Performers of the Month – July 2023

The enigmatic star of Apple TV’s hit Hijack Idris Elba quickly emerged as the frontrunner and one to beat in Staff voting. The Crowded Room’s Amanda Seyfried and Good Omen’s David Tennant both made runs for the top spot but could not catch Elba, eventually finishing 2nd and 3rd in the voting. Even with his hands tied the entire episode, there is no doubt that Idris Elba’s Sam Nelson is in command. The wheels in his razor-sharp mind are always spinning looking for a way to end this nightmare. He masterminds the hijackers into trying to land in Hungary to help the injured highjacker, then craftily manipulates a message to the ground by having the co-pilot convey messages and plan a rescue in the guise of getting permission to land by speaking in her native Hungarian language. There was a risk that one of the highjackers spoke Hungarian but it was a risk Sam was willing to take. The fear and frustration on his face were evident when the wounded hijacker demanded no landing and Sam learned it was because the people in charge of the group had threatened all their families, including his. His confusing 180-degree turnaround to abort the landing was necessary, with him again saving many more lives. Throughout the episode, Elba is masterful in the split-second decisions Sam has to constantly make despite his own fears. Idris Elba is SpoilerTV’s July Staff Choice Performer of the Month.

This month’s reader voting began as a battle between JD Pardo (Ez Reyws) of Mayans MC and iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove (Carly Shay). However, the last day of voting saw Pardo move ahead and easily take the title. With Cosgrove hanging on for second and Kennedy McMann (Nancy Drew), Nancy Drew takes third. JD Pardo’s journey on Mayans MC has been a masterclass in acting. EZ Reyes begins as a young man tortured by his mother’s death and then the necessity of betraying his brothers in the MC. He must embrace the violence of the MC, and throughout the series, Pardo portrays how this plays out in the character. He finds love and seems willing to leave the life of violence behind, but it won’t let him. In this final season, EZ seems cut off from his emotions and willing to do anything to see the Mayans come out on top. Naturally, it all catches up with him in the final episode. In an episode that seems a cross between Hamlet and Julius Ceasar, Pardo rises to the challenge. Just as he finally makes his way back to his brother and admits his love for his new girlfriend, his willingness to do anything catches up with him. Pardo is simply outstanding in this final scene as he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his brother. The chemistry between Clayton Cardenas and Pardo is exceptional, and both actors simply give the scene everything.Pardo’s portrayal of the complex character, EZ Reyes, is both nuanced and compelling. Pardo’s ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from intense anger to deep vulnerability, is truly remarkable. He
brings a unique depth to his character that keeps viewers engaged and invested in his journey. His performance is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft. J.D. Pardo is Spoiler TV’s July Reader’s Choice Performer of the Month.