10 Must-See Actors to Watch in 2016
By Kelsey Grace
Published by Slant News on January 18, 2016
Went viral with over 250,000 views in 24 hours
10. Maika Monroe
Maika seemingly came out of nowhere in 2014 when she starred in what could arguably be the most modern horror classic to date: It Follows. She played a teen stalked by a supernatural force, which, in concept alone, should have been a trite, clichéd fail. However, Monroe delivers a performance that is nuanced and bone chilling, leaving the audience haunted for days. She has since jumped ship from tiny indies to full-on Blockbusters, landing the role of Ringer in January's YA adaptation The 5th Wave, as well as the coveted part of Patricia Whitmore (to much controversy) in this summer's long awaited Independence Day sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence.
9. Cameron Monaghan
Cameron Monaghan is one of the more seasoned veterans on this list, and you've certainly seen him in one thing or another. But this long-time actor is making the jump from guest star to leading man. His performance in the indie hit Jamie Marks is Dead seems to have been the starting point for bigger and better things, leading to substantial screen time in teen dramas Vampire Academy and The Giver. But the true breadth of his ability is exhibited through his work in the Showtime series Shameless and FOX's Gotham. Both characters share a modicum of mental illness that Monaghan plays with tact and magnetism, making it nearly impossible to tear your eyes from him. Shameless has just recently entered its sixth season, and Monaghan can also be seen adding to an iconic horror enterprise in Amityville: The Awakening alongside rising star Bella Thorne, as well as on PBS's Civil War miniseries Mercy Street.
8. Emily Tyra
Emily Tyra hails from one of this years most shocking shows, STARZ's Flesh and Bone. While her co-star Sarah Hay received a Golden Globe nomination, it was Emily's performance that truly stretched emotional limits and left audiences wanting more. As a cutthroat dancer battling both an eating disorder and MS, the story of a star falling from grace is one heard before, but never delivered like this. Tyra dazzles in dance as well as acting, and her character's commitment to the art is ultimately heartbreaking as her physical decline begins. The verdict on Flesh and Bone has been vacillated upon, and unfortunately it looks as if it will be cancelled for good. However, this should not be the last we see of Tyra, as she's too phenomenal to stay in the shadows.
7. Jack Falahee
Jack may have the face of a down-home Michigan boy, but he bears the acting chops of someone who has been on-screen as long as one of the greats. Most notably, Falahee holds his own against Viola Davis in the Shondaland hit, How to Get Away With Murder. He plays a cutthroat, promiscuous lawyer whose eventual unhinging is simply magnificent to watch. His role requires a spectrum of emotion, and in every facility Falahee delivers. Next up for him is PBS's Mercy Street, alongside Cameron Monaghan and How I Met Your Mother's Josh Radnor.
6. Bel Powley
Bel Powley is the definition of enchanting. She can tackle drama, comedy, romance, and excitement all with such realism that she makes it seem as though you're watching an old friend in a film... and you're simply proud. Her performance in The Diary of a Teenage Girl alongside Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgård stole film festival audiences this past year, and rightfully so. Powley also steals the show in A Royal Night Out, a pseudo-biopic about Queen Elizabeth and her sister Margaret. She is reaching unbelievable new heights, with 5 films lined up so far in 2016, all with substantial or leading roles.
5. Jasmine Cephas Jones
Unlike the rest of these actors, Jasmine is more known for her voice than her time onscreen. Currently starring as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway smash hit Hamilton, Jasmine is enrapturing hearts around the nation. Her voice and performance will melt your insides and hit that sweet spot within your soul only reserved for true greatness. She also appeared in Mistress America alongside indie-darling Greta Gerwig, and proved she can switch between the mediums of stage and screen with effortless grace.
4. Martin Wallström
The best villains are always the ones who think they're in the right, and no one embodies this more than Martin Wallström in USA's Mr. Robot. He plays a cutthroat executive out for blood, and his slow and steady seasonal degeneration is actually breathtaking. Never has an unhinging been such a thing of beauty since Christian Bale's iconic Patrick Bateman. Wallström is certainly going to conquer the American market, but most of his work is still in his native Sweden. For a quick introduction into this sure-to-be future star, check out Simple Simon, where he stars as big brother Sam to Bill Skarsgård's severely autistic Simon. It is a poignant performance worthy of all deserving recognition.
3. Johanna Braddy
Johanna Braddy is the prodigal chameleon of the modern television. What is most surprising despite her plethora of roles, is that Braddy seems to juggle all of them with ease, allowing each character to breathe on their own. Most fans will have heard of Braddy from the successful web series-turned-Netflix-pickup Video Game High School, where she slays as strong, endearing Jenny Matrix, a popular video game warrior. Ever since she has shone on such hit shows as UnReal and Quantico, enchanting audiences with her understated elegance and irrefutable strength. Her eyes glow with the mischievous knowledge that she is only getting started, and it better be true. Both UnReal and Quantico are set to return in the spring with big bangs and lots of unexpected twists
2. Oliver Stark
Stark is most well known for his role as Ryder on AMC's come-from-behind hit Into the Badlands. Everything about this show is a sleep attack of greatness, but none more than Stark's performance. Playing the son of regional royalty could have gone so wrong, or worse, been petty and forgettable. But AMC gave this role to Stark for a reason, and as per usual, they bloody well delivered. A mysterious river of depth runs through Ryder, making him open for sympathy, but not pity. Your muscles will tense in anticipation as he delivers one of the most memorable performances within the series, as Stark's storytelling ability is unassailably hypnotic. Though the verdict still isn't in about season two, audiences can expect to see Stark playing Gregor in the newest Underworld 5, as well as an emotionally explosive Dylan in DxM, a film so irresistibly trippy you'll want to ride the high right into 2017.
1. Devin Druid
Rare. Ladies and gentlemen, this young man is rare. The best way to explain Devin Druid is that you know him. You may never have seen any of his work, but there is something so blindsiding about his familiarity. It is both comforting, and at the same time so new to the screen. Druid is most well known for his roles in Louie and Olive Kitteridge, but soon that will not be the truth. His turn as troubled teen Conrad in Joachim Trier's Louder Than Bombs could potentially be award worthy. He matches and outshines heavyweights Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne, and Isabelle Huppert. No one does that. Except Devin Druid apparently. His performance is so genuine that audiences will be convinced they actually went to high school with his character. I know I was. Besides Louder Than Bombs, Druid will also grace the screen in Angus Macfadyen's reimagined William Shakespeare's MacBeth, as well as alongside Daniel Radcliffe in the upcoming thriller Imperium.