Television creates stars.
That’s been true since the very beginning of the medium. An actor or an actress can come out of nowhere on a TV show and soon find themselves starring in their own television series or even making the leap to the film. A hit television series can be a testing ground for feature film casting directors. After all, it’s the Hollywood dream to go from being an unknown to a megastar.
The thing that has changed is the way that television is perceived by the general public. It’s no longer an insult to be a “TV actor or actress” because some of the best content is coming out on television… or online streaming services that run original series. Now TV can be the ultimate destination, instead of just a step along the way.
In 2014, a number of actors and actresses stepped up and became major players on television. CraveOnline has assembled a list of ten performers who had breakout roles in the last 12 months. These are the men and women that we expect big things from in 2015 and beyond. We also believe that some of them will headline their own television series or films in the near future.
Share your picks for 2014’s TV Breakout Stars in the comment section below!
The 10 Best Breakout TV Performers of 2014
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Alexandra Daddario
Notable Role: Lisa Tragnetti in "True Detective"
Alexandra Daddario got a lot of fans for her memorable appearance in “True Detective” in which she stripped naked and rode Woody Harrelson for all he was worth.
But that’s not why Daddario is on this list. Daddario made the cut because she was fantastic as Lisa when she confronted Harrelson’s Marty Hart over his attempts to dominate her life. Lisa wouldn’t take that from Marty and Daddario showed a lot of fire while playing off of the veteran Harrelson.
Earlier this month, Marvel reportedly placed Daddario on its shortlist of actresses to play the lead in “Jessica Jones.” Personally, I think she’s perfect for it.
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Allison Tolman
Notable Role: Molly Solverson in "Fargo"
In the pilot episode of “Fargo,” Sheriff Vern Thurman (Shawn Doyle) seems like he’s going to be the hero of the piece, with Allison Tolman’s Deputy Molly Solverson as his faithful sidekick. Then suddenly, Vern is dead and the heroic side of the show falls on Molly’s shoulders.
And she more than handles it.
Tolman was an unexpected gem in “Fargo,” as Molly relentlessly went after Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) and Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) without losing sight of who she was. Molly demonstrated that she was a great cop and she even got some much needed professional recognition and a family of her own before the end.
“Fargo” Season 2 probably won’t have Tolman back for anything more than a cameo appearance... if that. But based on her performance in the first season, Tolman will be a star for years to come.
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Elyes Gabel
Notable Role: Walter O'Brien in “Scorpion”
“Game of Thrones” fans may remember Elyes Gabel as the loyal Dothraki rider, Rakharo from the first season and briefly in the second season. But he’s come a long way since then.
After a stint on “Body of Proof,” Gabel landed the lead role on “Scorpion” on CBS. As Walter O’Brien, Gabel leads a team of eccentric geniuses as they take on threats that no one else can handle.
“Scorpion” has been one of CBS’ biggest new shows, and Gabel probably won’t be the only cast member who goes on to bigger things because of it.
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Gina Rodriguez
Notable Role: Jane Villanueva in "Jane the Virgin"
The premise of “Jane the Virgin” is straight out of a telenovela. Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) is a very religious young woman who planned to abstain from sex until marriage... but that plan went to hell when she was accidentally artificially impregnated by her new boss, who just happened to be her childhood crush.
As a show, “Jane the Virgin” probably shouldn’t work at all. But Villanueva has an excess of charm and charisma to go along with some natural comedic presence. She’s really, really good. While “Jane the Virgin” will probably keep Villanueva on TV for a few seasons, I predict that she’ll be getting a lot of movie offers in the near future... if she hasn’t already.
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Grant Gustin
Notable Role: Barry Allen/The Flash in "The Flash"
After his first appearance on “Arrow,” I questioned whether Grant Gustin had what it takes to headline his own superhero series in “The Flash.” At the time, I didn’t think he was a good choice.
And I was wrong, wrong, wrong. Hey... it happens.
Gustin has been a revelation as Barry Allen. The title character of “The Flash” comes off as a believable everyman and as someone who truly has a heroic heart. Gustin hits just the right tone in every aspect of his performance. Now, I think that Gustin would probably have been a great Spider-Man. But he’s already the best live action actor to play The Flash.
Sorry, John Wesley Shipp fans. It’s true.
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Jenna Coleman
Notable Role: Clara Oswald in "Doctor Who"
Jenna Coleman’s second season on ‘Doctor Who” went a long way towards making Clara Oswald one of the Doctor’s most memorable companions. As played by Peter Capaldi, the Twelfth Doctor pushed Clara to the limits of her patience... and when Clara pushed back, Coleman was amazing.
Clara was one of the few companions to maintain a life outside of her adventures with The Doctor. This season, Clara experienced love and tragedy as Coleman delivered a series of outstanding performances.
The season finale even tacitly acknowledged Coleman’s increased importance by giving her top billing over the actor playing the Doctor... which is something that no other companion has ever received.
It’s not currently clear if Coleman will be back for the ninth season of “Doctor Who.” But she’ll probably have a lot of options if she chooses to leave the show.
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Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.
Notable Role: Bob Stookey in "The Walking Dead"
Considering that Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. was D'Angelo Barksdale in “The Wire,” it’s not like he was a complete unknown before he was cast as Bob on “The Walking Dead.”
But “The Walking Dead” is one of the biggest shows on TV, and Gilliard managed to make Bob a sympathetic and compelling character on a series that had a reputation for creating disposable characters. When things went bad for Bob, Gilliard made the audience feel it. And when Bob was optimistic about the future, it helped give the other characters hope.
I don’t know what Gilliard’s next career move will be, but he’s demonstrated to a large audience that he can be a bigger star.
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Nicole Beharie
Notable Role: Abbie Mills in "Sleepy Hollow"
Technically, Nicole Beharie had her biggest breaks in 2013, when she co-starred in the film 42 and landed the co-leading role in Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow” TV series as Abbie Mills.
While Tom Mison has gotten the bulk of the press for “Sleepy Hollow,” Beharie has noticeably stepped up in the second season. Her performance as Abbie has only gotten better as she demonstrates her confidence in the role. Abbie feels like a more fully formed character this season and the credit has to go to both Beharie and the show’s writers.
For that alone, Beharie deserves more opportunities to show off what she can do.
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Pedro Pascal
Notable Role: Prince Oberyn Martell aka The Red Viper in "Game of Thrones"
“Game of Thrones” has one of the strongest casts on television. And yet Pedro Pascal stole the show during the fourth season with his turn as the vengeful Prince Oberyn Martell.
Oberyn may have been the most dashing heroic character that’s ever been on “Game of Thrones.” Within a few episodes, Oberyn became an integral part of that show... and when some very shocking things happened, they resonated because the audience had come to care for Oberyn.
Having proven that he could be a leading man on TV, it wasn’t long before Pascal landed the starring role in Netflix’s upcoming drama, “Narcos.” His upward career trajectory is only getting started.
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Robin Lord Taylor
Notable Role: Oswald Copplepot aka The Penguin in "Gotham"
Through the first ten episodes, “Gotham” has been a disappointingly mediocre show. It’s neither an effective Batman prequel nor a good drama.
But the biggest bright spot has been Robin Lord Taylor’s chillingly hilarious take on Oswald Copplepot aka The Penguin. Taylor strikes the right balance of menace and humor that actually makes his character compelling. He’s so much fun to watch that it almost makes up for the rest of the show.
Almost.
