1. Gillian Anderson – "The Fall" (TV Series)
Gillian Anderson, whom we all know and love as Dana Scully, took on the role of Stella Gibson in this gripping series. Based in Belfast, Stella is a cold, calculated senior detective sent from the London Metropolitan Police to catch a killer, Paul Spector (played by Jamie Dornan).
This isn't your average cat-and-mouse game. While Gibson is tracking the meticulous serial killer, Spector, in turn, becomes obsessed with her. It's chilling, filled with tension, and Anderson's portrayal is an absolute masterclass.
2. David Duchovny – "Californication" (TV Series)
From chasing aliens to chasing... well, let's keep this PG. David Duchovny, our beloved Fox Mulder, plays Hank Moody, a troubled novelist with writer's block. He's battling addiction, dealing with complex relationships, and attempting to rebuild his bond with his teenage daughter.
Throw in some L.A. glitz and glamor, and you've got a storyline as messy as Hank's love life. Question is, can a guy like Hank ever find redemption?
3. Annabeth Gish – "The Bridge" (TV Series)
Annabeth Gish, remember her as Agent Reyes? She took on the role of Charlotte Millwright in "The Bridge." Set on the U.S.-Mexico border, this series uncovers the issues faced by the two countries, including immigration, corruption, and drug trade.
Gish's character, a wealthy Texan widow, finds herself inadvertently involved in this world when her rancher husband dies. It's a thrilling ride with Gish brilliantly capturing the nuances of her character.
4. Robert Patrick – "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (Movie)
Before his time on The X-Files as John Doggett, Robert Patrick had already given us an iconic role: the chilling T-1000 in "Terminator 2." He's basically liquid metal, taking on any form he wants, and he's on a mission: to terminate a young John Connor. Why, you ask? To prevent him from rallying future survivors against Skynet, an AI system that aims to exterminate the human race.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator is back, this time to protect John. Patrick's menacing demeanor and shape-shifting abilities? Absolutely unforgettable.
5. Mitch Pileggi – "Supernatural" (TV Series)
Skinner from The X-Files, or, as "Supernatural" fans might recognize him, Samuel Campbell. In this long-running fantasy series, he's the grandfather to main protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester. While the boys are accustomed to battling supernatural evils, discovering that their grandpa is alive and in the monster-hunting biz too? Mind. Blown.
Pileggi's character is a mix of old-world hunting charm with a dash of mystery. Is he really on the Winchesters' side, or does he have his own agenda?
6. Gillian Anderson – "Sex Education" (TV Series)
It seems Anderson loves to switch it up! From detective to... sex therapist? Yup, in "Sex Education," she's Dr. Jean Milburn, mother to the awkward Otis. When Otis inadvertently becomes a sex therapist for his high school peers (using his mom's advice, no less), things get hilarious, touching, and sometimes, downright cringy.
Anderson shines, capturing the nuances of a mother struggling to connect with her son amidst the chaos.
7. David Duchovny – "Aquarius" (TV Series)
Duchovny dons the detective hat once more as Sam Hodiak in "Aquarius." The series, set in the late 1960s, traces the early activities of Charles Manson and his cult of followers before their notorious crime spree. Hodiak, a World War II vet turned detective, finds himself tangled in the dark web of Manson's influence.
It's the '60s, the age of free love, and psychedelia, but Manson's version is far more twisted. Duchovny? Stellar as always.
8. Nicholas Lea – "Continuum" (TV Series)
Remember Alex Krycek, Mulder's occasional nemesis? Nicholas Lea switched gears in "Continuum," portraying Agent Gardiner.
Set in a future where corporations rule, a group of rebels gets transported back in time to our present. They aim to alter events to prevent that future. Kiera Cameron, a future cop, is accidentally sent back with them and teams up with present-day police to stop the rebels.
Lea's character is a bit of a thorn in Kiera's side, suspicious of her real intentions.
9. William B. Davis – "The Strain" (TV Series)
From the Cigarette Smoking Man to Professor Abraham Setrakian? Quite the leap! In "The Strain," Davis plays an old pawnshop owner who knows way too much about a mysterious viral outbreak in New York.
As it turns out, it's not just a virus. It's ancient vampires, looking to conquer. Setrakian, a Holocaust survivor, has met this evil before. With his wealth of knowledge, he guides the central team in their fight against the bloodsuckers.
10. Laurie Holden – "The Walking Dead" (TV Series)
Holden, our Agent Marita Covarrubias, took a deep dive into the post-apocalyptic world as Andrea in "The Walking Dead." When a zombie outbreak decimates society, a group of survivors navigates the new world order.
Andrea, initially a lawyer, evolves into a hardened survivor. Whether it's close calls with zombies or testing alliances with fellow humans, Holden's portrayal kept us on the edge.