10 Most Underappreciated Performances On TV Right Now
7. Lakeith Stanfield - Atlanta
Donald Glover has justifiably received a whole host of nominations for his acting in his fantastic new series, but if any depiction really captures the spirit of the show, then it's Lakeith Stanfield's downplayed performance as Darius.
He's given all of the show's most outlandish lines and scenes, but he plays them all so quietly and thoughtfully that he often manages to come across as totally sensible and absolutely mad at the same time. Consequently, it's a much more interesting, layered performance.
It would be such an easy role to exaggerate, but by softly mumbling his lines with a wistful gaze, Stanfield makes Darius feel so much more realised as a result. It's truly a breath of fresh air in a TV landscape full of 'wacky friend/neighbour' archetypes, and Stanfield is most definitely worthy of praise for making his character stand out this much.
Stanfield has previously excelled in roles as varied as Snoop Dogg and Jimmie Lee Jackson, and Darius' subtle but madcap presence feels like the meeting point of the two. He provokes more laughter with a simple shrug or gentle ramble than he could with wide-eyed frenzy or shouting, and he might even provoke more thought out of it too.