Golden Globes 2020: Why Tom Ellis, Sam Heughan, Aidan Turner, Omari Hardwick, Alex O’Loughlin deserve Actor nods
For the sake of the month of November, though, what we’re doing is our part to help prepare you! Throughout the Golden Globes Preview Series, we will be coming to you each day with a different category to spotlight. We’ll talk through why certain shows and performers are worthy of nominations, and then at the end share a poll for you to vote for your own favorite! Today, the focus is on Actor in a Drama Series, a field that has such a wide array of fantastic performers within it.
Tom Ellis, Lucifer – How do you manage to make the devil feel so human? That’s long been the primary question associated with the title character of the Netflix hit. Lucifer Morningstar can be snarky and cynical, but also terrifying, and then also loving. There are a lot of different dimensions to nail since this isn’t some one-note proto-devil that you tend to hear about in pop culture and literature. Ellis perpetually brings his all to the role, showing a commitment to some of the darkest moments while also making Lucifer capable of other, more lighthearted emotions.
Omari Hardwick, Power – James St. Patrick is not an easy role to take on — we’re talking about a guy who has, slowly and methodically, seen most of his life fall apart. He no longer has his family or most of his friends; all he has instead is his ambition and hopes that he can ascend into the New York government. Omari’s command of the material is outstanding, creating such a chilling aura around this character where he could do almost anything … and where almost anything could happen to him.
Sam Heughan, Outlander – Before progressing further, we should note that there are questions as to whether Sam and Outlander are eligible, given that there were season 4 episodes that were in consideration last year. However, there were also season 4 episodes that aired within this calendar year (the Globes’ eligibility window), and with that in mind, this could make Sam eligible. We’ve reached out to both Starz and the Golden Globes themselves on the rules, but have yet to receive a response. In a perfect world, though, we feel as though Sam is worthy of a nomination for the final episodes of season 4, in particular the spectacular “Man of Worth” that capped off season 4. (Update: We have received confirmation that Sam is eligible.)
Alex O’Loughlin, Hawaii Five-0 – All you have to do is watch the November 8 episode of the CBS series to understand this one. It was arguably one of Alex’s greatest performances ever, and it showcased further his ability to transform Steve McGarrett from an action hero to also some capable of deep, devastating drama. It’s his versatility that carries the day for Hawaii Five-0 itself, which has long stood out as something more than just your standard cop show. It’s because of Alex’s performance that you can get so teary-eyed, just as you can laugh at some of the story’s more lighthearted moments.
Aidan Turner, Poldark – This is the final year in which Turner can be eligible for the BBC series, and that news in itself is sad to think about. This is one of the most underrated performances of the entire decade, as Ross Poldark is as complicated and flawed of a hero as they come. He can be caring and loving, but at times his ambition and desire to fix all of Cornwall (and beyond) does cloud what is directly in front of him. Turner plays Ross with great confidence, allowing for his shining moments while also the instances where his judgment is skewed.
Other candidates
For those wondering as to our inclusion of The Crown’s Tobias Menzies in the poll in particular, we’re hearing wonderful things about his performance as Prince Philip. However, we have yet to see The Crown season 3,hence why he is not in our actual wishlist. He is there alongside Billy Porter of Pose and Kit Harington from Game of Thrones.
Photo: Starz