CarterMatt Awards 2015: Jaimie Alexander, Charlie Cox, Mike Colter, Cush Jumbo contenders for Breakout Star

Challenges are a theme for many of the Breakout Star nominees below in our 2015 CarterMatt Awards. Many of these actors faced some sort of pressure this past year, whether it be coming onto an established show, playing an iconic character, or being counted on to carry a new concept in the leading role. None of these things are easy, but these are people who went above and beyond expectations to deliver some of the most fantastic performances possible.

Take a look at our picks below, and then once you’re done, vote for your favorite! The results of this category will be announced December 30 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Past winners – Robin Lord Taylor, “Gotham” (2014), Tom Mison, “Sleepy Hollow” (2013), Alfie Allen, “Game of Thrones” (2012). Clearly, genre fare tends to win here.

Jaimie Alexander, “Blindspot” (NBC) – We imagine that it must be an obstacle to come into a show like this knowing that all eyes are going to be on you / your many tattoos. Yet, Alexander never flinched in making Jane Doe and interesting and compelling character to follow. She was the person who had us hooked on the subject, and this show has accomplished the rare feat of having us fully invested less than a dozen episodes into the first season. We also have a feeling that she had a blast exploring so many sides to one of the most mysterious people on TV.

Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix) – One of the funniest shows on TV had one of the best performances from an actor we knew only for a small part in “30 Rock” beforehand. Tituss brought his Titus here to life with so much energy and joy. The character was completely ridiculous (an aspiring Broadway performer who also aspired to mooch off as many people as possible on his road to fame), but he brought in so much humanity and relatability that it was never difficult to root for him.

Priyanka Chopra, “Quantico” (ABC) – Chopra came into this season in a similar position to Alexander; her face was front and center on every bit of promotional material out there, and she had to make sure viewers went all-in on Alex Parrish and her journey. Luckily, she succeeded. She plays this part with both power and grace to the extent you get a chance to see layers, hopes, failures, and achievements within a span of a few episodes. Chopra has a lot to be proud of.

Mike Colter, “Jessica Jones” (Netflix) – Wasn’t Colter beyond awesome as Luke Cage? This was the sort of character you have a hard time imagining on the small screen before you see them in action; after watching Colter give his all and smash many of our expectations, “Luke Cage” the series may be at the top of our list of shows we’re looking forward to in 2016. We knew he was great thanks to “The Good Wife,” but this was another level. We don’t know if we can imagine anyone else in the part.

Charlie Cox, “Daredevil” (Netflix) – Talk about pressure. Can you imagine playing an iconic superhero role in the spot that Cox is, given the unfavorable reviews of the movie before it and this being the first Marvel superhero show on Netflix? Thankfully, Charlie completely killed every scene that he was in, capturing the intelligence of Matt Murdock alongside his resolve and his strength. He set the standard for every Marvel character that came after him, one that Colter eventually matched later in the year.

Cush Jumbo, “The Good Wife” (CBS) – Finally, we turn here to a woman in Cush who joined a show six years into its run and had to find a place. Luckily, Lucca Quinn wasted no time in having an impact on Alicia Florrick’s world. It would have been so easy to make her into the apprentice, trying to navigate this world under Alicia’s wing. What we loved is that the show went against type in the new-character mold, making Lucca into somewhat of a mentor for Alicia in bond court, and then creating for them mutualistic partnerships where each one of them could shine.