Who do and don't you consider a good/great actor of the modern age?

[blobby10]

I love Charlize Theron as I'm never sure if it's her in a role! Similarly Cate Blanchett - both seem to manage to morph into their characters without excessive make up and change their voice too. I enjoy many of Sandra Bullocks films but she always sounds the same in each role, ditto Ann Hathaway.

I think Johnny Depp is a good actor although he does use a lot of make up in many of his roles. The likes of Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth all seem to play the same role with different costumes! Although very beautiful to look at with or without clothes

Saoirse Ronan is incredibly watchable and lifts any film she’s in.

Kate Winslet

Stephen Graham
Toby Jones

I can't believe she wasn't first on my list. She is amazing and has been consistently so since Atonement.

I feel my rôle as PM was pretty convincing.

I don't know what the rest of your think?

Love Samantha Morton and Molly Windsor too.

Yes, yes, yes! He is an unspeakable genius. I'd love it if he did more on film and TV, but he is an astonishing stage actor and has given completely new interpretations of characters I thought I'd seen played in every possible way, and when I didn't think there were any new depths to find in them.

Also a big fan of Fiona Shaw, Judy Davis, Janet McTeer, Alex Jennings, Sally Hawkins, Anton Lesser, Adrian Lester, Claire Foy, Cillian Murphy (on stage, but not particularly on film or TV, or maybe it's just he chooses projects that I find dull as ditchwater), Mikel Murfi, Paterson Joseph, Catherine Keener, Greta Gerwig. I think Jason Watkins is brilliantly talented.

Oh, Eddie Marsan.

Admit it, you were miscast...

My top 5 actors and actresses

Tom Hanks
Johnny Depp
Leonardo diCaprio
Heath Ledger
Joaquin Phoenix

Helen Mirren
Meryl Streep
Helena Bonham Carter
Emily Blunt
Kate Winslet

Ethan Hawke
Andrew Scott

Saoirse Ronan
Jodie Comer

Andrew Scott playing anything but especially Ripley.

Robert Duvall

Theres a very eclectic mix of names being listed - its fascinating how we all like so many different people! I defintely think i need to watch a greater variety of films/TV. What makes a 'good' actor do we think? Is it possible to define it? Maybe someone who transforms into whatever character they play? Therefore someone with a strong accent can never be an excellent actor if they can't disguise it ie Sean Connery!!

Amy Adams comes up a lot - maybe I haven't seen her in enough films but her voice is so identifying it ruins whatever character I've seen her play. Same with kate Winslet - I always feel she plays the same person.

Just thought of another actor who only plays himself - Patrick Dempsey. Adored him in Greys Anatomy (first couple of series) but he only ever plays a variation of himself! Pierce Brosnan is the same.

Love Tom Hanks, especially Green Mile.

On stage - the late Sir Anthony Sher

On TV - Jason Watkins, Nicola Walker

Can't bear: Russell Brand, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley (esp. in Pride &P)

Andrew Scott
Dev Patel
Dan Stevens
Luke Evans
James McAvoy
Domhnall gleeson
Thandie Newton
Lily James
Saoirse Ronan
Tessa Thompson
Daisy Ridley
Marion Cotillard

I agree with PP who said Toby Jones. He's just utterly compelling. I know he tends to play put-upon late middle aged chaps, but he lifts everything he's in. While we're on The Detectorists, I think that Emma Thompson's sister is just incredible.

Comedy-wise, I love Jim Howick. I was a massive Peep Show fan and love HH/Ghosts. His timing is exquisite. His death day episode in Ghosts was almost unbearably sad. He is a genius.

Cillian Murphy was great playing Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders. Also as Oppenheimer in the film about this time last year.

Gary Oldman. Really versatile

Melanie Griffith.
I watched Working Girl last week and it made me realise what a terrible actress she is.
Especially pitted against Harrison Ford,Sigourney Weaver and Joan Cusack.

Watching the recent Wolf Hall and was struck by any scene with Mark Rylance and Thomas Brodie Sangster. The tiniest glances and fleeting micro expressions gave you the feeling you could see their entire relationship and history and mutual understanding of whatever scene was playing out around them. They were incredible together.

Shaun Evans - Endeavour
Claire Foy. - The Crown

Was also going to say Ethan Hawke, even just for his reaction to the ‘lawnmower’ tape in Sinister - such a great bit of acting!

James McAvoy I also find very watchable. And Elisabeth Moss.

Sam Niell, hugely versatile

Yes, they're absolutely superb. Poor Mark Rylance - his wife has recently died - she was an amazingly talented woman and they worked together at the Globe Theatre previously. She was an expert on 20th century music and contributed to the music for Wolf Hall - a great loss. It's often the talented people in the background who help actors shine.

I also love Amy Adams - adore her in Leap Year - such a feel good, funny film. The chemistry with Matthew Goode was great!

Can't stand Olivia Colman - over-promoted, smug and always plays herself. Gosh, she got lucky!!!!

Absolutely agree.