19 TV Scene Stealers in 2019: From ‘This Is Us,’ ‘Veronica Mars’ and More

Credit: Colleen Hayes/NBC; Michael Parmelee/FX

19 TV Scene Stealers in 2019: From ‘This Is Us,’ ‘Veronica Mars’ and More

Standing ovations for all! Kristen Bell, Billy Porter and more TV stars made lasting impressions on viewers in 2019, turning in standout performances on shows including The Good Place, Pose, Euphoria and Veronica Mars. The list below features names and faces TV fans likely could not avoid during this year, and that is nothing to frown about. Hannah Brown, for one, put herself out there during Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor before taking on the leading role as the Bachelorette and winning season 28 of Dancing With the Stars. The reality star opened up exclusively to Us Weekly in November about learning to show her true self to a national audience. “Just knowing that I’m doing my best and that I can see myself continuing to improve has been really incredible,” she revealed of her Dancing With the Stars journey. “I don’t really know any other way than to be vulnerable or just be myself.” [jwplayer EvW8FVd7-l3ahXupL] Brown gave fans a “different” glimpse into her life too, due to her busy year on television. “I think it’s been cool that they have kind of broken that fourth wall and really shown the real story, and the real journey that we all go on when you are a lead or the contestants,” she explained of The Bachelorette. “I mean, it’s all fun and entertainment for everybody at home. But it is our real life. I feel like you’re being able to see that a little bit more and I hope they continue to do that.” Other stars had an equally memorable year, including Veronica Mars star Jason Dohring. Viewers revolted after — spoiler alert — the actor’s character, Logan Echolls, was killed in season 4. Dohring admitted exclusively to Us in July that he was “super heartbroken” about the twist, but he took the high road. “I’m sad to be missing part of the creative experience with these guys, but totally understand for the good of the show,” he noted. “I thought it was really cool, the way [creator Rob Thomas] set it up to give Veronica an impetus to take hold of her life and, like, not be so cynical and go after and chase her dreams.” Scroll to relive some of the best TV performances of 2019!

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Jeanine Mason

The actress had Us wrapped around her finger from the moment Roswell, New Mexico debuted on The CW in January. Her portrayal of the intellectual, guarded and steadfast Liz Ortecho gave the reboot the firm foundation it needed to be a home run. Also, Max and Liz forever.

Credit: ABC/Jack Rowand

Romany Malco

A Million Little Things is full of powerful performances and character-driven moments, but Malco’s intense portrayal of Rome Howard as he struggled with depression, the loss of his mother and everyday marital issues stood out.

Credit: Annette Brown/The CW

Danielle Rose Russell

Cue the tears! Russell knows how to make Legacies fans cry at the drop of a hat — even it is just with a look. Hope Mikaelson has been through her fair share of trials, but the actress made viewers feel every emotion with her.

Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC

Asante Blackk

This Is Us introduced Blackk’s Malik Hodges in season 4 as a love interest for Deja (Lyric Ross). The actor quickly honed in on the innocence and charm that made his character so lovable from the get-go.

Credit: Sergei Bachlakov/The CW

Katherine McNamara

Arrow diehards instantly pegged McNamara’s character, Mia Smoak, as Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Felicity’s (Emily Bett Rickards) daughter from the future when she was cast on the superhero series. The actress perfectly mingled her onscreen mom’s smarts with her fictional dad’s stubbornness and crime-fighting expertise, but she really shone when she began interacting with Oliver thanks to a little season 8 time travel.

Credit: Diyah Pera/Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock

Gavin Leatherwood

Team Nabrina, anyone? Leatherwood seemed like a distraction for Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) when Nicholas Scratch first entered the world of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. However, he proved his worth in season 2 and gave fans a reason to root for Nick over Harvey (Ross Lynch).

Credit: Fred Hayes/Disney

Olivia Rodrigo

Those pipes! Rodrigo had big shoes to fill when she took on the role of Nini Salazar-Roberts in High School Musical: The Musical – The Series, but her rendition of “Start of Something New” in the series premiere left viewers speechless and wanting more.

Credit: Will Heath/NBC

Bowen Yang

Saturday Night Live newcomers rarely arrive with a bang, but that is exactly what Yang did during season 45. Whether taking on a large or small role in the series’ sketches, he would not be ignored and immediately became an irreplaceable member of the cast.

Credit: Rich Fury/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

All about Fleabag! Waller-Bridge created, wrote and starred in the comedy series, leading to critical acclaim and several Emmys.

Credit: ABC/Brian Bowen Smith

Ella and Mia Allan

It is hard to single out a Single Parents star who adds to the show’s overall dynamic because it is truly an ensemble masterpiece. With that being said, the Allan twins consistently cracked up viewers as Emma and Amy. They also won Us over as Petra’s (Yael Grobglas) daughters, Anna and Ellie, on Jane the Virgin, which ended in July.

Credit: HBO

Zendaya

Euphoria gave Zendaya the chance to shine in a new way in her role as addict Rue Bennett. The HBO hit had everyone talking and debating about Rue, but there was no question of the actress’ talent after season 1 aired. 

Credit: Michael Desmond/Hulu

Jason Dohring

Dohring turned in a heart-wrenching final performance as Logan Echolls in the Hulu revival of Veronica Mars. His portrayal, accenting the character’s astounding growth and his ability to anchor Veronica (Kristen Bell), made his death all the more gutting.

Credit: ABC/Ed Herrera

Hannah Brown

Brown kept Bachelor Nation fans more than entertained in her role as the season 15 Bachelorette — from telling off Luke Parker, to being open about her sex life, to dumping fiancé Jed Wyatt after finding out he had a girlfriend when he came on the show.

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Kel Mitchell

Mitchell may not have won season 28 of Dancing With the Stars, but he gave the competition his all and it definitely showed in his consistent progress and each performance.

Credit: Cate Cameron/The CW

Rose McIver

McIver long wowed iZombie fans with her ease in transforming into different personas while playing zombie Liv Moore. Her final outing as the character was no exception.

Credit: Steve Wilkie/CBC/ITV/Kobal/Shutterstock

Catherine O’Hara

Moira Rose never disappoints! O’Hara continued to deliver an entertaining, hilarious and unparalleled portrayal of her Schitt’s Creek character, earning her an Emmy nomination.

Credit: Colleen Hayes/NBC

Kristen Bell

Bell does it all, and she does it well. Her year consisted of stepping back into Veronica Mars’ shoes, taking control in Frozen 2 and preparing to bid farewell to The Good Place. Her Eleanor Shellstrop achieved a new level of humanity when she struggled to save the world without her best friend and guide, Chidi (William Jackson Harper), by her side. Their separation only gave the actress more room to show off her skills, though. 

Credit: Michael Parmelee/FX

Billy Porter

Porter became the first openly gay black man to win the Emmy for lead actor in a drama series thanks to his role as Pray Tell in Pose.