Historically, child actors have been utilized as little more than props, bounding into scenes with cute catchphrases or goofball antics, only to bounce right back out of the room again. In the past, child actors rarely had their own thoughtfully developed storylines, serving more supplemental roles to bolster the needs of the adult performers. Recently, however, many series now make a point of providing more robust parts for young people.
Currently, some of the most compelling storylines in television involve child actors. With series like Stranger Things, child actors are proving they can not only carry a compelling storyline but can carry the entire series. Regardless of the genre, child actors are showing the world they are capable of riveting performances that often rival their adult co-stars as their talent soars through the TV screen.
10 Jackson Robert Scott Is A Delight (Locke & Key)
Jackson Robert Scott is best known for his role as Bode Locke, the youngest of the three main protagonists on the Netflix original series Locke & Key. Based on a comic of the same name, the show focuses on the Locke children as they discover magical keys in their new home. The character is full of life and the most inquisitive of the siblings. As the only Locke child played by an actual child, Scott never falls behind in his performance and always brings just as much to the role as his adult counterparts.
In addition to his role as Bode, he has appeared in numerous other productions, including, Fear the Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, and the 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King’s It, as Georgie. He’s also a boy scout and speaks Mandarin Chinese.
9 Priah Ferguson Brings The Laughs (Stranger Things)
Priah Ferguson made her television debut in the series Atlanta in 2016, but it was when she joined the cast of Stranger Things in 2017 as a guest role as Erica Sinclair, the younger sister of lead character Lucas Sinclair, that audiences took notice. Viewers quickly fell in love with the charming character from her very first appearance.
Subsequently, thanks in no small part to fan adoration, Priah was given a more prominent role in season 3 of the series. Priah has also appeared in the Bluff City Law series and The Oath feature film.
8 Darby Camp Charmed Audiences (Big Little Lies)
Darby Camp charmed audiences from the moment she appeared, standing toe to toe with Reese Witherspoon in the HBO series Big Little Lies. Her performance as Chloe was a breath of fresh air and her performance never wavered in the presence of legendary talents such as Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.
Her talents did not go unnoticed, and since Big Little Lies, she has landed a plethora of fantastic roles in films such as The Christmas Chronicles, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Benji. Darby also appears alongside Julia Roberts in the thriller limited series, Gaslit.
7 Raegan Revord Is An Underrated Star (Young Sheldon)
Young Sheldon is full of exceptional young talent. However, Raegan Revord’s portrayal of Sheldon’s twin sister Missy is an exceptionally underrated performance. Her ability to switch from impeccable comedic timing to relatable moments of vulnerability is a rarity in young sitcom actors. Raegan adds much-needed spunky behavior opposite Iain Armitage’s serious and scholarly Sheldon.
In addition to her role in Young Sheldon, she has appeared in Modern Family, Grace and Frankie, Alexa and Katie, and more, including various print ads and commercials.
6 Marsai Martin Has Many Incredible Talents (Black-ish)
Marsai Martin has been nominated for numerous awards for her role as Diane Johnson on the hit ABC comedy Black-ish, and even won a Young Artist Award for her work. While her performance in Black-ish is what brought her to the public eye, she has also proven to be an incredible force of nature behind the camera.
At the age of 13, Marsai became Executive Producer for Little, the first feature film she also starred in, making her the youngest person ever to produce a studio film. In 2019 Martin’s production company, Genius Production, signed a first-look deal with Universal making her the youngest person ever to get a studio deal.
This Is Us tells the story of the Pearson family throughout their lifetime at multiple ages. Of all the fantastic child talent seen throughout the series, Lonnie Chavis stands out above the rest as wise beyond his years in his role as young Randall Pearson. His ability to portray a young Sterling K. Brown through his mannerisms is simply remarkable.
In addition to being a talented performer, Chavis is also an activist. He has partnered with Ad Council to speak out again bullying.
4 Olivia Edward Is A Nuanced Performer (Better Things)
Better Things is one of the best series on television, in no small part to its brilliant performances. Olivia Edward as the youngest daughter in the Fox family, simply nails each episode with a nuance that cannot be matched. Her subtle nature brings a much-needed calm to the Fox family’s storm.
In addition to her role in Better Things, Edward has been in many other productions, including the comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She is also a Wildlife Warrior ambassador for Australia Zoo.
3 Matilda Lawler Is A Gift (Station Eleven)
Station Eleven is a post-apocalyptic miniseries on HBO Max that centers on a group of survivors after a flu pandemic kills most of civilization. At the center of the story is Kirsten, whom we see in the present day as an adult and a child when the flu began.
Matilda Lawler shines in the role of Young Kirsten, able to tell the story in a raw and believable way as the audience sees the pandemic through her eyes. While she lights up the screen in Station Eleven, she is equally as charming as the quirky Flora in the Disney+ film Flora & Ulysses.
2 Iain Armitage Is A Powerhouse Of Talent (Young Sheldon)
Iain Armitage first got audience’s attention when he played Ziggy in the HBO hit series Big Little Lies. He was impressive in the role, leading a sentimental and subtle performance. However, his role as Sheldon Cooper in CBS’s Young Sheldon is the one that skyrocketed the young performer to fame. Audiences rave about his ability to capture the speech patterns and mannerisms of the older Sheldon, made famous on The Big Bang Theory.
Additionally, Iain has appeared in productions such as Scoob! and Law & Order: SVU.
1 McKenna Grace Has Endless Range
It would be easier to make a list of series McKenna Grace hasn’t appeared in since she was introduced in the Disney XD sitcom, Crash and Bernstein at the age of six. With over 30 television and 23 film credits to her name, she is already a household name at the age of 16.
McKenna’s range as an actress is comparable to actresses three times her age in the industry, and she never fails to bring characters to life with fascinating and impressive performances. Some of her work includes Young Sheldon, The Haunting of Hill House, and the hit Ghostbusters: Afterlife, for which she is often credited as carrying the film. In addition to acting, McKenna is a singer/songwriter who released her first single, “Haunted House,” in 2021 and a follow-up, “Do All My Friends Hate Me,” in 2022.