Besides Andy Clutterbuck Lincoln, who would you vote as the top actors on the show and why?
They can be dead or alive and can even be a cameo. This is about the acting not whether the character did anything useful or was written well or hurt YOUR favorite character...just the ability of the actor. The acting is what really carries a show.
Some characters could have been a great actor but were written so terribly we'll never know based on that performance alone, but there have been plenty of great actors who shine through their awful writing throughout the years. An example of this would be Alpha Wolf, a solid actor behind a terribly developed character.
My vote for top actors who've really carried the show (in no particular order)
Jon Bernthal- Shane- I really dont need to sell this to you. His jam packed film career post TWD says it all. He could be considered the best actor to ever inhabit a character on The Walking Dead. Not only that Shane is almost the most important character or was I should say. His actions are what really changed the group or well started a chain reaction of events that would continually change the group. It helps when there is such a strong actor behind the role.
Michael Cudlitz- Abe- arguably the most well written character on the show besides Shane, even if alot of it was unoriginal on the show's part. Most of it is verbatim from the comics. Either way he always said so much with a very colorful spin on it. Brilliant lines. Cudlitz played the shit out of Abe and the show would be weaker without his caliber of acting. Everyone who played off Cudlitz was stronger in that moment. Especially Lincoln.
Norman Reedus- Daryl- His performance kind of speaks for itself but goddamn he can act with the right writing and direction. His lines in season 2 and this new one are some of the best a character in this show has ever spoken. He grunted the majority of seasons but still for the most part when he spoke a line it was pretty powerful. Luckily acting isnt just speaking, Reedus was able to emote a good amount through his eyes and gestures. He did what he could while his character suffered. He's also a great on-screen cryer. Its believable and digs at me when he does. Thumbs up Reedus.
Melissa McBride- Carol- Another amazing on screen cry. She may have had an exorbitant amount of bullshit along the way of her character's growth but I cant recall her ever delivering a bad line. A not so meaningful line sure, but she isnt the writer and has poured her heart out as Carol for a while now.
Lauren Cohan- Maggie- Used to be my favorite character in the early days. It was more on the writer's end that my interest in Maggie shifted, however she never stopped being talented. Her expressions and lines are always delivered perfectly and she too is a great cry. Back when Season 7 was pissing everyone off at least there was never a dull moment in HER acting. I want her back and hope we dont have to wait too long. Her quick performance in season 9 was soooooo good.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan- Neeeegan- I almost hesitated because some could say this is a copout but fuck it he's a very very talented actor and his performance was always Grade A even if his development was skewered. His lines were always verbatim from the comic and that made him a weaker character but goddamn JDM saved the day on that. He has one of the most chaotically controlled approach to a character. I'm starting to see the bigger picture now with Season 9 (please no huge comic spoilers). His acting finally has the level of writing that compliments it rather than combats it.
Some quick honorable mentions:
Austin Amelio as Dwight: one of the most realistic characters ever on the show because of his acting. Say what you will about the characters flaws but Amelio is a fantastic actor.
Andrew J. West as Gareth: probably the best villain in the show because it served multiple purposes: extending the bridge to Rick's murder arc that the return of The Governor and Joe started, etc... This actor made these purposes come to life with how good he is. His looks alone were so illustrative.
Josh McDermitt as Eugene: his character pissed me off for a long time but hey its because McDermitt does his job right.
Same with Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori: she was a horrible character but the actress was the reason we hated her. She embodied that part and sold it beautifully.
Michael Rooker as Merle: another solid actor who drove the story forward in every way possible and never had a dull moment either. Hes a phenominal actor and loved him ever since I saw Mallrats.
I know there is more but I've said too much I wanna hear what you all think.
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