Biggest Breakthrough TV Stars of 2017

Bill Inoshita/CBS; Netflix; Amazon
2017’s Breakout TV Stars

2017’s Breakout TV Stars
Iain Armitage
Cameron Britton
Rachel Brosnahan
Logan Browning
Dominic Burgess
Babou Ceesay
Sarah Gadon
Brandon Michael Hall
Finn Jones
Katherine Langford
Billie Lourd
Justina Machado
Pearl Mackie
Sonequa Martin-Green
Dylan Minnette
Dacre Montgomery
Zoe Perry
Noah Schnapp
Frankie Shaw
Jimmy Tatro
Ricky Whittle
DeWanda Wise

2017 saw many breakout performances on television, a number of which earned nominations from various awards groups including the Critics’ Choice, Golden Globe, and SAG Awards. Click through our gallery above to see the top 22 television performers who made an impact this year.

— by Tony Ruiz

“Big Little Lies” (HBO) and “Young Sheldon” (CBS)

After appearing in HBO’s multiple Emmy-winning limited series “Big Little Lies” as the son of Shailene Woodley’s embattled single mom, Armitage scored an even bigger breakthrough as the young Sheldon Cooper on the season’s most-watched new comedy, a spin-off of television’s number one comedy, “The Big Bang Theory.”

“Mindhunter” (Netflix)

Britton’s chilling performance as real-life serial killer Edmund Kemper was one of the highlights of this period drama about an FBI agent (Jonathon Groff) who speaks to imprisoned killers, hoping to use their knowledge to solve ongoing cases. 

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon)

Brosnahan’s winning performance as a Jewish housewife who turns to stand-up comedy after her husband leaves her is the highlight of this series from “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino. Brosnahan earned Best TV Comedy Actress nominations at the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Awards.

“Dear White People” (Netflix)

In writer-director Justin Simien’s satirical take on race relations in America, adapted from his 2014 independent film, Browning stars as Sam White, a controversial activist and host of a college radio show about racism on campus.

“Feud: Bette and Joan” (FX)

In Ryan Murphy’s dramatization of the rivalry between Hollywood legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, Burgess’s performance as actor Victor Buono was a scene-stealing highlight, quite the achievement when you consider his co-stars included Oscar-winners Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange.

“Guerilla” (Showtime)

The BAFTA-nominated British actor starred opposite Idris Elba and Freida Pinto in Oscar-winner John Ridley’s miniseries about racial unrest in 1970s London.

“Alias Grace” (Netflix)

Gadon’s performance as a maid convicted of murdering her employer anchors this period limited series based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, who also penned the novel that inspired the Emmy-winning “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

“The Mayor” (ABC)

Hall’s winning performance anchors this new comedy about an aspiring rapper who unexpectedly gets elected as the mayor of his town after running for the office as a publicity stunt.

“Marvel’s Iron Fist” (Netflix) and “Marvel’s The Defenders” (Netflix)

The British actor, who previously appeared as Ser Loras Tyrell on “Game of Thrones,” starred as the title Marvel superhero in the standalone “Iron Fist” series, and then in the crossover event “The Defenders,” which teamed him with fellow heroes Jesssica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Daredevil (Charlie Cox).

“13 Reasons Why” (Netflix)

Langford earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Drama Actress for her devastating performance as Hannah Baker, a young girl whose inner torment leads to suicide in this adaptation of a popular novel by Jay Asher.

“American Horror Story: Cult” (FX)

Lourd, the daughter of the late Carrie Fisher, came into her own as an actress with her role as a young woman drawn into the murderous machinations of a cult led by her brother (Evan Peters).

“One Day at a Time” (Netflix)

After years of mostly supporting and recurring roles, Justina Machado got the showcase of her career as a Cuban-American single mom and war vet in this re-imagining of the classic sitcom “One Day at a Time.”

“Doctor Who” (BBC America)

Pearl Mackie made a lasting impact as Bill Potts, the Doctor’s latest companion on the long-running British sci-fi series. She also made history since Bill was the first openly gay companion ever on the show after 54 years on the air.

“Star Trek: Discovery” (CBS All Access)

After building a fan base with her role as Sasha on “The Walking Dead,” Martin-Green got her first headlining role — and on a “Star Trek” series, no less — playing Lt. Commander Burnham in the first new “Trek” series since 2005. She boldly went to CBS All Access, where no “Trek” series had gone before.

“13 Reasons Why” (Netflix)

Minnette’s vulnerable performance as Clay Jensen, a teen deeply affected by the suicide of a classmate, was a highlight of one of the most talked about series of the year.

“Stranger Things” (Netflix)

2017 was a banner year for the Austrailian actor. After starring as the Red Ranger in the 2017 big-screen reboot of the “Power Rangers” franchise, Montgomery stood out again as the quintessential 1980s bully on the second season of “Stranger Things.”

“Young Sheldon” (CBS)

Perry, the daughter of actors Jeff Perry (“Scandal”) and Laurie Metcalf (“Lady Bird”) found huge success in 2017 by following in her mother’s footsteps. In “Young Sheldon,” she stars as Sheldon Cooper’s mother, a role played on “The Big Bang Theory” by Metcalf.

“Stranger Things” (Netflix)

Will Byers was missing for much of the first season of “Stranger Things,” but he became the on-screen focus of the second season, giving Schnapp far more opportunities to demonstrate his prodigious talent as Will became more and more possessed by the forces of the Upside Down.

“SMILF” (Showtime)

Shaw’s performance as a single mother who tries to balance motherhood and dating earned the actress a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Comedy Actress. But it’s not just her work in front of the camera that was impressive. She also created, writes, and directs the new show.

“American Vandal” (Netflix)

Tatro gives a hilarious and suprisingly sympathetic performance as a loveable loser accused of vandalism in this mockumentary series, a performance that earned him a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Movie/Miniseries Actor.

“American Gods” (Starz)

Whittle stars as Shadow Moon, a recently-released convict who becomes embroiled in a battle between dieties in this adaptation of the novel by Neil Gaiman.

“She’s Gotta Have It” (Netflix)

Spike Lee made a name for himself with his debut indie film “She’s Gotta Have It,” and now it’s on Netflix as a 10-episode series with DeWanda Wise taking over the role as Nola Darling, a Brooklyn artist balancing three lovers

Photo Credit: Bill Inoshita/CBS; Netflix; Amazon
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