559 unique scripted TV shows were on air in 2021, and it’s safe to say that the number was even higher this year. With more TV series than ever before, and higher-quality actors coming to streaming, it makes sense that the performances on television this year have been out of this world. 2022 has seen some excellent series return, while some new series have premiered with incredible breakout stars. With such great casts, it has made it hard to choose the stand-out performances. But some actors were so good they almost made you forget the rest of the cast. These are the best TV performances of 2022.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

11 Jon Bernthal

     HBO

David Simon’s We Own This City premiered on April 25, 2022, and follows the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force. Jon Bernthal stars as Sgt. Wayne Jenkins, a central figure in the task force and one of the officers that were investigated by the city. Bernthal is fantastic as the troubled cop, having one of his best performances to date in the six-episode series. We Own This City is now available on HBO and HBO Max.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

10 Samantha Morton

     Starz

Starz’s The Serpent Queen premiered on September 11, 2022, and tells the real story of Catherine de Medici, the infamous historical figure. Samantha Morton stars as the mysterious French queen and is phenomenal in her ability to balance the satirical styling of the show with the drama of the story. Morton also serves as the narrator as the story when it transitions, providing wry, intelligent voice acting between when she first arrived at court and when she is telling the story to her maid. The Serpent Queen is now available on Starz.

9 Antony Starr

8 Jason Momoa

     Apple TV+

Jason Momoa returned as Baba Voss for the final season of See premiering on August 26, 2022. Baba Voss is one of Momoa’s best performances, and this season solidified that fact. Momoa is perfect as the brutal warrior, and he is able to balance the delicate deliveries of being a father with the fierce leader. It can be guaranteed that Momoa’s Baba Voss will be missed. All three seasons of See are available on Apple TV+.

7 Christina Applegate

     Netflix

Season three of Dead to Me premiered November 17, 2022, and Christina Applegate’s performance blew audiences away. Before filming this season Applegate was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and discussed the difficulties she faced filming Dead to Me after her MS diagnosis. The entire cast is incredible, but Applegate’s performance as relator Jen Harding and will probably lead to a nomination. Dead to Me is now streaming on Netflix.

6 Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, the head of MI5’s Slough House in Slow Horses, which premiered on April 1 (season two also premiered this year on December 2). Oldman is fantastic as the leader of the misfits who get involved in an investigation that is over their heads. Oldman is one of the best actors of all time, and his performance as Jackson Lamb sits among the top roles of his career, which is no small feat. Oldman has even said that he is happy to go out as Lamb, and will probably retire when the Apple TV+ series ends. Slow Horses is now streaming on Apple TV+.

5 Elisabeth Moss

     MGM Television

Elisabeth Moss had two stellar performances this year with the return of The Handmaid’s Tale, which premiered September 14, 2022, and Shining Girls, which premiered March 11, 2022. In Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Moss comes back as June Osborne who is out for blood and doing her best to assimilate back into the real world. Moss is again incredible as the lead and with the way season, five ended it will be exciting to see where she takes the character as the series comes to end.

In Shining Girls Moss plays the victim of a brutal attack who is determined to find her attacker. Moss has received praise for her performance in the lead role which leaves fans to wonder if the Apple TV+ series will return for a second season. All seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale is available on Hulu and the Shining Girls is now streaming on Apple TV+.

4 Evan Peters

Evan Peters delivered one of his most terrifying performances to date as the notorious serial killer, Jeffery Dahmer. Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story premiered on September 21, 2022, and shocked audiences with its violent content. Peters is incredible as the cannibal murderer and said he struggled with the role while staying in character for months. This role has even gained Peters his first Golden Globe nomination. Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story is now streaming on Netflix.

3 Samuel L. Jackson

     Apple Inc.

Samuel L. Jackson stars in the Apple TV+ miniseries The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. Jackson has one of his best performances as Ptolemy Grey, a man with dementia that is temporarily able to remember his past. The series, premiering on March 11, 2022, is emotional and a lesson in kindness. Jackson’s performance throughout the six-episode series is beautiful and a much different role than we typically see him in. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey is now streaming on Apple TV+.

2 Jenna Ortega

Tim Burton’s highly anticipated series, Wednesday, premiered on November 23, 2022. The series focuses on Wednesday, the daughter of the beloved gothic family, The Addams, as she attends Nevermore Academy. Jenna Ortega had big shoes to fill but the newcomer was able to make the role her own and modernize an iconic character. Ortega also needs praise for the fact that she was able to deadpan act for an eight-episode season, making her the perfect Wednesday for the Netflix series. Season one of Wednesday is now available on Netflix.

1 Amanda Seyfried

     Disney Platform Distribution 

This year, Amanda Seyfried starred as disgraced tech darling Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout. The Hulu, premiering on April 7, 2022, series centered on the rise and fall of Holmes’ company, Theranos, and how Holmes’ pride led to her downfall. Seyfried is incredible as Holmes and was even able to nail her monotone voice. Seyfried’s role in The Dropout redefined her career and proved to everyone how talented she is. All episodes of The Dropout are now streaming on Hulu.