3. Monica Potter - Parenthood
As we alluded with Peter Krause, things were dreary on Parenthood this season. Monica Potters Christina Braverman had a tumultuous year, first sending off her daughter to college and then being diagnosed with breast cancer. Christina is usually the source of stability for the family, but in this season she gets flipped on her head and is really broken. What Potter did this year on Parenthood was provide an honest, heartbreaking, and riveting performance. Beyond diagnosis, fights, tears, and smiles, Potters performance resonates in an honesty that is so rarely captured on network television.