Entertainment

1.3k voters

New TV Shows of the Last Few Years with the Best Overall Acting

Updated October 20, 2020 3.2k votes 1.3k voters 7.4k views46 items

List RulesVote up the series that feature the all-around best acting that premiered on or after January 1, 2017, even if they aren't your favorite shows.

Since 2017, there has been some phenomenal acting on television and this list features the best television acting of the last few years. Shows with the best acting come in many forms. Some of the most talented new TV casts feature dozens of amazing actors while other new TV series with good acting star one fantastic lead. Several of the best acting shows since 2017 have been nominated for awards.

What TV series will you find on this best acting on new shows list? Westworld features fantastic Emmy-nominated actors like Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, and Thandie Newton. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is also a TV series which regularly results in awards for its talented cast. Christina Applegate was nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critic's Award for her role in Dead to Me. Other good shows with great acting since 2017 include Big Little Lies, Feud: Bette and Joan, Killing Eve, and The Handmaid's Tale.
Which new TV show do you think features the best acting? Give your favorites a thumbs up.

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Westworld
2017
Actors: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Drama, Western
Notable Nominations
Emmy - Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins 2017), Best Actress (Evan Rachel Wood 2017), Best Supporting Actor (Jeffrey Wright 2017), Best Supporting Actress (Thandie Newton 2017)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Evan Rachel Wood 2017), Best Supporting Actress (Thandie Newton 2017)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Evan Rachel Wood 2017 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Thandie Newton 2017 WON)
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113
The Handmaid's Tale
2017
Actors: Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer
Genres (Tv): Drama, Dystopian fiction
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Elisabeth Moss 2017 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Ann Dowd 2017 WON; Samira Wiley 2017), Best Gues Actress (Alexis Bledel 2017 WON)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Elisabeth Moss 2018 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Ann Dowd)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Elisabeth Moss 2018 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Ann Dowd 2018 WON)
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Ozark
2017
Actors: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Julia Garner
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Thriller
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actor (Jason Bateman 2018)
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Big Little Lies
2017
Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott
Genres (Tv): Comedy
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Nicole Kidman 2017 WON; Reese Witherspoon 2017), Best Supporting Actor (Alexander Skarsgård 2017 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern 2017; Shailene Woodley 2017)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Nicole Kidman 2017 WON; Reese Witherspoon 2017), Best Supporting Actor (Alexander Skarsgård 2017 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern 2017 WON; Shailene Woodley 2017)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Nicole Kidman 2017 WON; Reese Witherspoon 2017), Best Supporting Actor (Alexander Skarsgård 2017 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern 2017 WON)
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Chernobyl
2019
Actors: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson
Genres (Tv): Historical drama
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actor (Jared Harris 2019), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgard 2019), Best Supporting Actress (Emily Watson 2019)
Golden Globe - Best Actor (Jared Harris 2019), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgard 2019 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Emily Watson 2019)
Critics' Choice - Best Actor (Jared Harris 2019), Best Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgard 2019 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Emily Watson 2019)
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Fargo
2017
Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Tolman, Colin Hanks, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Drama, Crime
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actor (Ewan McGregor), Best Actress (Carrie Coon), Best Supporting Actor (David Thewlis)
Golden Globe - Best Actor (Ewan McGregor WON), Best Supporting Actor (David Thewlis)
Critics' Choice - Best Actor (Ewan McGregor WON), Best Actress (Carrie Coon), Best Supporting Actor (David Thewlis), Best Supporting Actress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
2017
Actors: Rachel Brosnahan, Michael Zegen, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub, Marin Hinkle
Genres (Tv): Comedy-Drama, Period drama
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan 2018 WON), Best Guest Actress (Jane Lynch 2018), Best Guest Actor (Luke Kirby 2019 WON, Rufus Sewell 2019), Best Supporting Actor (Tony Shalhoub 2018), Best Supporting Actress (Alex Borstein 2018 WON)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan 2018 WON, 2019 WON, 2020), Best Supporting Actress (Alex Borstein 2019)
Critic's Choice - Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan 2018 WON, 2019 WON, 2020), Best Supporting Actress (Alex Borstein 2018, 2019 WON, 2020 WON), Best Supporting Actor (Tony Shalhoub, 2019)
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Killing Eve
2018
Actors: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Darren Boyd, Owen McDonnell
Genres (Tv): Drama, Spy thriller
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Sandra Oh 2018)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Sandra Oh 2018 WON)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Sandra Oh 2018 WON; Jodie Comer 2018)
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GLOW
2017
Actors: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron, Britney Young, Sydelle Noel
Genres (Tv): Comedy-drama
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Supporting Actress (Betty Gilpin 2019, 2018)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Alison Brie 2018)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Aliston Brie 2018), Best Supporting Actor (Marc Maron 2018), Best Supporting Actress (Betty Gilpin 2018)
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25
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The Queen's Gambit
2020
Actors: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram
Genres (Tv): Drama
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Twin Peaks
2017
Actors: Kyle MacLachlan, Russ Tamblyn, Sherilyn Fenn, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick
Genres (Tv): Drama, Crime, Mystery
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actor (Kyle MacLachlan, 2018)
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25
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The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
2018
Actors: Penélope Cruz, Édgar Ramírez, Ricky Martin, Darren Criss, Annaleigh Ashford
Genres (Tv): Biography, Crime, Drama
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan 2018 WON), Best Guest Actress (Jane Lynch 2018), Best Guest Actor (Luke Kirby 2019 WON, Rufus Sewell 2019), Best Supporting Actor (Tony Shalhoub 2018), Best Supporting Actress (Alex Borstein 2018 WON)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan 2018 WON, 2019 WON, 2020), Best Supporting Actress (Alex Borstein 2019)
Critic's Choice - Best Actress (Rachel Brosnahan 2018 WON, 2019 WON, 2020), Best Supporting Actress (Alex Borstein 2018, 2019 WON, 2020 WON), Best Supporting Actor (Tony Shalhoub, 2019)
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Feud: Bette and Joan
2017
Actors: Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Alfred Molina, Sarah Paulson, Judy Davis
Genres (Tv): Drama
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Jessica Lange; Susan Sarandon), Best Supporting Actor (Alfred Molina; Stanley Tucci), Best Supporting Actress (Judy Davis; Jackie Hoffman)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Jessica Lange; Susan Sarandon), Best Supporting Actor (Alfred Molina)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Jessica Lange), Best Supporting Actor (Alfred Molina; Stanley Tucci), Best Supporting Actress (Judy Davis; Jackie Hoffman)

