More than a woman: The best actress performances on TV this year

The small screen has always rewarded actresses who can balance vulnerability with steel. Recent years have delivered a string of performances that linger long after the credits roll, from grounded family dramas to sweeping historical epics. Here are ten standout turns that still command attention.

Indya Moore as Angel – Pose

Indya Moore’s turn as Angel in Ryan Murphy’s Pose was one of the sweetest, most endearing, and yet also integral and determined characters we’ve seen on TV in recent times. From the scene in which her and Stan (Evan Peters) slow dance to Kate Bush to that moment she screams at him to get out of her apartment when he asks her to leave sex work, there’s no way Moore’s compelling performance won’t get you right in the feels. Pose ran three seasons from 2018 to 2021 on FX, and Moore’s portrayal of Angel is frequently cited in discussions of trans representation on TV.

Gina Rodriguez as Jane – Jane the Virgin

In this flaming trash heap we call earth, it’s characters like Rodriguez’s Jane that provide a glimmer of hope. Jane the Virgin concluded after five seasons, and Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for the role. Season four of the show was an absolute triumph in every episode, dealing with some very real life issues among a series of telenovela style shocks and surprises. But it was once again Rodriguez’s performance as the sweet and charming titular character who pulled the show together for its fourth round, offering a layered knockout performance yet again as she dealt with familial problems, romantic feelings for Rafael, and a reunion with an ex-boyfriend. Drama!

Tessa Thompson as Charlotte Hale – Westworld

Thompson gives it her all in HBO’s Western and sci-fi hybrid, proving her villainous chops as the cold-hearted and brutal executive of Delos Inc. Westworld aired four seasons from 2016 to 2022, and Thompson’s character evolved from executive to central antagonist. Her understated performance shines through in a show full of singular characters, showing that the females are the fiercest in this male-built world.

Gayle Rankin as Sheila “The She Wolf” – GLOW

There are so many characters to pick out from the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, but it’s Rankin’s turn as Sheila “The She Wolf” that really pulled at our heart strings throughout the first and second seasons of the show. GLOW ran three seasons on Netflix, and recent coverage notes Rankin’s ongoing stage and screen work. Giving an absolute howler of a performance as a woman who never loses sight of herself, unlike the other characters, Sheila is the only one who lives her persona 24/7. Her character’s dysmorphia is misunderstood by the others, forcing her to have to try and articulate why dressing and acting like a wolf is part of her identity.

Catherine E. Coulson as The Log Lady – Twin Peaks: The Return

Along with David Lynch, the world mourned the death of Catherine E. Coulson as she passed away from cancer four days after filming her final scene on Twin Peaks: The Return, giving a bittersweet air to her outstanding performance as the philosophically inclined Log Lady. Coulson truly deserves all the praise she receives for her lifetime’s work – hopefully she is looking down on us right now from heaven above and musing such wise words as, “Where does creamed corn figure into the workings of the universe? What really is creamed corn? Is it a symbol for something else?”. RIP.

Alexis Bledel as Emily – The Handmaid’s Tale

Obviously, Elisabeth Moss deserves all the awards for her ability to express a thousand emotions with a single facial expression. But the fact is, Elisabeth Moss likely will get all the awards for her turn in season two, just like she did in season one, so we thought we’d allow Bledel to take center stage today. Bledel exited ahead of season five in 2022 but appeared in the season six finale in 2025. A far cry from her Gilmore Girls days, Emily endures an absolute roller coaster ride of emotions in season two, culminating in the ever-so satisfying beatdown of evil incarnate, Aunt Lydia. Never before have we seen Bledel express such an extreme range of emotions, from joy, to fear, to rage, portraying with finesse a woman who has been damaged deeply by her experiences, but is not broken just yet.

Zazie Beetz as Van – Atlanta

Van is one of the most complex female characters on TV right now and this is in part thanks to Zazie Beetz’s star turn in the role. Atlanta final season aired in 2022, and Beetz’s Van is noted for emotional range and cultural significance. Beetz is an unstoppable force, running a range of emotions throughout every episode with a commitment to the performance that is both luminous and captivating. It’s no wonder Beetz is up for an Emmy this year and sweet lord, does she deserve it.

Christina Hendricks as Beth – Good Girls

Good Girls at the front! Hulu’s recent offering features three suburban moms who decide enough is enough and rob their local supermarket at toy gunpoint. Good Girls ran from 2018 to 2021 on NBC, and the performance contrasted her Mad Men role. A far cry from her award-winning turn in Mad Men, Hendricks’s character is a woman who at first glance is a cookie-cutting Stepford wife. However, as she gets into the business of money-laundering, she finds herself enthralled by this new life. Bringing a fresh comedic tone to the role, Hendricks steers her character with finesse and confidence, leading Beth’s journey with an air of grace.

Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings – The Americans

It feels bittersweet to include Russell on this list, since The Americans signed off with its sixth and final season back in May. Series finale aired May 2018, and Russell performed many of her own stunts. Her performance as Elizabeth is well worth a mention, as the undercover KGB spy with enough pseudonyms to fill up a game board of Guess Who. Not only did she help create one of the most complex female characters ever seen on the small screen, but she also performed a lot of her own stunts because in her words it’s fun. Never change, Keri, never change.

Britt Lower as Helly R. – Severance

Britt Lower won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 2025 Emmys for Severance. Lower’s performance has been widely acclaimed and won the 2025 Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, representing a major recent standout in prestige television. The role explores themes of identity, autonomy, and workplace control in a dystopian sci-fi context. Her work captures the quiet unraveling of a woman trapped between two versions of herself, each fighting for dominance.

Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu – The Bear

Edebiri received multiple Emmy nominations and critical praise for The Bear seasons. Edebiri has emerged as one of the most compelling young actresses in comedy-drama with her layered portrayal of ambition, anxiety, and growth. The character evolves significantly across seasons, showcasing dramatic and comedic depth. Edebiri brings sharp timing and quiet intensity to a kitchen where every second counts and every mistake carries weight.

Zendaya as Rue Bennett – Euphoria

Zendaya earned Lead Actress Emmy nominations and wins recognition for Euphoria. Zendaya’s raw, Emmy-nominated work in the groundbreaking teen drama series has defined a generation of complex young adult portrayals. The performance spans addiction, relationships, and identity across multiple seasons. Her portrayal of Rue moves through chaos with startling honesty, anchoring the show’s most volatile moments.

Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko – Shogun

Anna Sawai won the 2024 Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Shogun. Sawai’s breakout performance helped make Shogun a critical and awards darling, highlighting strong female characters in historical drama. The role contributed to the series sweeping multiple major categories. Sawai delivers quiet power and unflinching resolve, giving the series one of its most commanding presences.

These performances span decades, genres, and tones, yet each one leaves a mark. Some arrived with immediate awards recognition while others grew in stature over time. Together they remind viewers that television’s strongest moments often belong to the women holding the center.