10 Actors Who Just Recently Did Their Best Work Ever

2024's Wicked turned out to be a pretty excellent movie, which was such a pleasant surprise given that it could easily have failed. There were a fair few reasons to doubt its success prior to release, one of the main ones being the casting of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda respectively. 

Both actresses are older than the characters are meant to be, and though Erivo has proven herself many times as an actress, the same can't necessarily be said for Grande. This seemed like a recipe for failure... and it turned out to be one of those times when it's great to be wrong. For both of these actresses, this is a career highlight. 

As anyone would expect, they absolutely crush every single one of the songs, with their performance of Defying Gravity being arguably one of the greatest movie moments of 2024, but they are equally fantastic when they're not singing. Erivo gives a moving portrayal of resilience in the face of discrimination with her vulnerable yet quietly strong performance, while Grande is a delight as Glinda, an initially self-serving (albeit well-meaning) character who grows into a better person throughout the film. 

Apart, they are strong. Working in a tandem, they are a double act for the ages, a heart-warming rivalry-turned close friendship. Like their impeccable vocals, Erivo and Grande harmonize beautifully together. They'll definitely pick up some nominations this award season, and it'll be a thrill to see them back in action in next year's sequel.