As we get nearer and nearer to fall and the return of all of our favorite shows, the networks are starting to release pilots for their new offerings, and we’d like to highlight a few of the shining stars for Hypable Honors.
Just this week anyone with access to Hulu.com got the chance to check out the pilots for NBC’s AtoZ and ABC’s Selfie, and a few weeks back, audiences at San Diego Comic-Con got the chance to check out the pilots for Gotham, The Flash, and Constantine. While summer winds down and reality shows seem to reign supreme, we thought it’d be a good time to take a look at the performances in the pilots we’ve seen before September hits and we can’t stop talking about the ones we haven’t.
Hypable Honors
Show: ‘Gotham’
Actor: Robin Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot
This pilot is chock full of seriously great performances, especially when you consider how many of them are from very young actors that are still honing their craft. None is more outstanding though, than that of Robin Taylor. To play Oswald Cobblepot, Taylor adopts physical ticks and posture that is otherworldly. He becomes a snively weasel of a character, but somehow, you still manage to worry about him when things might not be going his way.
There are a lot of great pilots hitting the air this fall, but Gotham is definitely at the top of the list as far as quality. The cast they have assembled is absolutely remarkable and they bring the rich world of Gotham to life without needing a certain Dark Knight to steal the show.
Show: ‘A to Z’
Actor: Ben Feldman
No matter when Ben Feldman first wooed you, be it Mad Men, The Mindy Project, Drop Dead Diva or some project of his years ago, it’s pretty safe to say he hasn’t lost a step. His take on the leading man, Andrew in A to Z, is reminiscent of Ted Mosby or a less neurotic Ross Gellar, and has us eager to see how his and Zelda’s relationship unfolds from here. He’s equal parts charming and sincere, a ratio that can easily spell success for a series dependent upon the chemistry of its two leads. He and Cristin Millioti are the perfect pair to give A to Z a fair shot.
The pilot has us expecting great things from this show, and Ben Feldman is just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone, including the hysterical Christina Kirk who plays Andrew’s boss, brings their A game to A to Z. We are holding out hope that each and every episode will build on the solid base the pilot has established.
Otherwise Noteworthy
Other Show: ‘The Flash’
Actor: Grant Gustin as Barry Allen
The Flash is nothing without its lead, and Grant Gustin has everything one would need to play an endearing Barry Allen. Whether he’s shocking you with his impressive forensic knowledge or breaking your heart with his tragic parental history, Barry Allen’s charm is enhanced by the remarkable talent of Grant Gustin. We fell for him last season on Arrow, but the affair has only just begun. We can’t wait to see what Gustin does with the tortured soul that is Barry Allen as he embraces his role as Central City’s protector.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.