Our picks for the best lead performers in a comedy vary greatly on the comedy spectrum, from a mockumentary/parody to a dramedy to a classic sitcom with a modern twist. It’s certainly a varied bunch and a perfect picture of the varied type of comedy programs you could watch in 2022.

Here are our picks for the Top 5 Best Leading Performances in a Comedic TV Role in 2022.

5.) Da’Jour Jones

Players: Season One

Da’Jour Jones may not give the flashiest performance but he plays Organizm’s arch over the season perfectly. Starting as the introverted League of Legends prodigy, we see him slowly come out of his shell and let others know what he really thinks. The scene where he calls out his family for jumping on his bandwagon was one of the most impactful moments for the season, as well as his actions in the finale.

– Ashley Hobley

4.) Jeremy Allen White

The Bear: Season One

While Jeremy Allen White’s performance in the dramedy The Bear may not bring a lot of laughs, it is incredibly engaging and one you can’t look away from. As a fine dining chef who comes back to his hometown to run his recently deceased brother’s failing restaurant, White plays the fish out of water scenario really well proving some relief from the tension of dealing with his brother’s suicide and the struggles of running a restaurant. His performance in the one-take episode “Review” would earn his place on either of our top 5 leading performance lists on its own.

– Ashley Hobley

3.) Tatiana Maslany

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Season One

It seemed like Tatiana Maslany had an absolute ball playing Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk in the Marvel Studios sitcom. Supported by a great ensemble cast and fun guest stars to bounce off, Maslany is able to bring the character to life with justice, despite what some angry nerds might say. Whether she’s breaking the fourth wall, serving justice in the courtroom, dealing with being a single woman in her 30s or beating up bad guys, Maslany is marvellous delightful to watch.

– Ashley Hobley

2.) Misha Brooks

Players: Season One

Somehow Mischa Brooks is able to constantly take the character of Creamcheese up to the line of being incredibly dislikable but reel you back into routing for him to succeed. Although we see the brash, overconfident Creamcheese in the present, we get flashbacks to see how he became this person. While Brooks is great at delivering the crazy LOL lingo or acting super entitled, he also does a stellar job in those moments of vulnerability that make him more than just a parody or caricature.

– Ashley Hobley

1.) Nathan Fielder

The Rehearsal: Season One

In The Rehearsal, Nathan Fielder is both an actor and himself. He is the director and a writer, but he can’t predict everything that’s going to happen. I am trying to figure out how to explain what The Rehearsal is months after watching it. I still try to get friends and family to watch it. I have no idea if I was laughing with Fielder in this show or at how it made me feel about life. What award is this for? Comedy? Deserving. I did laugh.  

– Dylan Blight

Dylan Blight and Ashley Hobley compiled this Top 5 list. The TV shows nominated must release between November 15th 2021 – November 15th 2022 and have been released in Australia via network TV, VOD or a streaming platform.