Rueben's Ramblings

The following list highlights the actors and actresses on TV and on the big screen who really caught viewers’ attention throughout the year.

They appear in no particular order:

Nicole Lecky – The 30-something English-Jamaican writer and actress (who is a quadruple threat: creator, writer, actress and singer-songwriter) hit it big with the BBC America and AMC drama series Mood, which was based on her 2019 one-woman show that debuted last month. Among her other credits are writing for the series E20, a spin-off of the British soap opera EastEnders and appearing in the British series Doctors and Casualty along with the streaming series Sense8.

Iman Vellani – Iman is a rising newcomer who landed the lead role of Kamala Khan in the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, becoming the first Muslim to play a key superhero in a live-action Marvel adaptation. This is her first role ever, and since she is a big fan of the genre (calling herself a “full-on fangirl,” not to mention she dressed up as Kamala Khan for Halloween when she was younger, she is having quite a year. She will reprise her role in next summer’s The Marvels.

Isabel May – This native Californian landed the plum role of Elsa Dutton in the Taylor Sheridan-Yellowstone prequel series 1883, which debuted at the beginning of this year. She started her career on the Netflix comedy series Alexa & Katie and had a recurring role on Young Sheldon. She also appeared in the movies I Want You Back and Run Hide Fight. She’ll next be seen in the indie heist film The Smack with Casey Affleck.

Troy Kotsur – Troy made history this year by not only being the first deaf man to be nominated for an acting Oscar and the second deaf actor to be nomimated for an Oscar as well as becoming the first deaf man to win the golden idol for his role as devoted father, and randy husband, Frank Rossi in the acclaimed film CODA, which won for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars. In the past, he has appeared in episodes of Strong Medicine, CSI: NY, Scrubs and Criminal Minds.

Quinta Brunson – It’s been quite a year for Quinta with the debut of her hit ABC comedy Abbott Elementary (which she created) in December of 2021. Since then the show has received critical acclaim and made her the first black woman to be nominated for acting, writing and producing in Emmy history. She has won awards for her role in the show from the Hollywood Critics Assocation and the Television Critics Association too. Her past TV appearances include guest starring roles in iZombie, Single Parents and Miracle Workers. She also played Oprah Winfrey in the The Al Yankovic Story,

Sydney Sweeney – This 24-year old has had a big year with her double Emmy nominations for her leading roles in the HBO dramas Euphoria and The White Lotus; and she has landed a role in the upcoming Marvel film Madame Web that will star Dakota Johnson in the title role. Sydney has appeared in episodes of Pretty Little Liars, The Handmaid’s Tale and Sharp Objects as well as the box office film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Melanie Lynskey – With nearly 30 years of industry work under her belt, including roles in the TV comedy Two and a Half Men and the box office favorites Ever After and Sweet Home Alabama, Melanie has a lot for which to be proud. That being said, it has been her role in the much-buzzed about Showtime drama Yellowjackets that has landed her a great deal of attention with praise galore. It’s been a long time coming and well deserved.

Amber Midthunder – Some viewers will remember her for her work in the Dan Stevens-led mind-binder series Legion or for her role in the rebooted series Roswell, New Mexico, but it was her lead role of Naru, the skilled warrior of the Comanche Nation in the box office film Prey that was a prequel to the Predators franchise.

Daryl McCormack – This relative newcomer from Ireland appeared in TV shows like Vikings and Peaky Blinders, but it was his turn as a gigolo in the Sundance hit Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, starring alongside Emma Thompson. He has also appeared in the much-talked-about Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters and appeared in the fantasy series The Wheel of Time.

The cast of Squid Game – This Netflix survival series took the world by storm, changing the landscape of TV and garnering the series and its cast with a Golden Globe win, three Screen Actors Guild awards, two Critics Choice Awards, 14 Emmy nominations and a special award at the AFI awards as well as a greenlit reality series.

Who are some of the faces from this year who caught your attention either on television, in music or in film? Please share.

TOMORROW: New Faces of 2023