but many of these performances are wonderfully nuanced and layered. And, of course, Emmerich is ofter the forgotten man in the "Americans" but he helps drive the engine, too.

Best Supporting Actress:
* D'Arcy Carden, "The Good Place"
* Jodie Comer, "Killing Eve"
* Alex Borstein, "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
* Thandie Newton, "Westworld"
* Yvonne Strahovski, "Handmaids Tale"

About: This is an incredible group of performers who gave some incredible performances in 2018. The top two, especially, are among my favorites of the year. But any of the five in this category would be worthy of notice as being among the best on TV in 2018.

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