When referencing TV shows, audiences think of names such as Bryan Cranston, Jim Parsons, Debra Messing, and in recent years, Zendaya, Penn Badgley, and Jenna Ortega. With good reason, too, these performers give audiences their all in each of their respective series. But there’s also a percentage of performers that invest every ounce of their talent into their performances, yet seem to be on an extended hiatus. Here are 9 TV actors that need more roles.

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9 Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter)

     Showtime

Best known for The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Dexter, Jennifer Carpenter is an undeniable talent. Throughout her eight seasons on Dexter, Carpenter portrays Debra Morgan and all of her transformations throughout the years. She starts off as a rookie cop aspiring to go up in rank at Miami Metro PD. Nevertheless, Debra is riddled with emotional nuisances; she has unaddressed trauma from her father’s premature death, and it translates to her relationships with men; she feels oppressed by her superior, Maria LaGuerta, as the latter constantly undermines or sabotages Debra’s rank advancements at Miami Metro P.D.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Lastly, Debra goes through her most turbulent transformation when she uncovers her repressed love for Dexter, only to discover shortly after that he’s a serial killer. Her ultimate character arc culminates when she murders Maria LaGuerta to protect Dexter’s secret, turning from hero to anti-hero herself. Jennifer Carpenter delivers eight seasons of emotionally-heavy acting for audiences, where in many instances, she holds the same weight for the series as Michael C. Hall himself. She needs to return to the small screen soon as the titular character in a series.

8 Debbie Ryan (Jessie and Insatiable)

     Disney Channel

Debby Ryan landed her breakthrough role in the Disney original series Jessie as a small town aspiring actress turned New York high-end nanny. For many young actors, the transition from Disney child stars to mature roles doesn’t come easy, but Debby Ryan got her chance when cast as Patty Bladell in Insatiable. While short-lived in its two-season run, Insatiable pushes Ryan’s emotional range like never before; Bladell is insecure, repressed, and has an insatiable desire…to kill. To see Ryan go from the witty and ambitious Jessie to a beauty-contestant-turned-psychopath is quite the acting feat for any performer; audiences need to see more of Ryan’s impressive acting abilities in another series.

7 Aimee Garcia (George Lopez and Lucifer)

     Warner Bros Television Distribution

Aimee Garcia has been featured in supporting roles for over two decades in series such as All About the Andersons and George Lopez. Nevertheless, her acting abilities have been best showcased in Lucifer as forensic scientist, Ella Lopez. Garcia portrays the quirkiness, wondrousness, and sensibility of Ella Lopez to the tee; she could have easily portrayed Chloe Decker as well, and it would be a delight to see her in such a role sometime soon.

6 Tom Ellis (Lucifer)

     CBS Television Distribution

Tom Ellis delivers the performance of a lifetime in Lucifer as the fallen angel sentenced to an eternity on earth. From the crude humor, charm, to an overall shameless demeanor, Ellis makes for a complex protagonist that’s easy to root for, despite his affinity for matters of the underworld. Ellis is capable of provoking everything from laughter to tears in audiences, he needs to return in another series or even on the big screen.

5 Andrea Barber (Fuller House)

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution

The annoying, yet lovable Kimmy Gibbler won over audiences through her zany antics and undying loyalty to her best friend, DJ Tanner, making her as much of a Tanner as the rest of the cast. When Andrea Barber returned for the series spinoff, Fuller House, she quickly showed audiences that her acting chops remained intact, if not improved. The adult Kimmy Gibbler is just as wacky as her teenage self, but has developed a nurturing demeanor that makes her even more likable; whether it’s towards her own daughter, Ramona, DJ’s children, their friends, or even the Tanner sisters, Kimmy is a surrogate mother to everyone. To see such a nuanced performance by Barber, who is primarily known for her work on Full House, is incredible… and also criminal considering her minimal screen credits in the past twenty-seven years. She needs to be in another comedy soon.

4 Emmy Rossum (Shameless)

Emmy Rossum started her career in films such as The Day After Tomorrow, Dragon Ball Evolution, and The Phantom of the Opera, but to most TV viewers, she’s synonymous with the titular Shameless character, Fiona Gallagher. For good reason, too, Fiona Gallagher is one of TV’s best-developed characters in recent years. Mature beyond her years, maternal despite not wanting kids of her own, and truly complex in every imaginable way, Fiona represents a sympathetic protagonist that still indulges in reprehensible behavior due to unresolved trauma. Rossum needs to continue booking leading roles with such weight.

3 Noel Fisher (The Conners and Shameless)

Despite his life circumstances, Noel Fisher’s Mikhailo Milkovich “Mickey” is a fan-favorite for a reason, Noel Fisher is a powerhouse of an actor. Mickey’s character development is engaging to watch, and unlike a considerable amount of fictional characters that are relegated to victims when dealt Mickey’s circumstances, Mickey instead pushes forward and grows as a person while maintaining a ruthless attitude. Simultaneously to his time on Shameless, Fisher gives audiences an entirely different performance on The Conners as Dan Conner’s younger half-brother, Ed Conner Jr. Ed Conner Jr. is the polar opposite of Mickey Milkovich; a well-behaved, forgiving, and law-abiding young adult who simply longs to reconnect with Dan.

Not many actors can give such distinct performances back-to-back, but Noel Fisher has proven that he is one of TV’s best hidden gems. Hopefully his talent will continue to be showcased following his work on these respective TV shows.

2 Lauren German (Hawaii Five-O and Lucifer)

Lauren German is no newcomer to the small screen, with main and supporting roles in Hawaii Five-0 and Chicago Fire. Coincidentally, she’d be portraying a member of law-enforcement once again in Lucifer, this time as one of its two titular characters, Chloe Decker. Chloe Decker gives audiences a glance into a character dealt several tests of character and morality throughout Lucifer’s six-season run. Starting off as a by-the-book detective who rarely bends the law to becoming someone willing to look at criminal cases subjectively, Decker shows audiences that law-enforcers are just people with real-life problems and heartache. For someone who can provide such layered depth to a one-note character-type, Lauren German deserves to continue showcasing her talents in another TV genre.

1 Yael Grobglas (Jane the Virgin)

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution/ CBS Television Distribution

Yael Grobglas steals the show as Jane the Virgin’s Petra Solano. The villain with a heart of gold, Petra gives audiences a character who all along is just a victim of circumstance. Her mother exploits her repeatedly; her ex-husband blackmails her, Rafael trivializes her feelings and desires throughout most of the show, and her own twin sister usurps her while keeping Petra in an induced paralysis; Petra survives life the best she can, considering her seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Despite all of this, Petra raises two astute, well-mannered, and loving twin daughters, Anna and Ellie. Petra corrects every fault committed against her by her family by creating the one she’s always wanted. Petra’s journey hits deep to any audiences who’ve experienced an inadequate upbringing or failed relationship, all thanks to Yael Grobglas’ acting abilities. Unfortunately, Grobglas hasn’t performed in a leading role since her time on Jane the Virgin; this needs to change immediately.