The Modern Horror Icon: Summer H. Howell in 'Carrie'
It takes guts to step into a role made iconic by Sissy Spacek, but in Mike Flanagan's modern reimagining of the Stephen King classic, Summer H. Howell is making the tormented telekinetic teen her own. Premiering on Prime Video in early October, the eight-part
series updates the 1974 novel for the social media age, where bullying is relentless and digital. Howell's performance as Carrie White is being praised as a standout, capturing the character's profound isolation before her world-altering psychic powers fully manifest. Early reviews suggest that while the show is a horror story, Howell's portrayal brings a deep, tragic humanity that makes you root for her, even as the inevitable, fiery conclusion approaches. It’s the kind of complex, haunting role that instantly puts an actor on the map.
The Charismatic Pirate: David Oyelowo in 'Treasure Island'
While David Oyelowo is hardly a 'new' actor, his turn as the legendary Long John Silver in MGM+'s new adaptation of 'Treasure Island' is set to introduce him to a fresh audience in a whole new light. The series, which premiered on October 11, gives the classic Robert Louis Stevenson pirate adventure a glossy, high-stakes treatment. Oyelowo’s portrayal of the one-legged pirate captain is already being noted for its charisma and treachery, a magnetic performance that balances charm with menace. In a sea of familiar franchises, a well-produced adventure story with a powerhouse actor at its center can create major waves, and Oyelowo's take on one of literature's most complex anti-heroes is shaping up to be a must-watch performance this fall.
The New Avatar: Saheli Khan in 'Avatar: Seven Havens'
Following in the footsteps of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' and 'The Legend of Korra' is a monumental task, but Paramount+'s new animated sequel, 'Avatar: Seven Havens,' introduces a new era and a new hero. The series, which premiered October 9, is set 225 years after Korra and follows Pavi, a young Earthbender voiced by Saheli Khan, who discovers she is the next Avatar. The role immediately thrusts Khan into the heart of a massive, passionate fandom. Her character, Pavi, must navigate a post-apocalyptic world where being the Avatar makes her a target. As the voice of a new generation's hero in a globally beloved franchise, Khan is poised to become a favorite for millions of viewers tuning in to see the next chapter of the Avatar cycle unfold.
The Cerebral Synthezoid: Paul Bettany in 'VisionQuest'
Paul Bettany's Vision has been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years, but the new Disney+ series 'VisionQuest,' which premiered October 14, puts him squarely in the spotlight for a journey of self-discovery. After the events of 'WandaVision,' the newly reconstituted White Vision is on a mission to understand his own existence, and the series promises a more philosophical, character-driven story. With James Spader returning as a human version of Ultron, the show is framed as a fraught family drama about fathers and sons. While Bettany is a veteran actor, this leading role gives him the space to explore a fan-favorite character with new depth, re-introducing him as the anchor of his own highly anticipated Marvel story.
The Prestige Newcomer: The Cast of 'East of Eden'
Sometimes, a show is so packed with talent that it's impossible to single out just one star. Netflix's ambitious adaptation of John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden,' which dropped on October 1, is a prime example. While it features established star Florence Pugh, it also serves as a major platform for actors like Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist, who take on the pivotal roles of the Trask brothers. The seven-episode limited series aims for an epic, intimate retelling of the classic novel about two intertwined families. With Zoe Kazan adapting the novel her own grandfather famously brought to the screen, expectations are sky-high. For actors like Faist, known for 'West Side Story,' and Abbott, this is the kind of prestige project that cements a performer's reputation as a serious dramatic force.
