Because the yr involves an finish, it’s as soon as once more time to mirror on all the pieces we’ve watched — and naturally, rank them. The Emmys might have come and gone, however we nonetheless have our personal favourite performances this yr.
Now, to be clear, there have been many, many wonderful performances on TV in 2025. Narrowing down a listing like this to 10 of the highest was tough and painful, however we did our greatest. There are a couple of that got to ensembles, just because everybody on the present is so good, however for essentially the most half, we opted for really distinctive solo performances.
Beneath, you’ll discover 10 of the perfect TV performances of 2025 (in no specific order).
Rhea Seehorn (“Pluribus”)
Between “Veep” and “Higher Caul Saul,” we’ve at all times identified how good Rhea Seehorn is. However with “Pluribus,” she’s not solely a part of one other must-watch collection, however main it. She is the explanation it’s essential to watch. The Vince Gilligan-created collection has given her nice materials to work with, as she performs considered one of simply 13 folks resistant to an alien virus that contaminated society, and Seehorn is knocking it out of the park.
Forged of “The Pitt”
It’s arduous to single out only one forged member of “The Pitt,” so we merely aren’t going to. The collection is a real ensemble present, and that’s why it obtained 13 Emmy nominations earlier this yr and gained Finest Drama Sequence. There’s no denying it’s a anxious present, however you solely really feel that so acutely due to nice performances throughout the board.
Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
Season 4 of “The Bear” might not have been the strongest of the collection total, however Ayo Edebiri’s episode was plain. She has been persistently nice on the present for years now — arguably one of many solely characters with materials that might make the present be thought-about a comedy — however was really on the prime of her sport (and dealing with a number of jobs) this season.
Matthew Macfadyen (“Dying by Lightning”)
“Dying by Lightning” tells the story of President James Garfield’s rise to workplace — an unbelievable efficiency in its personal proper, by Michael Shannon — and the person who would ultimately assassinate him. As with many entries on this record, your entire forged is superb, however Matthew Macfadyen steals the present as murderer Charles Guiteau. As TheWrap’s Jacob Bryant wrote, the present “solidifies that no person performs an absolute f–king loser higher than Macfadyen.”
Kathryn Hahn (“The Studio”)
“The Studio” is one other present the place it’s arduous to select a standout, contemplating they’re all wonderful. However we actually want to present it to Kathryn Hahn this yr. Not solely did she leap straight from “Agatha All Alongside” to a wildly totally different character in “The Studio,” however she was steadily nice as Maya the advertising and marketing exec and stole most scenes. (Honorable point out in fact goes to Catherine O’Hara, who was equally as nice).
Forged of “Add”
“Add” had a very difficult run for a TV present, with large gaps between seasons. However the Prime Video collection wrapped up this yr, and each single forged member was firing on all cylinders. You may’t really single out anyone individual, as they had been all on the prime of their afterlife sport, delivering laughs and heart-wrenching moments in tandem.
Cynthia Nixon (“The Gilded Age”)
It takes expertise to face your individual reverse Christine Baranski, and Nixon has achieved so for 3 seasons on “The Gilded Age.” However this season, we get to see her character Ada really come into her personal as her dynamic together with her sister adjustments, and it’s a very touching arc, performed even higher by Nixon.
Julianne Nicholson (“Hacks”)
It’s not usually {that a} faux influencer character truly goes viral, however Dance Mother of “Hacks” fame positive did. Julianne Nicholson merely crushed the position, incomes an Emmy nod for it. Concurrently, she earned an Emmy nod for her position in “Paradise” on Hulu, which is so vastly totally different. We’ve at all times identified Nicholson had vary, however seeing it totally and watching her thrive in a comedic position after so many critical ones was merely unbelievable.
Owen Cooper (“Adolescence”)
There’s a cause “Adolescence” captured everybody’s consideration unexpectedly this yr, and Owen Cooper could also be it. Granted, he had nice writing and a robust ensemble round him, however the teenage actor was the emotional core of the collection. It was a haunting efficiency, elevated much more by the truth that it was his first appearing position ever. The child has the products.
Uzo Aduba (“The Residence”)
Alas, “The Residence” didn’t make it to Season 2, regardless of favorable critic evaluations. Nonetheless, Uzo Aduba’s efficiency as Cordelia Cupp, the avid birder and detective, deserves its flowers. She was splendidly odd, and buoyed the Netflix collection in a most pleasant approach. We’d even say she may very well be a great associate to Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, had their universes collided. It was only a enjoyable time with Cordelia.
