Why: In his first major leading role, Boseman hit a real home run, turning in a powerhouse performance as baseball legend Jackie Robinson in 42. Portraying the icon with obvious respect, depth and charisma, Boseman succeeded in creating the first truly great Robinson biopic.
Even as Robinson combats racism and hatred with heroic grace and love of the game, Boseman’s expressive features communicate the many layers of pain and discomfort that lie beneath. The actor’s accurate and engaging take on the sports legend was the portrayal that his many fans always wanted but never actually expected to get.
What’s Next: Boseman recently played the supporting part of Vontae Mack in Ivan Reitman’s upcoming football drama Draft Day, about a fictional manager of the Cleveland Browns (Kevin Costner) attempting to build the perfect team. Next up, another biopic – Boseman has signed on to play music legend James Brown in Tate Taylor’s Get On Up, against Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Dan Aykroyd.
[h2]Tom Mison – Sleepy Hollow (FOX)[/h2]
Why: How do you accurately play a resurrected Revolutionary War soldier suddenly thrust into the 21st century? Ask Tom Mison, who’s turning in a layered, vastly enjoyable performance week after week as Ichabod Crane on FOX’s surprising fall hit Sleepy Hollow. It’s shocking that Crane, with his bizarre appearance and background, doesn’t come off as a total joke, and that’s entirely thanks to Mison. As Crane, the actor is funny, dramatic, charismatic and never less than compulsively watchable.
What’s Next: Mison will be committed to Sleepy Hollow for some time, now that the show has been picked up by FOX for a second season.