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Sharp Objects
2018
Actors: Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Eliza Scanlen, Elizabeth Perkins, Madison Davenport
Genres (Tv): Thriller
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Amy Adams 2018), Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Clarkson 2018)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Amy Adams 2018, Patricia Clarkson 2018 WON)
Critic's Choice - Best Actress (Amy Adams 2018 WON), Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Clarkson 2018 WON, Elizabeth Perkins 2018)
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15
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Barry
2018
Actors: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan
Genres (Tv): Comedy
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actor (Bill Hader 2018 WON)
Golden Globe - Best Actor (Bill Hader 2018, 2019)
Critics' Choice - Best Actor (Bill Hader 2019 WON)
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12
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Bodyguard
2018
Actors: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle, Paul Ready
Genres (Tv): Drama, Political thriller
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actor (Richard Madden 2019 WON)
Critics' Choice - Best Actor (Richard Madden 2019)
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14
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Russian Doll
2019
Actors: Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley, Charlie Barnett
Genres (Tv): Comedy
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Natasha Lyonne 2019)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Natasha Lyonne 2019)
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Dead to Me
2019
Actors: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, Edward Asner
Genres (Tv): Black comedy, Tragicomedy
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Christina Applegate 2019)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Christina Applegate 2019)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Christina Applegate 2019)
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12
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The Kominsky Method
2018
Actors: Michael Douglas, Alan Arkin, Nancy Travis, Sarah Baker, Lisa Edelstein
Genres (Tv): Comedy
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actor (Michael Douglas 2019)
Golden Globe - Best Actor (Michael Douglas 2019 WON, 2020)
Critics' Choice - Best Actor (Michael Douglas 2019)
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11
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The Act
Hulu
Actors: Patricia Arquette, Joey King, Chloë Sevigny, AnnaSophia Robb, Calum Worthy
Genres (Tv): Drama, True Crime
Notable Nominations

Emmy - Best Actress (Joey King 2019), Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette 2019 WON)
Golden Globe - Best Actress (Joey King 2020), Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette 2020 WON)
Critics' Choice - Best Actress (Joey King 2020), Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette 2020)
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14
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The Good Doctor
2017
Actors: Freddie Highmore, Antonia Thomas, Nicholas Gonzalez, Chuku Modu, Beau Garrett
Genres (Tv): Medical, Drama
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actor (Freddie Highmore 2018)
Critic's Choice - Best Actor (Freddie Highmore 2019, 2020) Best Supporting Actor (Richard Schiff 2019)
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The Great
2020
Actors: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Odin Cartwright
Genres (Tv): Drama
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The Morning Show
2019
Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Billy Crudup
Genres (Tv): Drama
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actress (Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon 2020)
Critics' Choice - Best Supporting Actor (Billy Crudup 2020 WON)

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The Alienist
2018
Actors: Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans, Dakota Fanning, Robert Wisdom, Douglas Smith
Genres (Tv): Crime, Drama
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actor (Daniel Brühl 2019)
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5
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The Spy
2019
Actors: Noah Emmerich, Hadar Ratzon Rotem, Nassim Si Ahmed, Sacha Baron Cohen, Yael Eitan
Genres (Tv): Drama, Espionage thriller
Notable Nominations

Golden Globe - Best Actor (Sacha Baron Cohen 2020)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Twin Peaks

Barry

The Good Doctor