10 Worst TV Performances Of 2016

Acting. How does it work?

Worst TV Performances 2016
FX/HBO

2016 has seen the trend of film stars making the transition to television continue, with actors like Anthony Hopkins showing up in Westworld and Bryce Dallas Howard in Black Mirror. It makes sense: now more than ever, TV is rivalling cinema in terms gripping, well-written drama.

But while Hollywood talent continues to crop up on television, there still remains an abundance of terrible TV performances. After all, even the greatest television shows aren't one-hundred percent perfect, or insusceptible to dodgy acting and a slice of thick ham.

If shows like Game Of Thrones and Westworld aren't infallible, you can imagine what that means for series that aren't so critically acclaimed. Indeed, 2016, for all its wonderful performances, has also had its share of stinkers.

10. Simon Quarterman - Lee Sizemore (Westworld)

Worst TV Performances 2016
HBO

The first season of Westworld has just reached its end, and the show has been a phenomenal success for HBO, garnering the network's highest viewership ratings for a premiere since the first episode of True Detective in 2014. Westworld now has a huge, dedicated following, and plenty of critical praise to boot.

But not everything about the show is terrific. In fact, several of the show's characters are notably frustrating, like Lee Sizemore, Westworld's narrative director played by Simon Quarterman. From his very first appearance something about Quarterman's performance just seems...off. Perhaps it's the exaggerated British accent, or his oddly artificial passion, but every time he shows up he sticks out like a sore thumb.

It's amazing that in a show literally about androids that Lee Sizemore comes across as so utterly robotic. And no, he isn't going to be revealed to be a host in a cunning twist. It's just a bad performance.

Contributor
Contributor

Commonly found reading, sitting firmly in a seat at the cinema (bottle of water and a Freddo bar, please) or listening to the Mountain Goats.