2021 was a fantastic year for Hollywood as blockbuster movies, new and old TV shows, graced the screen and left the audience wanting more. Among the 39 actors and actresses nominations in various categories, we list 10 artistes who went above and beyond to embody their characters.

Andrew Garfield in Tick Tick…Boom!

Effortlessly essaying the role of the late theatre legend Jonathan Larson, Garfield proves what a brilliant method actor he is. His weeks in training reflect in every song he performs. "Therapy", in particular, will undoubtedly enrapture you. First-time film director Lin Manuel Miranda worked with Garfield to revive Larson's tenacious and vainer side on screen.

Lady Gaga in House of Gucci

In Ridley Scott's crime drama, Lady Gaga portrays the femme fatale Patrizia Reggiani, also known as wife of Italian businessman Maurizio Gucci. No one does vulnerability and stoic quite like Lady Gaga. Every scene she is in is a testament to her ability to vacillate between being a dark character with no fears and an optimistic one with insecurities.

Kristen Stewart in Spencer

Despite several iterations of the story of the beloved Princess Diana, Stewart's stilted performance is hauntingly beautiful. She lends humanity to the personality that has touched thousands of hearts all around the world. Stewart carefully designed her character arc to vividly capture Diana's struggle with mental breakdowns and her barrage of insecurities.

Jason Sudeikis in Ted Lasso

Sudeikis knocked it out of the park as the titular character in this show. He plays this unlikely character in such a compassionate way, his feelings and thoughts become tangible to the audience. In season 2, Lasso's growth is evident in his confidence, humour and resilience.

Will Smith in King Richard

As the committed coach and protective father of Venus and Serena Williams, Will Smith balanced the two roles impeccably. Having played so many memorable characters for more than 30 years, he has enough skills and experiences under his belt to masterfully craft a complex character like this one.

Ariana Debose in West Side Story

The trailblazing role of Anita is played by Debose in Spielberg's urban renewal of the classic Broadway musical "West Side Story". She is an ideal match for the material as she has spent much of her career doing Broadway shows and knows how to find the equilibrium between elegance and harshness.

Ruth Nega in Passing

Adapted from the book of the same name, "Passing" is a film about two women trying to come to terms with their racial identity. Negga's raw talent brought the author's prose to life and her look as an actress from the Golden age with a modern twist, was important to showcase her character's dissatisfaction. She packed the visceral punch the story needed.

Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth

Washington fully inhabits the role of Macbeth - he is diabolical, exhausted, drunk with power, a soldier and an acquiescent husband, all rolled into one. He shares the screen with Oscar-winner Frances McDormand and they both work as a team to deliver an awe-inspiring performance.

Lee Jung-Jae in Squid Game

Jung-Jae is brilliant as Seong Gi-hun, a gambling addict going through midlife crisis and riddled with debts, in the debut season of the critically acclaimed K-drama "Squid Game". He slips into character so flawlessly, it is hard to imagine that this role is a far cry from what he is used to playing.

Sarah Snook in Succession

In the stinging third season of "Succession", Snook deftly added some new characteristics to her character, including a sense of renewed determination which she then swapped for utter dejection in the last few episodes. Hers was a performance driven piece that did not have to rely heavily on music or CGI to entertain.