The Rising Talent of American Crime

EMMY nominations won’t be announced until later this summer but it isn’t too early to discuss contenders. A miniseries that shouldn’t be overlooked is John Ridley’s American Crime. The anthology earned ten nominations last year including a win for “Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie.” Reprising their roles for season two are Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, and Regina King. They’re joined by a group of up-and-coming actors that are no doubt EMMY-worthy: Connor Jessup, Joey Pollari, Trevor Jackson, and Angelique Rivera. Trust me, you’ll want to remember those names.

American Crime: Season Two turns its attention to issues of sexual orientation, social hierarchy, and economic disparity. The sensitive material would be challenging for an actor who’s spent years in the industry, but the young cast proves talent outweighs experience. It’s an understatement to say that the story and their characters are multifaceted. This is storytelling at the highest caliber. These artists are forcing audiences out of their comfort zone and rightfully so.

Let’s take a look at the young actors who make American Crime must-see TV:

Connor Jessup

Where You’ve Seen Him: Falling Skies & The Saddle Club
Upcoming Projects: Closet Monster

A few weeks back, we featured Connor Jessup in our “Ones to Watch” series — a title he deserves. The Canadian actor is a quadruple-threat: actor, writer, director, and filmmaker. But, if you’ve seen his performance in last Wednesday’s episode, you know we haven’t done him justice. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe this young man’s talent. His subtle artistic choices are authentic and tug at your heartstrings. Even after Connor’s character does the unthinkable in Episode Seven, you’re left feeling sympathetic for a young man who is searching for himself. His mannerisms and expressions are as meaningful and telling as the dialogue.

Joey Pollari

Where You’ve Seen Him: Avalon High & The Inbetweeners

Joey Pollari and his character Eric Tanner have been responsible for some of this season’s most shocking and controversial moments. Pollari handles these dynamics with effortless ease. His performance is more outwardly expressive. He’s taken audiences through Eric’s highs and lows. There are moments you hate his character and others where you understand his internal conflicts. The marks of an amazing actor. It creates an interesting contrast between characters.

Trevor Jackson

Where You’ve Seen Him: Eureka & Cold Case
Upcoming Projects: Juveniles and Sons 2 the Grave

Like Connor Jessup, Trevor Jackson is a quadruple-threat. He’s a singer-songwriter, actor, model, and dancer. If you haven’t heard his album, make sure to give it a listen! It’s stellar. On American Crime he’s the character you love to hate, which is a testament to Trevor, who is so likable. His character has not always made the best decisions but there are glimpses of Kevin’s kindness that we hope further transpires in the coming episodes.

Angelique Rivera

How is it possible that this is Angelique’s first television role? It’s baffling. She brings so much strength to her character who has a troubled past. With everything seemingly crashing around her, Evy remains a light that’s confident and strong. Angelique Rivera is a breakout star.

When EMMY nominations are announced, I hope these young actors will be acknowledged for their outstanding roles.

Photo Credit: ABC/Image Group LA