This column supports the Series of the Year election 2023 and focuses on the best actor of this year. You can vote for your favorite series in all genres, between Monday, January 2, and Sunday 4 February.
Due to the large number of series that are released every year, it is increasingly difficult for series to distinguish themselves from the competition. All aspects of a series will have to be top-notch to ensure that we do not choose to watch another series. For example, the performances of the actors and actresses who have to convey the story to us are very important. Reason enough to watch and judge these performances.
The nominees below were chosen based on what the readers of MySeries told us in 2023, supplemented with the opinions of my fellow reviewers and of course my own opinion. The latter is partly reflected in the form of my wildcard. So let's take a quick look at which actors have a chance to win the title 'Best Actor 2023'!
Below, in alphabetical order, the top six nominees of the best series from 2023;
Idris Elba - Hijack
Idris Elba has been shuttling back and forth for several years between blockbusters on the big screen and hit series on the smaller screen. This year we saw him (in addition to the film that was the sequel to
Luther) in the critically acclaimed
Hijack in which we live with Elba in real time for seven hours as he is on a plane that is hijacked. Realistically, he continuously fluctuates between the mediator who takes everyone's interests into account and the father who wants to ensure that he spends time at home and mainly serves his own interests. The charisma he brings ensures that you can never really hate him, but sometimes you don't really applaud his choices.
Here you can find more info about Idris Elba.
Jeremy Allen White - The Bear
The second season of
The Bear also reaches a high level and that is certainly partly due to the acting of Jeremy Allen White. Although in this second season the focus shifts more from White's character 'Carmy' to other members of his cooking brigade, White once again does an excellent job of portraying a brilliant but chaotic chef, who is also trying to build a life outside the kitchen while still wrestling with some demons from the past.
Here you can find more info about Jeremy Allen White.
Omar Sy - Lupin
Was it the second season or part three of
Lupin that we watched? That doesn't really matter, because we once again enjoyed this adaptation of the French novels about 'gentleman thief' Assane Diop. It shouldn't be an easy task to keep viewers interested when the story is not always believable and you also play a thief. But Omar Sy shines in his role of Diop and does so with a natural charisma that keeps us watching and loving this master thief. The winner of Best Actor 2021 will be there again this year.
Here you can find more info about Omar Sy.
Pedro Pascal - The Last of Us/The Mandalorian
When you play a leading role in two of the most watched series of 2023, it is likely that you'll be a part of this list. And rightly so, because Pedro Pascal takes on both - completely different - roles. Whether it is the stoic Din Djarin who is starting to loosen up or the apocalypse-broken Joel Miller, Pascal controls it all and portrays it with conviction. That's reason enough for this nomination!
Here you can find more info about Pedro Pascal.
Tom Hiddleston - Marvel's Loki
Tom Hiddleston has been nominated in 2021 for his role as Loki, a role he has played with great verve since he entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And a character who has undergone quite a development over the years. Hiddleston goes along with this development, but continues to play Loki with the charm and humor he has had from the beginning. It is not without reason that
Marvel's Loki has been one of the favorite characters in the MCU for years and keeps coming back.
Here you can find more info about Hiddleston.
Writer's Choice
Because there is no wildcard voting in this category, I would like to nominate my own choice of writer as a wildcard.
Patrick Stewart - Star Trek: Picard
Do I need to say more than 'Make it so' or 'Engage'? These are familiar expressions to many, because we have often heard Patrick Stewart say this since 1987 in his role as Jean-Luc Picard. This year he took on this role again for the third and final season of
Star Trek: Picard. In this nostalgic final season, we see Stewart portray Picard as you would expect it to be. In moments with the authority and calm that characterized his years on the Enterprise, but at the same time with the vulnerability that aging brings. The years are starting to count for Stewart, but he still manages to portray Picard with as much vigor as back in 1987, reason enough to nominate him.
Here you can find more info Patrick Stewart.
A great list of actors who have delivered wonderful performances in completely different roles and a diversity of genres. I'm curious what you think of the list!
These were all six nominees nominated by our readers, by the writers and myself. You cannot use a wildcard in this category. Good luck voting.