As the year comes to an end, we highlight some of the spectacular performances by black actors that made a lasting impression on us this year. This isn’t a popularity contest, so there may be people you expect to see who are deliberately missing from the list.

1. Oliver Litondo as Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge in “The First Grader”

2. Octavia Spencer as Minnie in “The Help”

3. Michole Briana White as Fran in “I Will Follow”

4. GianCarlo Eposito as Gustavo ‘Gus’ Fring in “Breaking Bad”

5. Patina Miller as Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence in Broadway’s “Sister Act”

6. Adepero Oduye as Alike in “Pariah”

7. Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald as Porgy and Bess in A.R.T/Broadway’s “Porgy and Bess”

8. Hoji Fortuna as César in “Viva Riva!”

9. John Boyega as Moses in “Attack The Block”

10.Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson in USA’s “Suits”

Other notable performances included Nia Long as Safiyah Mahdi in “Mooz-lum,” Laurence Fishburne as Dr. Cheaver in “Contagion,” Solomon Glave as the young Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights,” Terrence Howard as Detective Hollis Lucetti in “The Ledge,” Thandie Newton as Kate in “Retreat,” Michael K Williams as Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire,” Angela Bassett as Mrs. Watson in “Jumping The Broom,” Khomotso Manyaka as Chandra in “Life above All,”Brandon Jay McLaren as Professor Bennet Ahmed in “The Killing,” Naomie Harris as Jane Obinchu in “The First Grader,” David Oyelowo as Steven Jacobson in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and Preacher Green in “The Help,” Nicole Beharie as Maryann in “Shame,” and Anika Noni Rose for her roles in “Law & Order: SVU” and “Bag of Bones.”